“It’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while,” Laurie said with a sweet smile.
Blake understood, but he hadn’t expected Laurie to feel that way. She was always calm, patient, and sweet. Yet, she was in high demand at the camp. That would get exhausting.
“I will pull the maps out as soon as you are rested. Kris had put on some stew earlier, I’m sure she can add more to it. It won’t be a feast like yours, but we do have fresh veggies from the garden and a rabbit that Tucker got this morning.”
As they neared the cleared off acreage of his property, he saw his family coming toward them. Tucker took off at a run to meet them.
“There’s my little hunter now,” Blake said, hearing the pride in his voice. Tucker had proved himself since the birth of his sister. He was a dedicated student and followed directions to the T.
Tucker stopped short as he reached them. His head cocked sideways to look up at Ethan on his dad’s shoulders. Blake reached up, lifted the younger boy off, and put him on the ground in front of Tucker.
“I came to play with you.” Ethan held up the car Tucker had let him keep when they left camp before.
“Wait until you see all the other toys I have in my room!” He took Ethan’s hand and started pulling.
“Tucker,” Kris said as she arrived. “Your manners?”
“Oh,” Tucker ducked his head and then turned toward the adults. “Hello, Arland and Laurie. Thank you for bringing Ethan. May I take him to my room?”
“Hello to you, too. Of course. You boys have fun,” Laurie said.
“Yay!” Tucker cheered, and the boys ran off toward the house.
“Well, you just made his week,” Kris said as she hugged Laurie and Arland. “Happy to see you.”
Mercy whimpered from her wrap.
“She’s having a rough day.” Kris unwrapped her and held her out to Laurie.
“Oh,” she said as a bit of drool dripped down as she brought her into her arms. “Are you teething, little one? Aunty Laurie brought you some yummies to help with that.”
“She’s teething?” Blake almost choked on the words. He trapped Kris’s eyes in a hard gaze, not angry, just intense. Could this really be happening all ready?
“After you took Tucker outside, I noticed her gums were inflamed.” Kris gently pulled down Mercy’s lip to show him. “You can feel the tip of a tooth right here.”
“I thought we would have more time,” Blake whispered to himself, but the others heard it.
“Oh, it’s just teething. Nothing to be so glum about. I knew it would be coming soon so I brought some things for her.”
“You are so thoughtful, Laurie.” Kris tore her eyes off him, pushing a smile to her face as she faced Laurie.
They didn’t need to share Tucker’s vision, not yet at least. Arland already planned to move camp. He didn’t need to know that his son foresaw them joining. That might just change. A vision could be only a warning, right? He would heed the warning and prepare, but he wouldn’t not pray that events would shift, allowing them to stay in the comfort of their home.
~*~
Kris and Laurie sat in the living room of the house with Mercy while the boys played in Tucker’s room. The happy noises of boys filled her house, leaving Kris with a nostalgic melancholy.
“It’s so nice to hear the boys playing. It brings back memories of before.” Laurie sounded like she missed those days, too.
Kris nodded and stared down at her beautiful little girl in her arms. Mercy would never get to know what it was like to play in a room full of toys.
“She’ll be okay.” Laurie reached out and touched her knee. “She won’t know the difference. Our boys on the other hand...they will, but kids are resilient. With the right nurturing, they’ll make it through.”
“Yeah,” Kris said. She usually could see the positive in everything, but she struggled right now.
A melancholy had settled in her ever since Tucker shared his last vision, and she couldn’t shake it. She wished she could openly share it with Laurie, but the look in Blake’s eyes let her know that was currently off limits. It wasn’t in her nature to keep things from a friend, but her loyalty to her family made more of an impact.
Laurie pulled out two small jars and a pouch with what looked like sticks in it. “These are for Mercy.” She held up the jar with herbs in it. “Chamomile and chickweed for tea. You make the tea and soak a small cloth and let her chew on it.” She held up the second jar. “Lemon balm mixed with animal fat to rub on her gums.” She held up the pouch. “Here are two roots. One is licorice root and the other arrowroot. I have been growing them from my supply, and they have done quite well. She can gnaw on these for relief.”
Kris took the items. “Thank you so much, Laurie. Your foresight and gifts always amaze me. I appreciate you so much.”
“And us you and your family. Arland’s stress has lessened dramatically since he has found your husband.”
“Blake has seemed to actually enjoy his company, which is really saying something for him. He has always been one to keep to himself.”
“Well, I think our men have found their counterparts.” Laurie laughed. “Our boys get along well, too, and who knows, maybe Ethan and Mercy will pair up one day.”
The men entered as she finished her own prophecy.
“Are you playing matchmaker again?” Arland asked as he and Blake shrugged out of their coats.
Having the woodstove in the house was one nice thing about the winter. Blake had to do some modifications to make the smoke dissipate, but he allowed them to have a fire for now, something Kris knew would probably be revoked soon with the threat of the city encroaching upon them.
Laurie laughed. “I can’t help it. We have the survival of children to think about. So much of the population has died off, we need to think about repopulation. At least keeping our own community alive and prospering.”
