EMP (Book 4): Desolation

by Ison, S. A.

  “If you don’t pull your shit together, I’ll leave you behind. This shit is hard enough without your constant horseshit. And you’ll not be allowed to rejoin us. So, think about what you want more, to run your mouth with your pissing and bitching or keep your mouth shut, and suffer, just like the rest of us.” Tomi said and turned to walk back up to the head of the line. He could feel his face heated with rage. Something about Jack just set him off.

  “You okay? You look like you’re about to stroke out.” Perrin laughed when he caught up.

  “Christ, I think I am. Something about Jack just pisses me off.”

  “Yeah, he was a pain in the ass as an inmate. We were looking forward to his release.” Perrin snorted, looking back over his shoulder and then shrugged.

  “So, I’m learning. Is that the place you were talking about up there on the left?” Tomi asked, pointing to a small building, faded, with cardboard boxes lining the side of the building.

  “Yeah, we can see if we can get some clothing. I’d like a couple of extra things in this new post-apocalyptic world.” Perrin grinned causing Tomi to snort. The group stopped in front of the store, and it was closed. Tomi walked around and checked all the doors. They were locked. He aimed his AR15 at the backdoor knob and put two rounds, blowing the door open.

  “I could have kicked that in, brah.” Liev grinned.

  “You just want to show off.” Tomi laughed, causing Liev to snigger. The group walked into the darkened structure. The only light came from the dusty windows. The interior smelled like a miasma of old clothing and shoes. Everyone separated, going to different shelves and racks. Tomi went to find shoes. He’d want a couple pairs to add to the new boots in his backpack. He had clothing at the cabin, but he grabbed another set of woodland camo pants.

  “Iris, get what ever you need. I can take some of that bulk in my pack.”

  “Are you sure Tomi?” she asked, her brows knotted. The swelling in her face was going down but she looked horrible. Both eyes puffed and black and blue.

  “I’m sure. Make sure you get winter gear, I’ve got clothing at the cabin, so I don’t need to worry. But what ever you get here will have to last you. Maybe in a few months, maybe in the spring, we can leave the cabin and go looking in abandoned homes. But until then, you’ll need warm clothing.” She nodded and smiled at him and walked around the store. He pulled out a cigarette, he was only smoking one a day now. Once they were gone, he’d not have them again.

  He watched as the others moved about the store. He could hear Dawn and Liev laughing. They really were sweet together. He was glad they’d gotten together at long last. He watched as Linda and Norman walked along the aisles. They were growing close. He thought perhaps Linda was helping the younger man. He was glad. Jack wondered about the store, snorting in distain. Apparently, these choices weren’t to his liking. The man was still red faced from their earlier talk, or the man’s blood pressure was sky high. Tomi sighed heavily, he didn’t know what he was going to do with the man.

  They had held an impromptu training session that morning, with Jack, Iris and Norman. He and Perrin had gone over the basics with handling their weapons and using them. Norman had been frightened at first, but Perrin and Linda had helped him over come his fears. They showed him how to clean his weapon, handle it, load it and all the small things that went with weapon’s safety. After an hour, Norman became comfortable. He did several runs at dry shots. They didn’t want to advertise their location, so no ammo was fired.

  “I think I can do this.” Norman grinned shyly.

  “I know you can, Norman. Just remember to handle it safely, don’t put your finger in the trigger guard unless you mean to shoot the weapon. Keep your index finger along the side of the weapon. And do not point it at anyone, again, unless you mean to shoot them. That gun should not be out of its holster unless you mean to do someone harm.” Tomi had instructed.

  Norman had practiced pulling his weapon from the waist holster. Tomi insisted he do this over and over. Correcting him when his finger was inside the trigger guard.

  “You don’t want to blow anything important off.” He’d smiled crookedly and Norman had nodded in whole hearted agreement. After the lesson, Norman had continued to draw his weapon and put it away. Loading and unloading his magazines. He’d become quite proficient at it, without firing a shot.

  “I’m proud of you Norman. You’ll be able to handle yourself. Just remember, don’t go too fast, or you can make mistakes and perhaps hurt yourself or one of us. Remember, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to rush, even if we are under fire, take your time and do it right the first time.”

