“Tell me,” Arland encouraged.
“Those guys said that this CME thing was a global event. More than half of the population has already died of starvation. Even more in the cities closest to us.”
“The experts predicted about ninety percent of our population would die. People don’t know how to live like our ancestors,” Arland interrupted.
“Anyway, the cities closest to us formed something like coalitions. These guys said they had to do unthinkable things to survive, and only those willing to go that far lived. The rest were...well, they perished.”
Sara erupted into more sobs.
“If we don’t find those bunkers first, we will be next,” Jake said, panic filling his voice.
“We have everything we need right here,” someone else said.
“That sure worked well for you last winter, didn’t it?” Jake scoffed.
“I know this is hard on you,” Arland said soothingly. “Why don’t I give you a minute to calm down? I want someone else in on this meeting. I’m going to fetch him and return.”
Blake stood, and as quickly as possible while staying silent, he disappeared into the darkness to the edge of the camp. While walking back toward the fire, he pondered what he had heard. Jake just might be right about one thing. With the city coming, no one was safe.
He approached the fire from a completely different direction, happy to see his wife still comfortably conversing with Laurie and another woman and his son playing with the children.
His body was tense, rigid with the probability of people like Jake searching out his bunker, raiding it, and taking what he had prepared for over a decade. Blake needed those supplies for his family’s survival. He clenched his teeth as he made his way toward his wife. Why did people who had no thought to prepare think it right to take from others who did?
“There you are,” Kris said as he arrived. “Arland is looking for you.”
The statement relaxed Blake’s jaw. He was the other person Arland had wanted in on the conversation. Part of him now felt guilty for sneaking around and listening.
“Where is he?” Blake asked.
“He’s in the counsel dwelling. It’s where Jake and his family will be staying until they have theirs built. I’ll take you,” Laurie said as she stood.
“You’re okay?” Blake asked Kris.
“Yes. Janine and I are talking about baby stuff.”
Blake looked at the other woman who held her expanding belly, another addition to the community. He nodded, and glanced at Tucker.
“I won’t let him stray. Go see what Arland needs.” Kris took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
Blake bent down and kissed her and his now sleeping Mercy. As much as he wanted to, he would quell the urge to do the same to Tucker. The boy looked engrossed in the game.
Laurie smiled and beckoned to him. He followed her back to the dwelling he had stood behind just a few minutes before.
“Arland is questioning Jake and Sara right now. He wanted you to hear the information for yourself,” Laurie whispered before she pulled the flap back and entered ahead of him.
“Oh, good, they found you.” Arland said, and patted the seat next to him. “Of course you know Blake Chantry?”
“We are grateful for his help in getting my family back,” Jake nodded. He sat next to his wife with his children sleeping behind them.
“The team did well,” Blake said as he sat.
“Blake, Jake and Sara were just telling us the news they heard from the men holding them captive. They claimed to have gone ahead of a large group organized by a coalition from the city in search of bunkers.” Arland stared straight at Blake.
Blake could tell Arland did his best to keep his face blank, but in his eyes he saw his intention. He had to wonder if the man really cared enough to warn Blake, or if he used it as more incentive to join them. Blake shifted in his seat. He didn’t understand why Arland was so adamant about Blake and his family being a part of his community.
“I think we should go ahead of them and search for the bunkers before they get here.” Jake sat forward looking straight at Blake.
Blake never was good at poker, but he knew how to keep from showing emotion when needed. He took a moment before responding. “And how do you suggest finding these bunkers?”
“The men said that the main guys had a map. Some guy who worked for one of the companies that installed bunkers created one from memory.”
Blake forced his body to stay calm. “Do you have that map?”
“No, they didn’t have it. They only remembered a couple roads that were on it. One was ours, Mountain View Drive. The other was Ridgecrest.”
When Blake heard the name of his road, the hairs on the back of his neck rose. They had signed legal documents stating that no records of his location would exist and all the employees signed nondisclosure agreements. Not that paperwork, or laws for that matter, made a difference now.
“Why, Jake, would you want to take the chance of robbing bunkers that are probably still being inhabited when we have everything we need right here?” Laurie asked in that kind way of hers.
“I saw what you all went through last winter. It was hard on us, too, but not near as much. The pickings in the houses close by are becoming thin, but there are many more neighborhoods around. Those bunkers would have surpluses. That’s what those preppers did. They stockpiled food and tools and ammunition.”
Arland sighed. “You are new here, Jake, so please let us educate you. This community strives to live off the land, with the land, without raiding others. The people that have prepared for an event like this have the right to keep what they worked so hard for. We have everything we need.”
“Last winter caught us unprepared,” Laurie added gently. “This year we have plenty. Enough for you and your family, too.”
“It’s safer,” Sara pleaded, touching Jake’s arm.
Jake fell silent, but he nodded.
Blake didn’t trust that he had let go of the notion of raiding houses or bunkers. This guy would be one to watch.
~5~
Kris waited until Tucker’s breathing eased into deep sleep before she reached out to touch Blake. He had been lying stiffly on top of his sleeping bag from the moment they had all crawled into their tent. Ever since he returned from the meeting, he had seemed preoccupied, but she knew better than to put him on the spot in front of others. The way he acted, it was information that Tucker didn’t need to hear unfiltered.
