by Annie Berdel
Ben walked back into the dining room and straight over to where Nina and Tom were sitting. “Excuse me, don’t you have some medical training?” he asked Nina.
“Oh Ben! What happened?” Nina exclaimed.
“Damn pot holder jumped down and bit me. Can’t tell what’s going on up there. Can you take a look?” Ben asked Nina.
“Here! Sit here,” Tom said as he quickly got up and moved.
“Uh!” Nina started to say, but caught herself. Last thing she needed was to show her hand, but it was quite obvious she was a little irritated.
Ben sat down where Tom had been, fully expecting Nina to look at the damage he had done to his head.
Instead, she rang the medic who had traveled with her group to come to the house and look at the gash. Moving out of the way, Nina’s only option was to sit beside Emma. Damn it! She had the perfect opportunity to stick it to Emma and Ben had to come in and ruin things for her! Now she had to endure the rest of the evening sitting beside the woman she would like to throttle with her bare hands.
“Well isn’t this cozy,” Jay chuckled. “I think I’ll pour myself a cup of coffee!”
“And where’s the damn pie?!” Tiffany blurted out.
135
Chloe got behind the steering wheel as the rest of the crew took their seats and buckled in. If the descent out of the mountains into Denver was anything like the climb up the elevation, they were in for a ride. Taking a deep breath, she turned the ignition allowing the beast to roar to life.
Looking into the side mirrors, Chloe let out a deep breath. “Here we go, kiddos!”
Exclamations of joy could be heard from behind her. Small voices that Chloe was unaccustomed to but was gaining a deep appreciation of. For just an instant, Chloe thought about what it must be like to be someone’s mom. To feel the unconditional love that she saw Megan soak up throughout the day. One day. One day she would have her own family, but right now this family was relying on her to get them safely to Emma’s farm where they actually might stand a chance of growing up. A feeling of dread overwhelmed her for a minute as the reality of what the future held washed over her. Life would never be the same for any of them, let alone the children sitting behind her. They still needed a chance to grow into adulthood, a chance to be happy and laugh and not worry about where their next meal would come from. Looking into the rear-view mirror, Chloe looked at the kids getting buckled into their seats. This was their future, not hers anymore.
Chloe tilted her head slightly back, the determination on her face set her chin square. She had this. She had to have this. Whatever it took, she promised herself as she pulled out onto the road.
136
Mountain Man scrambled to reach the small handheld radio when he heard Shelby’s voice cut through the static. “Shelby! Come in!” he said as he depressed the button on the side.
“Joshua, is that really you? Are you OK?” Shelby replied with obvious desperation in her voice
“Yes, yes. How are you and the kids?”
“Oh, we are fine,” she said looking at the children to hush and keep their secret. “Are you in the house?”
“Not really, but she took the blast just fine. I’m in the back room and I haven’t gone into the rest of the house yet. Shelby, I was out when the cloud appeared. I tried to get home as soon as I could but I’m just not sure. I tried to reach you all last night but I guess you couldn’t find the radios.”
Shelby closed her eyes against the tears and bowed her head. She had let her Mountain Man down. She had shut him out when he needed her most and now he may die from radiation poisoning. Her heart broke as the tears fought behind her lashes to escape.
Picking up the radio and bringing it to her lips, she pressed the button to talk but nothing came out. Her hand collapsed into her lap. Damn it! She muttered to herself. She had to pull herself together. Taking a deep breath, she tilted her face to the heavens and waited for the strength she knew could only come from God.
Picking back up the radio, she pressed the button and said, “Mountain Man, I love you. Now here is what I need you to do.”
137
Michael wasn’t kidding about how beautiful the mountains were descending into Denver. Turn after turn, Chloe handled the motor home like a pro. She did have to remind herself to breathe after each descent, thinking that the one she had just conquered was the final one. The mountains had a way of teasing her, though, and Chloe was getting annoyed with their self-gratifying game. But they were stunning, Chloe had to admit.