  “I sure will Tomi, and thanks. Thanks Linda and Perrin, I appreciate it guys.” He’d said softly.

  Jack was a different story. He’d argued and wouldn’t listen. He kept saying, “I know how to do it, I’m not stupid you know.”

  Yet, he’d kept making the same mistakes over and over. And got angry at everyone when he was corrected. He’d given up after a half hour and had thrown the gun down. What was it with the man, that just pissed him off, Tomi wondered?

  Iris had even wanted to be taught. Though she’d never handled a weapon in her life, she was a natural. She too practiced loading and unloading. She and Norman worked together, feeding off each other’s positive energy. Iris was given Jack’s weapon, since he was incapable or unwilling to handle it. Jack had been livid and had ranted and raved and called it all a bunch of horseshit.

  Later that morning, before they’d left their camp, Perrin had set up targets. Since they were leaving shortly, they’d be out of the area soon, so anyone hearing the shots, would miss them, if they came to investigate. Norman had hit his targets after several misses and he’d been thrilled. He beamed with pride, eliciting snide comments from Jack, who was red in the face.

  Iris had also taken her turn and once more, Tomi had been impressed. She’d taken most of her targets out. She had a good eye to hand to target ability.

  “I feel better for having the weapon on me. Thank you, Tomi, for showing me how to handle it. I’m surprised that it isn’t more complicated.” She’d grinned, her bruised face shining with pride. He could see the determination and also grief in her eyes. He knew she’d not be vulnerable again, not if she could help it. He’d heard her weeping through the night, at the loss of her friend. Time, might heal that wound. At least he hoped it would.

  =

  Keeler Bryant stood on the wrap around porch of the cabin. The seventy-four-year-old pepper looked out into the forest. It was day four after the EMP and he knew his nephew was on his way. Tomi had written that his last week in the correctional would be spent out in town, working to help the shops in the mini-mall. Tomi had volunteered for it and so Keeler figured Tomi would have been there when the EMP struck. Keeler had been online when the laptop died. He’d checked his phone and that too was dead.

  His heart had hammered painfully. He’d been prepping for years, but deep down hadn’t expected it. It was an excuse to stay locked away in the woods. There had been much sorrow in their family and his last link was Tomi. He was a good boy, an honorable man. He was glad that Tomi had been at the mall. He was afraid that the prison might not have let him go, though he’d been due to be released. He hoped Tomi had gotten his last letter.

  His old eyes tracked the deer that were in the holler below. There were twelve of them. No one hunted on his land, they knew better. He was known as the cantankerous old black man to his nearest neighbors. He was satisfied. He didn’t want to be bothered and enjoyed the solitude. Each day was a blessing and he cherished it.

  Keeler coughed and spit. Lung cancer. He snorted. He’d worked in the coal mines for twenty years and smoked two packs a day. No surprise that his body was turning on him. At least Tomi had a place to come and live while the rest of the world burned itself to the ground. He walked over to his rocking chair and sat, pulling a cigarette out. He lit it and inhaled as deeply as his lungs would let him. He’d smoke until
he died.

  On his property, he had supply caches sprinkled about. The supplies would last decades, if not longer. He’d had nothing better to do, than to buy it and put it away. If Tomi didn’t claim it, some poor bastard who did, would be a lucky son of a bitch. If he could find the stashes. The clipboard on his lap gave all the hidden locations. He looked over it. He’d forgotten where most of them were. Some were in the caves that dotted his land.

  He sighed heavily, eliciting another cough. He thought about Tomi’s sister, a selfish child and foolish. He was sure his brother, Johnathan, had made her that way. She’d become a motherless young’un, and Johnathan had spoiled her terribly. Giving her everything she’d wanted, and setting no boundaries. Her foolishness had cost Tomi seven years and her own life. What a waste. He grunted and took another drag off the cigarette. He heard the drumming, deep in the forest, from the woodpecker. He smiled and closed his eyes. He felt like the only man on earth.

