by A J Newman
“You’re right; we could be under attack in just a few hours if the news got back to that ruthless bastard. Let me give it some thought.”
“Okay, but think fast. We need a plan before we enter Rolling Hills.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t enter Rolling Hills.”
“So how do we meet with Jake?”
“We get a message to him.”
“How?”
“Ask Bert. He knows Jake the best and should have some way to craft a message that only Jake would understand saying to meet us at a certain place.”
“Great idea.”
Bert thought for a minute, laughed and wrote a few words on a sheet of paper.
I read the note and asked, “Who are Abby and Betty Dill?”
“You don’t need to know, but Jake will. You only need to know the location of the barn.
***
I asked Mike to stay back and watch over the camp while Davi, Roger, Paul and I drove over to the meeting location. Bert was still recovering from his wounds, and it was too soon for him to travel, or he would have gone to see his brother.
“Paul, would you please fuel up my pickup. Everyone check your weapons, bring body armor and prepare for a three-day journey.
Roger replied, “Zack, it’s only a half hour drive.
“I know, but just in case the shit hits the fan let’s always be prepared.”
“Ben, please mount the SAW on top of the cab. I know it’s overkill, but I never want to be on the short end of a gun fight.”
Davi added, “If we get into a firefight, that SAW could make the difference in us coming back alive. Zack, there are some metal plates in the barn that I’d like to bolt onto your truck to give us some armor. Can I have Paul to help me install the armor?”
“Of course, Paul, please help Davi ruin the sublimely beautiful lines of my classic 1949 F1 Ford by installing a machine gun on top of my cab and armor on its body.”
It only took Ben a few minutes to mount the SAW. Davi and Paul worked most of the day bolting metal slabs onto the tailgate, bumper, both doors, and behind the cab. The truck looked like a cross between a demolition derby car and a 10-year-old’s idea of a tank.
We loaded up the next morning before sunrise and checked each other out before heading over to Rolling Hills. I wanted to travel while most people were still asleep, or having breakfast.
We didn’t think there would be any issues, but we were always alert for danger. We left the camp and drove for twenty minutes on side roads before getting on Highway 231 South.
Davi rode in the cab with me while Paul and Roger were in the bed. Roger manned the SAW and Paul watched our rear.
We drove slowly to avoid running into an ambush. There weren’t any other vehicles on the road, and we frequently stopped to scout ahead using my binoculars.
As the sun rose, I only saw a few people stirring around in their houses, and no one paid any attention to us. I spotted the roadblock just where we thought it would be before the exit to the Natcher Parkway.
I quickly pulled off the road behind some bushes and stopped a few hundred yards away from the roadblock. Roger stayed with the truck while Paul and I worked our way down the ditch on the south side of the road until we were only a hundred feet from the roadblock.
Davi gave us time to get ready to back her up and then walked up to the roadblock to pass the note for Jake to one of the people manning the roadblock.
She had her rifle slung over her shoulder and pistol on her hip as she approached the roadblock waving a white handkerchief.
One of the men stepped out and said, “Well what can we do for you, young lady?”
“Do you know Jake Alford?”
“Well, of course, we know him, he’s the sheriff, and we work for him.”
She handed him the envelope and said, “Take this message to him and please don’t open it.”
The man took the envelope and said, “You can stay a while and visit.”
“Thanks, but no thanks, maybe next time.”
She turned and walked back to the truck. We watched as one of the guards hopped on an ATV and headed into town with the note. Then we worked our way back to the truck and headed to the meeting place.
We turned around and took two back roads to the barn on the corner of County Road 2665 and Dedmond Road. I hid the truck in the barn and waited on Jake.
“Zack, I seem to remember another barn a while back and you getting caught with your pants down.”
“That’s why we’re posting guards front and back. Davi, take the front entrance and Roger, you take the first hour at the back. Paul and I will relieve you in an hour.”
Davi and Roger took their weapons, and gear, and then went out for guard duty.
Paul walked up to me and said, “What was that pants down comment?”
“Paul, I was supposed to be on guard duty and got distracted. While I wasn’t paying attention, some bad men came in the barn and captured us.”
“Was that when Sally, Geena and you were coming here from Oregon?”
“Yes.”
“Hey, Paul, I don’t want you to answer this unless you….…”
“The question is, am I keeping an eye on you?”
“Well, sort of. So my wife doesn’t trust me?”
“Oh no, she trusts you. She just doesn’t trust any woman around you, and she really doesn’t trust Davi.”
“Paul, I haven’t done anything to lose your mom’s trust.”
“She knows that, but what you don’t know is my dad was screwing every woman he could get his hands on. Mom tried to believe him, but she caught him just the week before TSHTF, she’d had enough and filed for divorce. Listen, she doesn’t know that I know all of this so please don’t tell her.”
“Don’t worry, Paul, I won’t, and I would never break your trust.”
Paul, did you ever figure out who was pulling all of the pranks on everyone?”
