The sun was rising higher and it was getting hot as she wiped the sweat out of her eyes.
“We need to stop for a second.” She told her husband, who looked at her questioningly, “Kenna needs something to drink.” She said and he nodded, looking around to make sure the area was clear before bringing the bike to a stop. He hopped off and brought his rifle up to the low ready as he glanced around while Katie got their daughter taken care of. He noticed a group of four men at a produce stand staring at them.
“Babe, you might want to hurry up. We’re being watched.” He said quietly. Thinking it might be a diversion, he kept clearing the entire area around them. One of the guys, a big man in overalls started gesturing in their direction, getting his attention. Then Overalls started in their direction. “Time to go!” he said and Katie looked up from the trailer.
“Oh, shit. What do they want?” she hissed. The man made to the other side of the street before she could get her bike going.
“Hey! Hey folks! Where ya headed?!” the big guys asked, smiling with tobacco stained teeth. Zack didn’t trust that smile at all.
“Just down the road.” He offered and Overalls nodded.
“Them’re some nice-looking bikes. Would you be willing to sell me one? I got cash.” He smiled and thrust his hand in his pocket. Zack brought the rifle to bear on the man.
“I would be real slow about taking that hand out.” He told the man, who slowly retracted a wad of bills.
“Well that ain’t very friendly.” The man said, glancing at his friends, who leaned up against a beat-up Chevy pickup.
“We’re not friends. Why don’t you move back over with your buddies so that we can be on our way?” Zack suggested and Overalls just smiled.
“Well, like I said, we got no transportation. The truck stopped runnin’. I offered you cash, but if that won’t work, then I reckon we could just take them. Junior back there’s got an AR too. Wouldn’t be safe shooting with your wife and kid around.” The man grinned and Zack watched as the man pulled an AR from the truck bed and started to aim it in their direction. Zack was just starting to shift his aim when the crack of a rifle next to him startled him. The man that had been holding the AR collapsed in a heap with a neat round hole in his head. He didn’t have to ask; Katie had taken the shot. Overalls reached for his back pocket when Zack double-tapped his chest, then quickly shot the remaining two. He looked at Katie, who was busy puking off the side of her bike. He waited until she had finished, rinsed her mouth and spit.
“Nice job, we’ll talk about it later. That gunfire’s going to attract a crowd. “he started pedaling at a little faster pace than before they’d stopped. Surprisingly, Kenna had just taken it all in without even crying.
Three miles further down the road Zack pulled into a vacant lot so that they could rest for a few minutes and let the baby run around. She could only take being strapped down so long before she got fussy. He couldn’t blame her, at least he was able to move around by pedaling. The vacant lot was a little over an acre in size and not close to the ever-thinning signs of civilization. He dropped the kickstand and released the Kraken from her restraints. Kenna, once free, walked around, exploring the wonders in the ground around her. Katie sunk to the ground, exhausted both physically and mentally. Zack sat beside her, watching their daughter.
“That was a hard thing you did, but I’m very proud of you. You probably saved my life.” He told her. She just nodded, so he continued, “If you hadn’t fired, I probably would’ve hesitated because you two were next to me. I hate to think of what would’ve happened to my little family if that had happened.” He raised her chin and gave her a smile.
“I had no control. I saw him raise the rifle and everything my dad taught me took over.” She sighed and shook her head, “I still can’t believe that I shot a man. He might have had a family.” She started to tear up.
“Maybe, maybe not. It seems to me that if he’d had anyone he really cared about, he’d have been with them instead of trying to do God knows what to people on the road. Think of it as a public service; the cops don’t have to arrest him, the courts don’t have to try him, and the people don’t have to pay for it all. Think of what would’ve happened to Kenna. They would’ve killed her or worse. And you would have had to live through watching us die, until they tired of you. You did good, babe. Really good.” He told her, and went to get them some lunch while she watched Kenna digging in the ground with a stick and smiled. Like her husband, she was thankful her family didn’t get hurt, despite the fact that she felt horrible for ending a person. She knew her dad would’ve told her to toughen the hell up, she did what she had to do, and that was a good thing.
An hour later they were back on the road. They passed several houses where armed people sat on their porches, mostly watching them closely, but the occasional wave of the elderly, most of whom seemed a little too trusting, Katie hoped that they weren’t too trusting because those were the ones that would become easy pickings for what her dad said would come next. They were raised in a different time, a time when you took care of your neighbor. During times like this, that could be fatal. Twice they passed people who were obviously sick and she got the urge to pedal even faster. She wasn’t really religious, although she had been at one point in high school, but that was because her boyfriend, a guy her dad called “Box boy” for his cardboard personality, had been. Still she said a silent prayer for these people as she continued to pedal towards Highway 306. The houses grew further apart until there was only the occasional house, most seemed abandoned.
Kenna had finally been lulled asleep but the time they’d reached their turn. There were no stalled cars here, no people walking because this was mainly farmland or unimproved land. They road past the New Hope Baptist Church, currently devoid of anyone and worked their way across the bridge at Greasy Creek. It wasn’t much of a bridge, so Zack threw caution to the wind and sped across. Katie was unsure, but followed his lead. Fortunately, there were no problems, though she was sure that would change in the coming weeks.
