by N. C. Reed
Pete visited on the third day after the snow fall. The snow was mostly gone now, as the temperature had climbed slowly back into the fifties.
“Nothing on that sat phone at all,” he told Billy. “I’d say they know we ain’t them.”
“Prob’ly,” Billy nodded. They were in his ‘shop’.
“I don’t know what we can do, now,” Pete sighed. “I’d like to have some way of tracking that bunch, but I just don’t see a way to do it.”
“We need to get the word out,” Billy said after a few minutes. “We need to start broadcasting on the radio. Make sure people know about that train.”
“We do that,” Pete shook his head, “and they might be able to DF us.”
“Dee Eff?” Billy asked.
“Directional Find,” Pete clarified. “They can use the transmissions to locate us.”
“So we make the transmissions from somewhere else,” Billy considered. “Maybe even somewhere they already been. Somewhere away from here.”
“Like where?”
“Well, there’s always Columbia,” Billy shrugged. “I’d like to go back there again, to be honest. There’s things we need to check on. See what else is left.”
“Like what?” Pete frowned.
“Well, did they take all the fuel, for one,” Billy replied. “And what about propane? Be nice if there’s some left. And we could get a truck or three runnin’ to bring it back in. Maybe enough to keep us warm and toasty for some time. And did they get all the batteries that we couldn’t get to? We’ll need’em for the solar arrays sooner or later.”
“Huh,” Pete grunted. “You think a long ways ahead, don’t you.”
“I try to,” Billy shrugged. “Trouble is, I’m forgetful. I think o’ something, then don’t write it down, and it gets lost. I had thought about propane before. Even thought of it when we was in Columbia gettin’ them electric parts. But did I remember for us to check? No. Started snowin’, and I lost it. The thought, I mean.”
“Well, I got nothing against going back,” Pete grinned.
“Good,” Billy nodded. “We’ll see first if the weather don’t clear a bit. Few days. Maybe a week. Meantime, we need to all be helpin’ Howie get things set up. Well, not all of us,” he corrected himself. “We need us some place for a monitor station, I guess. A security shack, or somethin’. Where we can have people on duty watchin’ them cameras, and listenin’ in on the radio, and such like.”
“That’d be good,” Pete agreed. “Tomorrow?”
“What’s wrong with today?” Billy asked. “And why are you so dressed up, anyhow?” Pete was dressed very nicely, and wasn’t wearing the gear he normally wore when out and about.
“Ah, well,” his face reddened slightly. “I’m, uh, kinda going over to, uh, the Silvers’ for, ah, supper, see.”
Billy sat completely quiet for five seconds and then busted out laughing.
“I don’t see how that’s funny!” Pete retorted.
“Have you seen yourself?” Billy asked. “I mean, when you explain where you’re goin’, not how you’re dressed. You look like a kid done got caught stealin’ candy!”
Pete stayed red faced a bit longer, but then started laughing himself. The two of them laughed like that for a good few minutes.
“I suppose I do, at that,” Pete was finally able to reply. “Course, I doubt Shelly would like being referred to as candy.”
“More like castor oil,” Billy nodded. Pete frowned.
“Don’t pay me no mind,” Billy waved his comment off. “I knew her ‘fore she was nice people, that’s all. She’s a lot better now.”
“Well, anyway,” Pete stood. “That’s what’s wrong with today.”
“Tomorrow’s fine,” Billy nodded. “And Em’s a good cook.”
“Shelly’s cooking.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sure Em’s supervising.” Billy looked up slyly. “We gonna need to find you a house soon?” he teased.
“Probably not soon,” Pete shrugged. “But one day. . .maybe.”
“We’ll start lookin’, then,” Billy turned serious. “There’s a few nice places about. We’ll get one staked out, in case. Make sure we don’t let nobody else have it.”
“Thanks, Billy,” Pete said, his voice sincere.