“Yes, it was a mom.”
I laughed and said, “How did you figure it out?”
“Well, mom once told me that she and one of her girlfriends had been the pranksters at their high school. Then I saw dad become a primary target every time he came home late or the next day.
She fed him everything from Cayenne pepper to Exlax, and sometimes both together. She found out who some of the married women he was seeing were, and sent them flowers signed with his full name to their husband’s work address. That, of course, was just to get their attention…and it did.”
“Oh shit.”
Paul broke out laughing and said, “Yes literally, he also came home black and blue a couple of times.”
A few minutes later Davi yelled, “Truck approaching with two men.”
I told Roger to keep a watch on the backside while Paul and I joined Davi to confront the occupants of the truck.
Davi and Paul, meet the truck while I stayed out of sight. “No one will know you two.”
The men parked the truck in front of the barn and walked up to Davi and Paul. I could hear Jake ask where his brother was.
I stepped out from beside the barn and said, “Hello Jake.”
“Hi Zack, where’s my brother? I heard rumors that Prescott had killed him.”
“Your brother is safe back at our home location. He was shot escaping from Prescott’s men, but he and his family made it to our place. He warned that Prescott was coming to kill Mike and me. We escaped and headed this way.”
“Can I see Bert?”
“Of course you can. I was hoping you’d come alone. How well do you know this guy?”
“Steve is my brother in law and best friend. You can trust him.”
I replied, “Move your truck into the barn, and we’ll bring each other up to date.”
I introduced my team to Jake and Steve and then filled him in on our story since we last saw him.
“That damn Prescott is trying to take over the entire country. He came to Roll
ing Hills a couple of months ago and met with our town council. He tried to talk them into joining his Community Protection Cooperative. We had heard about his dealings with the gang in Anderson and Bert had already told me not to trust him.”
“How did he take that answer?”
“He was pissed, but he smiled and said, “There are dangerous people out there, and they will be coming to your town to take your food, weapons, and women. If you don’t join us, I’m absolutely sure that you will regret it.”
I said, “A not so veiled threat.”
Jake replied, “I told him that he should keep his men in Daviess County, so we don’t accidently kill them when we shoot the thugs trying to rob us. He got mad and left.
We hadn’t had any problems since we eliminated that gang last summer. Right after he left the trouble began. We had cattle killed or missing, and several young girls disappeared.
I set some traps and killed a dozen of ‘em, and they all pretty much looked like Prescott’s security team.”
“Before I forget, tell me about how you got rid of the gang.”
“The ipecac made the difference. We spiked the food we took them as you suggested and they never knew what hit them. Those guys were so busy vomiting they hardly knew they were under attack. We shot them like fish in a barrel. It was a slaughter. I lost one man and had three others wounded.
The mayor and city council were pissed at first until we presented evidence that the mayor and two of the Council were on the take. We ran them out of town along with most of the gang’s women. We killed all of the gang except for a few that were able to escape on their bikes. All of the leaders died that day.”
“I’m glad we were able to help. Do you want to go to our camp and say hi to Bert?”
“Damn straight I would, I’d like to see him today.”
“By the way, who are Abby and Betty?”
“Jake’s brother in law quickly said, “They’re my sisters!”
“Okay, I won’t ask.”
Jake replied, “No, it’s okay. Bert and I were dating his sisters, and we married them. The funny part is we didn’t marry the one we dated the longest. At the last minute, we switched.”
“Oh boy.”
“No we all get along great.”
***
Jake followed us over to our camp and was overjoyed to see his brother and his family. We introduced Jake and his brother in law to everyone and then left them alone to get caught up on events. They talked for hours and started again after lunch.
Before Jake left, Mike and I filled them in on Daviess County and what we had accomplished getting farming more productive and our successes at generating electricity.
“Boy y’all were way ahead of the farmers round here. We only have a few tractors and large trucks running. We were so busy trying to survive the first year that we didn’t look at longer range planning.”
We also sent the girls that we freed from the drug gang back with him. Several were from Rolling Hills and knew the Sheriff. They were glad to be going home.
Mike looked at me and replied, “Zack, it appears we are stuck here for a while. Shouldn’t we reach out to the local farmers and help them like we did around Owensville.
I know Callie and Paul can build more of the bicycle and small gas engine generators. I’d also like to help get more tractors and trucks running. Jacob and Sam can fix any old truck or tractor. Let’s jump start this area like we did at home.”
Jake grinned and said, “We could really use your help, and you do need a home.”
I remembered Prescott and replied, “I’m afraid that it would leak out that Mike and I are in Rolling Hills and Prescott would attack the city to get to us.”
Davi chimed in, “Prescott is going to try to take all of Western Kentucky regardless of where you and Mike live. We have to take him out before he builds his kingdom.”
Jake replied, “I think she hit the nail on the head.”
I answered, “I know she’s right, but we have been fighting thugs and criminals for almost a year now; when does it end?”