Jessie
Downtown Cleveland, TN
Dillon peeked through the curtains. Outside he could see a group of people hurling a grocery cart at the glass doors of a Little Debbie resale shop. Because the bakery was just a few miles away in Collegedale, TN, the McKee Corporation was a major employer in the area and their thrift stores sold their products at a discount. Dillon looked at it and shook his head.
“Man, those people sure must like Zebra Cakes to go busting into a store like that. You’d think the Super Mercado across the street would get hit first. At least they have can goods and decent steaks. People are stupid.” He let the curtain fall and sat on the couch next to Jess.
“So, when do you want to leave? This place makes me nervous as hell.” Jessie said, chewing on her thumbnail.
“I don’t see much sense leaving until after midnight, if we can. The streets are running apeshit with druggies, thugs and assholes, taking what they want. They’d damned sure take whatever we carry and probably you too.” He said, retrieving his AR from the bedroom closet.
“Okay, then I’m filling up everything I can with water before we lose pressure.” Jessie said and went to the kitchen.
“That’s a waste of time, we’re leaving at midnight.” He reminded her and she ignored him.
“Why midnight?” she asked over the running water.
“Because, most of these assholes will be drunk or drugged out and asleep. Besides, it’s easier to hide in the dark.” He answered.
“Maybe. We’ll see.” She said. He was about to tell her that it was her father’s idea when a sudden banging on the door got his attention.
“Stay in there, I’ve got this.” He said and aimed his AR at the door, “Who’s there?!” he yelled.
“It’s Crystal from next door! Open the door and let me in! Please!” a female voice pleaded. Dillon looked through the peephole and saw the blonde girl who worked as a stripper in Chattanooga standing th
ere looking nervous as hell.
“Who’s out there with you?!” Dillon yelled, continuing to watch her.
“Just me and I’m fucking scared, let me in! Please, Dillon!” she pleaded. Dillon stepped back and leveled the rifle as Jessie came walking in and unlocked the door.
“For Christ’s sake, it’s just Crystal!” she yanked the door open and the girl spilled in. Dillon ran to the door, looking around to see if anyone noticed, but apparently no one did, so he quickly shut and locked the door.
“What the hell are you thinking?” he asked Jessie, who looked at him like he had just grown another eye, “Bad people are doing bad shit and you want to open the door? What if she’d been forced into this?”
“Now you sound like my dad. It was just Crystal.” She answered.
“Your dad might just be right. Never do that again.” He admonished, “That could’ve gotten us killed.”
“He’s right.” Crystal admitted.
“Okay, he’s right.” Jessie agreed, “So what’s going on?”
“I’m just scared. There’s too much happening and I don’t want to be alone. Please!” she begged. Dillon knew that she lived alone and didn’t have a boyfriend, much less anyone else to look after her. He sighed heavily and sat on the couch.
“Fine. Stay, it’s all safe here. But we’re moving out at midnight and getting as far from town as we can.” He told her and Crystal sat on the loveseat opposite the couch.
“Thanks. Can you believe this shit?’ she asked and Dillon just shook his head.
“Mom said the virus has been causing problems for days in Chattanooga. Probably here too, by now.” Jessie said as she sat by her friend.
“So, what are we supposed to do?” Crystal asked.
“Not real sure what we’re supposed to do. What we’re going to do is head to Pop’s place. You’re welcome to come along, just don’t invite anyone else. That old guy will shoot first, if you catch my drift.” Dillon said. Jess pulled him aside.
“Are you nuts? My dad will kill you for inviting someone else.” She said and Dillon gave her one of his stupid grins.
“At least I’m bringing him a stripper.”
“And mom will kill you for that. That was a total dumbass move.” She hissed.
“It’s okay. I’ll stay here. I’ll be fine.” Crystal said and Jessie shook her head.
“No. You wouldn’t last two minutes here by yourself. No, dad will have to get over it.” Jessie said.
“Crystal, can you shoot?” Dillon asked and she shook her head.
“Guns scare me.” She replied.
“You might want to get used to them. If this goes halfway as bad as the old man’s been drilling into our heads, it’ll probably be the one of the things that will save your life.” Dillon said and went to check out the windows.
“Do you think it’s going to be that bad? What about the cops?” Crystal asked Jessie.
“The cops are in the same shape as everyone else, no power and no cars. That means it’s everyone for him or herself. We’re going to hold up here until after dark. That’s give us a chance to double check our gear and the drunks a chance to pass out.” Jessie said, “You wouldn’t happen to own any cammo clothing, would you? Any hiking boots or anything like that?”
“No, unless you count cammo thongs.” She answered and Jessie just shook her head.
“They count if you ask me.” Dillon said grinning and Jessie glared at him.
“Keep it up, smartass. You’ll leave here limping.” She informed him and then led Crystal out of the living room.
“Follow me, I’ve got some you can wear.” Jessie said leading her back to the bedroom. Dillon kept peeking through the windows.
“Hey babe, look out back and make sure it’s all clear.” He said loudly. She stuck her head out the door.
