by Sally Six
He rode up beside Barb at the front. “Keep a keen eye huh Barb.”
They were rounding a corner about then. Now they could see the smoke down further and it was darker. “No way that’s a campfire,” he said. “We best slow down as we get a little closer to the source of the fire and leave the kids and bikes as we go to check it out.”
It was a very curvy on this section of road. As they rounded the next curve, they saw where the source of the fire was. On the next bend was a blacked house still burning in places.
Brian nodded his head at the others. “Over there, bring the bikes and the kids over into the trees. Barb and I will go check this out.”
Brian got off his bike and walked it and little Karen over to the woods.
“Where are you going Uncle Brian?” She asked.
Brian smiled. “Over to that house, Huggy Bear. Aunt Barb and I are going to see if anyone needs help. Is that okay?”
She loved her new nickname that her new uncle had given her. She had never had a nickname before. “Yes Uncle Brian, that’s okay.”
“You be quiet now and do just what you’re told.”
If there was one lesson this five year old had learned, it was to be quiet when she was told. She hadn’t before and the bad men had found them. Now she knew something was different and she had to do more of the things she was told.
Brian and Barb then made for the partly burning house. It was mostly down to smoldering now. It must have been burning and smoldering for a couple of days.
They walked around the outside in the trees first with each taking a different direction and meeting up behind the house.
Barb whispered. “I didn’t see anything.”
“Neither did I. Let’s get a little closer now. I don’t think there is anyone around here.”
They were still watching the area around them and had their guns ready just in case as they made their way closer to the smoldering ruin.
They were about 30 feet from the house when Barb went down. She thought. “So much for watching. I can’t even watch where I’m stepping for Pete’s sake.” She looked down and over and gave a gasp when she saw what she had fallen over. Brian who had been a few feet away from her began to ask her if she was okay when he also saw what she had tripped over.
It was the remains of a half charred man’s body. He was partly clothed as most of his clothes had been burned away. What didn’t help matters was that it looked like the animals had been at the body.
Barb went white. She started heaving as she got up. She went a short distance and relieved her stomach of its contents.
Brian had thought that people going all white in the face was just a saying. Now he knew better. He didn’t feel so good himself. He went over to Barb to see if he could help. He really knew he couldn’t. She wiped her mouth with the shirttail of her husband’s flannel shirt that she had on.
“I’ll be okay now Brian. It just surprised me is all. I guess we will see more of this in the days to come, either from murder, starvation or accidents, won’t we? I guess I will get somewhat used to it.”
As they went back towards the house, he said. “I don’t know if this is something that we will really ever get used to Barb. It’s just too horrible.”
The back of the house looked like it was the first to burn. It was just smoldering. Brian looked around and then went over to a small shed where he saw a shovel leaning. He went back to the house to move the burnt boards and other debris. One of the things that he found was a burnt skeleton. He noticed there was a small gasoline can all burned up also.
“I think the kid’s bad guys came this way Barb or someone just as bad. No way that this was an accident. There is no reason these people would have a gas can in their bedroom. Chalk two more up for the bad guys.”
As they were walking back to the others, Barb noticed Brian still had the shovel.
“Brian why in the world do you still have that shovel?”
All he said was. “You have no idea when a good shovel will come in handy.” He continued walking back. When they reached the others he found a place to stick the shovel on the cart so it wouldn’t fall out. They told the others what they found at the house.
They were a pretty sober group as they rode down the road. They kept going this time when they saw smoldering houses. They pretty much knew what they were going to find.
Brian knew they were coming to an area that had quite a few homes on this side of the river on both sides of the road. The people were pretty poor people who used to be loggers until that industry mostly shut down. There was still some going on but not much.
“Let’s slow down some.” He said. “I wouldn’t think three guys could take out all of the people as quite a few lived up ahead.”
