Alpha Farm: The Beginning (Prepper Chick Series Book 1)

by Annie Berdel

  Her Triplets, as Emma referred to them, firearm, flashlight and knife were in the pockets of her jeans but she had a multi-tool tucked into another pocket of her pack. Para cord had already been utilized in her shoelaces, as pulls on her pack and as a bracelet around her wrist. She also carried duct tape and rock-climbing rigging. Pen and paper to record any events or even to play tic-tac-toe, a fishing kit, water purification tablets along with her filter in her water bottle…deep in thought. Angie was oblivious to the fact that she and Scott would soon have visitors.

  86

  Brian paced back and forth in front of his desk. “Damn if they hadn’t pulled it off,” he kept muttering to himself, still he could not believe what had just happened. He had been debriefed but what they had been proposing was just unfathomable.

  He was instructed to not tell anyone, not even his closest friends, and since he lived far enough away from the impact point, “His services would be highly regarded in the very near future to help re-assemble all the broken pieces of this once-great country back together again.” But damn, this was more than he could have even imagined.

  What was it they had said, he pondered, “the sacrifice of a few for the betterment of the many” or something like that? “How many lives had just been destroyed?” he wondered. He swallowed the lump in his throat. That was the part that had bothered him the most, the loss of life. Not so much here, but he had to think the impact point had been leveled.

  “Time to kick this plan into place,” he mumbled as he picked up his radio and called Sheriff Olan.

  87

  Chloe walked into the diner and looked around. The place was full of people looking for things. Wet things, eatable things, warm things. Their needs never strayed much from those three things. Her eyes drifted from wanting human to wanting human. One single emotion surged through her veins as she realized she felt pity for them. “Lazy ass bastards,” she thought.

  She was in need also, she realized. Nothing as life sustaining as these poor fools she thought, but a need none the less. Finding an empty spot of wall and placing her backpack between her feet, she leaned back and rested her shoulders for a bit. The prior days started to drift through her mind as her eyes kept close watch on the people milling about the room before her.

  Three days ago, she was living her life in Los Angeles without much care in the world. She had gone to the farmers market and picked up some fresh fruit and vegetables, trying to stay away from meat altogether. She hadn’t had fish to eat in over a year. That propensity had ended with her research on the Fukushima incident and the fact she didn’t like to gamble with her health. She had spent a lot of time reading reports on the hazards of radiation poisoning from the seafood coming in from the Pacific. It was enough to make her change her eating habits completely. Once a staunch bacon and eggs kinda girl, going cold turkey vegetarian was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life.

  Two days ago, she had gotten a call from Emma. Be ready. Always ready. Quite honestly, she was tired of being ready. So. Fucking. Tired. She wanted to just stick her head up her ass like all the other people in the world and act like nothing could ever go wrong. She wanted to go to the movies and not think about what she would do if some asshat came in shooting the place up while she was there. She wanted to sit outside and look up at the sky and be oblivious to the straight-lined clouds raining poison down on her. She wanted to just forget everything she knew, but she honestly knew there was no turning back now. She knew too much.

  One day ago, she was laying in her bed naked, flat on her back with some guy she hardly knew with his face between her legs. She remembered laying there staring at the ceiling with an occasional groan escaping from between her lips just to keep the man aroused. She knew all the verbal cues to keep his penis hard so she didn’t have to waste her time later on, or smudge her lipstick, as a proper lady never smudges her lipstick while fucking. The power she felt from the control she had over these poor slobs was worth more than the money they paid her, sometimes. Money only went so far, but the power, the power had her trapped within its grasp. The power helped erase the memories that kept her awake.

  The world tried to cage her in, it tried to save her. Fearless, restless, Chloe had to break free… she had to get out and live her own life. The storm that fused her soul to the ominous chaos of the macrocosm outside was running its course with such a fierce throbbing that at times she thought it would carry her beyond the luminous orbs of light that danced across the night sky.

  Today, Chloe was standing against a wall watching all the scared people, people she didn’t know. It was easier that way. People had been cruel to her in the past and it was much easier not to care about their souls, she had her own to worry about. Very few people had made it past her bastion of solitude but those who did, Chloe would protect with her own life. Once her heart was freely given, she belonged to them completely. It was a strength deemed worthy by many, a weakness that Chloe guarded with diligence

  Chloe watched as the man walked towards her. Her eyes followed his lean body, causing an exhilaration within her that Chloe did not recognize. Catching her breath, she looked away quickly and adjusted her stance. What the hell was that she thought?

  “Chloe?”

  Startled by the sound of her voice being spoken, Chloe was shocked to see the same man standing in front of her. Blinking, she stared at him with a blank look on her face.

  “Are you Chloe?”

  Chloe’s eyes were diverted to the man’s mouth, his lips.

  Shaking her head to try and regain control of herself, Chloe finally allowed sound to exit from her own lips. “Yes, yes, I’m Chloe”

  As his lips curved into a slight smile, he watched as her eyes caught the movement and her lashes came together slightly. Amused, he knew the effect he had on women. This one was no different than the rest.

