by Mark Goodwin
Kevin looked at Everett. “Wormwood is supposed to poison the fresh water supplies, is that right?”
“Yeah. A third of the fresh water on earth. If it somehow contaminates all the lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds all the way from northern Canada to southern Chile, that would be roughly one-third.” Everett hated to think of the amount of death headed their way.
Courtney stroked the cat’s back. “The water you found, do you think it will be safe?”
Everett looked at Elijah. “God has a mission for Elijah that hasn’t been fulfilled yet. He’s bulletproof. God has to provide water for him. I’m assuming the water I found at the back of the cave will be drinkable. It’s deep. I think it’s coming from an underground spring.”
Elijah laughed. “Read the whole story. I wouldn’t quite consider myself bulletproof.”
“Well.” Everett smiled at him. “For now anyways.”
CHAPTER 9
And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.
Jeremiah 7:33-34
Over the next few weeks, the coming destruction weighed heavy on the minds of everyone in the group. And with each passing day, the mountain air grew colder.
Everett and Courtney finished cleaning up the dishes from breakfast.
Sarah emerged from the cave. “Do you guys want to go with me for a little jog?”
“Kevin usually goes with you,” Courtney replied.
“He’s going to try to call Tommy over the radio.” Sarah leaned against the rock and stretched her leg.
Everett was curious. “What does he want to talk to Tommy about?”
Sarah switched to stretch the other leg. “He wants to see if they’ve heard anything new. Ask how they're coming along with their preps for the Wormwood impact. That sort of thing. Basically just keeping his ear to the tracks.”
“That’s smart. Where are you running to?” Everett inquired.
“To Elijah’s. I offered to feed the animals so he can get a break.”
Everett turned to Courtney. “I’m game. What do you think?”
“Sure. I’ll change shoes and grab the rifles.”
The three of them geared up and began jogging toward Elijah’s property.
Danger followed close for the long run down the busted-up pavement.
Everett breathed heavily. He had trouble keeping up. Sarah took up running immediately after her leg was restored.
Everett called out. “Hold on!” He tightened the sling of his HK G36C so the rifle wouldn’t bounce so much on his back as he fought to stay close to Sarah. Courtney had run with Sarah on a few occasions, so she managed to maintain a shorter distance between herself and Sarah than Everett did. Still, her heavy breathing revealed that she was maxed out.
As they neared the farm, Everett lost sight of Sarah. Courtney remained in his view. He pushed himself for the last stretch of the run. “This is good training,” he said to himself between gasps for air. Finally, he arrived.
Sarah sat on a rock sipping from her canteen. She took another drink and passed it to Courtney. “What took you guys so long?”
Courtney drank from the canteen and handed it to Everett. “Okay, Sarah. You put us to shame. Is that what you want to hear?”
Everett breathed deeply. “Some more than others.” He sipped the water and replaced the cap.
“I like to take advantage of the weather. If we get heavy snow like last year, we’ll be spending a lot of time inside. And snow or not, the days are getting shorter.”
Everett walked to the barn and looked over the goats. The remaining animals appeared much thinner than the last time he’d seen them. He opened the gate to let them out. All of them rushed toward the small field of wheat.
Courtney smacked Samson on the head. “Don’t even think about it! You know better by now.”
“Go! Get! Get out of here!” Sarah shooed away the other goats, chasing them toward the woods so they could graze on the new growth sprouting up from the forest floor.
Everett walked near the goats, keeping them all in close proximity to one another.
Sarah and Courtney let the chickens out to forage for bugs, worms, and tender shoots on the other side of the barn.
Everett counted the goats. “Thirteen. Samson and Delilah get to spend the winter with us, so that’s eleven remaining. We’ve been eating one goat a week. That will leave four more for slaughter before the Wormwood impact. I guess we could make jerky with the other six. Maybe cook a couple off right before impact. As cold as it is in the cave, fully cooked meat will probably keep for at least a week without spoiling,” he mumbled to himself.
He watched over the herd, corralling them back each time one goat ventured too far away from the rest. Everett observed the forest floor in amazement at how rapidly the small tufts of grass, saplings, and wild bushes had emerged from the ashes. “Life finds a way. Even though we’re living in the harshest conditions in history, life still goes on.” He looked up toward heaven. “What an awesome God who designed all of this.”
An hour later, Courtney called out. “Are the goats about full?”
Everett watched as his small herd seemed to be getting pickier about their eating. “I think so,” he yelled.
“Bring them in,” Sarah called back
Everett tried pushing the group back toward the barn, but the goats had their own idea. “I don’t think they’re ready.”
Courtney walked over to Everett’s location. “You have to be smarter than the animals you’re working with.”
“You realize that sounds a little insulting, right?”
She winked and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Watch.” She pulled her backpack around to the front and stuck her hand inside. She brought out a fistful of deer corn. Courtney sprinkled the kernels around her feet. Immediately, the goats began to follow her.
Everett pursed his lips. “Bribing and outsmarting are two different things.”
When they arrived back at the barn, Sarah had used the same method to convince the chickens to return to their enclosure. “You guys ready to head back?”
