The Changing Earth Series (Book 1): Day After Disaster

by Hathaway, Sara F.

  “I closed my wallet and continued cleaning my purse out. I emptied out old receipts and shopping lists; I needed to make room for more important things now. I found an unused tampon smashed at the bottom. I didn’t need it then, but it got me thinking about when I would. I never kept good track of my cycle. It is often delayed when I am stressed. I wondered when it would come, and this made me think about future supplies for that certain female problem. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found a big box containing smaller boxes of the protective cotton in the cabinet. I took out five boxes. I knew this would last at least five months and I prayed that I would not need that many before I got to land. I figured that once I reached shore I could buy more. In retrospect, I probably should have grabbed more.

  “All the purses were now empty, and I began packing. My thought was, if I could get the door open all the way, the raft would float out the door. I hauled the raft back up the stairs to the landing. It would be easier to stock it there. Then, when I opened the door, the shelter would fill with water and I could just float out. I decided it would be best to put everything into crates, so I could wrap the sides and attach it to the raft. This would ensure it stayed attached during the launch. I put the crate of dried fruit onto the back of the raft and then two purses full of oats already mixed with dehydrated milk and nuts. I put all the remaining water on the raft, along with more knives, extra clothes, and I loaded on one of the extra outdoor table umbrellas. I brought Tupperware bowls and they gave me an idea. I cut the sides off a square Tupperware container and attached it to the pole, so I could use it as an oar. I packed all the candles and reached for the first-aid kit.

  “I’d used up pretty much everything of value in the first-aid kit during my stay in the shelter. I used the entire bottle of antiseptic and the tube of Neosporin on my burns. I still had half of the bottle of Tylenol and there was still some gauze left, so I took them out. Then I changed my mind. The first-aid kit was plastic, maybe waterproof, and it would probably float if it ever fell in the water. So, I threw out the empty items and put the gauze and Tylenol back into the kit. I grabbed some spices from the cabinet that I remembered were useful, and some to just add flavor to the oats I was surviving on. I packed them into ziplock baggies and put them into the first-aid kit to make the most of any available space.

  “I continued to pillage the cupboards, trying to think of anything I could possible need. I packed a medium and small saucepan into one of the crates. I figured the “U” formation of the crates would give me an area to sleep in, an area to row in, and plenty of storage space. After I’d loaded the raft with everything I could possible think of, I refined my attire one more time. I had removed the top half of my cellophane and duct-tape suit, so I could use my hands, but couldn’t afford this luxury any longer. The new burn on my neck reminded me I needed to do something to avoid that happening in the future.

  “I thought the hooded sweatshirt would work well as upper body and head protection. Over the sweatshirt I wrapped cellophane. Then I wrapped the duct tape over it to complete the suit once again. Except this time, I tucked my hair into the hood of the sweatshirt and duct-taped as much of my head as I could without covering my eyes, nose, or mouth. I knew I would probably pull my eyebrows off when the tape was removed, but if it kept me alive long enough to reach land, it was worth the loss. All I could do to protect my eyes was put on the sunglasses I found.

  “I was all ready. One last rummage through the cupboard assured me I packed everything I could. I checked over the raft one last time and decided it would be wise to cover the tops of the crates for the initial launch. When I was through, there was only half of a role of cellophane and one roll of duct tape left. I feared opening the door again. I had to trust that my new suit would protect me. It took all my strength to budge that door. Then I remembered that the table was what helped me push the door open last time, and I couldn’t set it up like I had it before. Instead, I would have to wedge myself in-between the raft and the door and push on the side of the raft. It gave me a smaller area to push on, but I was confident it would work just the same.

  “I got into position with the door loop in hand, and my legs bent for pushing. It was time to go. I pushed and as the door opened, the water flooded in, but this time it didn’t burn. The suit was working! But, I didn’t know how long it would hold out for. I used all my might and forced the door open. Once the water pressure got hold of the door, it pinned the door open. The raft began to float, so I climbed aboard quickly. The force of the water wanted to push the raft down the stairs, but the slope of the ceiling and a strategically placed oar prevented it. Then I forced the raft out the door.