The first two houses were smoking ruins. One was scorched on the right side of the road closest to the river. They had been the furthest out, but what they saw next brought glee to their hearts if that’s appropriate. There swinging from two trees as one wasn’t big enough were three men, all dead as can be.
Henry stopped right in his tracks. Beulah nearly ran over him. Thank goodness they had been going slow.
“That’s the men that killed our parents. It’s them alright.”
Henry then put the bike on the kickstand and picked up some rocks. He started to throw them at one of the bodies, the one with the long scabs on its cheek. Tim, Gil and Bea did the same when they saw what Henry was doing. People started to come out of their houses on both sides of them. Brian didn’t know if he liked that or not. He looked both one way and then the other. His mom, Barb, and Lysbeth were doing the same.
An older gentleman shouted so they could hear. “It’s okay kids. No one’s gonna hurt you. You would never have gotten into town if the guards hadn’t thought you were okay to let through here.”
“Guards?” Brian said. “I didn’t see anyone. Did any of you?”
He got no’s all around.
“We have to learn to be more observant.”
By now the older man and a few others were close to them and the kids had stopped throwing rocks at the bodies.
“Howdy son, you have quite a crowd rolling down the road with you.”
“Yes sir we sure do.” Brian said this with a smile and stuck out his right hand to shake hands with the man.
“I want to shake the hand of one of the men who must have helped take these three pieces of scum down.”
“Well son, you’re welcome. Did these pieces of crap hurt any of you and yours? I figured as much the way those kids were throwing stones at the bodies instead of hiding their faces from such as this.”
Everyone had gotten off their bikes and had set the kickstands. Lysbeth went over and unstrapped Karen while Brian was talking. She set her down beside her while keeping a good hold on her hand.
“Those scum bags killed these kids’ parents a few days ago. We have found elsewhere down the road that these three must have killed people on their way here. We’re sure that it had to be them. It was like a trail leading right to this spot. By the way I’m Brian Reynolds. The lady on my left here is my mom, Beulah. Next to her with little Karen is Lysbeth Owen and to her right is Barb Yoder. The kids that threw the stones are starting with the oldest are Henry, Bea, Tim and then Gil. They are all Olsen’s from two brothers that camped together a few miles back up the highway at a campground.”
“Good to meet you Brian and ladies even if it is under these circumstances. I’m Kurt Howell newly appointed mayor. You’re welcome to rest up awhile, have lunch and water up if need be. While you’re here with us, you are safe.”
Beulah was standing beside Brian now and that brought a smile to Kurt’s face. “Nice to meet you madam.”
“It’s nice to meet you and your group here Mr. Howell. We will take you up on the offer of safety while we feed the kids something and ourselves. Is there a place with a picnic table or something close by?”
“Yes there is. There’s one right down there by the river be
tween those two houses.” As he pointed the way. “Please call me Kurt.”
Kurt was about 40 years old give or take and 6 feet tall, weighing say 200 pounds with light brow salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He wore a 45 on his right hip and a 12-inch bowie knife on his left. He had on a blue and white checked flannel shirt and brown camo pants with Army boots on his feet.
Kurt waited for them as they got their bikes and walked them over to the picnic table. No way were they going to leave them sitting in the middle of the road. They didn’t trust everyone that much.
Brian kept glancing over at Kurt. He noticed Kurt was looking at Beulah constantly. It seems Kurt had taken quite a shine to his mother. Too bad Kurt didn’t live closer. He seemed the type to take care of things and not go haring off when he was needed. Or stomp off because his wife didn’t have her makeup on and he was ready to go so he leaves without her. In fact, Brian thought his mother never looked better as she did right now. Her hair was un-brushed and not a bit of makeup on her face.
She happened to look over at him. “What in the world are you grinning about Brian? You look like the Cheshire cat.”
“Oh nothing Mom, just nothing.”
He changed the subject quickly. “Here we are Mom. Let me help you get your backpack off.” All the adults had put extra food in their backpacks at the campers to replace what they had used up and a bit more since they had more mouths to feed.