As the road leveled out, Chloe noticed a few cars abandoned along the road. The farther they traveled into the city, the more apparent it was that there were more issues that they would face on this side of the mountains. Taking a deep breath, Chloe had to even wonder if they would make it to Emma’s farm. Her spirit of adventure kicked in and she had to admit, what lay ahead will probably make for a good book!
Chloe’s eyes caught Michael signaling to pull off the main road and follow him. Perplexed, Chloe had an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t distrust. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Blowing out a deep breath from between her lips, she turned the big motor home and followed Michael.
Further back away from the main part of the city of Colorado Springs, nestled back along the mountains, was a small ordinary-looking farm. Following Michael into the driveway to the house, she was surprised that they weren’t met by anyone. As they got closer to the house, a woman appeared on the porch and walked over to where Michael was parking the RV. Words were exchanged and the woman raised her arm and waved at Chloe. Instantly, Chloe felt at ease. Catching herself letting down her guard, she instantly scolded herself. She didn’t know these people, hell, truth be told, she barely knew Michael. All in all, the only thing she could hold onto was that the person in Ohio she trusted with her life sent him to get her.
Chloe parked the RV and stepped out into the sunshine. Walking to where the woman and Michael were talking, she was surprised to hear them laughing.
“Chloe, come meet Shawna. Shawna, this is Chloe. The rest of the party will get off the bus soon enough, I’m sure,” Michael said.
Chloe reached her hand out towards Shawna but the woman walked past it and gave Chloe a quick squeeze. “Any friend of Michael’s is a friend of mine! No handshakes here, just hugs!” the woman said.
Taken aback, Chloe didn’t know quite what to say so just hugged the woman back.
“We are going to refuel here and have some breakfast before we head out,” Michael said.
“Here?” Chloe said looking around. “But, this isn’t a gas station.”
“Oh hun, you won’t get within three miles of a gas station without being robbed or shot dead with what’s going on out there,” Shawna said. “Come inside and get some hot food in you, get a shower and we can go from there.”
“Go on in with Shawna and I will get the rest of the crew,” Michael said to Chloe.
Shawna hooked her arm within Chloe’s and pulled her gently in the direction of the front door of the house. “Come, meet my family.”
Chloe briefly looked back and saw Michael climb the stairs into the RV while Shawna escorted her into the house. Immediately inside the front door and Chloe was overwhelmed with the delicious smell of food. Real food. Not the packed stuff they had been eating in the motor home but real, cooked food. Obviously so did her stomach, as it made a loud, demanding grumble to feed it!
“I’m so sorry!” Chloe muttered, a bit embarrassed.
Laughing, Shawna motioned Chloe into the bathroom. “Wash up quick and let’s eat. Showers after while we refuel,” she said as the rest of the entourage entered the house. Chloe used the commotion as an excuse to disappear into the bathroom as the rest of the introductions were made. Walking over to the sink, she ran some hot water and splashed it on her face. Looking up at herself in the mirror, she was struck by the horror before her. “Oh girlie, you are one hot mess!” Her stomach growled from t
he lack of attention it was receiving and Chloe picked up the hint. Giving it a quick pat, she quickly dried her face and walked back out to meet everyone. Now was not the time to let vanity rule her senses.
138
Sitting around the table, Shawna introduced her family to her guests. I wish my husband could be here to join us, but he will be in as soon as the RV is filled.”
“How in the world are you going to fuel the RV? Is there a station around here that isn’t on the map?” Megan asked.
“Oh goodness no. We actually have a storage tank here on the farm. He is using that to refuel,” Shawna responded.
“That’s a lot of fuel, I’m not sure we all have enough money to repay you,” Megan said.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s what we are here for. One day we will need something and someone will lend us a hand. It’s how we work things out,” Shawna explained. “This farm was created for this very issue. People coming down off of the mountains or going up the mountains. Either way, we are a stopping point.”
“Stopping point? I don’t understand,” Chloe said, confusion written all over her face.
“To move people back and forth in case something happens and all normal activity ceases. We are what is called an Alpha Farm. We are part of a network across the country that was created for this very purpose.”
