by Mark Goodwin
“Thanks. Wear gloves, glasses, and a surgical mask. We need to minimize your exposure.”
“I will.” Poochy ended the call.
CHAPTER 19
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
2 Corinthians 15:42-43
Josh stood wearily by the deep hole in the ground he and Poochy had excavated. Across from him, stood Mackenzie, Christina, and Poochy. All three of them wore safety goggles and surgical masks, standing back ten feet from the gravesite. Ten feet behind Josh stood Lindsey, the only member of the compound well enough to attend the memorial service.
Josh opened his Bible and began to read, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”
He looked across the chasm in the earth at Mackenzie. He spoke loudly so his voice would carry to those in front and behind. “Paul goes on to say, ‘If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.’
“Our faith is not in vain. Rev put his faith in Jesus and will be resurrected on the day of Christ’s return. Which, from the looks of things, could be any second now. Rev explained his understanding of the timing concerning the last days, and I think he made a solid argument. He firmly believes we have no more than another three years, or so. Keeping that in mind, it won’t be long until we see him again. For those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus, that is.”
Josh watched as Mackenzie turned away from listening. He knew she was hurting and decided now was not the time to push the subject. He continued reading from Corinthians about the resurrection body which believers will inherit at the resurrection, then said a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the guidance He’d provided through Rev, and asking for protection and healing for the rest of the compound. He’d not finished praying when Mackenzie so rudely interrupted.
“Josh!”
He opened his eyes and glared toward her. He understood that she was grieving, but she had no excuse to disrespect the others in the compound. Mackenzie was a guest on his property, and she’d have to learn to at least coexist, as she and the other woke lefties so adamantly endorsed. “What is it, Mackenzie?” he asked in a gruff voice.
“People, back in the woods. I saw someone.” She pointed to the tree line, which bordered with the national park.
Josh quickly placed his Bible on the ground and darted off toward the woods. Mackenzie had, in fact, possessed a very good reason for interrupting his prayer. Josh had no time to consider his prejudices toward Rev’s daughter. He’d have to revisit them at a more convenient time. He drew his pistol, pressed down on the top line of the barbwire fence and cautiously stepped over. Christina and Poochy, both with rifles, followed close behind. Josh held down the loose section of fence for each of them to cross.
Once over the barbwire, Christina held her AR-15 pointed at the ground. “Did you see anything?”
“No,” said Josh. “I saw the bushes moving back over that way. But it could have been deer.”
“Like how many deer?” Poochy followed Josh and Christina toward the site of the disturbance.
Josh continued scouring the area for any signs of movement. “I’m not sure. Three, maybe four.”
“When is the last time anyone saw a deer around here?” Christina asked. “They know it’s open season. The ones who survived this long have smartened up. Five people standing out in the open. They would have to smell us.”
“Still,” said Josh. “It’s possible that it was deer.”
“Possible, but unlikely.” Christina stepped softly on the dry leaves.
“Mackenzie seems convinced that she saw people,” added Poochy.
Josh didn’t want it to be people. The compound had enough problems already. He led the group further and further into the woods but saw nothing. “Whatever, or whoever it was, is gone now. We might as well get back.”
The group turned around to finish the service which had been interrupted. When they arrived at the gravesite, Mackenzie was sitting on the ground, sobbing quietly by herself. Lindsey sat against a tree on the other side of the grave, also looking sad.
Christina gazed at her daughter. “I want to go give her a hug so bad.”
Josh knew how hard it must have been for her. “CDC recommends maintaining the quarantine at least three days after a recovered person has quit showing symptoms.”
“So, if you hadn’t been vaccinated, you’d wait three days after Micah gets well?”
Josh sighed. “I’m not trying to be the bad guy here. Can you imagine how at risk Lindsey and everyone else would be if you get sick? Poochy would be the only available shooter for security.”
Christina looked down. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Josh had said everything he knew to say for the funeral. He hated that it had ended so unceremoniously but could think of nothing more in his exhausted state. “I suppose we’re all dismissed. Poochy and I will take care of filling in the grave.”
Mackenzie stayed near the grave while Josh and Poochy shoveled dirt into the scar in the earth. Christina and Lindsey moved away from the others to talk but still kept their distance from one another. Mother and daughter had a conversation from afar, but it was the closest they’d been since Lindsey had gotten sick.
When the task was completed, everyone meandered off, each in their own direction. Josh watched the woods for a while by himself before returning to the farmhouse. When he finally made it back, he was greeted at the door by Lindsey. She had a forlorn expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Melanie,” said the young girl.
“Is she worse?”
The teen girl’s face contorted and she began to weep. “She’s dead.”
Josh felt a sudden sinking feeling. He’d known Melanie for a long time from work, but the two had never been very close. Yet her passing represented a concrete fact to Josh. It was not only older folks who were susceptible to death by the virus. If Melanie could die from it, so could Stephanie.