When Kurt saw Brian reach for Beulah’s backpack he jumped in. “Oh let me help you with that while Brian helps the other ladies and kids.”
Brian turned mostly so his mom wouldn’t see his smile and helped Barb off with her backpack. The others were already helping each other. Barb saw his smile and then looked over at Kurt and Beulah and grinned also at the two.
Barb whispered. “Kind of hard not to notice, isn’t it?”
She then went over to Lysbeth and started to get food out of their packs for the kids before Brian had time to answer back.
Lunch is always good when you’re not having to watch your back at the same time. There hadn’t been many times in the last couple of weeks like this thought Brian. The kids were done eating and were down by the river’s edge throwing rocks into the water. They were having a good old time except for Henry as he was sitting at the table watching over them.
The adults looked at each other and nodded. It was time to go and they all knew it. Brian thought it was time to start giving Henry some more responsibility.
“Hey Henry, how about going down and collecting the kids. It’s about time for us to take off again. After we get going, I would like you to ride to the left of Barb as kind of a side guard. Is that all right with you?”
Henry’s eyes lit up at least a little. “Sure Brian, I will be glad to help out.” He took off down the gentle slope after the children yelling. “It’s time to go, come on everyone.”
Brian chuckled and said out loud. “I could have done that.”
Lysbeth who was sitting next to him said. “Yeah you sure could have, but you did the right thing. He knows he has left some of his childhood behind him with this new world. He needs all the help in the world right now to adjust. I know that I do. Keeping busy helps. Gives me less time to think.”
“Well this little trip has sure helped me with that. Instead of just sitting around at home brooding, hiding and wondering how I am going to protect my mom from the next piece of scum who decides to invade our neighborhood and our home. Just a taste of that was enough for me. Okay we better get back on the road. Let’s get the kids backpacks on them and then I will help you with yours.”
The kids were running up the hill. Gil only had a small pack. They knew he couldn’t carry much as the little bit older kids packs were heavier, but most of their stuff was in and on the cart. The cart did look funny with stuff here and there sticking up and all that wrapped in a tarp.
Kurt had sat and talked with Beulah while they had eaten. A few others from the little community had come and gone with stopping to say hello and hear the news about where the group had been. A couple wondered if they had seen any National Guard or military of any kind at all. They went away with long faces when they heard there wasn’t. Kurt just shook his head at them. We told them folks not to expect anyone to come riding here to help us. Good thing they have some talents cause all they had was one month’s worth of food to their name. Their neighbors and all so we wouldn’t have turned them out even if they hadn’t seen for themselves what those pieces of scum did to two of our neighbors. They would have wanted to hold those guys for the law. That is what we would have done under normal circumstances, but things aren’t normal any more. As it was, they had a squawk about hanging those men until we showed them what they had done to the Weston’s’ and Gary Basset. Gary fought them off while his wife got away, but he didn’t make it.”
Beulah was hanging her head. “I’m very sorry to hear of all the trouble here, but a few weeks ago I was an empty headed fool too. I never gave a thought to where next week’s food was coming from. I would just run to the store when I needed something. After all, what could happen to affect me in this day and age? I was raised to know better too, but as life was so easy I stopped thinking more and more. I only thought what I could buy for the day. Clothes, makeup, jewelry, friends and keeping up with the Jones were the name of the day. I feel like I have awakened these last few days. I nearly got us killed at home with my empty headed actions. I guess I must have been in shock too for a few days. I thought once I got away from home and all that old fashion stuff that my parents shoved down my throat that I would be free from that kind of stuff for the rest of my life. I would be in the real world.” She laughed a bit with that statement. “Now look where I am. Right back where I started.”
All Kurt could do is smile and nod his head at what she was saying.