“Blake?” She sat up on an elbow and looked down at her husband. “What’s troubling you?”
“I need to get back and check on the bunker.” Blake’s tight words made her feel on the defensive, but she breathed through it.
“Did something happen when you went with Arland to make you worry more?”
Blake sighed and rolled over to face her. The moonlight lit their tent enough she could see his eyes searching hers.
“You can tell me. We are in this together. I will trust whatever it is you advise.” She leaned over and kissed him before drawing back so she could read his face as much as she could in the dim light.
Today, besides the excursion to save Jake’s family, had reminded her of how nice it was to have people around. It also made her grateful for a little solitude. There were pros and cons to everything. When Blake left to bring Jake’s family home, she realized that all that really mattered to her was her family being together. Yes, Blake had trust issues and didn’t like being around big groups, but maybe a part of him was right? In any light, she would follow him wherever he led. She trusted he would make the right choice for them.
“The people that survived in the city,” Blake started and then cleared his throat. “They aren’t the most moral. They are the fighters, the people willing to do whatever it takes to survive.”
“We do whatever it takes too.”
“Not like this. We won’t harm others or take what is not ours.” He wiped a hand down his face as if he wanted to wipe out m
emories.
Kris nodded, understanding dawning in a rush of fear.
“These people have started forming gangs,” Blake said.
“I’m so glad we don’t live in the city.”
“Well, that’s it. Those guys that took Jake’s family hostage are from one of those gangs.”
“Oh,” Kris said sitting up.
Blake sat up with her. “Kris, they have a map of the bunkers in the area.”
Her hands covered her mouth so her gasp wouldn’t wake her children. “What are we going to do?”
Blake shook his head and looked down at his hands. “From what they said, it sounds like we might have a couple months and maybe until after winter before they make it all the way up here. I don’t know.”
“Can we fight them off? How can they even open the bunker without our code? I thought it was armored.” Scenarios coursed through her.
“It is, but I’m sure they have their ways. Otherwise they wouldn’t be going to so much trouble to come find them.”
Kris’s heart raced. If their bunker wasn’t safe, what would be?
She lay back down, feeling her whole body shiver, and it wasn’t with the cold. Blake pulled her sleeping bag over her and brought her into his arms.
“I’ll figure something out, Krista.” He kissed her head and pulled her in closer.
“You always do,” she said, and let his comfort push the dread filling her out.
Blake would take care of them. He always did, just like he always returned.
~*~
Blake reveled in the warmth of his wife in his arms. The kids slept peacefully. Tucker snored in his sleeping bag next to him, and Mercy slept in her little Moses basket that one of the women had gifted Kris. Kris had fallen asleep what felt like hours ago, but he didn’t want to let her go, despite his arm going to sleep and his shoulder cramping.
The moonlight had traveled all the way across the tent and the moon now seemed to be setting. Dawn would come soon after. Nothing had stirred in the camp as far as he could hear. The whole land seemed peaceful, but he knew that peace could just be the calm before the storm.
He knew Kris wouldn’t be too happy with him, but his plan was to leave right after morning meal with Arland’s people. He needed to get home and figure out what he was going to do. So many ideas ran rampant within him that he couldn’t think straight. Being home at the bunker, taking account of all he had there, figuring out escape routes and contingency plans...he needed to be home.
A month or more seemed like a long time, but it would go fast, too fast. It could be that group never arrived, and it could be they decided to beeline for this area and work their way back down into the valley instead. It was difficult to put yourself in the enemy’s mind when they weren’t in their right ones. This lot were starved, half-crazy, ruthless, and only there for one thing...survival. That made them the most hostile enemy he would ever encounter.
They got lucky with the lot at Jake’s house. They weren’t the brightest bunch, obvious just by them leaving the mass group without all the information. Maybe they had thought they would only encounter hillbilly bumpkins. They were wrong about that. Mountain folk were tough, and with a group like Arland’s, worthy adversaries.
A stirring near the fire roused him from his daydreaming. He silently pulled one arm free and unzipped the tent a few inches to peek out. He would recognize that lanky, now-confident stature anywhere. Even without seeing Arland’s face, he knew the leader was up and contemplating.
Blake watched his wife for a moment longer before easing his other arm out from under her. Once free, he shook it to bring the circulation to his hand and arm, pins and needles infusing it. Tucker rolled over in his sleep, moving more into Blake’s place. He most likely sought out the heat. A smile tugged on his lips, knowing that when he returned to the tent he would find Tucker cuddled up with Kris. Let him have those small moments of boyhood.
He slipped on his coat and pulled a beanie over his head. His once again short hair didn’t provide much warmth on these cold fall mornings. He eased out of the tent as quietly as possible, his breath visible in short puffs. Once he turned back toward the fire, Arland lifted a hand in greeting.
Blake met him with a handshake and stood next to him, enjoying the fire he stirred up from the embers.
“Morning, friend. You enjoy meeting the sun, too?” Arland asked, his gaze lost to the flames.
“Always been a morning person,” he said.