“Ah, what’re friends for. I mean, other than to laugh at ya?”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
The next day was blustery, but still warmer, for which everyone was thankful. It was ten days until Christmas. Billy shook his head as he realized that. Seemed like time had drug along at times, and then raced by at others. He didn’t know which he liked better.
He, Pete, Ben and Jon Kelvey, Jerry and Toby, George, Ralph and Terry labored through the day erecting the security building. Howie was along as well, and after about thirty minutes of studying a map Billy provided, had decided that the spot Pete had selected was ‘do-able’.
After a brief discussion, it was decided they would use the last single car carport for the security shack. It was easy to erect, and with a few hours work could be enclosed, insulated, and made ready to occupy.
As they worked, they discussed how the station would be manned. There was a lot to do, and a great deal to be decided. Howie explained what he could accomplish using what they had, and the crowd was suitably impressed.
It took most of the day, since the days were getting shorter all the time, but by the time they stopped for the day, the ‘shack’ was ready. PV cells were in place, battery bank charging, and a small emergency generator was in place as well. Using it would be only in a true emergency, since it would make noise, possibly leading someone to the building. It was decided that an alternative to having the generator on site would be looked for. But for now, it was workable.
“This ain’t a bad deal,” Billy nodded, looking at the finished structure. “Ought to do just fine.”
“Yep,” Howie nodded. “Almost certainly. Once we’re finished installing everything, we should be able to literally sit here and see everything.”
“Might want to add an observation deck,” Pete suggested. “At some point, anyway. Maybe with some high powered binoculars. Even a small telescope, we can find one. Sometimes you need to get eyes on something, to really see it.”
“That ain’t no bad idea,” Billy mused quietly. “We need to think on that.”
“We’ll work on the cameras and stuff tomorrow,” Jerry announced. “I’m done in, myself. See you boys tomorrow.”
*****
The women had not been idle whilst the men were working. Emma and Rhonda had gone up to the Clifton farm and helped fit clothes for the children there. Rhonda, because of her and Billy’s thorough salvaging, was able to provide the women with shirts, jeans, coats, and shoes from her stores. All were most appreciative.
Rhonda and Emma had also tried to think of little things for the women, who had lost everything. They had given each one a bound notebook to use as a diary, along with pens and pencils. They had brought toys, as well. The older children were thrilled to see that, and were soon enjoying the bounty that Rhonda and Em had provided.
“I don’t know how we’ll ever be able to thank you,” Regina told them, her eyes a bit damp.
“Well, happens we have any more children, with no one to care for them, you’ll probably be called on for that,” Rhonda shrugged. “The four of you can do a great deal that way. And once spring rolls around, we’ll be planting gardens. We’ll have one here, for you and the others. We’ll help all we can, but you four, and the older children, will likely have to do most of the harvesting.”
“I love to garden,” Regina told them. “Always have. There’s nothing much better than sitting down to a good meal with food you grew for yourself.”
“Amen to that!” Emma nodded. “I’d always rather have mine.”
“Did Terry get you all set up at the range?” Rhonda asked.
“Yes, he did, thanks,” Regina nodded. “We all managed to do well enough that he said it was ‘not a waste of resourc
es’ for us to be armed,” she added, laughing. “We have pistols and rifles here now, and two shotguns. And we all know how to use them.”
“Good,” Emma nodded. “Keep them handy. Don’t go out without them, not even to just have a look around. These are dangerous times. But then, I don’t have to tell you that, do I?”
“No ma’am, you don’t,” Regina smiled slightly. “I’m afraid we’re more than aware of that.”
“It’s a shame it has to be that way,” Emma commented sadly. “With so many gone, it’s just a waste to lose anyone now.”
“Shameful,” Rhonda agreed. “But, can’t let the coyotes in with the chickens.”
“And that’s the truth if ever if was told,” Emma nodded.
“Well, let’s start sorting through stuff, and see what we can come up with,” Rhonda said brightly.
