Chapter Eight
Lea frantically dialed Will’s number for the third time and again for the third time she only heard the ear-piercing tone and message that all circuits are busy and to “please try again later”. She threw her phone down onto the couch next to her in frustration. The too-happy tone of that lady’s voice didn’t help her frustration. She figured there wasn’t any way that many people were on the phone in the middle of the night jamming the network. It must be shut down on purpose, she thought. This worried her but also caused her to start running through scenarios in her head about how she could get to Will and his mother. She stood from the couch and began to pace back and forth in her living room as worst-case scenarios were running through her head. What if riots happen here? What if we can’t get food from the grocery store? What if I can’t find Will? What if something has happened to Will? She decided that worrying like she was currently doing wasn’t going to solve anything and then sat back on the couch. She grabbed the remote and switched over to local news and began to nervously bite her finger nails.
*****
Will awoke to his phone alarm in the still-dark early morning. He sat leaning forward rubbing his eyes and face and greatly considered setting another alarm and getting a little more sleep. He began fumbling in the dark attempting to find the extra layers of clothing he laid by the side of the couch knowing it would be quite chilly in the early morning hours. After spending a couple of minutes putting on the extra layers of clothing, having to take a shirt off and turn it around and try again, he reluctantly switched on the lamp. He then switched on a small radio that sat next to the lamp and made his way to the fireplace. He moved the spark guard aside and brought his hand an inch over the coals and ash searching for heat. He took the fire iron and began poking at the coals hoping to see some red color to rebuild the fire with. He found a few and moved them together and began placing kindling on top. There was a small metal box filled with wood shavings and a couple of newspapers that sat on the edge of the tile by the fireplace. It flickered to life and Will placed some larger pieces of wood surrounding the flames. Once the fire was to a point that Will considered it self-sufficient, he placed the last remaining larger log that was in the house on top and replaced the spark guard. Bringing in more wood was one of the items on the running list in his head.
Will checked the time on his watch and wondered if Lea was awake this early. He went to his phone and typed out a message to Lea and hit send. He went to the kitchen to make breakfast, setting the phone down on the countertop.
He settled on cereal. It wasn’t like he had many options. They hadn’t kept this house stocked with groceries. Most of the food he and his mother bought were kept at his uncle’s house in town. There had been many mornings when Will was staying at their own house that he had dry cereal. He wasn’t as prompt as his mother at replacing things like milk. Luckily, there was still some milk this morning. Maybe just enough for one more bowl tomorrow morning.
After washing his few dishes in the sink, Will returned to the living room to put his shoes on. He glimpsed his phone out of the corner of his eye as he passed it. He remembered he had texted Lea and stepped back and grabbed the phone to check for a response. A frown formed on his face when he noticed the warning message that his text was never sent in the first place. He attempted to send it again. The same warning message appeared and his face scrunched up further in frustration. As Will glanced up to the status area at the top of his phone’s screen to check for service, the words “martial law” became a fleeting sound from the radio that distracted him from the phone. Still shoeless, Will quickly knelt by the radio and turned the volume up with one hand while slipping on his shoes with the other.
It was a morning talk show. Phrases such as “government corporation”, “contract law enforcement” and “rationing” confused Will. What are they talking about? He had tied his shoes and stood up, beginning to think the two hosts were discussing imagined scenarios. It made Will think of the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast from the 1930’s and the panic it caused and how some people committed suicide over the fictional story. Will stared into the fire as he continued to listen to the broadcast.
The longer Will listened the more he started to believe they may be talking about real news stories. Will decided to turn the t.v. on to the morning news to see if there was anything similar. He knew the radio talk show hosts could ramble on for hours about the most insignificant news story or their general suspicion of the intentions of most politicians. He tuned into one of the network’s morning news broadcasts. They were covering all the same things he had heard on the radio. He quickly switched to a different network to find the same coverage. He recognized one of the locations in the footage they were showing. It was a few blocks from where he went to college in San Jose. Large generator-powered lights illuminated people burning buildings, overturning cars, and openly fighting what he thought were some oddly dressed SWAT officers. They were wearing the typical black tactical wear, but they also had blue and white patches on their chests. There was also a blue and white striped armband around each bicep area and a long blue and white stripe down the side of each leg. The news camera was not close enough to see what the chest patch had written on it but Will assumed it said ‘SWAT’.
Will suddenly had a slight feeling of worry and fear overcome him. He wondered if there was any of the violence and chaos happening in his town. He immediately decided he wasn’t going to wait to hear about it on the news and started gathering a few things to go get his mother and Lea and her family. With everything happening in the bigger city areas there would be no way they’d cover anything happening in Oakhurst.
