HADRON Dark Matter

by Stephen Arseneault

  Chapter 18

  _______________________

  Keys were collected and the trucks moved to the side of the road. The bodies were dragged beside them and left for the authorities to deal with.

  As Mace walked back past the RV toward the Jeep, Jane grabbed his arm. “Whoa. Hold on there, Champ. You're bleeding.”

  He glanced down at his arm with a sigh. “Yeah, forgot about that. Took some splinters from a tree.”

  Jane gestured for him to come aboard. “Let's get that patched up. No need to risk infections if we don't have to.”

  Three half-inch long splinters were pulled from under his skin. The area was thoroughly cleaned and a bandage applied.

  Mace glanced up to see Vanessa sitting beside Tonya. “You ladies OK?”

  Vanessa nodded. “I was just saying, we're turning into the rolling death-mobile. What is wrong with people? We should be helping each other.”

  “If the blackout continues, things will probably get worse. We're only a few days away from those normally helpful people starting to do whatever it takes to feed their families.”

  Vanessa replied, “I have to wonder if we just stopped and started helping people, you know, organized, would that be enough to make most people behave?”

  “Anyone who tries to take an authority position will meet resistance from others who want to either be in control or be left alone. I don't think we'll see any signs of stability until the military makes a move. And right now they are just as much without communications as we are. Maybe if we can get established at the cave we can begin to organize a settlement of our own.”

  Vanessa sighed. “If there's anyone else left to join us.”

  Tonya timidly raised her hand. “Mr. Hardy, for what it's worth, I think you are doing what's right. You have to get yourself safe before spreading that around to others. These men here today, they didn't deserve to live.”

  “Well, we were only trying to defend ourselves. Others might view us as vigilantes. Either way, it's best we get off this highway.”

  Mace downed a glass of water before heading back to the Jeep. Tres insisted on driving. Mace was happy to give over control.

  Johnny again led the caravan forward. The ride through the mountains took another twenty minutes before the group crossed the West Virginia line. Fifteen miles further found them on the road that lead to Organ Cave.

  Tres smiled. “Almost home.”

  Mace frowned. “Sadly, you may be right.”

  As they approached the east end of the town of Union, the road was once again blocked. A deputy stood next to cars stopped in both directions with three other townsfolk. As the Jeep came to a halt, Mace hopped out and walked toward the deputy.

  A townie holding a shotgun stepped into his path. “Hold it right there, Mister.”

  Mace nodded. “Is there trouble up ahead?”

  The townie replied, “Just making sure there's no trouble here.”

  The deputy approached. “Can you get back in your vehicle, sir? We'll get to you in a minute.”

  Mace said, “These three vehicles are together.”

  The deputy asked, “What's your business in Union?”

  Mace said, “We're on the road toward Fairlea. Came from Norfolk. Just wanted to get to somewhere safe and peaceful.”

  The deputy squinted one eye. “Trouble in Norfolk?”

  Mace nodded. “Looters, thugs. We just thought it best to get away. The longer this goes, the crazier it will get in the cities. For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing here. We've met up with some bad people on the highway already.”

  The deputy gestured toward the bandage on his arm. “That from a run-in?”

  Mace returned his best short laugh. “Just some splinters. Hurt like heck.”

  The deputy looked over at the RV. “I'll need to do a quick check of your vehicles.”

  “I'll be up front with you: we packed supplies for the long term, and we are heavily armed. And that's only intended to inform, not to threaten.”

  The deputy gave him a stern look. “A man's got to protect himself, right?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The deputy walked over to Johnny's SUV. “Pop the hood please, sir.”

  Johnny complied.

  The deputy walked around back of the SUV. “Open her up please.”

  Again Johnny followed orders.

  The deputy picked over the boxes stacked in the back. “OK, let's check the RV.”

  The Union cop walked the length of the interior of the RV as Mace stood by the door. “Wow, now this is nice.”

  Jane smiled. “Thank you. I do competitive shooting and this is what my husband and I travel in.”

  The deputy stopped. “Competitive? That's with like the targets and such?”

  Jane nodded. “Yes.”