  “Let’s get going then, we have a long distance to cover in a very short amount of time.”

  Chloe snapped out of her trance. “Wait, who are you?”

  “Michael, we had a date, remember?”

  “Ah, yes.” Chloe bent down and picked up her pack “Let’s get going then,” she said as she walked off in front of him, not waiting for him to follow.

  Michael turned, his brow raised. “Well, yes ma’am!” he muttered under his breath.

  88

  Sheriff Olen watched as the supplies were being brought into the room. Taking stock, he knew he would need more firepower and more food. Whatever the hell caused this mess was not going to end soon and he needed to retain power in his county. Hell, if he played this right, he could end up with even more territory to control and that suited his plans just fine. Communications were finally coming back online and things weren’t looking good anywhere around the lower half of the state and southward.

  Handing the clipboard off to one of his deputies, Ben walked back into his office and sat down. He needed to think. He needed to put all the variables of how things may play out in the future on paper and then make sure he was in the best position to take advantage of any and all political power grabs.

  Sitting back in his seat, he turned and looked out the window. Besides the area around the hospital where the plane crashed, the town was still in pretty good shape. A couple fires here and there but overall, he had a lot he could work with. This was now his playground and he would be damned to let anyone come onto his turf and mess around. Which reminded him, he needed to have a chat with the lovely Emma. She was becoming quite the talk around here and he needed to see what all the commotion was about out at her farm and put his thumb down on it. He didn’t need the bitch ruining his plans, and he would do whatever he needed to retain control of his little kingdom.

  89

  Outside, Chloe looked around at the few vehicles parked in the lot. A smirk crossed her face as she walked towards the only mode of transportation that could possibly belong to Michael. Dropping her pack, she turned and waited for him to catch up.

  “W
hat makes you think this is mine?” he asked as he approached her

  “Seriously? Well, I guess it could be that Volkswagen Rabbit over there,” she said as she pointed to the little red diesel. “Or perhaps that what….circa 1972 station wagon? I highly doubt it.”

  “Here, take this,” he said as he handed her the helmet. “We have about 200 miles ahead of us. I have an iron butt, but if you have issues just let me know. If not, then we ride straight through. Get a jacket on too,” he said. “And you’ll have to wear that thing,” he said, pointing at her pack

  Turning, he swung his leg over the Electra Glide and slid his helmet over his head and started checking gauges.

  Chloe grabbed her pack and slid the straps over her shoulders. Grabbing Michael’s shoulder, she slid in behind him on the seat and snugged her hair up under the helmet as best she could as she put it on. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned in, feeling the strength in his back against her breasts. That should keep him awake for a while; she thought not realizing a slight smirk had danced across his lips that had earlier devoured her attention.

  90

  Sheriff Olan was in stunned silence as he rode the bike up Emma’s driveway. There were vehicles everywhere. A makeshift tent was set up behind her garage and military personal were scattered around busy working on various projects.

  “This is a bit embarrassing,” Ben thought to himself as he rode the bike up to the garage. It was one thing to ride the bike around town where no one had any working vehicle, it was another to ride it in here where it made him feel like the hick they probably thought he was. His face quickly turned red as the embarrassment set in, anger taking control of his emotions. “Fucking bitch,” he muttered, “I’ll teach her a valuable lesson for making me look like a fool.”

  Parking the bike, he made his way to the back door. He was just about to knock when a couple kids ran out the door with Emma’s big mutt of a dog. Raising an eyebrow, he wondered who they were since they didn’t look like any of Emma’s kin.

  Turning back to the door, he raised his hand to knock again when a man appeared. “Can I help you?” he asked abruptly

  Scanning the man quickly, Ben noticed the name badge on his uniform. “”Well, not that it’s any of your business, but I was looking for Emma, Lieutenant Bower” he replied with a smirk

  “Just a moment please,” the uniformed man said as he escorted Ben into the kitchen

  Leaving Ben briefly, the man walked to the door of the living room and spoke quietly to someone Ben could not see. Ben heard a scuffling noise and assumed someone was sent to get Emma. The uniformed man returned to Ben and asked him if he would like anything while he waited.

  “No thanks,” Ben replied.

  Ben glanced around the house and took in all the changes since the last time he had been there. No wonder the town was talking, he thought. She has a fucking army camped out here.

  “Sheriff Olan, what a surprise,” Emma said as she walked into the room.

  “Emma,” he said as he nodded in her direction. “Everything OK here?”

  “Oh, just doing some remodeling,” she smirked.

  “And you need an army to do that?”

  “You know how women are! What can I help you with, sheriff?”

  “Just checking on the town folks. There were rumors of a lot of activity out here so I thought I would check on you.”

  “Why Sheriff Olan, thank you for sticking your nose in, once again, where it doesn’t belong!”

