Dark Destruction (EMP Lodge Series Book 4)

by Grace Hamilton

  9

  Everyone gathered around the kitchen table. They had known this meeting was coming and now it was time to decide their fate.

  “Is it unanimous?” Wyatt asked.

  There was a pregnant pause in the room while everyone looked at each other.

  “I guess it is,” Evan said.

  He didn't sound all that excited about the decision, but he had voted yes after Megan managed to change his mind.

  Yes, they were all going to stay at the lodge and build a dike with the hope of diverting floodwaters. This was their home and after everything they’d been through, they were not prepared to abandon it if it could be saved.

  Megan looked around the dining room. Each member of the lodge group stared back at her. They didn't have to say the words. She knew what each of them was thinking. Don't screw this up.

  “We can do this guys, but understand that we will be working harder than ever and that means not only continuing the regular household chores and other work around here but also backbreaking work on the dike. Under no circumstances can anyone shirk on their duties,” Megan said, not wanting to say any names. The people who were prone to avoiding their chores knew who she was speaking to.

  “We still need to have at least one person on guard at all times. That is non-negotiable,” Chase said.

  They had all learned that lesson the hard way. Even though things had been quiet and there had been no other bad guys trying to kill them since the McDaniels' gang had been vanquished, they weren't taking any chances. They could not relax their security.

  Wyatt agreed with him.

  “How are you planning to build this dike?” Evan asked.

  Megan explained the idea of using clay mixed with grass and water to form cob bricks. Most of them looked unconvinced.

  “Clay, mud and grass are the only readily available building materials we have.” Looking around at the group’s perplexed faces. “People lived in cob houses for centuries and many still exist dating back to the fifteenth century in England,” Megan explained. “So long as we waterproof them as best we can, we’ll be able to use the bricks to divert the water when the dam breaks. This is our only option,” Megan said a little more vehemently than she had meant.

  The reactions of some of the group members frustrated her. She was trying to come up with an idea, while some were ready to turn tail and run again.

  “Megan's right,” Albert said. “Cob was the building standard and still is in many parts of the world. Heck, I remember reading an article years ago about skyscrapers in Yemen that are five hundred years old. We don’t need it to be that good.”

  Megan was a little surprised he had come to her rescue. He was one that wanted to leave the lodge when they first found out about the dam.

  “I think we’ve all agreed to try, so unless someone has a better idea, cob bricks it is,” Chase said. His firm tone sent a clear message and no one else said a word about the plan.

  “The most time-consuming job will be making the cob bricks,” Megan said. “That is going to be a job that will require the most hands. I’ll work with the designated group to get them started. It’s important the cob be mixed right. Of course, there’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve, but I think we’ll have it figured out after the first few bricks are made.”

  “Let's get the job assignments figured out now so we can hit the ground running tomorrow morning,” Wyatt said.

  “Okay, well we are going to need that tall meadow grass and clay to get started. Until we have that, there is little anyone can do,” Megan said.

  “Garrett, Evan and Tara can head to the meadow. Garrett's been there enough he knows the quickest route,” Wyatt said.

  “Brenda,” Megan started, “How about you take Chase and Bryan to find those bricks. We have the one sled, but I think we can throw something together so each of you can drag some bricks back,” Megan stated.

  “I'll keep watch. I can take the whole day,” Albert volunteered. “I can’t do much of the physical labor with my knee but I can definitely pull sentry.”

  “Rosie, can you work with the kids to collect the mud around the stream area? It’s rich in clay and will be needed for the bricks.” Megan asked.

  “Sure, I think Willow can help as well. Between the two of us and the four kids, we can get clay and still manage to get the cooking done,” Rosie replied.

  “Thanks, mom. Megan, that means you and I can walk up to the dam and map out where the dike will need to be built,” Wyatt said.

  “Any questions?” Megan asked.

  “When are you going to start building the dike?” Willow asked. “Isn't it a bit of an emergency?”

  “Well, yes and no,” Wyatt answered. “Tomorrow, we’ll check things out up there and the following day, we’ll get started making those cob bricks.”

  Willow didn't seem to be appeased.

  “It is going to be several weeks before we are finished,” Megan said gently. “I trust Wyatt when he says we have the time. We are doing everything in our power and I hope it will be enough.”

  “Fine. I know you all are. I’m so anxious to get started!” Willow said, raising her voice as her anxiety grew.

  “I am too. Let's all get to bed early and be ready for a full day tomorrow,” Chase said, standing from the table. He reached out a hand and helped Willow stand. Chase was always making sure she was taken care of.

  Megan smiled at the gesture. He was going to make someone a good husband one day. He was attentive, generous and very easy to get along with. She wondered if they would ever find someone for Chase or Bryan. It wasn't like they could go to the local bar and mingle. She looked at Wyatt and smiled.

  He looked confused, but smiled back at her. She had gotten very lucky to find him. She hoped they could stay here and continue to build a life together. For a brief moment, she let her mind wander as she envisioned their future together. They would have their own little cabin. Maybe, if Willow's labor and delivery went well, they could even have a baby of their own.