  The deputy asked, “You ever make it to the one in Gerrardstown?”

  Jane smiled. “Champion in my division two years running.”

  “Well ain't that something. My cousin goes up there every year, but I don't think he's ever placed higher than sixth.”

  “We're still hoping this clears up so we can make this next one. Hate to lose the streak I've got going.”

  “Well, I can tell you’re decent folk. I'll get out of your way. I'm sure you'd like to get where you're going.”

  Mace stepped onto the roadway, followed by the deputy. “What I said earlier, I think you are doing the right thing here. And you might want to start stockpiling and organizing your town for the longer haul. We had a ham radio up and running a few days ago. This event is worldwide.”

  The deputy looked at the ground in thought as he scratched behind his ear. “I appreciate the concern, but I think we'll be OK. Sheriff has things in order here.”

  “Just keep this in mind. When the people in the cities start running out of food, which will be soon, they're going to come looking for it out here. And a hungry man will do what it takes to feed his family. You’re quiet and peaceful now, but that could change with one incident.”

  “You were in the military?”

  Mace nodded. “Army Ranger.”

  The deputy patted him on the shoulder. “You look like the type. And that's not meant as a bad thing. Anyway, you folks take care of yourselves.”

  “If we happen back this way, can we count on being welcomed?”

  The deputy half smiled. “Now that would depend on the situation at that time, wouldn't it?”

  “I guess it would.”

  Mace walked back to the Jeep. The caravan moved forward at a slow roll.

  Once past the barricade, Mace said, “That had me spooked. Any one of these sheriffs could turn out to be a bad element. Maybe only looking out for his townsfolk, but in a way that's very bad for us.”

  Tres asked, “What if he had demanded half our supplies?”

  “I can't say that would've been a good thing for him to do. Not that we want to shoot up the good people of the world, but what's ours is ours.”

  A short drive later had them stopped at the property that held the entrance to Organ Cave.

  Mace said, “Is this privately owned?”

  Tres nodded. “Yes.”

  Mace winced. “And you think they won't have issue with us squatting here? If it was public property, that's a whole different matter.”

  “I guess I didn't think about it. I do have one other bit of news though that I forgot to mention.”

  “What's that?”

  “The cave has a huge supply of saltpeter. During the Civil War, this single cave was said to have supplied three quarters of the saltpeter the South used during the war. We just need some sulfur and charcoal and we can make our own gunpowder.”

  Mace thought for a minute. “That might come in handy down the road. Although, we're pretty stocked for ammo at the moment.”

  As they rolled down the drive, they looked around at the buildings on the property. The door to a gift shop was open.

  Mace stepped out of the J
eep. “Let's see if the owners are willing to take on some boarders.”

  Johnny joined him as he walked. “Place looks private. Thought it was a park.”

  An older man was sitting behind the counter. “Sorry, we're closed until we get power back on.”

  Mace said, “We're actually wondering if we can camp out here for a while.”

  The old man glanced out the window and shook his head. “We have RV slots, but no power... or water. And we don't have tank pumping either. You might try the RV park over in Fairlea.”

  Johnny said, “Well, we don't need power or water. Would you be interested in renting to us anyway?”

  The old man shrugged. “Sure, I guess. Just there won't be any tours running until power is back either.”

  Mace smiled. “Not interested in tours right now. We mostly just want to get away from people.”

  The old man asked, “Where you from?”

  Johnny leaned on the counter as Mace replied, “Norfolk. Things were getting a bit too unstable for us. We had the means, and we picked this place as a starting point for getting away from everyone.”

  The old man scratched his shoulder. “You got cash? Can't take credit.”

  Johnny nodded. “How much you want for two RV slots for a couple weeks?”

  The old man crossed his arms. “For cash? A hundred fifty dollars. No refunds though. You leave, that's all on you.”

  Johnny pulled out a wad of bills. “How does four hundred sound for a month? We won't be any trouble.”

  The old man looked out the window again. “How many of you are there?”

  Mace replied, “Eight of us. Youngest is fifteen.”

  The old man held out his hand. “Jasper Collins.”