“Okay. I’ll call Poochy and take care of her. Why don’t you go get some rest? You’ve had a lot of activity for today.”
“I need to check on the others.” She dried her eyes.
“Let me take care of that. Emilio and Nicole are able to look after themselves. I can handle looking in on Steph and Micah.”
“Okay.”
Josh had no energy to dig another grave, but it needed to be done before sunset. He picked up the radio. “Poochy, I’ve got bad news.”
“So do I,” Poochy replied.
Josh knew Poochy and Melanie had gotten close since her arrival. He thought it would be best to let him tell his news first. “Go ahead.”
“We’re missing some buckets from the cave.”
Josh cringed. “No way. They must have been watching us. We’ll have to relocate all of those supplies.”
“To where?” asked the voice over the walkie-talkie.
“We’ll bring some of it into the house. This place is always guarded. For the rest, we’ll have to explore deeper into the cave. We need to find a place so far back that you’d need a map to find it.”
“How far back does it go?”
“The guy I bought it from never found the end of it. But that mission will have to wait.”
“Why?” asked Poochy.
“Melanie died this afternoon.”
“But, I…I… I just talked to her. I thought she was through the worst of it.” His voice cracked.
Josh felt bad for Poochy. “I’m sorry. I know you liked her.”
“I need a few minutes. But I’ll be on over in a while.”
“Take your time.” Josh clipped the walkie back on his belt and returned to the house. His
first stop was to check on Stephanie. She still had a very high fever but was sleeping. He did not wake her. Josh filled her water cup, then went upstairs to check on Micah and the others. He walked in Micah’s room. Emilio was on the cot snoring softly. Lindsey was sitting at the foot of Micah’s bed. Josh asked his son, “How are you feeling, champ?”
Micah was sitting up in bed checking the news on Emilio’s burner phone. “Better. How’s Mom?”
“Resting. She needs it.”
“Lindsey said Melanie died.” Micah looked back at his phone with mournful eyes.
Josh nodded. “Yeah. We’ll put her in a peaceful location, next to Rev.”
“I could come if you have a service for her,” Micah said. “I probably could have made it to Rev’s.”
“You rest. We can’t risk a setback. I need you to get well as soon as possible.” Josh didn’t want to burden his son, so he provided no further details about the new threat. “I’m going to look in on Nicole. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“I want to come,” said Lindsey. “To Melanie’s service. I haven’t known her long, but I feel like we’re sort of like family. Because we’re all in this together, I guess.”
“Okay.” Josh gave a frail smile. “I’ll come to get you. Nightfall won’t be far off by the time we’re ready. It will probably have to be rather quick.”
“Sure. I understand.”
Josh left the room, closed the door, and crossed the hall to his sister’s room. He opened the door gently.
Nicole turned softly on her side. Her eyes were puffy and barely open. “Hey, Josh.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m just really tired. But the fever is gone.”
“Good. Are you drinking water?”
“Got a whole jug right by the bed.”
“Perfect. I’ll let you get back to sleep then.”
“Okay. Thanks for checking on me.”
“No problem. I’m glad you’re improving.” He closed the door and walked downstairs. He was emotionally drained and had no physical energy left. Nevertheless, the monumental task of burying yet another member of the compound still had to be completed before he would see any rest.
***
On Monday morning, Josh woke to an aching back and blistered hands. However, he’d have to soldier on. The supplies in the cave had to be relocated before they were taken. With security personnel in such short supply, it simply wasn’t possible to have someone guarding the entrance to the cave around the clock. He first filled Stephanie’s water glass then placed his hand on her head. “Still hot.”
She said nothing.
“How are you feeling?”
“Awful,” she whispered.
He kissed her on the head. “Can you drink this water for me?”
“I really don’t want it.” Her voice sounded anemic.
“I know. But just drink it and I’ll leave you alone.”
Stephanie struggled to sit up. Josh helped her and watched as she finished the glass of water. He let her down to the pillow and pulled the blankets back over her shoulders. “I’m going to move some of the buckets and boxes in the cave. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” she said in a whispered tone.
He kissed her gently and let her rest. When he arrived in the kitchen, he smelled coffee. Lindsey walked in from the living room. “Coffee is ready. I folded up Rev and Melanie’s cots. I have their bedding going in the wash. Some of the blankets were dark-colored, but I washed them on hot anyway. I figured a little premature fading would be the least of our worries.”
Josh poured a cup of coffee then walked into the living room. The curtains were opened, and the room once more looked like a communal family area rather than an infirmary.
“I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds. I just felt like it would be best to not have the room looking so depressing, you know?”
Josh sipped from his cup. “You’re absolutely right. Thank you very much. It’s one less thing I have to deal with. And good call on washing the bedding in hot water.”
“It’s been three days now. Can I go see my mom?”