Everett nodded. “Yeah. But don’t wait up for me. I might take my time getting back.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.” Sarah winked.
“Me too. I want to make sure my husband doesn’t get lost.” Courtney put her arm around Everett’s arm and pulled him close.
“See you guys back at the cave.” Sarah zipped up her pack. She hung her rifle across her back and broke into a quick sprint, with Danger staying close on her heels.
A single gunshot rang out in the distance.
“What was that?” Courtney stopped in her tracks.
Everett put his hand up signaling for Courtney to be quiet for a moment. He could still hear the trailing blast echoing off of the hills below. He shook his head. “It could have been from a mile away. With no foliage in the trees, the sound travels much farther.” He stood silent for another moment, scouring the blackened landscape for movement or signs of life.
Courtney tugged his arm. “Let’s go home.”
“Okay.” Everett turned reluctantly and continued toward the cave.
When they arrived, Elijah and Kevin were preparing dinner.
“Smells good. What are you guys cooking?” Courtney took her rifle from over her shoulder.
“Goat and rice stew.” Kevin used a pair of tongs to poke the piece of bone floating in the pot, forcing it beneath the water.
Elijah patted out a piece of dough, round like a pizza, but much thicker. “And grilled flatbread.”
“That sounds great.” Everett had worked up a good appetite.
“Do I have time to go clean up in the stream before dinner?” Courtney asked.
&nbs
p; “Yeah,” Kevin replied. “But tell Sarah that you’re going. She was waiting for you guys to get back. She didn’t want Everett to walk up at an inopportune time.”
Courtney chuckled. “I’ll take her with me.”
Everett remembered the gunshot. “Make sure you keep your rifle where you can get to it quickly. And take the whistle.”
Everett looked in the pot. “What else is in your stew besides goat bone and rice?”
“Those are the main ingredients. I put some onion powder, garlic powder and a half of a can of those dehydrated mixed vegetables.” Kevin continued to prod the pot with the tongs.
“Sounds pretty good. I never knew you were such a chef.” Everett looked on as Kevin stirred with the utensil.
“This is camping food. I can cook camping food. Just don’t let me in a proper kitchen.”
“There is very little threat of that. Very little, indeed.” Elijah appeared discouraged by the limited resources available for preparing the meal. Nevertheless, he brushed olive oil on the dough and placed the flat loaf on the grill. “How were the animals?” Elijah sprinkled his hands with flour, pulled another ball of dough from the bowl, and began patting it out.
“Samson said he misses you.”
Elijah fought back a grin as if he were afraid to admit how much he loved the old goat. “Don’t tease me. Balaam’s donkey spoke in the Book of Genesis. I’ve often wondered what old Samson might be thinking.”
“They all got their bellies full, foraging in the woods.”
Elijah nodded. “The new growth is getting easier for them to find. Did they obey when you told them to return to the barn?”
“Courtney figured out a little trick for that.” Everett smiled as he placed a piece of wood in the coals below the grate where Kevin’s soup was simmering.
The time passed slowly and Everett grew antsy waiting for Courtney and Sarah to return. His mind began to suggest what might be keeping them. He imagined the worse. He envisioned the desperate sort of persons who were still alive despite the earth and sky conspiring to wipe mankind from the face of the planet. He pictured the sordid creeps to whom the gun belonged, slithering up on the girls from behind and then taking their rifles. “I’m going to go tell the girls that dinner is ready.”
Kevin furrowed his brow. “They might not be decent.”
“I’ll only go three-quarters of the way down the hill. I’ll yell until they hear me.” Everett slung his rifle over his back.
“If you’re hungry, I’m sure they won’t mind if you go ahead and eat. I’ll eat with you.”
Everett forced a smile of gratitude so not to alert Kevin of his growing fear. “No. I’m fine. I’d just rather act in an abundance of caution, times being what they are.”
“Okay. But don’t get too close. Sarah will freak on you.”
Everett nodded. “I’ll keep my distance.” He hustled down the trail, listening as he sprinted.
“Courtney!” His voice echoed through the hollow. “Courtney!” He yelled again.
“What?”
Her voice had the effect of a choir of angels on his soul. They had been gone a little longer than usual for a bath, but the sinister prank that his mind had played in those few minutes had taken him to the edge of sanity. “Dinner is ready!”
“Okay. We’re coming now!” She yelled from below.
He cupped his hands over his mouth to direct the sound. “Are you dressed?”
“We’re decent!” Sarah’s voice came back.
Everett walked down the trail to find Courtney and Sarah picking up their rifles with towels wrapped around their heads. “You girls were gone for quite a while.”
“We were talking. Girl stuff, you know,” Sarah said.
“Sure.” He smiled. “I just wanted to make sure you two were safe.”
“Thanks.” Courtney took his hand and walked beside him until the trail became too narrow.
That evening, the group ate Kevin’s soup and the bread which Elijah had prepared. Afterward, they played several hands of cards, listened to the radio, and sat by the campfire, enjoying the remaining time they had to be outside before the impact with Wormwood and the subsequent winter.
The next morning after breakfast, Everett tapped Courtney on the shoulder. He whispered, “Are you up for running with Sarah to the barn and back?”