  Wyatt had a strange look on his face. Megan started to feel a little uneasy under his scrutiny, as he seemed to size her up. His gaze traveled down her body, coming to rest on her legs. She looked at him, trying to get him to make eye contact, but he was so intent at what he was looking at he didn't notice.

  She lifted her hand from her thigh where it had been resting and waved.

  When he finally looked up, she mouthed, “Good?”

  He smiled. It was that big, toothy smile that always made her a little anxious. He was up to something.

  When she returned her attention to everyone at the table, she heard the “good nights” being said. She rose from her stool at the counter and followed suit. Wyatt stopped her before she went into the room, “I'll be in soon, I need to talk to Garrett.”

  “Okay,” she said, not bothering to ask him what was so important.

  He walked out the door behind the rest of the men. Whatever it was, it was a secret or something he didn't want the rest of the group to hear.

  She didn't give it another thought and headed for bed. Tomorrow, she would get to see what she was up against. She hadn't seen the dam yet. Wyatt had warned her it was intimidating, but he was confident her plan would work.

  Megan closed her eyes and hoped he was right. Her mind automatically thought of the Hoover Dam or the John Day dam. There was no way her dike would ever have a chance. He had assured her the dam that threatened the lodge was not even close to the same size. It was a manageable situation, if they acted fast.

  It better be. If not, goodbye lodge.

  10

  Megan could hear the rushing water long before she saw it. Now she understood why Wyatt had looked so concerned that day he came back. She hadn't even seen the dam yet, but her mind was conjuring up a terrifying image.

  “Are we close?” she shouted over the noise while trying to keep her feet under her. Wyatt had warned her it was slick but she hadn’t anticipated feeling as though
she was trying to walk on ice. The downed trees had been stripped of bark making them impossible to use as handholds as she diligently made her way.

  “Almost there,” he called out over his shoulder. “It’s worse than it was two days ago and last night’s rain certainly didn’t help.”

  They crested a hill and Megan saw the clearing and the dam beyond. Her eyes widened.

  “Oh, Wyatt!” she cried.

  The dam was much bigger than she had thought. There were three sluices across the dam. Each of them appeared to be all the way open. With no one to control the flow of water, they would remain open forever.

  She followed behind him as he climbed the slippery slope until he was level with the dam. This view allowed her to see the lake behind the dam and the churning water below. Neither sight gave her any comfort.

  “This way,” he yelled, the rushing water was even louder this close.

  She took short, sideways steps down the muddy hill terrified she would slip and fall to her death. Megan stopped, slightly behind him, not wanting to get any closer to the fast-moving water below.

  Wyatt pointed to the cement edge of the dam, not more than ten feet away from the far right sluice, almost directly in front of them.

  “Oh my God!” she cried. She saw the crack that was threatening them. It resembled a caterpillar or long centipede with small legs sticking out on all sides. The way the crack was spreading was alarming, giving her a glimpse of what would eventually happen. Each of those tiny cracks that were sprouting off the larger one would get bigger creating a massive hole in the wall of the dam.

  “I think it may have gotten a little bigger since we were here,” Wyatt said close to her ear.

  She wanted to run down the mountain, screaming for everyone to run. If that dam gave way, it was going to be a disaster.

  Turning, she climbed back up the steep incline to solid ground. Megan stood, watching the water flow over the top while she waited for Wyatt. He seemed to be taking measurements with his eyes.

  When he rejoined her, they started walking back towards the lodge.

  “Wyatt, I don't know if this will work. I didn't realize how much water we were dealing with. I had imagined it was a much smaller amount that could easily be controlled. This is a completely different story.”

  “It'll work. We need to get it done, now. If that crack is already spreading, it’s going to get worse.”

  Megan stopped walking. “We need to figure out how long the dike will need to be. I also need to get an idea of how far down to place it. Too low and it will be too risky. Too high on the hill and the water may go right over the top. Will those pace count bead things work?”

  “Yep. But, since we don't have them with us, we will use rocks to count,” he said, stooping over and picking up small pebbles.

  “Rocks?” Megan asked. She got the beads, but rocks threw her for a loop.

  “I’m going to put all the rocks in my right pocket. For every one hundred steps we take, I’ll put a rock in my left pocket. Every hundred steps is about three hundred feet. When we get to the lodge, you’ll know how far the water will travel,” he said before starting down the hill.

  “Wow. You’re kind of a genius.”

  He laughed. “Don't disturb me. Walking and counting isn't easy for me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Carry on. Don't let me make you lose count. I don't want to walk back up that hill.”

  When they arrived back at the lodge, it was quiet. Everyone was out doing their part to build up the flood defenses.

  Megan could hear the kids laughing and giggling. They walked around to the front part of the house and saw each of the kids lugging buckets—presumably, the clay and mud they needed.

  “Mom!” Caitlin hollered. “Mom, we got lots of mud! Can we help build the bricks?”

  Megan grinned. “Of course, you can. We are going to need your help.”

  Rosie made her way up the gentle slope, carrying a bucket.