  The days were still warm enough, but the nights were growing cooler. He’d have to start a fire in the wood stove soon. He didn’t mind, it warmed his old bones and the heat always felt good on cold days. There was plenty of wood stacked up out back. He also had a small shed connected to the back of the cabin, that was filled with firewood. So, in the deepest part of winter, he didn’t have to venture far to get the wood.

  The cicadas and other insects buzzed relentlessly and the birds in the canopies fought and argued all day long. He smiled. Looking over, he saw that his dog, Dodger, was sound asleep. The pup had been chasing squirrels all morning. He’d found the poor thing on the side of the road, some months back. Dodger’s littermates had all been dead. He’d nearly been so, but Keeler had gone to the vet and had gotten puppy formula. He’d hand fed the pup until he could eat solid food. He was a good companion. He was still a baby, only six months, but was getting big for all that.

  He wasn’t even sure what kind of dog, Dodger was, but he was big and shaggy. He had a sweet temperament and with enough chasing, settle down to sleep most of the day away. Keeler turned his head, he heard the distant echo of a gunshot. It bounced and echoed off the mountains. Soon, he was sure, he’d hear more. He’d planned to go fishing later in the afternoon. The back of his property sat on the Crane’s Nest River. It was a secluded spot and he rarely saw boat traffic on it. The water was clean and filled with fat trout.

  He grunted, that sounded awfully good. Dodger had a taste for fish as well. He grinned. When Tomi got here, they’d both go fishing. He sighed happily once more. It would be like the old days, relaxing and letting the worm do all the work.

  =

  Everyone was pleased, except Jack, of course. Each of the group held a bag or small backpack, filled with clothing. Liev had even managed to find two pairs of jeans, and a pair of shorts, along with shirts. Jack had gotten two sets of sweats, a shirt and an extra pair of running shoes. Tomi suspected that, had the man not devoured damn near everything in his pack, that he’d have lost a bit of his gut. Tomi thought perhaps much of Jack’s problem was water weight. He was retaining water badly, due to the high sodium diet. He’d wanted to suggest getting a couple pairs that were smaller, but didn’t. He just didn’t have the energy to argue with the man.

  Liev had volunteered to go ahead and hunt for some game, for tonight’s dinner. The group was quiet now, occasionally, Tomi heard Linda and Norman talking quietly. He smiled. Then Dawn moved up to talk to Perrin, their soft voices drifting back. Dawn laughed and hit Perrin, he was kidding her about Liev. Her face was a pretty pink now and her face softened when she spoke about his friend.

  “She is very nice, both her and Linda.” Iris said softly beside him.

  “She is, I’ve known her for seven years, during my incarceration.” Tomi nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were innocent?” Iris asked, curiosity in her green eyes.

  Tomi shrugged. It hadn’t seemed important, especially in this new world.

  “I guess because it really doesn’t matter now. Who we were and what we did has no bearing on who we are today. And what we will be doing, which is surviving. Dawn and Perrin will never be corrections officers again, nor will you be a lawyer, nor me a criminal.” He grinned.

  “But you were never a criminal.” Iris argued, causing Tomi to laugh, then she smiled.

  “Well, like I said, it doesn’t matter now. The only thing that will remain, is assholes still being assholes.”

  “Yes, I got that loud and clear from yonder man. He’s not happy about the weapon.” Iris commented, patting her waist.

  “If he’d have taken the training seriously, he’d have gotten the Sig, but I don’t want someone having a weapon that doesn’t respect it. That person is dangerous, not only to himself, but everyone around him.”

  “Thank you again for teaching me. I think I’ll sleep better tonight.”

  “I can’t promise you won’t need it, all I can do is hope that you don’t.” He shrugged and grinned.

  “Looks like Liev got lucky.” She nodded ahead, maybe a quarter of a mile. Tomi followed the direction of her gaze and saw his friend coming back with what looked like a small deer. Dawn ran ahead, fairly skipping the whole way.

  “Looks like we’ll have some venison steaks for dinner.” Tomi grinned. He heard Linda and Norman laughing. That was good, food was good for morale, especially when they didn’t have to use their own supplies. Besides, fresh meat was hard to beat. They all needed the extra protein. He could already feel the weight loss, his pants becoming loose. He just wished Jack would pull his shit together. At least there would be plenty of meat tonight.