  Chapter 5

  “My eyes stung like you couldn’t believe, and I winced in the daylight. After all that time in the dark with only a candle to light the way, the sun blasted my pupils and made them water even with the sunglasses on. When my eyes adjusted to the sunlight, I couldn’t believe I was in the same place. The buildings that towered above the city in every direction were pummeled into piles of rubble. Some of them were sheared right in half by the rapidly moving water. Debris floated across the surface of the sludge that formed when the water crashed into the toxic substances that were stored in the city. The cars that congested every street were smashed into more debris piles surrounding the building shells. The people that filled the city with the noise of life were all gone. I was thankful for that. I couldn’t imagine the scene that played out here all the while I was trapped in concrete below. The capital city of California was blasted with green slimy water spanning as far as the eye could see. The smell of city life was gone, and the stagnant, toxic stench of the ooze was all that remained.

  “Thank God I found those sunglasses. They softened the extreme sunlight and through the glare, I saw the familiar peaks of the Sierra Mountains in the distance. Home was still out there in the east, standing gloriously above the sludge. I started paddling my raft toward the area where the highway used to be. It was difficult paddling with only one PVC paddle. The craft was awkward and wanted to veer left or right depending on what side I was paddling on. As I neared the area where the highway should have been, I noticed that it was easier going. Almost like there was a current flowing down the highway. I hoped it would be flowing in the direction I needed to go, but I should have known better. I finally made it to Highway 80, or what I thought was the highway. It was hard to tell with the amount of rubble, but I saw what looked like highway overpasses strewn about to either side of an alley. That’s when I found out the current was flowing against me. I scolded myself for thinking anything different. All the American Rivers flow down from the mountains to the ocean, not up. Even though the rivers had been inundated with toxic sludge, it was still these same rivers acting as a driving force and moving all this water around.

  “The flow of water made it even more difficult to maneuver the bulky craft and the sun beat down on me. The cellophane and duct-tape suit was stifling, and all that paddling made me feel like I was going to pass out. Desperately needing some shade, I remembered the outdoor umbrella that I strapped down to the crates. It was awesome. When I set it up the wind caught it, and even though the current was going the opposite direction, the wind helped pull me along. I used some of the last of my duct tape to securely attach it, so I could keep it up all the time and not lose it. It also helped me paddle more efficiently. If the wind was blowing me more to the left or right, I could paddle on the other side and keep the raft balanced. It was much better than rowing a couple times to the left and then a couple to the right.

  “My first night on the craft was awe-inspiring. The sun blazed red, orange, and pink as it dipped out of sight beyond the horizon of destruction to the west. Then a beautiful crescent moon peeked up over the mountains in the east. The stars were magnificent, twinkling like diamonds in the sky. I couldn’t figure out why they looked so bright, and then it dawned on me. There were no lights on the Earth. I scanned the horizon and didn’t see one light anywh
ere. The city used to look like a sun lying in the mountains at night. The light dimmed the stars and made them dull. Now the stars were back in their full glory and they were awesome. The Milky Way was incredible. I imagine it looked just as milky-white as the first settlers of this place saw it. Despite the circumstances, it was fantastic to spend a day in the sunshine after all that time in the cell. The darkness made me realize how tired I was. I really didn’t know when the last time I slept was. I spent all that energy on escaping and a long day of paddling after that. The lack of calories finally caught up, and I dozed.

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  “I woke up in a panic. My heart was pounding. I didn’t remember where I was. I was on my raft, but the light was dim and there was no sun overhead. I felt the craft bumping gently against something. For a moment, I thought I was back in the concrete cell, but it wasn’t the deep dark of that hole; somewhere there was sunlight shining. I sat up rapidly trying to assess the situation.