  Ben was about to tongue lash her when Nina walked into the room.

  “Senator Varga, please meet Sheriff Ben Olan. He is the local law enforcement around here,” Emma said as she introduced the two.

  “Ah! Sheriff Olan… So very nice to meet you,” Nina said as she walked towards Ben, her hand outstretched.

  Ben was quite obviously flustered. A senator, here in Emma’s house. What was going on? He wondered, his mind going a mile a minute trying to figure it all out. He was so consumed in thought that he forgot his manners and quickly tried to recoup his composure. Smiling grandly, he turned on the charm.

  “Ma’am! I didn’t realize we had someone of your stature in residence here! Emma, I do believe you’ve been holding out on the rest of us!” he beamed.

  “Oh, you are a flatterer now aren’t you,” Nina replied as Ben reached out to shake her hand.

  Emma felt sick to her stomach. “Really?” she thought to herself. “Ben and Nina, this might be interesting. Maybe it would take the vulture’s claws off of Tommy if Nina had another helpless victim to focus on,” she thought as she watched the slow nightmare unfold before her.

  “Ben, you should stay for dinner,” Emma interjected.

  “Yes Ma’am,” he responded as he tucked Nina’s arm into his. “Looks like you have dessert already here.”

  91

  Angie reached as far back as she could under the pile of furniture. “Damn it!” she swore as her fingers grazed the top of the can. Pushing her shoulder into the chair leg a bit more, she managed to swat the can sideways and send it rolling towards herself. Gathering up all the supplies she had been able to reach, she stepped back outside the trailer.

  Looking around, she decided that the best place to begin prepping dinner wasn’t far from where she already was. The trailer, even though it had flipped onto its side, had landed flat and was stable. It would protect them from the wind coming down the valley. If she added a tarp or something over the side of the trailer and threw in the cushions from her sofa, they might actually be able to get some rest tonight. All she needed was to get a fire started and soon they would be able to get some food in their systems.

  Scott was busy working on the truck. Still perplexed on what happened or why they hadn’t seen anyone come down the road all day, Angie had busied herself elsewhere while Scott tried to get the Ford running again. She had managed to get her backpack loaded with everything Emma had taught her and then some. It was hard picking and choosing among all the belongings she and Scott were moving from Memphis to Ohio, but at last the only things she grabbed were pictures and some important documents. Everything else was just stuff. Stuff that wouldn’t help her survive.

  Angie gathered various sizes of dried branches and set about getting a fire going. She was proud of herself as the spark lit the jute she had unraveled to make a bird’s nest. One thing she was glad of was Emma talking her into getting a larger ferrocerium rod. The smaller ones worked, but you couldn’t beat the spark her 6” rod put out. Angie had balked at the price, but at this moment considered it money well spent.

  Fire going strong, shelter built including soft cushions and sleeping bags, dinner finally drifted under Scott’s nose and caught his attention. Lifting his head from the engine of the truck, he looked around and noticed the smoke coming from behind the overturned trailer. Grabbing a rag that he had laying on the side of the hood, Scott wiped as much grease off of his hands as he could and started to walk towards the smoke and the wonderful smell.

  Scott stopped at the corner of the trailer and took in the sight before him. There was the woman he had fallen head over heels in love with. Her red tendrils escaping from under the handkerchief she had tied around her hair. His heart damn near exploded with pride at what she had accomplished. “Wow!” he exclaimed.

  Glancing up, Angie shot him a smile. “You hungry?” she asked.

  “Famished,” Scott replied.

  “Well, isn’t this your lucky day!” she shot back.

  Scott sat down beside the red-headed survivalist and realized how late it had gotten. He had lost all track of time trying to get the truck started. His mind had been working overtime with all the scenarios that were being played out on what actually had happened.

  They ate in awkward silence, the stress of the day finally catching up to each of them.

  “We need to talk,” Scott finally said breaking the quiet.

  “Not tonight. It can wait until morning. Right now, I have something else to show yo
u,” Angie replied.

  Standing and taking Scott by the hand, she led him to where the tarp was. Peering inside, Scott saw the makeshift bed she had made from the sofa cushions and sleeping bags.

  “Ohhhhhhh,” escaped his lips in a long drawn-out sigh. “That looks amazing!”

  A smile spread across Angie’s face. She had done it. She had broken through the wall Scott had put up around himself earlier and torn down the stress he was holding onto.

  Sliding their weary bodies into the warm, cushiony haven, Angie laid her head on Scott’s shoulder as they both drifted off to sleep.

  Off in the distance, the ragged stranger walked, placing one tired foot in front of the other. The smell of food had given him the adrenalin shot he needed to keep going.

  92

  Shelby stared at disbelief at the scene unfolding before her. It was time. Everything she had been preparing for was unfolding before her eyes like a slow-motion movie, and not the way she had imagined it in the least little bit. No matter how much planning she had done, no matter how many supplies she had put away, she had told herself it would never be enough, and she was right.