“Oh,” Chloe muttered, clearly still perplexed.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head,” Michael interjected. “Just know we will get you where you need to be.”
Clearly miffed at the comment made by Mike, Chloe raised an eyebrow. “I think I will get that shower now,” she said as she scooted her chair back.
“Oh! Certainly!” Shawna exclaimed. “Towels are in the hall closet. Everything else you may need is under the counter. Please, help yourself. If you need anything, just give me a yell.”
Chloe stood under the hot water, letting it cascade down the length of her body. Closing her eyes, she replayed the last few days through her head. Little by little the tension released itself from her tired muscles. Raising her hands above her head and resting them on the side of the shower, she stretched her back. “Ugh,” the sound escaped from between her lips. What had she gotten herself into? Wiping the water from her eyes, she lathered her hair with lavender-scented shampoo. It didn’t really matter what she had gotten herself into, she had nowhere to turn back to so she was in for the ride, whether she liked it or not.
139
Angie kept off the main road as best she could, Emma’s voice echoing in her head. “Don’t make yourself an easy target. Follow the road but keep yourself hidden as best you can in the trees or brush. If you have to cross a field, consider crawling down in the ditch until you can take cover again. If it really warrants it, detour around the area. Better to take the extra time than end up in deeper trouble”
Looking ahead, Angie saw where the trees abruptly ended along the edge of a field. Across the field was a small homestead. Scanning across the road, Angie’s heart sank as she saw nothing but open field also. Damn it! There was no way to get up close to the home without the chance of someone seeing her. Checking the depth of the ditch that ran along both sides of the road, she would be an easy target if she tried to crawl along the ditch.
“Hell!” she muttered out loud. “I don’t even know if Scott’s here.”
Trying to peer down the road, she saw no travelers in either direction. Taking a step out onto the road, she tried to see as far as she could past the farm to the only other house she remembered seeing. Nothing. Exasperated, she melted back into the woods for cover. She would have to wait for nightfall. Finding a spot that gave her concealment among some berry shrubs, she waited and watched for any sign of movement on the farm. Damn it! He had to be here. God, if whoever took him any further they could kill him. Sinking her face into the crook of her arms, Angie released all the horror of the last few days. Her body shook from the sobs raking through every muscle.
“Lady, you OK?”
Angie stopped crying and laid as still as she could, not even taking the chance of breathing.
“Hey, lady. Are you OK? Get yourself out of those bushes before the snakes get you,” came the voice again.
Snakes? Angie jumped up in sheer fright. If there was one thing that scared her to death it was snakes. She had seen them occasionally at Emma’s farm around the barn and she steered clear of them even though Emma said they were beneficial and would not harm her. Of course, those were black snakes that kept the mice population down in and around the outbuildings, but Angie sure as hell did not need one crawling up on her as she was laying out here.
Looking around frantically on the ground, it dawned on Angie that she had just been tricked. Slowly raising her hands, she turned and looked in the direction of where the voice had come from.
There, sitting on a horse, was a man who looked just like all the cowboys Angie had ever seen. Rugged face with hair peppered with grey streaks peeking out from beneath his Stetson, he wore jeans and a flannel shirt. The toes of his boots peeked out from the tip of stirrup.
Angie felt oddly at ease.
“Ma’am, please put your arms down. You’re not being arrested. Just was wondering what you were doing out here bawling your eyes out?” he asked.
Angie slowly dropped her arms, looking into the man’s bright blue eyes. “I…..I” she stammered.
“Here, you look like you could use this,” he said as he tossed her a handkerchief.
Embarrassed, Angie picked it up off her shoulder where it landed. “Oh, I must look a fright,” she murmured as she wiped her face.
“I’ve seen worse,” the cowboy said. “Want to tell me what you’re doing out here now?”
Not wanting to give out too much information, Angie finally said, “My car stopped running. I’m not sure what happened.”
“Ya, lots of that going on” he said.
“Do you know what’s going on?” she asked him.
“A little. Not sure if you really want to know though. Where are you headed?”
“Ohio,” she let slip out without thinking.
“That’s going to be a very long walk. Any other plans?” he asked.
