Down the Hole

by Sally Six

  Phil said. “I’m with you Merle and Bill. I guess we just weren’t thinking straight. All it would take is a few of the bad element here in McCall to start getting hungry. They will have no qualm about taking from us anyway that they can. I am convinced also that we are on our own for some time to come. Sink or swim, it’s up to us to care for ourselves and our loved ones. The more weeks and months that go by the more desperate people are going to get. Everyday common folks are going to start doing things that they never dreamed that they would be doing in their worst nightmares to keep body and soul together.”

  Barb spoke up again. “I tried to warn my neighbors in Horseshoe Bend before I left. Do you know not one of them would even open their doors to even hear me out? I ended up yelling what I knew though their doors about the gang coming. I don’t know if any of them listened and believed me, but I tried and hoped that someone had.”

  Beulah sat thinking quietly while all this was going on. “Maybe I have been a bubblehead long enough. Not only that, but have kept my head in the sand. I have been like a Scarlet O’Hara in the old movie Gone With The Wind not wanting to think about things until tomorrow, but in my case ever. I never thought my dad was right. I didn’t think I would have to worry about this kind of thing, but just when my next hair or nail appointment was. What I could buy next.” She stood up.

  “My son and Barb are right. I tried to detach myself from all of this and hoped it would just go away, kind of like Amery there. If it hadn’t been for my son, I would have stayed in my home and either be dead or worse by now. I nearly got us both killed the first few days of this. I am not proud of that or how I acted. I was being a real dingbat. I am going to do my best not to lapse back into that person again, but I know bad habits die hard.” Beulah turned to face Brian.

  “Brian if you see me start to do something like that again, just shake me or whatever it takes, but don’t let me be like that again. Okay?”

  Brian smiled at his mom. “Sure Mom whatever you say, but remember I have your permission ahead of time.”

  She smiled back at him and grabbed him and gave him a big hug. Brian turned red with embarrassment. He wasn’t that mature yet that a hug from his mom in public didn’t embarrass him.

  Beulah let go of him and said. “Don’t you think we have taken enough of these good peoples time? We should be on our way. We have a long way to go yet and daylight is burning.”

  With that Beulah turned from the picnic table and thanked Bill, Phil and Merle for feeding them and taking time to hear them out. She headed for the parked bikes at the side of the building.

  Before Barb turned to leave she said. “Gentlemen, Brian and I have told you just like it is. We thank you so much for your hospitality and the meal. Good day and good luck.” Away she went. Barb didn’t make for the bikes right away. She had spied the outdoor privies and headed that way first.

  Brian was the last to leave. “Yes, thank you for the good meal. I think Barb has a very good idea.” He then headed in the same direction as she did.

  Bill started talking to his friends. “You know at our age we shouldn’t have forgotten the old adage, better safe than sorry. Okay men, we have a lot to do to move lock stock and barrel.”

  All three men then headed off in different directions to start the ball rolling on getting this group out of here. As Bill left, he could see Amery talking to several others. Looks like no good was going to come of some of this. He just hoped Amery didn’t talk too many out of going where they would be safer.

  It turned out that Amery managed to get three other families to join him in staying. He was hopping mad because his family wasn’t one of them. After his wife had heard some of what the three people on the bikes had said about what was going on, she believed it and would not stay. She took their tent and most of the food too. After all, she was taking the children with her.

  “Ungrateful woman.” Was Amery’s reply after throwing a fit when she wouldn’t listen to him.

  Brian got back to the bikes and realized that it would be a good thing to refill all their water canteens again. Just as he was turning around to walk back over to find the Pastor, he ran straight into him. It was like running into a brick wall. All Pastor Bill did was chuckle and grab onto Brian so that he wouldn’t fall down.

  “Whoa boy. What do you need that you’re in such a hurry?”

  Brian backed up a bit and looked up at the smiling face. “I was just headed to find you sir. I was wondering if it would be all right that we top off our water containers?”

  “There’s no reason why not. Go on ahead.”

  With that and the women being back at the bikes and talking to them, Brian had them all go over to the pump house with their canteens to refill them.

  As they were headed back, Brian had two canteens slung over his neck and shoulders and so did his mom. Barb had one. Brian looked up to see some goings on around their bikes. As they got closer, he could see Bill had unhooked his rigged up red wagon and in its place he and Merle were hooking up a regular bike wagon. It was the kind you haul a child in. Not that Brian was complaining. All their things would easily fit in that and more besides. No more worrying about the wagon going from side to side when he sped up. Brian came up and stood beside Bill.

  “I don’t know what to say. How can you do this? Don’t you need this with moving and all?”

  Bill had this crap-eating grin on his face. “Look you gave us some vital information. Information that may have very well saved some of our lives in the next few weeks and months. That kind of information is going to be worth a lot to people now. This is just to say thank you. Besides you may have to high tail it between here and where you’re going. You may need the extra speed you get not having to worry about that little wagon or even having to leave it behind if you have too. I can see you need that stuff you have on it.”

  Merle stood up when he was finished hooking it to the bike.

