by Tate, Harley
Dani swallowed. “So whatever happens next?”
“We’ll be in it together.”
Day Thirty-Nine
Chapter Thirty-One
COLT
Northern California Forest
6:30 a.m.
Colt eased a breath from his lungs in a slow, measured stream. The marshes around the edge of the pond held more ducks than a man could eat in a lifetime. He eased into a crouch just outside of the water’s edge. Lottie sat beside him, alert and waiting.
The first hint of a call sounded in the distance and Colt readied his shotgun. A V of five birds swooped low and circled. Colt waited. As they came in for a soft landing, Colt fired. One fell into the water and Lottie took off like a miniature torpedo.
The rest of the flock took to the air, squawking and carrying on. Colt stood up and waited. Five minutes later, a soaked little Lottie came swimming back with a bird twice her size in her teeth. Never in his life did he think a five-pound dog bred to fit in a purse would turn into a ferocious little hunter. But Lottie loved to retrieve.
She dropped the duck at his feet and shook her whole body from nose to tail. Water droplets flew everywhere and Colt fished a piece of jerky from his pocket. He fed it to the little dog, patted her head, and picked up the duck. By the time they made it back to camp, everyone else was awake and starting the day.
Dani crouched in front of the fire, getting it going just how Walter taught her. Larkin stood at the smoker, tending to the deer he’d killed the day before. Walter rummaged through their growing supply of dried plants and roots.
All together, they made an efficient four-person team. It wouldn’t be long before Walter amassed everything he needed and then some. Colt hoped when the time came, Walter would decide to bring them all along.
He set the duck down on the prep table they had fashioned out of cut branches and walked over to Dani. The wound on her cheek was healing well, and thanks to Walter’s even stitches, might not leave too jagged of a scar. Every day that went by away from Eugene and without conflict, Dani brightened. Gone were the pensive stares and somber moments when Colt wondered if she would ever laugh again.
If they could find some stability in this ever-changing world, she had the potential to grow into an amazing adult. Colt crouched beside her. “So what’s on the menu today?”
She smiled. “Miner’s lettuce, chicory root coffee, and guess what else?” Her eyes glittered as she waited.
“Deer jerky?”
“Nope.”
“Duck meat.”
“Try again.”
“Smoked trout.”
Dani laughed. “Eggs! Walter found a nest of quail eggs!”
“Don’t get too excited. They’re small and we only have four.”
Colt grinned at Walter. “Now if we could just make some sausage, we’d be set.”
“It’s on the list. Find me some cloves and cayenne pepper and we’re in business.”
The tidy camp lapsed into silence as everyone went back to work. In no time, they’d put together a breakfast most people would have paid a premium for only a few weeks ago. He eased down to the ground beside Dani.
Walter sat at the makeshift radio station Larkin rigged up the day before. Thanks to the Humvee’s battery and some tinkering by Walter and the creative use of the netting poles, they were able to not only receive radio frequencies, but broadcast as well. He cleared his throat, moved a few knobs and began his morning broadcast.
“Good morning. The time is 7:30 Pacific Standard, and it has been thirty-nine days since the United States power grid failed. My name is Walter Sloane.”
He glanced over at Dani and smiled. “If this is your first time listening to my broadcasts, welcome. We have been through some of the most trying times we’ve ever had to face as a country. But we will persevere. If you are out there listening this morning, that means you are a survivor. You have found a way to keep going when the odds were stacked against you. Don’t give up now. Together, we can weather this storm.”
Dani leaned against Colt as Walter kept talking, describing the things people could do to find water or food. She couldn’t help but wonder what Walter’s own family was doing now. Were they listening to him? Did they know he was safe? Sooner or later, Walter would head back to them, and Colt, Dani, and Larkin would need to find their own way.
But for now, they were safe in the woods. With shelters made from Douglas fir and beds of matted pine straw, they were comfortable at night. Daily hunting and gathering provided enough to eat. The nearby creek gave them all the water they could ask for. It wasn’t a home in a good neighborhood with a manicured lawn and a new car in the driveway. It was better.
Walter continued and Colt sat back to listen.
“Over the past week, I’ve learned that family isn’t what’s written on your birth certificate or determined by your last name. It’s about finding like-minded people to share life’s burdens. People you can trust. Yes, we’re faced with challenging times, but don’t let adversity stop you. Find others who want to survive and band together.
“You might not have much, but you’re still breathing. You’re still alive. So take in that next breath with hope and courage and optimism. This isn’t the end of our country or our way of life. This isn’t the end of you. It’s a new beginning. Grab it with both hands and never let go.”
Walter glanced at Colt before continuing. “I might not be broadcasting for a while after today, but don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. Until next time, this is Walter Sloane. Good luck.” He clicked off the radio and exhaled.
Colt eased away from Dani as he addressed Walter. “So this is it?”
“It’s time. Thanks to you all, I have more than I need and probably more than I can transport.”
Dani shifted on the ground. “Wait, what’s going on?”
Larkin picked at a pinecone. “Walter’s packing up. He’s going home.”
“But…what about the camp and all the work we’ve put into it?”
Colt managed a sad smile. “We’ll still get to use it.”
Dani’s gaze shifted from Colt to Walter as understanding spread across her face. “We aren’t leaving.”
“About that.” Walter stood up and brushed off the dirt clinging to his pants. “What would you say about coming with me?”
“To your home?”
“It’s not mine exactly. It belongs to another family. I don’t know if they will accept you.”
“But you’re willing to bring us along?”
Dani clutched at Colt’s arm. “I don’t want to cause anyone else problems.”
Walter nodded. “When we arrive, we’ll explain the situation and put it up to a vote. If it doesn’t work, you all can go on your way or come back here.”
Colt glanced at Dani. He thought about all she still needed to learn. All she would miss tagging along with two grown military men in the woods. He nodded. “Are there kids Dani’s age?”
“College kids. Four or five years older.”
Better than nothing. He reached out and squeezed her hand. “We’ll come. And if it doesn’t work out, no hard feelings.”
Walter smiled. “Good. Because there’s no way I can get there on my own.”
Also by Harley Tate
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If you were hundreds of miles from home when the world ended, how would you protect your family?
Walter started his day like any other by boarding a commercial jet, ready to fly the first leg of his international journey. Halfway to Seattle, he witnesses the unthinkable: the total loss of power as far as he can see.
Hundreds of miles
from home, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back to his wife and teenage daughter. Landing the plane is only the beginning.
About Harley Tate
When the world as we know it falls apart, how far will you go to survive?
Harley Tate writes edge-of-your-seat post-apocalyptic fiction exploring what happens when ordinary people are faced with impossible choices.
Harley’s first series, After the EMP, follows ordinary people attempting to survive in a world without power. When the nation’s power grid is wrecked, it doesn’t take long for society to fall apart. The end of life as we know it brings out the best and worst in all of us.
The apocalypse is only the beginning.
Contact Harley directly at:
www.harleytate.com
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