*****
For three days afterward, almost everyone who could help with the security project did so. Hundreds of yards of commo wire, courtesy of Radio Shack, Ricky’s Radio’s, and the National Guard among others, were woven into the landscape around the valley, surrounding the area known as The Farms. All of those wires, regardless of where they originated, terminated at the new security building, itself hidden and camouflaged. Some cameras were hard wired straight to the shack, while others were wired to wireless transmitters, which in turn sent them to the shack.
Cameras, motion detectors, microphones, heat sensors and loud speakers were placed everywhere it was feasible to do so. Once all the critical areas were covered, then everyone began looking for random areas that might benefit from extra coverage.
Every piece of equipment was numbered, and wired into a console. The Farms were divided into four areas, each a square that combined with the others to make a larger square. It looked terribly complicated, but Howie assured them that once it was online and working, it would be much easier to use than it looked.
“Heck, a caveman could do it!” he laughed, emulating a famous commercial. Most everyone laughed, albeit tiredly.
At long last, as the third day drew to a close, the job was finished. Howie turned everything on, and started flicking switches. Soon, the monitors in the room began showing the areas around them, the screens flickering from one view to the next.
“I’m going to stand the watch tonight, at least most of it,” Howie announced. “There’s a lot of fine tuning I need to do, and I can sit here and get that done while I make a manual of sorts for all of this. Liz will help me,” he grinned at Elizabeth, who smiled at everyone shyly. She had improved, but still rarely came out of her shell.
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll need someone in here all the time, I’d say,” Howie went on. “One person or two person shifts. I’d recommend two, since there’s so much to cover. I’ll leave that to you guys, though. I got work to do here.”
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Jerry nodded.
As the crowd broke apart, Billy wound up beside George.
“How’s the misses doin’?” he asked. George shrugged.
“It’s hard,” he admitted. “If this wasn’t so important, I wouldn’t be here. She’s okay, with Amy there with her, but every time I leave her, I feel like I’m letting her down, somehow.”
“I can see that,” Billy nodded. Hearing that made him think about himself and Rhonda. He hated leaving her so much, as well. While he was out working, Rhonda kept their place going, with only Danny and Mary to help. He felt guilty about the time he had to spend away, but couldn’t see a way around it for now. Things had to get done.
And, he wasn’t the only one leaving family behind him to get things done for the group as a whole, he reminded himself.
“I hope she get’s better,” he said to George. “I pray for her,” he added quietly. George looked at him.
“Never took you for the praying kind, Billy,” he said kindly. “I appreciate that.”
“Reckon I don’t make a big deal of it, but I pray all the time,” Billy shrugged. “When I can’t see a way to make somethin’ happen, when I can’t do no more ‘bout somethin’, then I tend to hand it to God, and pray for things to be like he wants. All I can do,” he added.
“That’s always a good plan,” George agreed. “Reckon some don’t believe, but. . .I seen a lot of bad things, Billy. And I’ve seen stuff come out of it I can’t describe as nothing more than a miracle. Seen a house blowed to little bits once, and then found a baby inside, not a scratch on it. See something like that, there’s no way you can’t credit it to a higher power.”
“Imagine so,” Billy nodded. “Heck, the fact someone like me can make it on his own ain’t much short of a miracle.” George snorted.
“You sell yourself too short, Billy,” he told the younger man. “It’s not a miracle. It’s just plain hard work and determination. You’re a rare kina man, buddy. I don’t think you know how to quit.” Billy flushed slightly, and said nothing.
“Anyway, I appreciate it,” George went on, not wanting to make his friend uncomfortable. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Take care, George.”
*****
The Silvers’ came to the Todd’s for dinner that evening. Rhonda, Shelly and Emma had all been cooking while the others were working to help finish the security arrangements. There was a good feast waiting when Billy, Jerry, Toby and Danny arrived at the Todd house.