Will went to the coat closet and grabbed the 12-gauge that sat on the top shelf along with a box of shells. He then went to the closet in his room and pulled a plastic tote that he used to organize and store all of his camping gear. On top was a gun case that held his Glock .45 caliber pistol. He grabbed it and an open box of bullets and then returned to the living room. He had kept his pistol magazine only loaded with about 6 or 7 bullets to not keep the spring compacted too much so he filled it the rest of the way. He took the guns to his Jeep and laid the shotgun against the front passenger seat with the barrel face down against the floor. He placed the pistol in the center console so both guns would be in easy reach if needed. Will looked around the property. An orange glow was beginning to lighten around him. He got in the Jeep and backed up from the side of the house and the continued reversing until he was in front of the door to the house.
Will stepped back inside the house and looked around to see if there was anything else he could think he might need if things took a turn for the worse in their little town. He knew he already had a first aid kit in the Jeep so he didn’t get the one that was in the house. He filled two bottles of water in the kitchen and then figured he’d be fine with what he had. He hoped it wouldn’t take too long to get to his mother and to Lea’s house. As Will was rushing back out of the house he paused at the closet where he had retrieved the shotgun. He looked up at the .270 hunting rifle and decided to take it as well. He grabbed a box of bullets for it and a baseball bat that leaned against the back corner of the closet. He imagined the craziness he saw on the news and considered how mobs of people could get desperate and irrational when they wanted what you have. He wanted all the protection he could get if that is what he would encounter. The rifle and bat went on the floor of the back seat of the Jeep.
Chapter Nine
“Mr. Braden? Are you okay?” Thomas Allen questioned.
“I...I’m sorry,” Marcus stammered. “I’m exhausted already for the day and my mind is elsewhere and you surprised me. I didn’t even see you there when I walked up to my desk.”
“I know,” Thomas said with a chuckle. “Your face was buried in those papers.” Thomas paused for a moment and looked down at the papers on Marcus’s desk before beginning again. “Well, like I said I’m Thomas Allen. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of
me or my work. I’m President of the American Rights Foundation. We call it the ARF.”
Marcus cut him off, “Oh yes. I knew I recognized you. I’ve read some of your books and I read your online editorial from time to time.”
“Good to hear,” Thomas answered. “Before I get too much into what I want to talk to you about I would like to know what you think of my work. I think I already know the answer based on what I’ve seen you say on your segment. Are you generally in agreement with my writing?”
“Yes, of course. That’s a good assessment of my work,” Marcus said.
“Excellent. Is there a more private place to talk? I had hoped when I found your desk it would be inside of an office.” Thomas glanced around at the open room. No desk in the area had any privacy.
“It’s just the way all news offices seemed to be designed. There’s a conference room out the back entrance,” Marcus motioned to a door, “just down the hall.”
*****
“Listen, Marcus, I hate to be so direct, especially since we just met, but I’m just going to put all the cards on the table for you. My organization has been anticipating what’s happening right now for years now. I think you have too on some level, based on what you talk about on your program.” Marcus nodded and Thomas continued, “We have had plans in place and now it is time to implement them. Given the current scenarios that are playing out, we think you can be a key element to fighting this.”
“How so?” Marcus’s eyes narrowed with some confusion.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail here. I’d like you to come to my ranch in upstate in the next few days and you can meet some more people from The American Rights Foundation and we can go over some ideas. I know you are going to be quite busy here as our country begins to deconstruct.” Thomas placed a card on the large conference table next to Marcus. “When you think you have some time to get away for about half a day give me a call.”
Marcus slipped the card into his pocket.
“This seems a little vague,” Marcus said.
“I know. But you now work for who I consider an enemy of my country. All news outlets are now controlled by the CMA. I’m not saying that I don’t trust you. I just don’t trust where we are to give you details here.”
“A ranch, huh? Are you a rancher or the President of a big organization?” Marcus asked with a raised eyebrow and a half grin.
“Both,” Thomas answered with a big smile. “I do most of my work with the Foundation from my home. I do my writing from home. It gives me plenty of time to oversee my ranch as well. Of course, I have many hands doing a lot of the day-to-day but I still am out fixing fences and feeding animals quite often. It’s a part of my roots. My father left the ranch to me after he passed. Can you believe that he was the only black ranch owner in the entire county for his whole life?” Thomas didn’t give Marcus any time to answer the question. “I think I might still be the only black ranch owner in the county. I’ve never kept track of that statistic like my father did. Anyways, most of the leadership for the Foundation is here in New York City and they like to join me on the ranch for meetings and such.”
“Sounds nice,” Marcus said. “You really aren’t going to give me any more information?” He attempted to get anything more out of him.
Thomas shook his head and pointed to Marcus’s pocket. “Don’t wait too long. Give me a call in the next few days. With the violence that is happening, you might need to wait that long so it’s safe enough to get out of the city. I think the CMA will forcefully settle the mobs down for the time being. People are either revolting or panicking quicker than I thought they would.”
“How are you getting back to your ranch?” Marcus asked.