  “While I slept, the current moved my raft along with it. I cursed myself for not anchoring off somewhere. Growing up on boats in Michigan I should’ve known better. Looking around, I realized I was in a building. My raft was bumping against the wall that was still holding back the floodwaters, and a roof was overhead. I was in a pile of debris caught up in the building from the water flow. I grabbed my paddle and started to push my way through the debris pile. As I put my paddle down on a piece of wood to push off of it, a face surfaced, staring at me with white eyes. I screamed in horror. Trying to paddle as fast as I could, I realized there were bodies, bloated and floating, everywhere in the debris. As I moved their corpses about in my frantic paddling, they released a horrible stench. My stomach turned from the smell of rotting flesh filling the air. I kept going, trying to put the paddle in between the bodies, but sometimes there was no choice but to push on the body to keep the raft moving. Paddling as fast as I could, I rounded the corner in the building and saw where everything was coming from. This building survived fairly well and only a few large windows were smashed in the front. The flow of water entered through those windows and created a huge eddy inside of the building. I paddled as hard as I could to that window, with the faces of the dead bodies still flashing in my mind. I finally found my way back to the highway and vowed that I would never make that mistake again.

  “All and all, my raft held together well, and I was making decent time. One day began to blend into another as the mountains came closer and my water and food supplies depleted. It was tough, at times, to tell how deep the water was because I couldn’t see through the green slime. Occasionally my pole would hit what I thought could be the bottom. If I could feel the bottom, I figured I would hit shore soon. But more than likely, it was just some unseen debris lying under the slime. I felt like there was no end to the toxic film.

  “On the fourth day of traveling on the raft, I awoke at first light. I lit a candle so I could make some oatmeal and tea. I usually hate tea, but it was nice to throw some herbs into the water and heat it up. It gave it a totally different flavor, and at least it was some kind of flavor. I dreamed of a big old cup of coffee with creamer and whipped cream but that was not an option. Even the dried fruit was gone now. All I had left were oats and nuts.

  “While eating breakfast, I noticed that the mountains were very close. I was excited, thinking today might be the day that I would finally reach them! I finished breakfast and lit a smoke. I dreaded picking up that oar again after days of paddling, but the excitement of reaching land was overwhelming. As I put my smoke out, I noticed smoke on the horizon to the west. It looked like a huge fire, and I guessed it probably was. Then I noticed a cone that seemed to be producing it. I was confused and guessed that it must be a volcano. I didn’t pay it any mind, thinking that it wouldn’t have any effect on me all the way over here. I was headed home. I would hit shore, get a ride up the mountain, and finally return to my husband and son.

  “I picked up my paddle and rowed with a vengeance. I held my pace all morning. I was sorely mistaken, no pun intended.” Erika paused, chuckling at her joke.

  “Even though it was hundreds of miles away, the lava must have flown into the sludge and heated it. In midafternoon, I noticed that the water was steaming and the Tupperware on my oar was melting. I tried to just keep going. I could see the shore in the distance, but the super-heated sludge started melting the plastic water jugs I was floating on. My raft began to take on water as the jugs melted more and more. My suit was keeping my skin from burning, but at the rate the jugs were melting I would never get to shore before the overweighted piece of wood sank altogether.

  “In my excitement to reach shore, I was thinking impulsively. I figured I wouldn’t need my supplies because once I made it to shore I could get help and call my family. I plunged into the gross sludge, cautiously keeping my head out of the water. I put faith in the protection of my suit and swam. The heat from the water was steaming me alive. I swam harder, but pain began to surge through my body. The suit was tightening. Fighting against it, the heat, and my lack of nutrition made my muscles burn. I wanted to give up, sink into the sludge and die, but the thought of my husband and son kept me going. Finally, my feet touched solid ground and I crawled onto the beach and blacked out.

  “You know the rest of the story after that better than I do. I woke up in the barn to you two caring for me,” Erika concluded.

  By the time she was done it was very late and the oil lamp needed more fuel. Carol got up to fill it.

  “That is some story, young lady. You must have one tough guardian angel at your side. I wonder how many other people may be stuck under the sludge?” Henry pondered absently.

