Gable took two blades. “Let me try.”
He tossed the knives. The first blade was less accurate then Priscilla’s knife, but the second one hit the bull’s-eye. Gable raised his arms in the air. “Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!”
“Do you really think I’m going to quit that easily? I have plenty of energy left,” Priscilla said smugly as she grabbed two more knives.
The couple tossed several knives at the targets. Ultimately, Priscilla was the better marksman. She landed several more bull’s-eyes than Gable had hit.
Gable shoved his hands in his pockets. “That’s what I get for being cocky.”
“Don’t feel too bad. People have a tendency to underestimate me. I suppose it’s my feminine charm and southern hospitality,” Priscilla gloated.
“Remind me not to cross you. I find you intimidating with those knife-throwing skills,” Gable mused.
Priscilla looked at Oliver and Maggie’s picture on her cell phone. “Too bad the kids couldn’t make it. They would enjoy this fundraiser.”
“Yeah, I feel guilty about it too. They were looking forward to this trip. I would like it if we had more of a chance to hang out with the kids. It’s hard to find time though with our busy schedules,” Gable admitted.
Priscilla used her sunhat to keep the bright light off her face. “We can check on them after dinner. Hopefully, they’re getting plenty of sleep. They were really sick when we left.”
Gable led her away from the knife-throwing game. “I’m sure they’re going to hate us for having fun over here. Hopefully, they won’t have a nasty prank set up when we get home.”
“They’re both grounded if that’s the case,” Priscilla firmly replied.
They ran into Malcolm and he and Reb tried the rock-climbing wall. Both of them wore the appropriate harnesses and helmets while they scaled the artificial mountain.
Malcolm quickly climbed up the structure. “I feel great! This is one of my favorite activities! Rock climbing is probably great rehabilitation for your leg.”
Reb was less enthusiastic. “You’re probably right, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. This type of activity is difficult for me.”
“What are you talking about? It seems like you’re climbing just fine,” Malcolm commented.
Reb continued the exercise. “Steampunks are naturally good climbers. It’s part of our enhancement from the grafting.”
Malcolm reached the top and hung from his climbing ropes. “Does Giles exercise a lot? He seems like a masculine guy.”
“Giles enjoys running. My man does a little bit of weightlifting, but he’s not a true fitness buff like you,” Reb replied.
Malcolm waited for Reb to reach the top. “Actually, that’s part of my problem. I like exercise and outdoor activities, but most women don’t share my interest.”
“Well, it’s going to be hard for you to find a woman who’s a jock. Good luck with that. Maybe you should expand your choices. Find someone who’s a businesswoman or a musician. Variety can bring a lot of wonderful things to a relationship. You don’t have to be limited to athletes,” Reb explained, as she finally reached the faux mountain’s peak.
“I guess that makes sense. Sometimes I’m nervous to leave my comfort zone,” Malcolm admitted.
Reb rested at the top. “That surprises me because you seem like an adventurous guy. Honestly, a grounded woman would be good for you. She could bring you down to earth. One day you’ll need to outgrow your boyish charm and become a real man. That’s why I like Giles. He’s a classical example of masculinity.”
Malcolm started to slide down his ropes. “Thanks for hurting my ego, Reb. You’re a big help.”
Reb followed him. “That’s why I’m your agent. You need to hear the truth.”
*****
On the other side of the event, Percy and Savannah sat at a table and enjoyed some of the fundraiser’s food.
Savannah munched on a slice of pizza. “This food is so fattening, but it’s delicious.”
Percy slathered ketchup on a cheeseburger. “You don’t need to worry about gaining weight. A slice of pizza won’t ruin your feminine figure.”
“That’s easy for you to say. It’s easier for men to lose weight than women,” Savannah remarked.
Percy took a bite out of his cheeseburger. “On a different note, I definitely think this trip was worth the time and money. Look at the turnout. I’m sure a lot of money will be raised for anti-terrorism efforts.”