“I came in by air. I’ll just need to make sure my route back to the building the helicopter is parked on is ok. There is no way of knowing what is going to happen to private aviation and airspace in the coming days, but if need be, I can send the helicopter for you when you come to my ranch. Given your prominent face and now your connection with the company that is taking over the country, I think you’ll have some options to get to my ranch on your own. When you call, though, just let me know what you think from your end about road travel and we’ll compare to our end and if it’s looking bad then you’ll come by helicopter. Don’t hesitate to ask for it. People are going to be getting desperate and desperate people have the potential to do horrible things. Marcus, you need to keep all of this to yourself. Don’t tell any co-workers, supervisors, and not even any friends. We can’t be sure of what kind of people these are. I’m pretty sure we don’t have the rights and freedoms we did yesterday. We all need to be careful.”
*****
Marcus sat back at his desk considering what Thomas had said before leaving. We think you can be a key element to fighting this...I’m pretty sure we don’t have the rights and freedoms we did yesterday. Marcus had predicted the government would take control of so many things but he wondered why a government corporation took over everything. Was Thomas suggesting a total remaking of the United States? A completely new government? What did he and his foundation think was going to happen? What plans did they have for him? Marcus was frustrated that he had to wait to ask all of these questions and to get the answers.
Chapter Ten
Will sped down the road towards town and slowed down to the speed limit as he reached the edge of town. The sun was fully above the horizon now. He tried calling his mother without any success as he left the house. He was pleasantly surprised to see things appeared to be normal here. Passing the grocery store, he noticed a couple of people jogging into the store. He wasn’t surprised at that. News of bad weather approaching made people rush to the store so news of chaos nationwide would most certainly do the same. He made a mental note that once he got to the others and once they decided what they were all going to do, that he wanted to make a stop at the grocery store for some extra food, as long as he had someone else with him to watch after the Jeep full of weapons. He didn’t want someone seeing them in his Jeep and decide that they needed them.
Will turned onto the street where his uncle’s house was. He figured it was still early enough that his mother wouldn’t have walked to work yet. They were close together so he could always drive there next. He pulled into the driveway. His mother opened the front door as he was getting out of the Jeep.
“Well, I’m guessing you’ve seen the news?” His mother asked as he walked up to her.
“Yeah, on the radio. I wasn’t sure if it was real at first so I checked every news channel and it was all showing the same stuff. What do you think we should do? I was thinking we all would get back to our place where there are fewer people around. There are riots and looting all over the country and I think it is bound to happen here too if it is so widespread like they are saying on the news. Our place seems like a good place to hold up. It’s not on a main road.”
His mother was smiling. “I think you are right. What do you mean by ‘we all’?”
“Oh..uh...well, I was meaning Lea and her parents too. That is if you are fine with it? You know I’ve stored up a bunch of survival food for an emergency.”
Her smile widened and she put a hand up to stop him. “Yes, I am fine with it. I was thinking all the same things. Are you going over to their house?”
“I was going to right after I talked to you. There doesn’t seem to be any cell service so I can’t call them. Have you tried your phone? He asked.
“I don’t have any service either,” She answered.
“It’s weird. I don’t understand why there wouldn’t be any service at all.”
“I don’t either. You should go over there now. They are probably all still home. I’m going to gather some of the things I have here. I need to go by the store to let Mr. Jacobs know I probably won’t be in until we figure out what is going on around the country.”
“Things look quiet around here. Nothing like what I was seeing on the news.” Will said. “I brought some guns jus
t in case. Do you want one to have with you?” Will asked.
“No. I actually am already carrying your uncle’s pistol.” She opened her coat part way to reveal the holstered pistol. “I’ve had it by my bedside since I’ve been staying here alone some nights. I’ll carry it with me as I run to the store and then head home.
“Good,” Will said and then hugged his mother. “I’ll go now to see if I can get Lea and her family to come out to our place.”
“Be careful. Don’t get involved in any rioting,” Beth said to her son.
“Mom!” Will shook his head and chuckled. “I’m not out looking for a fight. I’m trying to make sure we all get someplace safe to hunker down.”
“I know. I know. I’m just being a mother. Your mother.”
*****
Will pulled up to Lea’s house and parked on the street. The driveway still had vehicles in it. Will hoped that meant everyone would still be home. Before Will even reached the driveway as he walked towards the house Lea came bursting out of the door running full speed to Will.
“Whoa!” Will yelled out unintentionally as Lea crashed into him with a big hug.
Lea looked up at Will and spoke quickly, without any pause. “Sorry. It’s just with all the news and I haven’t been able to get a hold of you all morning. I was worried.”
She gave him another tight squeeze and then stepped back quickly, looking at his side.
“Why do you have that on your waist?” She asked with a quizzical look on her face.
“It’s my pistol. I don’t want to take any chances. People are acting crazy on the news and that could happen here too.” He answered in an almost rehearsed manner. “I have more guns in the Jeep. I just covered them with some blankets and locked it so I think they should be fine. Are your parents here too? I have something I want to talk to you all about.”
From Within Page 5