  “I don’t know, Henry. I didn’t even think about other people stuck in basements or crazy bomb shelters. I didn’t even try to look for anyone else alive. All I could think of was getting to shore and getting home to my family. Believe you me, Henry I saw my fair share of bodies above the ground, though,” Erika explained, shaken by the thought that more people could have been stuck in situations just like hers. Maybe they were still there in cells under the water. Maybe one day the water would recede, and they could open their doors into the air instead of a lake, if they made it that long.

  “Don’t feel guilty, Erika, you did what you had to do to survive. You will learn that in life it is never good to think of the ‘what could have been,’ only what was and what will be. Stay focused on the future. No one could have survived without a suit like yours, and you wouldn’t have made it yourself if you hadn’t got to shore when you did,” Henry assured her, kicking himself for planting that thought in her head. He had looked for survivors for so long that he couldn’t help wondering.

  Carol brought the lamp back to the table and announced, “I, for one, am happy that you did survive.” Carol bent down and kissed Erika on the head. “But now it’s time for this old lady to head up to bed. I wouldn’t have missed that story for the world, but I haven’t been up this late in months. Good night, you two,” she said affectionately. She was looking tired, but took a moment to give Henry a hug and kiss goodnight before heading up the stairway.

  Erika watched them embrace and kiss. All she could think of was Vince. She longed more than ever for the touch of his hands and his warm love that always made her feel better. When times were tough, he would always find a way to make her smile no matter what, and sometimes, when Erika was trying to act really mad, it drove her nuts. She would give anything to feel that feeling now.

  “Goodnight, guys, and don’t keep her up all night talking,” Carol yelled down the stairs as she reached the top.

  “Yes, dear, good night,” Henry answered as the light at the top of the stairs went out. All that was left was the dancing light from the lantern on the table.

  Chapter 6

  Erika seized the moment and looked Henry directly in the eyes. It was her turn to make a request of him, and she was not going to miss this opportunity. “Henry, you know I’ll have to go toward Aubur
n to get home. What is it like out there?”

  “I guess that’s fair. You told me your story. Now, I have to tell you mine, right?” Henry asked looking at her.

  Erika nodded at him.

  “You must promise me that you’ll never, ever tell Carol. To her the world is still a beautiful, safe place filled with good people. That’s the way I want to keep it.”

  “You have my word, Henry, but I must know,” Erika stated firmly.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. Give me another one of those Marlboros first,” Henry said, winking at her.

  “No problem, Henry, take as many as you like,” Erika replied, happy she had something of value to him that she could share. “Now, tell me the darn story,” Erika insisted as she tossed him a smoke.

  “Alright, alright, don’t get all fussy,” Henry chuckled a little as he lit the cigarette, holding Erika in suspense. He took a deep drag and blew out the smoke. “I packed up one horse to go to Auburn to get some supplies we were running low on. At that time, I didn’t know the extent of the earthquake damage. Around our house was a mess. We lost our home. The road was impassible, but I figured it couldn’t be like this everywhere. There was no way of getting to the car. It was buried in the garage. The horse was the only option. I went and checked in on the neighbors first. Many of their homes were destroyed and many of them died in the chaos. The neighbors I did find were leery and wanted to wait for an official rescue party.

  “I continued on into Auburn. The going was very slow. The earthquake created a completely foreign landscape. Valleys that weren’t there before are now deep cracks in the earth, and trees and debris were spread everywhere in the upheaval. The road split into pieces around these valleys. After a day and a half of traveling, I started to smell the foulest stench of death imaginable. I won’t lie, it made me sick a few times. Finally, I saw what used to be Auburn. It was literally a pile of rubble. I used the past tense, Erika, because there is nothing left. The homes and stores that were there are all gone. Rubble and sunken land was everywhere. Whole homes were completely eaten by the clay,” Henry explained, sitting back and taking a big puff of his smoke. There was a sense of fear and horror in his eyes that Erika had never seen before. The experience’s impact on him surprised her. When she Erika looked at him, she saw a huge, immensely strong man. She couldn’t believe that it could’ve been that terrifying to a man of his stature. Knowing that she would have to follow that same road, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.