“That’s true. It’s also a very good excuse to spend time away from the office. We haven’t had a decent vacation since before the Utopians tried to kill us on that island in Louisiana. It seems like terrorists try to attack us every time we travel somewhere,” Savannah discussed.
“Don’t jinx us. I’m glad we have this time to spend with our family. Granted, I haven’t seen our kids all day long though,” Percy mentioned.
Savannah wiped her mouth with a napkin. “We’ll run into them at some point. Enjoy the peace while it lasts. After this event is over, we’ll be stuck in a limousine with them while on the way to the airport.”
Percy ate more of his cheeseburger. “I remember our old road trips, when Gable and Reb were young. They usually fought the entire way to our destination.”
“That hasn’t changed much, except we have more misfits, including Priscilla, Giles, Malcolm, and Beauregard. I can’t wait. Our trip to the airport is going to give me a splitting headache,” Savannah griped.
*****
Giles and Beauregard each handed some money to an artist.
“What type of drawing do you want? Would you like a portrait or something else?” the young artist asked.
Giles thought for a moment. “Draw Reb’s Jeep. Do you know Reb Nelson? Her Jeep is a really cool Steampunk vehicle.”
“Of course I know about Reb and her Jeep. It’s a famous vehicle,” the artist said as he prepared his easel.
“That Jeep is ancient. Why is it famous?” Beauregard wondered out loud.
The artist began to draw the Steampunk vehicle. “It’s unique. Reb did a really good job of making her Jeep interesting. It has character. Did you know her Jeep even has a fan website?”
Giles laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Her Jeep is probably more popular than we are.”
Beauregard put on his goggles to keep the sun out of his eyes. “I feel slightly embarrassed that a Jeep has a bigger fan base than me.”
“Dude, you don’t have to be jealous,” Giles commented.
*****
Later that afternoon, the Nelsons and their companions fished at the lake. It was a difficult task for the inexperienced fishermen among them.
Priscilla tugged on her line. “I don’t think the fish like my bait.”
“The fish probably aren’t healthy enough to bite. The water looks grimy,” Percy said, as he furrowed his eyebrows.
“It’s disgusting to touch the bait. If I catch anything, one of you boys can help me out,” Savannah replied.
Reb tossed her line into the lake. “At least we’re far away from nuclear activity. That’s a hot topic back home.”
“Everybody freaked out about the mutation controversy. I don’t know why people are so hysterical about it. The grafting altered components of our bodies. Side effects should be expected,” Percy explained.
Priscilla was bored while she waited for a fish to bite her line. “I’m just worried because nobody warned us about the mutation before we enhanced our bodies.”
“Who cares? Grafting is awesome because it turned us into a species of superior human beings,” Malcolm stated.
Savannah wiggled her fishing line. “I just hope those horrible Utopians weren’t right about the Steampunk culture. They said we are mutants who will devolve into mindless monsters.”
“I don’t think we’ll turn into cannibalistic monsters. Although the government probably didn’t want us to know about the negative side effects,” Beauregard explained.
Ga
ble switched his bait in the hopes of getting better results. “You’re such a conspiracy theorist. I have a feeling our scientists didn’t know anything about the radiation until recently.”
“Guys, we live in a Post-Apocalyptic world. Anything is possible. We’re Steampunks and that means we should be tougher than regular humans. That’s part of our aesthetic. Maybe atomic power can be useful,” Reb explained.
“You might be right, but I want to stay far away from massive amounts of nuclear energy,” Gable replied.
“Same here.” Savannah agreed with her son.
Reb tossed a fish in her cooler. “Stop complaining. A little radioactivity won’t hurt us. We’re exposed to small amounts of nuclear energy on a daily basis. It would have to be enough radiation to annihilate a city block. When are we ever going to see that much atomic power?”
The others stared at the pile of fish in Reb’s cooler.
“So that’s where all the fish went,” Percy commented.