“There is someone here in Tennessee that I can go to, I just need to figure out how to get there. Her name is Shelby,” Angie said.
“Shelby, aye? Well then, we need to get you up to the house,” the man said.
“Oh no, it’s OK. I can figure it out.”
“You don’t seem to understand. You need to go to the house with me,” he added with such sternness that Angie’s body quivered.
“Um, OK,” Angie finally said, clearly shaken.
Angie walked beside the man riding the horse until they reached the barn, her mind reeling from all the scenarios that were playing out. The man looked so kind but as soon as she mentioned Shelby he instantly tightened up. His manner abruptly changed and tenseness hung in the air.
Once at the barn, the man dismounted and tied the reins around a post. “This way,” he said as he pointed to a rear door into the house.
Angie walked ahead of him, her heart pulsating beneath her shirt. What had she done? She had no way of finding Scott if she had gotten herself detained. And how long would they keep her?
The man turned the doorknob and motioned for her to go inside.
The familiar smell hit her nostrils and made her cringe. Why did the inside of his house smell like a hospital? The aroma of antiseptic was so strong it was making her eyes water. The pungent yellow, sickly smell of the air filled her lungs and made her want to turn and run back outside.
“Third door on your right,” came the man’s booming voice from behind her. Her muscles tightened as she listened to the tympanic rhythm of her captor's boots as they followed her.
Stopping before the door, she reached down and grabbed the knob, stopping for a brief moment before she twisted it and opened the door. “This is it, girly,” she thought. Raising her chin, she would meet whatever w
as behind the door head on. Taking a deep breath, she took the cold orb in her hand and turned, pushing gingerly at the rough wooden door.
140
Shawna hugged everyone as they loaded themselves back onto the motor home. “Be careful out there. Next stop is Betsy Four. You should be OK through Oksana Three,” she said.
Chloe turned around and just stared at her “OksanaThree?” she asked.
“Have Michael explain, but you will be in good hands,” Shawna said.
Chloe looked up as Michael was already pulling out of the driveway on the motorcycle. “I guess that will have to wait,” she murmured.
Chloe waited while everyone buckled themselves into their seats, the motor starting to purr as it was warming up. Taking a deep breath, she put the gearshift into drive and moved the beast forward. First stop they made, she needed to have a conversation with the man in front of her. She had a lot of questions that need answered. First things first, if something happened to him, how the hell would she even find her way? He seemed to have all the knowledge about the actual trip itself and that bothered her. And what were these Alpha Farms? And who exactly was this man she was trusting with her life….
141
Betsy heard the faint crackle of a voice and turned the dial up.
“Betsy Four Copy”
Picking up the radio, she tried to get the button to depress but couldn’t get it to go down.
“Betsy Four Copy”
Trying again, she finally got the mic to key. “Betsy Four, Over”
“Oksana Three Confirm two dash seven twenty four. Over”
“Betsy Four Confirm two dash seven twenty four. Over”
“Oksana Three Out”
“Betsy Four Out” Betsy said into the mic. “Please stay safe’ my friend,” she whispered.
OK. Seven guests are in route in two vehicles and should be arriving within twenty-four hours if all goes well. She felt her pulse increase at the prospect of her new arrivals. While it was dangerous to take strangers in, this was different. These people were somehow connected to people Betsy trusted. With word from Oksana, Betsy would need to keep her radio powered up as her next contact would be from the travelers themselves. In the meantime, she needed to make preparations. For her guests. This was why she was here. She was an Alpha Farm. It was the commitment she and her family had made to help others in case of a down grid situation. It wasn’t a decision she had taken lightly as it did pose some danger first to take and strangers and second to break the rules of OPSEC, or operational security. Weighing it all out, she knew it needed to be done and she wanted to play an important part in the rebuilding of the country if something ever happened. People had to be moved, shuffled around if something happened. She had spent many an hour with the girls of the Alpha Farms, making sure they were all synced. After the Alphas were on the same page, Betsy oversaw a group of sister chicks in her area who helped on a more localized bases. A second tier of defenses.