“I don’t want to think about our little Mercy getting married off.” Blake groaned as he gave their sleeping daughter a kiss.
“Tell me about it.” Arland humphed. “Miss Matchmaker has decreed my Hannah being married off in under a year.”
“I haven’t decreed that.” Laurie knocked into Arland playfully. “That is an observation. She and Tyler have been virtually inseparable.”
“Well, there aren’t many other kids her age.” Arland crossed his arms.
“She’s not a kid anymore,” Laurie said gently.
“So you keep telling me,” Arland said glumly.
Kris smiled in understanding. It was difficult to think about your children growing up and moving away...but they wouldn’t move away anymore, would they? In a community like Arland’s, when Hannah decided to marry Tyler, she would only be a dwelling away. The thought brought some comfort to Kris. She liked the idea of her children always being close.
“Well, talking about the future,” Blake said, clearing his throat. “We thought we should get your opinion, Laurie, on a location with all the resources you need to continue your foraging and gardening.”
“Thank you for thinking of that, Blake.”
“Well, I can’t take the credit. That was Arland’s thought, but I do agree it’s a necessary component of finding a location where your community can survive.”
“Oh, we plan on thriving,” Laurie said.
Kris watched the confident woman and realized she had every intention of following through with her statement. The way she said it made Kris wonder if she had over thought the whole move. Maybe Laurie was right. Maybe living off the land in a hidden, secret community wouldn’t be near as uncomfortable as she feared.
~*~
Blake spread the cracked, smudged, and torn map carefully on the table.
“Wow, this is one well-used map,” Arland said, touching a torn edge.
“It’s decades old and extremely precious.” Blake eyed him, not liking other fingers on the delicate paper.
“Oh, a keepsake?” Laurie asked.
“There still might be some if we looted the forest service station. I even have some at my house,” Arland stated.
“Not one like this.” Blake pointed to a road. “Does yours have this road? Or this one? I can promise you, it doesn’t.”
“It’s for the same location.” Arland watched him closer.
“Those roads have been blocked off for a decade now. According to the new maps and most people, they no longer exist.”
Laurie gasped and then met his eyes. “You mean this can lead us to places no one else will know about?”
“Exactly.” Blake stood back and snuck a prideful glance at Kris. She had always complained about the old map.
“Great. Now his head is going to grow so large he won’t be able to carry it around anymore,” Kris said wryly from her seat where she sat letting Mercy chew on a stick.
“Are you really letting our daughter chew on a stick?”
“It’s licorice root.” Kris nodded toward Laurie.
“It helps the inflammation and pain in her gums,” Laurie said.
“Oh.” Blake didn’t like the reminder that time closed in on them. What was going to push him far enough to leave his place of safety? Sure, people might be searching for his bunker, but how would they find it? How would they get into it? Fear clutched his heart with an icy grip. Did he want to find out?
Tucker ran into the room. “You have the map out! Can I see? Where are we going?” Then he took a step back. “I don’t want to leave...”
“Tuck, we are looking for a new location for Arland’s camp. You can look at the map later. Enjoy your company.” Blake avoided the curious stares from Arland and Laurie. He glanced at Kris, who also focused anywhere but them.
Tucker walked back to his room, but with much less joy than before. Blake watched him retreat. He didn’t want to leave either.
Blake cleared his throat and looked at the map. “We’re looking for a place to house about three dozen people, right?”
Arland stared at him for a moment, and then glanced at Laurie. “We have grown by two families, another nine people, and have word that at least one if not two more families want to join as well.”
“The news of the city marauders are scaring the few people left who have been surviving in their neighborhoods.” Laurie looked at him.
“More people who like to raid houses and bunkers.” Blake crossed his arms. He didn’t like the idea of more people like Jake joining the community, but then again, it wasn’t his camp or his decision to make.
“They are only accepted after they take an oath to follow the community’s rules.” Arland sat forward, his gaze unwavering.
“New Forest Glen won’t stand for stealing, even if it is survival,” Laurie said.
“You’ve named your camp. I like the name,” Kris said.
It was good. Having a name for the community would instill a sense of belonging that would help everyone to want to come together to make it successful.
“Okay, so we’re talking close to fifty...” Blake started.
“Could be fifty-four,” Arland winked.
“And don’t forget the babies that will come,” Laurie added.
Blake swiped a hand down his face, noticing the stubble that had begun to grow. If they left, he wouldn’t have the option of using his electric razor any more. He scratched at the growing beard. He would have to get used to facial hair, as Arland had. Though he obviously had a pair of scissors or something because Arland’s beard wasn’t near as unruly as many of the other men’s at his camp. He shrugged, a beard was the least of his worries.
“Let’s find a location suitable for one hundred then. We won’t make it that big at the start, but there will be room for expansion.” Blake looked closer at the map, reassessing his ideas.
“We? Does that mean you’re joining us?” Arland just wouldn’t let it go.
“No decisions are being made today, Arland. Let’s just say I want a suitable location that will keep everyone safe and fed.”
“Good enough. I’ll stop pestering.” Arland sat back in his chair, a smug smile on his face.