After grace had been said, and everyone had filled a plate, conversation began to drift around the table.
“Be Christmas in a few days,” Toby pointed out.
“Yeah!” Mary and Danny exclaimed at the same time.
“Reckon we ought to have a party,” Jerry nodded.
“We’re ahead of you on that one,” Emma smiled. “We’re all going to gather at the Clifton place this time. That should be the easiest, and that way the younger children won’t have to be out in the cold. Regina and the others can enjoy the party without worrying about leaving when the children get tired.”
“Good idea,” Billy nodded, speaking around a mouthful of cornbread.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Rhonda said automatically, elbowing him. Billy nodded, but kept eating. He was used to that by now.
“We need to take a day and think over some gifts, especially for them kids,” Jerry mentioned. “Tiny young’uns need toys at Christmas.”
“Could always go and find toys for’em,” Billy shrugged, dodging another elbow from Rhonda.
“Not a bad idea,” Shelly smiled. “There’s probably toys still on the shelves even in Cedar Bend. We could have a shopping trip.”
“We should make a list of all the kids, and then make sure that each one has something nice for Christmas,” Rhonda opined. “Next year, it might be home made toys and gifts of necessity. This might be the last time they get anything like conventional toys.”
“We could go tomorrow,” Billy shrugged. “Get into town and get it done. Have plenty of time to get’em wrapped and what not.” Everyone nodded at that suggestion.
“Tomorrow it is, then,” Jerry affirmed. “Now, is that a pie I see over there?”
*****
The Great Christmas Shopping Trip would be remembered by all who went for a very long time. Rhonda and Billy insisted that Mary and Danny stay home, which resulted in much sulking. Shelly insisted that Pete go, which resulted in only slightly less sulking. Jerry and Emma asked Regina to come along, in order to help with finding gifts for the other children, which resulted in still more sulking as the other three women were left to tend to the children.
At the last moment George and Debby asked to go, much to the surprise of all. Debby hadn’t been about since her spell, and no one had even suspected that she might want to go. No one objected, however, relieved that she was willing to get out for a change.
The Kelvey’s weren’t interested, and offered to stand the watch while the others went, Howie agreeing that it would give him time to ‘tweak’ the systems they had put into place. Amy asked Emma to look for a few
items for Amanda, and offered to sit for Georgie, and for the Blaine children.
Terry was reluctant to leave with so many already going, but had no problem with Maria making the trip. He would remain behind to assist the Kelvey’s. Toby, to the surprise of all, declined the invitation, and agreed to stand watch at the Silver and Todd Farms, and be ready to help if anything happened.
So it was that a small convoy of three trucks went into the ghost town of Cedar Bend to look for toys and trinkets for the children.
Despite the gloom of the dead town, the shoppers were excited. This was almost normal. Shopping for last minute Christmas gifts. The cold had driven the rats into hiding, and the town was mercifully clear of them, at least for the day. No one complained about that.
Billy stood watch as the rest combed the stores. He had spoken to Rhonda about it, and the two had decided that George needed to be with Debby, and that it wouldn’t be right to pull Pete away from Shelly during their first Christmas, such as it was.
So, Billy was alone when it happened.
*****
When it had become apparent that the virus was going to kill most of the population, a number of safeguards were put into place at the last minute.
All nuclear plants were idled. No one wanted to imagine what any survivors would go through if a runaway nuclear reactor cooked off with no one capable of stopping it left.
For similar reasons, America’s nuclear arsenal was buried in secret, and vital components removed. Someone might, one day, retrieve some of the weapons, but it was unlikely that the sophisticated components of modern nuclear devices would still be serviceable. Missile components were like wise stripped away, and the rockets hastily buried in rock and concrete.
Hazardous materials at various places around the country were locked away in vaults that would take weeks to try and open. In prisons around the country, violent prisoners were euthanized, while non-violent offenders were set free, and left to their own devices.