Arland looked up at him and then back to the fire. “Even when you don’t sleep.”
Blake shrugged.
“You know, you are safe in my camp.” Arland sounded a bit saddened.
“I didn’t sleep in fear of our safety.”
“It’s the trouble coming, isn’t it?”
Blake nodded. He could feel the stress coming off Arland as well. He tried to hide it with a smile and calm movements, but Blake could read it sitting under his skin, readying him to pounce when needed.
“What are your thoughts?” Arland asked meeting his eyes in the firelight.
Blake watched him for a moment and then simply said, “We’re not safe.”
“By we do you mean your family because of your bunker?”
“That, and the collective we. Once people like that make it here, it’s not just the bunkers that will be at risk, but every house, shed, out building, and person.”
Arland nodded and returned his gaze to the fire. A pot boiled, and he took it off the flame, pouring the steaming liquid into two mugs sitting in wait. Blake almost chuckled at that. Arland had expected him.
He handed him a steaming mug. “It’s not as good as coffee, but a close replacement.”
Blake cooled the liquid with his breath before taking a tentative sip. It wasn’t like coffee at all, more like a bitter tea, but it was warm and strong, something he needed right now.
“What will you do?” Arland asked.
“Prepare. What will you do?”
Arland shrugged. “We’ll have council meetings about it. Probably for weeks.” He laughed, a laugh built out of desperation.
“I saw the trail blazer marks on the way back from Jake’s.”
Arland nodded. “In hindsight, not the best move on my part.”
Blake read the defeat in him. His shoulders had slumped, his hands fidgeted with the mug, his head hung. Arland had a heavy burden, and one he hadn’t prepared to shoulder.
“You’ve done well,” Blake said and clasped his shoulder.
Arland looked up at him, his eyes glassy in the firelight. “You mean that?”
“Yes, I do. Your camp runs smoothly. People listen to you. You have utilized all the skills and knowledge of every person in your community.”
“But? I know there’s a but. If there wasn’t, you would be joining us.”
Blake blew out a breath. “Do not take it personally. I like my solitude. I like knowing that I can protect my family.”
“And heaven forbid, what if something happens to you? Where would your family go then?”
“To you, hopefully.” Blake smiled, a brief humorless smile.
Arland chuckled and turned his eyes heavenward as dawn began its glow at the distant peaks. “You know, I always daydreamed about being a hermit one day. Just taking off into the mountains, finding a cave, and living my days out in peace. In that dream I never thought I would have more than three dozen people joining me.”
Blake understood that. He hadn’t realized the weight he had put on Arland’s shoulders that day he dumped Survival 101 on him in a matter of minutes, but what the man had done with that taste of information impressed Blake. The guy was a survivalist and a leader, one that had his respect.
“We’re going to have to move camp,” Arland stated, depression and regret lining his words.
Blake nodded. It was the best chance of survival. “Have a plan of where?”
“Into the wilderness...somewhere,” he nodded toward the forest east of them and shrugged. “Ca
re to offer advice on that one.”
“When are you planning on the move?”
“I’m hoping to make it through winter. We have stores of food here, a semi-defensible position, and friends,” he said with a smile.
“Talk it over with your council if you want. Give me a couple weeks to focus on our preparations. Then come for a visit. We’ll go over the maps and see what we can find as a suitable location.”
“Thank you,” Arland said as his hand dropped on Blake’s shoulder. “You are the reason for all of this.” He spread his other arm wide. “You do realize that, don’t you?”
Blake rose and looked down at Arland. “No, I’m not. This grand creation is yours, my friend, and one you should be proud of.”
Blake left Arland’s side in search of some peace in the forest. He needed to think. He needed time to himself, to build a plan of his own, and to figure out, once again, how he would keep his family safe. For a moment he wondered, if they had an inside man locating all the bunkers, was there someone doing the same to the government bunkers he had helped to hide?
~*~
Kris woke from a nightmare only to find Blake gone and Tucker in his place, but Tucker wasn’t sleeping. He sat wide-eyed staring at nothing. The image sent her heart racing into overdrive. Was Tucker having a vision? What would happen if she disturbed him?
A moment later, Tucker blinked several times and found her watching him. Tears brimmed in his eyes so much like Blake’s.
“What is it, Sweetie? Are you okay?” She pulled him into her arms.
“We’re going to leave Forest Glen. We all are.” Tucker’s voice was soft, remorseful, and reverent.
“What did you see, Tuck.”
“I saw everyone here walking through the woods, carrying everything they could. Fear lived in everyone’s eyes. Fear and sadness.” Tucker sat back. “I don’t want to leave our home, Mommy. I want Mercy to grow up in our house like I did. She won’t know how to swing or go down a slide.”
As if Mercy heard him, she started whimpering and fussing in the basket next to them. Kris kissed Tucker on the head and then reached to pick up his sister.
“It’s okay, sweet girl. No matter where we are, you will have all of our love and the best big brother you could ever wish for.” Kris soothed her baby, wishing that she could have a normal life full of playtime at the park, playdates with friends, and a warm bed and house to return to.
Grant Us Mercy (Book 4): Grant Us Mercy Page 5