  Beulah and Barb just put their water canteens down and ran over and gave Bill and Merle each a big hug. Brian managed a handshake from both, but he was having a hard time controlling his emotions.

  Merle looked around. “Glad the wife isn’t around. She’s the jealous type. But I appreciate the sentiment.” He grinned and walked away.

  “Well, we best get this stuff changed over from the wagon and be on our way. I was hoping to be down past Riggins today.” Brian began untying the tarp on the wagon. Beulah and Barb finished putting up their canteens and Brian’s too and helped him finish. They found they also could put a couple of the water containers in the bike cart and still have plenty of room left over. Brian tied a tarp over the front of it and they were ready for the road again. Bill had said his goodbyes while they were busy and got his people hustling. He wanted to be gone today to if at all possible.

  All was pretty quiet considering as the three bikers rode through McCall. They saw a few people run into their homes as the three were spotted. There seemed to be a few fires back in the trees in the outskirts of town. All was fine until at the very edge of town.

  Brian in the lead as usual saw two bicycles laying on the right side of the road half in the ditch a few feet from the trees. There was a young woman with her head hanging down holding another’s head in her lap.

  “Oh man, looks like someone’s in trouble.” He slowed and his mom and Barb did also.

  Barb said. “Looks like we’re not making such good time today huh?”

  As they got closer, they could see long hair falling from under the bike helmet and Brian saw her shoulders heaving.

  The person never moved that was lying on the ground as the three bikes came to a halt a few feet away and they dismounted. They walked over and stood to the right of the girl and the downed person. Beulah bent down and put her hand on the girls chin and lifted it so she could see her face. Tears were streaming down the young woman’s face. She had to be about 18 years old with reddened blue eyes and brown hair well past her shoulders. She looked up into Beulah’s face and
jerked like she hadn’t noticed anyone come up, which she hadn’t. Beulah then looked down in the girl’s lap. She saw an older man say 65 to 70 years old, his tan bike helmet and two backpacks lying on the ground behind her.

  “What happened child?”

  The girl seemed to finally realize that the lady in front of her was talking to her. She was holding her chin.

  “My granddad, I don’t know what happened. Heart attack I guess. We had been riding since the food riots in Cascade. We lived a few blocks from the Grocery store and it spilled down our street. We grabbed our 72-hour backpacks, warm clothes, bikes and took off. We looked around in time to see our house go up in flames. What am I going to do? Granddad and Grandma raised me. We lost her last year. It was him and me. Now I have lost him.”

  She began to cry again, not even listening to what the people in front of her were saying.

  Beulah turned to her son and Barb. “We can’t leave her here for someone else to find. It may be scum next time. We need all the good people we can get, right Brian?”

  Brian couldn’t speak. He wasn’t used to his mom being this decisive and it shocked him. He finally got his voice back. He said, “Ah right Mom, we can’t leave her.”

  Beulah could see that she had taken Brian by surprise. She felt good about it and herself now.

  “Mom, we best get with it. Time isn’t our friend, people wise or weather wise. Barb help me move her grandfather. We also need to get his coat and gloves. We better explain it to her. I don’t think she will understand. She may need the coat and gloves at some time. These and his backpack are her inheritance. The only ones she going to have. I think her grandfather would like her to take them since he doesn’t need them anymore. Mom can you talk to her and explain while we take care of it?”

  Beulah reached down and got the girl’s attention. “What is your name honey?”

  With tears running down her face and hiccupping, she managed to get out. “My name’s Lysbeth, Lysbeth Owen. What am I going to do now?”

  “Lysbeth, you’re coming with us. We’re your family now.” Lysbeth went to crying even harder.

  Beulah was being very patient. She knew she had to be. Her past actions were nothing to write home about.

  “Lysbeth, we need to move your granddad now. Okay? This is my son, Brian, and now your Aunt Barb. We can’t bury him, but we can make him comfortable against a tree. You may not like this right now, but we need to take his coat and gloves, wallet and so on. Now listen.” Beulah said this because Lysbeth started to get a strange look on her face. “We’re not robbing him girl or you as Brian pointed out these things are your inheritance. You may need them in the future. It’s what you will have of his to take with you.”

  Lysbeth sat back again and said. “Okay, I see your point, but it doesn’t seem right to do that do him.”

  “Lysbeth, he would want you to have whatever he can give you. I am sure of it.”

  Beulah helped Lysbeth up from the ground. They went over to where Brian and Barb had laid her grandfather back further in the woods against a large ponderosa pine.

  Lysbeth noticed Granddad’s coat, holstered gun and things were over the lady named Barb arms. His wallet and gloves were in her right hand.

  Beulah leaned over toward Lysbeth. “Lysbeth would you like to say a few words before we leave?” Lysbeth shook her head yes.

  “Heavenly Father please watch over my granddad. Make sure he and Grandma find each other. They loved each other so much. He has missed her so. Tell him and Grandma that I love them and will miss them.” With that she couldn’t go on anymore. Every one said amen and turned to get ready to go.