“If that’s you trying to be quiet, you’re a complete dumbass.” She hissed, “No. The backyard is deserted. It’s also fenced”
“Oh yeah. Okay, because we have to be the hell out of here before they start raiding people’s homes and stuff.” Dillon said. Jess rolled her eyes like he’d just had a big mental breakthrough of the obvious and went back to help Crystal.
Dillon watched the scene outside carefully, trying to gauge what the mob was going to do next. They skipped over the closed Midas repair shop and went into the donut store next door to it, shattering the plate glass widow and kicking the door in. He just shook his head in disbelief. What the hell were they going to do, grab a couple dozen jelly-filled for their effort. It just made no sense to him. And unlike the Black Lives Matter riots, this didn’t appear to be racially motivated, more like fear-driven. And that scared him worse than anything. Anger would do one thing but fear can cause a person to do anything. He dropped the slat on the blind just as Crystal and Jess came out of the room in all cammo. He chuckled.
“Looks like y’all are ahead of me. Keep an eye on the front while I go change.” He said, handing the rifle off to Jess. She looked it over, making sure there was one in the chamber and the safety on before looking at Crystal.
“We’re going to have to teach you pretty quickly from the way it’s sounding out there.” Jessie said, taking a peek through the slat. From what she could see there was the small barbeque stand down the street ablaze, several non-moving bodies lying in the street, whether or not they were dead, she couldn’t be sure in the fading light. One thing she did know was that she wanted to be gone from here and quickly. She went into the kitchen, thankful that they used gas to cook with, and started throwing together a quick dinner of Ravioli, thinking it should have enough carbs and protein to get them through the next few hours. Calling out softly to Crystal and Dillon, they ate in the kitchen, which faced the still vacant back yard.
Dillon looked at the privacy fence in the back yard and pointed to it with his spoon.
“We’re going to have to go over that fence and stick to back yards when we leave here.” He pointed out, “Too many people wandering out front.”
“Great, then we’ll be dealing with people’s dogs and probably get shot.” Jess complained.
“Well, which would you rather deal with? Assholes out front or dogs? I can shoot a dog with my bow quietly. I don’t want to, but I will. That shit out front is just batshit crazy.” He replied just as something came thumping down the outside wall. They all froze as it worked its way past their apartment and down the complex. He quietly set his bowl on the counter and went to check. He saw a man with a sledge hammer punch holes in the wall for no apparent reason. He heard a scream and looked long enough to see a woman thrown to the ground by a group of men. His first instinct was to go help, but Jessie grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t even think about it. We’ve got to get out of here.” She whispered, looking scared.
“I know. We’ll hang tight as long as we can, hopefully these clowns will get drunk and pass out or something.” Dillon said and led them back towards the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
“Do you really think those people are drunk or on drugs?” Jess asked.
“Beats the hell outta me. I’ve never seen anyone act like that, let alone a whole town.” Dillon replied and then sighed loudly, “The plan is to get to Pop’s place. The hard part is going to be getting there. Just listen to what we say and do. And for fuck’s sake, don’t scream, no matter what.” Dillon said to Crystal.
“Why would you say that?” Crystal asked.
“All females scream.” He shrugged, “I dunno, I guess all females scream.”
“I promise, I won’t scream. No matter how scared I get.” She replied and Dillon nodded and looked out the back window again.
“What’re you thinking?” Jessie asked.
“I’m thinking that if I can get to your car, I can get your go bag out of the trunk to give us more supplies for Crystal.” He said.
‘Well the front door is out.” Jessie said. He nodded and opened the bedroom window and stood on the window sill before popping ba
ck in and shutting the window.
“I’ve got an Idea. I can pull myself onto the roof, climb over and drop down the other side, use the key to open the trunk, snatch your go-bag, and get back the same way.” He explained.
“Getting it might work just fine, IF you aren’t seen. I can guarantee someone will spot you trying to crawl back onto the roof and want to join in.” Jess said.
“No, they won’t. At least not yet, they’re too busy destroying everything. I still don’t understand why, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll sling my rifle over my back, if that’ll make you happy.” He said.
“No, it won’t.” she sighed, “We do need those supplies though.”
“Why do we need them?” Crystal asked.
“It’s a three-day bug out bag. It has everything you’d need to last three days in the wild. There are also extra NVG’s, ammo, and other things we’ll need. Unfortunately, with you coming, we’d have to ration shit. Don’t take that the wrong way, because we aren’t leaving you, no matter what. The trouble is that there’s no telling how long it’ll take us to get there.” Jessie explained and Crystal nodded. Dillon slung his rifle over his back and donned his gloves and eased his way up onto the roof. Jess could hear his clothing scraping on the rough surface of the roof as he made his way to the top. Then silence for what seemed like an eternity before continuing on the other side before stopping again. Jessie listened and heard nothing for a couple of minutes. Well not exactly nothing, but nothing other than the crazies down the road. Suddenly she heard him slowly scraping his was back up the roof again, stopping again at the top and then quickly shuffling down the bedroom side. He tossed the pack through the window and hauled himself in, securing the window and drawing the blinds.
“You aren’t going to believe what I saw out there.” He huffed.
Three Days From Home Page 6