  “There is plenty of mud down there, but boy, do I wish we had a wheelbarrow right about now!”

  Wyatt met Rosie and took the bucket from her. “I got it, mom.”

  “Thank you. Willow stayed behind to clean up the kitchen. I’m going to go see if she needs any help.”

  Megan looked in the bucket. Thick mud with a reddish tint was clumped inside. This was exactly what they needed. She hoped they had enough clay to build the dike. They would have to leave the property and follow the length of the stream to dig for more.

  If Garrett and his team made it back soon, they could get started right away. Now that she saw how serious the situation was, she was anxious to begin. She had a feeling everyone would want to wait until tomorrow, but she was hoping to persuade them otherwise.

  “We need to get the next assignments out to the group,” Wyatt said. “Everyone needs to know what their job will be once we have all the materials collected.”

  Megan nodded, already thinking the same thing. They had to stay organized to be efficient. They couldn't afford to deal with chaos and people not working to their full potential. Not with their lives at stake.

  “It will work best if we start at the top and work our way down. That means we need to mix the cob and make the bricks about two hundred fifty feet above the lodge. I want to give ourselves some wiggle room, in case there is any overflow.”

  Wyatt grimaced. “We need to haul all of the heavy mud up the hillside?”

  “It would be too hard to try and make the bricks here and carry them up there. They need to be formed, set on top of each and allowed to dry so they glue themselves together. The cob bricks would fall apart before we could lug them up the hill,” Megan explained. “Not to mention, it’s easier to carry one bucket versus ten bricks.”

  Megan got an idea, “Caitlin!” she yelled at her daughter who was running after Duke. “Caitlin, I need you and the other kids to gather lots of dry pine needles.”

  Ryland brought up his bucket of mud. “Can I use the rake?”

  “Of course. That’s a great idea. Rake them all into a big pile. Try to keep Caitlin and Amy from jumping in it,” Megan told him.

  She turned back and saw Wyatt looking at her, “The pine needles are like the grass Garrett's team is collecting. It will give us more material to work with and we won't have to go as far. Now, I need a tarp.”

  “I'll grab one from the tool shed,” Wyatt offered. “Figure out who is doing what and be ready to tell everyone when they get back.”

  Megan jogged into the house to grab her notebook. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She was excited for the project and more than a little nervous. That dam could give soon. They didn't have any time to think about what they should or shouldn't do, but they needed to do something.

  She grabbed the pencil and quickly drew two columns.

  While she was thinking about whom to put on the actual brick making, she got an idea.

  She found Wyatt as he was carrying out a blue tarp.

  “We can use the cob mixture to try and patch the dam!” she blurted out.

  “What?”

  “The cob. Once we mix the clay and grass with a little water, it’s going to be a lot like cement. Nature's cement. That's what Jack called it. We could spread it over the crack in the dam. Remember, we used a similar mixture to make mortar for the long cabin.”

  Wyatt looked thoughtful for a moment, “We could try. It’s going to be dangerous crawling down there, though.”

  Megan was about to say scrap the idea when he stopped her.

  “I'll do it. I know Bryan will want to volunteer as well. We'll tie off to the rails above, in case we slip,” he added when she was about to tell him no way.

  “Okay, but you better be careful. I can't lose you, Wyatt,” she said, fighting back the emotions that came with the possibility.

  “We'll be fine. I'll grab some ropes.”

  Megan designated the teams as she was referring to them. Wyatt, Bryan and Chase would all be on
dam repair. Albert would stay on watch. Willow would want to help. She could help mix the cob.

  The cob bricks would be cumbersome. Megan thought for a few moments before assigning the job to Evan and Garrett. Rosie and Tara could rotate out with Willow and Brenda to keep up with the chores around the house as well as relieve Albert.

  The kids would be excellent cob mixers and would love to stomp on the cob to mix it all up. It would be a good learning experience for them.

  With her plan in place, Megan felt a calm come over her. They could do this. They had an excellent team and a plan to follow.

  She walked to the area behind the lodge and mentally mapped the dike placement. Her plan was to place it almost parallel to the lodge property. The dike would stop the flow of water from hitting the lodge, angle it away from the property, and back into the stream.

  There were some trees that concerned her. Would the force of the water bring them down or could they slow the water? If the trees fell, they would destroy the wall she planned to build.

  They couldn't possibly cut down every tree in the path of the water but they could cut some down and use them to help build the wall. Megan stared off remembering when Jack taught them how to hew logs. He’d said that square pieces would fit together better than round but she wasn’t aiming for perfection.

  Megan estimated the dike itself would be about one hundred feet long. Each of the bricks would be about a foot long and roughly eight inches high. A four-foot high wall would be great, but if they only managed to get three feet, it would hopefully be enough. Given the distance the water would travel from the dam and the rocky terrain, she hoped that the flow would have slowed down enough that it would work.

  She would know more once they got started. There was still the chance the cob wouldn't hold together. If it rained, it would make it impossible for the cob to dry and if it got too wet, it would fall apart. There were so many factors working against them.

  She looked to the sky. “Please, give us a week or two of clear skies.”