  Mace shook it, assessing his firm grip. “Mace Hardy.”

  Jasper pointed. “You can pull the RV over there. The cars, heck, park them wherever you want for the moment.”

  Johnny asked, “You the owner?”

  “For the last fourteen years. My father had it for the thirty before that, and his father for twenty-six before him.”

  They followed the old man out onto the porch of the gift shop. “Cave is over there. Please don't mess around on the walkways while we’re closed.”

  Johnny asked, “How much would you want for a personal tour?”

  The old man smirked. “I don't give tours anymore. I got a young staff that does all that for me. Without phones, wouldn't even know how to get in touch with most of 'em. You really didn't pick a good time to come here for a vacation.”

  Mace said, “That's OK. We aren't here for fun. Just trying to keep ourselves alive.”

  The old man waved his hand. “Oh pooh, they'll have power back on at any time.”

  Mace slowly shook his head as he walked down the three steps to the driveway. “I wouldn't be so sure. I hope you're right, but hope doesn't turn on the lights.”

  The old man tugged at his overalls in the back. “Sorry, been sittin' too long. You think this is permanent or something?”

  Mace half frowned. “All we know is it's a worldwide event. Power and communications are out everywhere.”

  The old man leaned his head back, looking down his crooked nose at the two men. “Everywhere? I wasn't aware of that.”

  Johnny said, “In the cities they're looting and robbing. The cops are overwhelmed, as are the emergency workers. The government, without communications, has yet to organize any kind of stable response. People will begin to get hungry real soon. And when that happens, well, being in a city is not where you'd want to be.”

  Mace said, “If you want, we can provide you with security while we're here.”

  “From what? We got nothing here to steal. Gift shop has snacks and such, but nothing anyone would rob you for.”

  Mace replied, “Not that I'm looking to argue with you, but a starving girl and her father will beat you senseless for a candy bar. Hunger is a powerful motivator.”

  “Not worried about that out here. Neighbors can all take care of themselves. Other than that gift shop, all I've got is the cave. Don't see anyone stealing that.”

  Mace looked toward the entrance. “To be truthful, that cave is why we came here. It offers a defensible location, water, shelter, and from what I understand, saltpeter. If this outage continues, this cave would be an ideal place to take refuge.”

  “Well, the Confederates thought so. I tell you what... you keep this place secure—just turn anyone away that comes by—and I'll see about getting you a tour. But you gotta be polite. I don't want to drive people off. Just let them know we’re closed.”

  Mace asked, “You had anyone come by since the power went out?”

  “First day we had a school bus show up early on. Had to send them on their way without power though. We had a couple come in that afternoon, and one yesterday morning. Nobody since.”

  The old man fidgeted on the porch, undecided at which direction to turn.

  Johnny laughed. “You wanting to go home?”

  “That obvious? Just my arthritis in my knees acting up a bit. Without my pills it will spread to my hands. Pills are at home.”

  Johnny said, “Here, take another two hundred dollars. We'll pay to be your security team.”

  The old man turned a leery eye. “Why would you pay me for that?”

  Mace stepped up. “He only meant that you can trust us, that's all. You've been kind enough to let us stay, he just wants to let you know how much we appreciate it.”

  The old man looked Mace up and down. “You in the service?”

  “I was. Been out for six years now. What gave me away?”

  The old man pointed. “Aside from your stance, it's that haircut. May not be how you wore it in the service, but it's not far off.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Jasper looked Johnny up and down with a squinted eye. “You... you ever in the circus?”

  Johnny pulled back. “What?”

  The old man reached out, slapping Johnny on the back. “Just joshin' ya. Tell you what, keep an eye out for me for a bit and I'll see what I can do about a lantern tour tomorrow. I should be back in a couple hours.”

  The old man pulled the door to the gift shop shut, locked it tight, checked it twice, then scurried down the steps and over to his car.

  Mace glanced over at Johnny. “Were you ever in the circus?”

  “I'm in the circus right now. Prefer to think of myself as the ringmaster and not one of the clowns. What about you?”

  “Elephant trainer.”

  “That some kind of a big man joke?”

  Mace smiled. “You tell me.”