  Lysbeth looked over at her granddad’s bike. “I guess we will leave Granddad’s bike here by the road. I don’t see how we can take it. Maybe someone will get some use out of it someday. She gathered up her backpack and put it on. She watched as Brian got her granddad’s helmet and backpack along with his other things and put them in the bike cart. Then he went over to the bike and walked it over to the bike cart, picked it up and laid it across the top. He had already gotten rope out to tie it down with. Lysbeth smiled even in her grief. She was glad it was going with them after all.

  As she was turning to get on her bike, Barb was standing beside her.

  “Lysbeth here you best put this on. We have already met up with some people that weren’t very nice.”

  Lysbeth thought for a moment then reached over for her grandfather’s holster and gun and strapped it on.

  “Here we go again.” Barb said as they took off down the road.

  Lysbeth seemed to come to as they rode enough to ask. “Just where are we all going?”

  Brain spoke up. “We’re headed to my grandparents’ place, Mom’s parents, on up past Lewiston, Idaho up into the Blue Mountains of Washington. The closest town is the little town called Anatone. We will be the heck and gone away from everyone.”

  “Are you sure I will be welcome? I mean I am a total stranger. I can hardly believe that you have taken me in like this. Granddad told me this is how it used to be in the old days with people taking care of each other. It just seemed to be more dog eat dog these days with people.”

  Brian looked over after she asked the question and still saw tears making tracks down her face.

  “Yes, don’t worry about it. You will be welcome Lysbeth. There’s no such thing as a total stranger as far as my grandparents are concerned especially if you come with one of the family.”

  The miles ticked away as they wended their way through the mountains and curving road. Soon they were entering the small town of New Meadows, Idaho. They only caught the edge as they took the turn for Riggins, Idaho going past the gas station/market then the small motel on the left and a few houses. Apparently, there hadn’t been any riots up here. One thing was living so far from a large town most people had plenty of food and other supplies stocked up. All they had was the tiny market here at the gas station and it didn’t carry much. It carried bread, milk, a few canned goods, pop, beer and cigarettes for the smoking crowd and things like that.

  As they cruised through and out of town, they all breathed a bit easier as they headed out and away from New Meadows.

  Brian looked around at the sky and realized they weren’t going to make Riggins today. At least they would make the mountain grade headed down to Riggins where there were plenty of trees for cover. It had been easy riding for quite some time. It would stay that way until they left Riggins and headed up towards White Bird. By car right now they were about three and one half hours from Lewiston and then another 45 minutes from the farm. Boy talk about taking all that for granted. It doesn’t look like he would from now on.

  In 20 minutes, they headed down the grade towards Riggins.

  “Ladies, I think it’s about time to scout out a camping spot for the night. Keep your eyes peeled for a place that you think would be good to stop and look.”

  As they coasted down the highway, Barb yelled. “Hey, how about up at that camp ground that’s next? Do you see the sign? Do you think there will be anyone there to bother us? Not many people were out camping at this time of year. Kids were back in school and all.”

  Brian looked over at everyone else. “Well what do you think about Barb’s idea? Are you all for trying it? Or do you want wait for something else?”

  “Fine with me,” said Beulah.

  Lysbeth was still shy about speaking up but she managed a, “Me too, I’m game.”

  The one thing all four of them did notice was the smell of smoke in the air. At least it didn’t look like it was coming from where they were headed. So they took the turn off up the dirt road and on into the forest campground.

  It took about ten minutes to get up to the camping area. They had just hit the edge of the camping area and the first outhouse when a shot rang out through the trees. Brian couldn’t tell if was at them or someone was shooting elsewhere. When he heard another shot and a branch split close to his face, he got the answer to that question
.

  He yelled, “Drop your bikes and hit the dirt.”

  He told his mom and the other two to fan out in different directions and work their way around and behind. To make sure that they weren’t all clumped in one place and easy targets, but keep low. Brian went into the woods behind him and started around to his left to work his way behind whoever was shooting at them. He wanted to get a look at whoever it was.

  The going was slow. He tried to keep down and not make much noise at the same time. It took him awhile, but he heard talking. It sounded like children’s voices. Brian looked through the bushes and saw five children of various ages from about say five years of age to thirteen standing in front of two self-contained RVs both Winnebago’s. It was the teen boy with the pistol.

  “I told all of you to get back in the camper.” He was crying and stamping his right foot as he yelled at the younger children.

  All Brian could think was. “Oh man, what happened to their parents? No one would leave kids out here all by themselves.”

  Right then someone touched his right arm and he about jumped out of his skin. He looked over to see Lysbeth. Brian put his right hand to his chest and took a deep breath.

  She whispered. “Sorry about that Brian, but I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

  He whispered back in her ear. “It’s fine. I should have been paying more attention to what or who was around me. I am learning some hard lessons.”

  Chapter 18

  The Joining

  By that time his mom was coming to their area and he waved at her to stop where she was, she was about 25 feet to the right. He heard the bushes rustle and saw Barb’s coat when he looked to the left. “Gees,” he said to himself. “We all need some training at this sneaking around stuff.” Barb came a little closer and she saw him and Lysbeth. He motioned for her to stop also. He pointed towards the kids by the RVs.

  Lysbeth told him. “I have an idea. We have to get to those kids and let them know we’re not bad guys.”