The fact that Arland pushed for Blake to join them didn’t make him angry. It made him feel good that he wanted him around. He didn’t understand it, but just the same, it was nice to be wanted. Leaving his home was something he never foresaw in his preparations. Leaving might be something he’s preparing for, but that didn’t mean he wanted to think about it.
“I have three locations I think might work.” He pointed to all three on the map.
“What are the elevations?” Laurie asked.
“They are all valleys that sit from three to four thousand feet with peaks close by that range from five to six.”
Laurie nodded.
“So, it will be a lot like here. We’ll get some snow, but not much.” Arland scratched at his beard.
“Yes, but there will be snow between here and there. That will deter people from searching out there in winter, at least.” Blake pointed to the peaks and ridges encircling the valleys.
“Wouldn’t being down in a valley be a disadvantage for defense?” Arland asked.
“Being as we are more dependent on survival right now than a massive defense, I think it would be okay. Each of these valleys is nestled in between ridges and peaks. The only way to see them would be to climb the peaks themselves, something not many who are struggling to survive will want to do. Of course, we will have outposts on each one which will give us the advantage of knowing of any approach.”
“So, which of the three are you leaning toward?” Arland asked.
Blake turned to Laurie. “That’s going to depend on the foliage.”
Laurie smiled, and her eyes focused on the map. “I’ve never been good at reading these things. It would help if I could see the landscape.”
“Do you have a few weeks?” Blake asked and sat back. “Because it will take several days for us to walk there, and each location is at least a day’s walk apart or more.”
“If it was just the two of us, we could cover that much quicker.” Arland watched Blake, reading him.
Blake hardened his eyes. “Absolutely not. Every time I leave my family, something awful happens.”
“They could stay with...” Arland started, but when Blake hardened his gaze further he stopped. “Okay, then let’s do our best from here and see what we can figure out.”
“Each location has a creek or small river running either through it or close by. This one here has a spring. I have actually drank from that one before. Good water.”
Laurie and Arland followed his fingers on the map and then sat back and looked at each other.
“Water is a definite must for foraging and for growing crops. The spring is a plus. Do you remember the type of brush, trees, or other plants there?”
Blake shut his eyes. It had been ten years ago that he had gone hunting out there. Part of him hadn’t wanted to share that location for it had been his original bug out plan, before he started working with bunkers. Yet, if they did end up having to leave, there might be advantages to having Arland’s camp, New Forest Glen, close by.
He remembered how ecstatic he had been to find the spring. Springs were always good finds. They were water that damning upstream wouldn’t affect. Survival situations needed consistent water, water that couldn’t be affected by things outside of their immediate surroundings.
“It was well shaded. Not only did it have the normal evergreens, but I remember being shocked to find a grove of oak trees, and of course the normal alder trees. There were dogwoods down by the creek. I almost didn’t find the place because of a wall of manzanita on the ridge around the valley. That would actually be a good defense.”
The more he pictured the location, the more he recognized that it would be the perfect spot for a community...and even a small family who wanted to live close, but not within the hubbub.
“I don’t know much
about plant life, so I can’t help more,” Blake said. The decision had to be theirs. He wanted a place he knew he could reach, and a place he and his family could retreat to if needed, but he still hoped that visions could change. That something he did or didn’t do would change the outcome, and they could stay in the place he had spent years preparing.
“And you can lead us there?” Arland asked. “You’d be willing to take your family on that long trip?”
“I want them to know how to get there, and you can’t leave markers. It would be unsafe.”
“I realize that now. Before, I left a trail for people to escape the fire. I had no idea what this would turn into.”
“None of us did,” Laurie said, laying a hand on top of Arland’s.
Blake nodded in agreement. He had an idea. Being surrounded by scientists and politicians, you gleaned information that the general public didn’t want to know. This scenario was one of them. He had heard the statistics. He knew about the percentage of population decrease, the gangs, the looters. Those were all things he had expected. The one thing he didn't expect, and should have, was the person who memorized the locations of all the bunkers he had helped install.
Blake’s jaw muscles twitched. There was no going back. All he could do was prepare to be found and hope they weren’t.
~8~
By the time Mercy’s two bottom teeth were in, Kris grew weary of expecting something crazy to happen. Her teeth were in and nothing had transpired to make them want to leave. Maybe something had shifted and the vision wouldn’t happen.
It had been four weeks since Arland and Laurie had visited. Kris started to feel lonely. She missed having her new friend to talk with. Tucker moped around, too.
“Can we go to New Forest Glen Camp again?” Tucker asked as if he read her mind.
“This storm coming feels icy, Tuck. It probably means snow,” Kris told him, wrapping her jacket around her and Mercy tighter. They didn’t come out of the bunker much when it was cold like this, but she wanted Tucker to run some energy out before the storm hit.
She readjusted the weight of the shotgun she always carried when outside now. The cold metal against her made her think about Laurie and the others living outside during the snow. How did their camp run then? Did they still have communal meals and work outdoors?
Grant Us Mercy (Book 4): Grant Us Mercy Page 7