Davi quickly answered, “Zack, it will go on until the country is rebuilt or at least this part of the country gets back to a law and order society. Remember, I’m from Israel. We have been fighting every day since 1949. I think the quicker you kill the Prescott’s of the world, the quicker the country moves forward.”
I thought for a minute and replied, “So, we put a plan together to take out Prescott with the least risk, and loss of our lives.”
“Yes, we must remove him, his top leaders and as many of his men as possible. These are all really bad guys who could take his place and become a true dictator.
We must think this through and execute a plan that has multiple attacks on Prescott’s empire that simultaneously takes out him, his command and control and most of his soldiers,” Davi pleaded.
We all agreed with Davi as the room fell silent. I knew our people just wanted to settle down somewhere and start a new life, but I also realized that running away just meant that we would probably run into another Prescott. Yeah, I guess it’s time to make a stand.
We agreed to move over to Rolling Hills during the next two weeks. Jacob and Sam’s families would go first, and then the rest of us would come over a week later. Jake told us that they had a couple of subdivisions that were ghost towns. Most people had moved closer to town and upgraded their housing during the moves. He thought that Mike and I could hide in plain sight on the outskirts of town while Jacob and Sam were actively working with the farmers to get ready for spring planting.
Chapter 11 - Winter is a Cruel Mistress
We relocated to Rolling Hills. We moved all of our gear, firewood, and vehicles and then enjoyed the balmy spring-like weather during mid-winter. Several of us went out hunting or fishing each day to augment our food supply. Mike and I took either Susie or Callie out every day to pass on our hunting and trapping skills to them. I took very seriously the need to pass on skills to the younger generation.
The girls took to hunting as eagerly as any man and became proficient quickly. They knew we only shot animals we intended to eat and nothing was wasted. The dogs or our neighbor’s pigs ate everything we didn’t save for ourselves. We taught them how to field dress, clean and dry meat. We made sausage, sun dried jerky and smoked meat. We all loved deer jerky and sausage. I loved the deer sausage with cheese and jalapeno mixed into the sausage.
Paul didn’t like trapping animals, but all knew we had to use every method possible to feed ourselves. There were no food processing and packaging plants in operation in the USA, and the existing dry and canned goods would be gone before the end of this year. He never liked taking an animal from a trap, but he did it because it was necessary for our survival.
Susie and I were a mile or so south of the subdivision hunting deer. I could see she was growing up in maturity as well as strength thanks to necessity. She handled her Winchester lever action .30-.30 as well as any man and had already killed several deer with it.
“Zack, will we ever get back to the way things used to be?”
“Darling, not for a long time and even then it may not be the same. There won’t be money spent on cell phones and computer games in my lifetime. Civilization has to rebuild our medical, food processing and transportation technology before non-essential items can be brought back.”
“Zack, can I call you dad?”
“Of course. I would like that, daughter.”
“Dad, why did this happen?”
“I don’t think anyone knows. My guess is some enemies of the USA attacked us to eliminate our influence in the world.”
“Will they invade our part of the country?”
“Darling, I hope not, but I won’t lie to you. They could. Uncle Mike and I will do everything possible to protect you and the rest of our family.”
“What will we do if they come here?”
I didn’t have a good answer. Yes, I finessed the question but didn’t have a good
answer. This young girl had asked the question that I kept pushing to the back of my mind. I tried not to think about this and was successful until the issue slapped me in the face.
Susie killed a large doe shortly after our conversation, and I forgot about her question. Mike later taught Callie and her how to skin the hide without ruining it so we could use the deer leather to make gloves and a coat. Mike would later teach us how to tan leather. We were all becoming more proficient at the daily chores our great grandfathers and mothers tackled every day.
I drug the field dressed deer back to the house where we butchered it and began processing it to preserve the meat. Ally cut off steaks for supper that night. She sent Suzie out to invite Callie and Paul, Mike and Sally and Davi to supper. The weather was great, I had some dried hickory wood for the barbecue and I loved to grill. Ally and Suzie prepared the sides as our guests arrived. I gave everyone a home brew, and we shot the shit as I grilled the steaks. It was only 4:00 as the sun went down and the air was noticeably colder than it had been since the snow melted.
My guests moved inside when the wind picked up, and the temperature plummeted. Thank God Callie brought me a coat because my teeth were chattering even standing close to the fire. The sun was setting, but there was enough light to see the black clouds racing towards us from the northwest. I had hoped we would escape any further snow and cold weather, but the clouds and drop in temperature did not support my hopes. I was glad when the steaks were done and took them into the warm house and shivered as my body took in the warmth.
Mike saw me shivering and said, “I knew the warm weather was just a teaser. Mother Nature was just screwing with us, and now she will bring all of her fury down on us.”
“I hope this is just a brief change in weather and not one of those polar vortex thingies. I remember back about 10 years ago we had snow storms and a deep freeze for a week.”
“We only have about six to ten more weeks of winter, and I hope it’s closer to four.”