  =

  Jack saw Liev walking toward them with a small deer. His mouth began to water. He’d been so thirsty and hungry, he couldn’t seem to get a handle on it. At least tonight, he could eat his fill. He was getting tired of the sideways glances he got from the group when he ate more than they thought he should. He was livid that Tomi had given Iris his weapon. Christ. Tomi nitpicked the way he handled a gun. It wasn’t goddamn rocket science for Christ sakes. And yet, he’d not been allowed to keep the gun.

  And goddamn Norman, that faggot, was strutting like a peacock, because he got to carry his gun and fired it. Fuck. And then, no goddamn clothes for him. Just a couple of jacked up sweats. No goddamn jeans and the sweats would rub thin in the thighs in no time and then he’d have holes. Shit. Each day was a misery and these people didn’t make it easier. With their comments and their superior expressions.

  He was pretty sure he could do better on his own. Find a place to chill out and stop this endless walking. But he’d need some of their supplies and they weren’t just going to hand it over. He’d have to do something about that. He watched as Liev came strutting up to that bitch, Dawn, and showed off. God damn asshole. Liev had the height and the looks and the women guards had treated him like a god. Him, they’d ignored. Even Tomi got fawned over. He’d said he was innocent, but Jack didn’t believe that trash.

  Christ, he was a white man, and had been treated like shit, yet this mix breed motherfucker was the cat’s meow. Or at least treated like it. Jack took a deep breath, spots were dancing in front of his eyes. His heart was hammering and he knew he needed to calm himself down. He took a drink of his water, which tasted like shit, with those chlorine tablets.

  He looked at his watch, they would be stopping soon. Good, he was tired as hell and his feet were throbbing. His head was throbbing too. He gritted his teeth when everyone went to pat Liev on the back. Christ. It made him sick. He saw Tomi making his way back toward him. Jack cleared his face, he had to play nice, at least for the moment.

  “Hey Jack, we’ll be stopping about two miles down the road. Liev said there is a good size stream up ahead.”

  “Thanks Tomi, and I want to apologize. You know, for earlier. And, I also want to take my turn doing the watch thing, you know. If it’s okay, I can take the midnight watch, until I get tired. I don’t know how long I can stay awake, but I figure, I’d be good f
or an hour or two. That would give everyone and hour or two longer sleep time.” Jack said, shrugging.

  “Sure Jack, that’d be great. Thanks.” Tomi said, smiling and moved on to talk to Norman and Linda. He smiled. Yeah, once everyone was asleep, good and asleep, he’d see what he could take and disappear. He’d find someplace nice to hold up in and relax. He was sure there were plenty of places, just waiting for him and he didn’t have to goddamn walk all that way. Or put up with their bullshit.

  =

  Liev sat beside Dawn, she had her head on his shoulder. Everyone was full to the gills. He’d cut steaks and they’d cooked them over the fire. Linda had found a spice packet in her bag and had spiced the meat. Liev had also cut thin strips of the venison and had dried it slowly over the fire. They’d have jerky for tomorrow.

  “Man, I feel like I’m about to burst, that was some good food.” Dawn said for the third time. He laughed at her. She looked up at him suspiciously.

  “What?” he asked defensively, grinning widely.

  “I don’t know, you just seem guilty, all the time.” She laughed.

  “Ah well, I can’t fool you.” He sniggered.

  “You try putting that blue marker on me again, and you’ll wake up with short hair.” She threatened. He laughed, he knew it was an empty threat, she liked his long hair and had said so many times.

  “But we’re supposed to be matchy matchy. How will people know we’re together?” He pursed his lips and fluttered his lashes.

  “Christ, you two are joined at the hip, how could people not know you’re together.” Tomi laughed, which caused Perrin to snigger. Linda and Norman joined in as well. Iris smiled, shaking her head. Liev was glad to see her smile. He worried for her. Tomi was keeping an eye on her as well. Tomi had that kind of effect on most people, that calming effect.

  “Come on lover boy, let’s go take a bath. You’re beginning to stink.” Dawn said and stood, pulling his hand. He started laughing like the cartoon character Goofy, which earned him a pinch.