“Beulah, I think this has woke a lot of folks up and some have no idea what to do. So many will be prey for scum and others will become scum themselves. They will do things they never thought in their wildest dreams they would do to keep food in their stomachs and in their families. It’s not the depression of the 1930’s. People then still knew how to do things to keep from starving, but they still had a lot of folks on farms back then too. It’s a whole different era now. I think we are more dog eat dog. Plus, how many know how to grow food, cook a simple pot of beans from scratch, make clothes or hunt? I think we’re in for a whole world of hurt and this is just the beginning. Goodness, I don’t mean to be preaching to the choir. I have told our own folks here the same thing. Those two that were here last didn’t want to listen, but I think they are now. They have had it shoved right in their faces.” Kurt was chuckling. “You shouldn’t get me started. I can’t seem to quit.”
Beulah noticed when Brian had Henry go down to get the children and she knew it was time for them to be on their way again.
“It’s been very nice talking to you Kurt. It looks like it’s time for us to go.”
She hadn’t even mentioned her husband. She knew Lee was a lost cause. She knew he had been cheating on her. There had been too many signs and the smell of perfume when he came home a few times. She was going to consider herself a widow in 6 months’ time. She hadn’t told Brian this. She hoped that it wouldn’t shock him too much.
It didn’t take long to get ready to go. A few minutes later they were waving goodbye to those who saw that they were leaving and came out to wave to tell them good luck and God’s speed.
Beulah happened to look back as they rounded a curve. Kurt was still standing on the highway. He was the last one watching them ride out of sight.
Brian was leery of going through Riggins as they neared the town, but they had no choice it was the only road there was. There was not another one. The town sat along the Salmon River. It was a tourist town except in the winter. It catered to salmon fishermen, white water rafters, hikers and the like. The Seven Devils Recreation Area was close by. This was the nearest place to buy supplies. He felt bett
er on the open highway than being afraid of who had taken control of a town. One thing that he knew was that the people that lived here. Most of them had to be pretty self-reliant. The small town folks and the ranches in the mountains nearby had to keep lots extra supplies. They like New Meadows were the heck and gone from a bigger town with large stores. Grangeville, Idaho was two hours away to the north by car in the old days. Now it was a day or two journey depending on how fast you could ride and how long it took you to get up U.S. Route 95. People called it the new White Bird grade but it really wasn’t. The real White Bird Grade was the old road. It wound its way back and forth up the mountainside, but it wasn’t as steep as the newer U.S. Route 95.
White Bird was known for being the first battle in the 1877 Nez Peace Indian war. You came over the mountain down into a deep valley and that is where they set up the small town of White Bird by the river. The town was mostly bypassed now. Only tourists went down there and those that wanted to take the old road up the mountain on the self-guided tour of the Battle field.
Well we aren’t there yet and this daydreaming isn’t doing me any good. Brian realized he wasn’t keeping as good an eye on the roadway and the surrounding hills. They were seeing more signs of life as they got closer to Riggins. They saw a few people standing on the shore of the river fishing. Boy did that seem normal, but it was to put dinner on the table for now and the days ahead. One person turned as they went bye, but turned back when he saw the group had children and didn’t seem threatening. That could be another mistake in the days ahead. Even people with kids could take you out.
They went by more and more homes. There were a few people in their yards. Most of them were cutting or stacking wood, putting plastic over the windows and readying their homes for winter.
No one had been threatening here yet. Brian was glad it was early into this disaster as not too many people were real desperate yet, but he knew that would change. It didn’t take long to be in the middle of Riggins. A few people were coming and going from the small store. There was a horse or three tied to the side mirrors of a pickup truck. Bikes of all shapes and sizes locked to the bike rack. Everything like the café’s and gas stations had closed signs in the windows. Brian looked straight ahead when he heard clop, clop down the road. A horse and wagon team was making its way towards them with a man and women on the seat and three children in the wagon. There was burlap bags piled in the wagon that the children were sitting on. The riders passed the wagon and the children in it waved at them as they went past. Kids being kids, they waved at the other children with smiles on their faces. Children adapt quickly.