“Is it a covert operation?” She looked from side to side in mock suspicion.
“No. But I’m determined not to be the person in the worst shape of this whole camp. I thought I’d let you in on it if you’re game.”
Courtney tapped her lips with her finger. “Yeah. She did sort of gloat about it yesterday, didn’t she. I don’t see anything wrong with a little friendly competition, but my shins are killing me right now.”
“You’ll work it out. But easy on the competition talk. We don’t want her to see us coming.”
Sarah popped out of the cave. “Hey!”
Everett was startled. “What’s up?”
She asked, “I don’t know. What are you guys talking about?”
Courtney put her arms around Everett. “Sweet nothings.”
“Oh.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Then never mind. Are you guys running with me today?”
“We hadn’t really thought about it, but yeah. I guess we could come.” Everett feigned an attitude of nonchalance.
Sarah stretched her legs. “I’ll go slow, but you guys have to at least try to keep up.”
“Okay. We’ll do our best.” Courtney tightened her jaw.
Everett knew from looking at her that she was all in from this point forward.
Sarah slung her pack over her shoulder then picked up her rifle. “Ready?”
Everett reached his arm through his rifle sling, pulling it as tight as he could get it so it would bounce less. “Ready when you are.”
Courtney adjusted the barrel of her Mini 14 so it wouldn’t interfere with her stride. “Let’s do it!”
Sarah clapped her hands. “Cupcake! Come on, boy!”
Danger let out a brief whine and looked up at Elijah. The dog lay at the prophet’s feet, wagging his tail.
Everett tried to suppress his laughter. “I think you wore him out yesterday.”
Elijah waved. “Tell Samson and Delilah that I’ll be around later this afternoon.”
“We’ll do.” Courtney waved as she dashed off.
Sarah was already gone. Everett took a deep breath, knowing the agony he was about to experience from his shin splints. He’d done all he could to stretch them out that morning, but his shins hurt. He focused on Sarah who was already twenty yards in front of him, forcing his mind to ignore the pain. He caught up with Courtney. He glanced at her face which was wincing in pain with each step.
“I’ll run it out huh?” She scowled.
“Eventually.” Everett winked and kept up his pace.
Sarah turned around and jogged in place. From thirty yards ahead of them, she waved. “Come on! Push yourselves! You gotta dig deep!”
“She knows we’re in pain. She’s enjoying this.” Courtney grunted low.
Everett spoke softly. “He who laughs last, laughs loudest.”
As Everett and Courtney came within ten yards of Sarah, she turned around and resumed her steady clip toward the barn.
Everett regulated his breathing. His legs hurt, but his heart and lungs were working just fine. Prior to the collapse, he would hit the gym every morning, dedicating several hours a week to cardiovascular training. Courtney had been a runner before the world fell apart. It wouldn’t take her long to bounce back either. Determined to keep up, Everett refused to let the pain stop him.
Sarah quickly regained her thirty-yard lead. She slowed down, still facing forward. She held one fist in the air, the signal the team used for halt.
Everett slowed his stride as they gradually caught up with Sarah. He scanned the surrounding area for signs of trouble.
“What is it?” Courtney whispered.
Everett
shook his head. “I don’t know. But something alerted her.”
Sarah appeared unhurried as she removed her rifle from her back. She motioned for Everett and Courtney to continue to her position.
Everett took his HK from over his shoulder as he caught his breath and kept walking. Courtney did likewise.
As they approached, Everett heard motorbikes in the distance. He looked at Sarah. “Motorcycles?”
She nodded.
“Do you think it’s Tommy?” Courtney inquired.
“Probably.” Everett resumed walking down the crumbling pavement of the road.
“Why would they be coming from the east side of the mountain?” Sarah asked.
Everett shrugged his shoulders. “Fewer obstacles. They don’t have to ride across the landslide.”
“But they have to come through Woodstock. It’s a populated area. At least it used to be.” Courtney furrowed her brow.
Sarah moved her head from side to side slowly. “Kevin just talked to Tommy yesterday. He didn’t say anything about coming up here. He knows how jumpy we are.”
Courtney added, “And he knows the risks of surprising jumpy people who usually have their fingers wrapped around a trigger.”
“They could be in trouble. Maybe they didn’t have time to call.” Everett listened as the motors came closer. “Either way, we’ll proceed with caution.”
Sarah removed her backpack and knelt down. She unzipped the pack and took out two magazines. She slung the pack back over her shoulder and tucked the magazines in her waist. “How many mags do you guys have?”
Everett gritted his teeth. “One.”
“One extra?” Sarah looked at him curiously.
“No. One magazine.” Everett sighed in disgust at his own ignorance. “I was determined to keep up with you today, so I wanted to keep my load light.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Arghhh. What about you, Courtney?”
Courtney lowered her head as if she’d just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “One magazine. No extras.”
“And we’ve all got different weapons, so neither of you can use my mags.” Sarah shelled out five rounds from each of her extra mags. “At least we’re all running 5.56.” She handed five rounds to Everett and five to Courtney. “These are in case you run out, but don’t run out. Make every shot count. I guess if we need cover fire, I’ll have to be the one laying it down.”