Reb held her baton in a threatening manner. “Don’t get any ideas. These fish are my prizes.”
Chapter 7
After enjoying their time at the fundraising event, the Nelsons, Malcolm, and Beauregard rode in a Steampunk limousine to the airport. It was a long vehicle that was made out of iron, with brass and copper accents. It was covered in metal rods and gears. The vehicle was powered by steam and had two metal horns that were grafted onto the hood. Even though the limousine had a long body, the eight celebrities were still stuffed together inside.
Malcolm pulled a bottle of champagne out from the bar. “Let’s celebrate! The fundraiser was a success and I know people donated a lot of money!”
“That’s not free! You guys have to pay for the booze!” the limo driver warned.
Gable grabbed several champagne flutes and passed them out to the passengers. “No problem! We should ride to the airport in style!”
Malcolm popped the cork and it flew across the interior.
“Careful! You almost put out my left eyeball!” Reb lectured after she dodged the cork.
“You could have a monocle like me, Moonshine” Percy quipped.
Reb smirked. “It’s not a flattering accessory for a lady.”
They passed the bottle around and poured champagne into their glasses.
Savannah took a sip. “I guess next week is just another part of our work routine.”
“That’s fine with me. I don’t like to leave my agency unattended for very long,” Giles replied.
Priscilla rolled her eyes. “You and Reb are such workaholics. Loosen up and have more fun.”
Beauregard took a solid gulp of alcohol. “That’s why I love being a painter. I’m self-employed and make my own schedule.”
“It must be nice. The rest of us are trapped with deadlines,” Percy muttered.
Gable put his hand on Priscilla’s thigh. “It’s not that bad. Most of us are the bosses of our companies, and that means we can make schedule changes. That’s why we have a lot of time for traveling.”
“Yes, but much of the traveling is meant for business or media coverage,” Reb corrected him.
Savannah crossed her legs and sat comfortably on the leather seat. “At least we made a big contribution to anti-terrorism efforts on this trip. Every penny is going to research and charity. We should be proud.”
“Cheers to that!” Malcolm declared.
The Nelsons and their friends clanked the champagne flutes together in a toast.
The limousine sped along the vacant highway that traversed the mountainside. It was a smooth and quiet journey. Much of the environment around them was composed of dirt and rocks, but shrubs, trees, and bramble dotted the landscape as well. The foliage seemed dry and needed a bout of rain.
The driver saw something stretched across the road, but the sun skewed the object’s appearance. He squinted and tried to identify the object. After a while, he realized it was a chain of road spikes.
“Hold on!” the driver yelled, as he slammed his foot on the brakes.
The passengers jostled against each other while the driver tried to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, the limousine’s tires ran over the spikes. The tires ruptured, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
“I don’t think this is going to end well!” Giles growled.
“Why did you have to say that? Now we’re going to have a terrible accident!” Beauregard angrily responded.
The group hung onto each other and prepared for impact. Despite the driver’s best efforts, the limousine reached the road’s edge and rolled down the mountainside. It tumbled a long distance, tossing the Steampunks around. They yelped while being thrown against each other. Items from the cooler were flung around the vehicle. Eventually, the limousine reached flat terrain and finally stopped, upside down in the dirt. The Steampunks were frazzled, but otherwise unharmed.
Percy brushed some broken glass off his vest. “Obviously, we’re going to miss our flight.”
“Great. Just another reason for the kids to be mad at us,” Priscilla grumbled.
Reb looked out a broken window. “Look at the condition of my hair. This type of thing always puts me in a bad mood.”
“How many horrible accidents do you encounter on a regular basis?” Beauregard asked.
Reb tried to find a way out of the upside down vehicle. “Way too many. This one isn’t bad compared to some catastrophes.”
The driver unbuckled his seatbelt and landed on the limousine’s ceiling. “Is everyone all right?”
“I’m pretty sure everybody is fine if they’re able to make wisecracks,” Savannah remarked.