Josh nodded. “Get a hot shower, as hot as you can stand it. Wash really good and put on clean clothes. Then, wear a surgical mask around her for the first twenty-four hours. We need to be very cautious.”
“Oh, I was planning to come back,” she said.
“I think you should stay there once you’re out of the quarantine.”
“But what about Micah? I want to help.”
“Micah will be fine. But you two will have to keep your distance until he leaves quarantine.”
She looked disheartened. “Alright.”
“Thank you for your help.” Josh walked upstairs to see Micah up and moving around. Nicole and Emilio were also awake.
“Everyone is feeling better?” Josh inquired.
“I feel great. Just getting ready to go downstairs and get some breakfast,” said Micah.
Nicole pointed to her nephew. “Not as good as him, but much better.”
“Ditto,” said Emilio.
“I can give you a hand with chores today if you need me to,” Micah offered.
Josh looked out the window. The curtains were opened for the first time in a few days. “If you feel up to it, you can stand guard today. Just post up on the porch with a rifle and a radio. We had a little trouble yesterday.” He explained what had happened during Rev’s funeral.
Emilio commented, “They know we have supplies. They’ll be back.”
“I can help you shuffle the supplies around,” Micah offered.
Josh shook his head. “Too physical. Besides, Christina was up all night. She’ll be going to sleep soon. Mackenzie is on call, and with Poochy helping me, no one is on watch. This is important.”
Micah stood up and grabbed his jacket, rifle, and boots. “Then I’ll take care of it. How is Mom?”
“She’s feeling pretty rough.”
“Can I see her?”
“She was sleeping when I left the room, which is what she needs. Give her a couple of hours and then go visit. Try to get her to drink water while you’re there. At least one glass, preferably two.”
Micah’s face showed his concern. “Yeah, alright.”
Josh headed back to the stairs.
“I’ll start working on a strategy to deal with the people from the woods,” said Emilio.
“You take it easy for another day or two,” said Josh as he walked down the stairway.
“It’s just planning,” Emilio said. “I probably won’t even break a sweat.”
“Okay then,” Josh called up the stairs. “That will be very useful.” He was glad to have a few of the members coming back around to help out.
CHAPTER 20
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:7-8
Josh and Poochy took notes of each turn they made as they worked their way further and further back into the cavernous labyrinth.
“It splits here again,” said Poochy. “We can go straight, or if we climb up on this ledge, we can get through that opening.”
Josh shined the beam of his flashlight to the ledge Poochy indicated. “Good catch. I didn’t even see that.”
“Maybe that’s our spot then. Criminals are inherently lazy,” said Poochy. “I doubt they’d want to climb up there. Plus, we’re already at least a quarter-mile deep. It would take some luck to end up at this exact location.”
Josh replied, “The people who robbed us probably aren’t run-of-the-mill delinquents. Most likely, they’re acting out of desperation. But it is improbable that someone would stumble on this spot. Let’s check it out.”
Poochy held his flashlight while Josh attempted to climb up the slippery shelf of the cave.
“Can you give my foot a little push?” Josh couldn’t find anything to hold onto.
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Poochy put his light in his mouth and boosted Josh up with his hands. Once on the ledge, Josh held Poochy’s wrist and lifted him up. The two had to duck to get inside the four-foot-tall tunnel. They followed the corridor for 30 feet after which, it opened up into a colossal cavity lined with stalactites and stalagmites. The ceiling was 50 feet tall at its highest. Josh estimated the diameter of the room to be 125 feet. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the beauty of the glistening icicle-like formations on the floor and roof of the large chamber.
Josh checked his watch. “It took us twenty minutes to get here. I think this is our spot.”
Poochy said, “It’s going to take weeks to move all those buckets back here.”
“We took our time at each intersection,” said Josh. “We’ll be able to do it in fifteen minutes or less after we get the hang of the route. Besides, we’ve got some strong young folks who are feeling better. We can get it done in a few days once all hands are on deck.”
“Yeah, if we don’t get robbed before that happens.”
Josh headed back into the tunnel. “Guarding the cave will be a priority from now on. If we only have one person on watch, they’ll be assigned to protecting the cave. We’ll put together some other deterrents as well.”
“I could probably rig up some type of booby trap to one of the buckets if you want to leave a few behind for bait.”
“Sure, let me know what you come up with. But for now, let’s move as many of the supplies as we can.”
Josh and Poochy spent the remainder of the day hauling buckets deep into the cave to the new cache point.
***
Later that evening, Josh was again utterly spent. He used his last remaining ounce of strength to get a shower before collapsing onto the bed. He lay quietly next to his ailing wife, brushing her hair gently with his fingers.
She rolled over and looked at him with her feverish eyes. “How did it go today?”
“Good. We found a decent spot to hide supplies and moved a significant portion of the buckets.”