Giles crawled across the ceiling. “Okay, let’s get out of this limo.”
He kicked a door open, giving them an exit.
The Nelsons and their companions crawled through the opening and stood on the dirt. Their environment was a rural and desolate region of the backwoods. The group did not have the luck of running into a major city or urban community. Unfortunately, they were probably not going to encounter other human beings. Their crash site was also far below the highway. It was an eerily quiet location.
Percy looked at the driver. “Are you familiar with this section of West Virginia?”
“Heck no! I’m not even from this area. The limo company loaned me from Nashville, specifically for this fundraiser,” the driver admitted.
“Don’t worry about it. What’s your name, sir?” Percy asked.
The driver showed Percy his name tag and said, “Alban. Honestly, I’m glad to be here with you guys. I’ve seen a lot of news coverage about your family. The Nelsons are famous for their survival stories.”
“Luck has been a little bit violent toward my family,” Percy replied.
Gable kicked a small rock. “We need to find help. Do you guys think there’s a city nearby?”
“That’s a good question. If this was rural Oklahoma, I could lead the way. West Virginia is not my territory,” Reb answered.
Savannah pulled out her cell phone and tapped on it. “My cell phone isn’t working. It’s the same problem we had on the island.”
“Yeah, my cell phone isn’t working either,” Malcolm commented.
Giles scanned the area. “Let’s walk for a little bit. I’m sure we’ll run into a community at some point.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea to stray from the limo?” Beauregard pondered out loud.
“We can’t reach the highway from this location. That means we have to venture into the backwoods,” Priscilla responded.
Percy took charge of his family. “We already know where the limo is located. Let’s try to find help, then we can come back here if it’s necessary.”
“Sounds good to me. I think we should travel in the opposite direction of the highway,” Reb recommended.
“Wouldn’t we have better luck if walk parallel with the highway?” Savannah asked.
Giles shook his head. “You might be surprised how many small towns reside in the open
landscape. I think heading deeper into the backwoods is the right choice.”
“Okay, I don’t want to waste any more time. Let’s go with Reb’s plan,” Percy ordered.
They wandered through the vacant landscape and searched for other Steampunks. After a while, they reached a small town.
“Good job, Reb. You were right about the small communities,” Beauregard admitted.
Gable checked his cell phone. “This is a good step forward, but my phone still doesn’t work.”
“My phone doesn’t have a signal either,” Alban agreed.
Giles squinted at the small town. “Well, the residents of this town must have a way to communicate with other people. Let’s check it out.”
The Nelsons and their companions entered the town and walked through the quiet environment. The streets were empty and devoid of life.
Malcolm peered through the sheriff’s window. “I don’t see anyone here. In fact, the sheriff’s office looks old and dusty.”
Percy took a closer look at their environment. “Wait a minute. This isn’t a modern community. Take a look at the houses and buildings. It’s the same architecture we had in the 21st Century. I think this is a Pre-Apocalyptic town.”
Reb sighed with frustration. “Perfect. That probably means the town was abandoned years ago.”
“What? You led us to another ghost town! Thanks a lot!” Malcolm barked.
Priscilla firmly slapped her hand across Malcolm’s chest. “We need to avoid fighting. Just keep your temper under control.”
“She’s right. Let’s keep calm and find a solution to our problem,” Percy logically replied.
Savannah glanced around at their abandoned surroundings. “This is so weird. I haven’t seen neighborhoods like this for several years. Why do you think the people left this place?”
“I have no idea. Maybe it was damaged during the Apocalypse?” Giles theorized.
Gable shook his head. “No, the town is in remarkably good condition. The buildings and vehicles don’t have any damage.”
Beauregard picked up a rock and threw it toward the street. “Perhaps everyone is dead. There could have been a disease that swept through the entire town.”
The Post-Apocalyptic Society: A Nelson and Hyde Vendetta Page 4