by RH Fox
Dreia repeated the process for each bus, the walkers and finally the parent pick-ups. As expected, when she was finished several students who’d lost interest in the process remained. They were swiftly sorted and taken to the correct classroom to join their group.
“So far, so good,” Dreia commented to Rena on their way out of the cafeteria. She glanced down at her watch and saw it was close to 4:00pm. “It’s been thirty minutes since school normally gets out. Any parents close enough and able to walk should be trickling in by now.”
“Let’s go check with the office before we give the okay for everyone to head out.”
“Have Linda and Jeff returned yet?”
“I haven’t seen them.”
Dreia pondered if that was cause for concern. The fire station was only about four blocks away and over an hour had passed since they left. They should have already returned.
Several parents waited in the office when Rena and Dreia walked in. Beth and Marlene were checking ID’s against student identification sheets and sending teacher’s assistants to get the children. Dreia took a moment to listen to the parents talking, hoping to get a feel for what was happening outside the school. Over three hours had passed since the power went out. While a few seemed anxious about the cars not working, overall, they all sounded confident everything would be back to normal soon.
“You’re getting ready to walk all the students home?” a woman at the counter said in a shrill voice. “That’s the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever heard! Does the school board know what you’re doing? Who gave you permission to take these children off school property without parental consent?”
“Wonderful,” Rena mumbled, heading toward the commotion.
Dreia had already warned the office staff to be prepared for some parental outrage. Any parent with real knowledge would’ve shown up much sooner, and there had only been a few. The guardians just now arriving were bound to be mostly clueless about what was happening. Consequently, the office could flat out say the superintendent himself instructed the schools to take the kids home, and parents would have no way of verifying the truth.
Dreia recognized that in itself was a dangerous and terrifying harbinger for what was ahead. People just hadn’t figured it out yet. At least the school was genuinely trying to do the right thing by its students. She wondered how many other schools had gotten a jump start on getting students home, because she was positive a high percentage of parents had no plan for what they’d do if they were suddenly stranded miles away from their children in an emergency of this magnitude.
While Rena talked to the agitated woman at the counter, Marlene shot Dreia a contemptuous look. Dreia walked over and pointedly ignored her, addressing Beth to make sure everyone was on the same page.
“I’m getting ready to go around and tell the bus leaders to head out. I’ll have the parent pick-up and walker groups wait another fifteen or twenty minutes before they leave. That’ll give the parents who live close enough time to get here if they’re already on their way. Any students who are normally parent pick-up, but could be matched up to a bus route, have already been moved to that group. It’s inevitable that some parents will show up after the groups have left.”
Beth pulled an annoyed face. “You know how some of our parents get. I bet I hear at least half a dozen threats of legal action before the day’s over.”
“Take consolation in the fact that the possibility of followthrough is virtually nil,” Dreia told her sympathetically. “I’ll be back in about ten minutes. When parents show up, just emphasize that the staff is following bus routes. The leaders have the data cards for every student and will check to see if any neighbors are listed as emergency contacts. If a parent is sure there’s no one at home for their child to be left with, try to convince them to wait here, because all those students will be coming right back. That way they won’t risk accidentally missing them in passing.”
Beth nodded her understanding and Dreia continued, “Once everyone gets back, we’ll look at the emergency contact list for any remaining students and decide what to do at that point. If I’m guesstimating correctly, everyone should return in under two hours. It’ll be close to dinnertime and we’re going to have extremely tired, hungry, and cranky kids on our hands.”
“I’ll find someone to check the kitchen and see what can put together. Don’t worry, we’ll be ready when they come back,” Beth assured.
Rena joined them, having calmed the angry mother, just as Linda and Jeff walked in the door with grim faces. Rena motioned toward her office and Dreia followed, closing the door behind them.
“What’s going on out there? Any news?” she asked before it even clicked shut.
“Not good news,” Linda started. “None of their trucks run, but they found some old walkie talkies that still work. There’s no communication from city officials at all. They were able to contact the police station, only to be told to sit tight and wait for more instructions. But that was about thirty minutes after the power went out, and they haven’t heard anything since.”
“That’s not exactly bad news,” Rena said thoughtfully. “Dreia said to expect things to be at a standstill for most of today.”
“That’s not all though,” Jeff added. “While they waited to hear more from the police station, they kept scanning channels, hoping to find more information. From the military maybe.”
“I doubt the military will be communicating on civilian channels,” Dreia commented.
“They knew it was a long-shot, but were tired of just waiting. And, they did find someone broadcasting. That’s the bad news. There’s a guy named Stubs . . .”
“Stubs?” Rena raised her eyebrows and looked down her nose over her glasses. “Seriously?”
Jeff’s mouth hung open, not sure how to respond. Linda cracked a smile at the young teacher’s flustered expression.
Dreia couldn’t help herself, “I’m sure it’s just a nickname. I bet he’s missing a hand, and when people started calling him Stubby it got shortened to Stubs over time. He probably has a hook.”
Rena snorted. Jeff’s head swung from his unflappable boss, to Dreia, and back again.
“Or maybe he got it from a former lover,” Linda couldn’t resist joining in. She held her hands up like a fisherman bragging about the size of a catch, then reduced the size substantially and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Rena and Dreia both dissolved into giggles when Jeff’s face turned bright red. They muffled the sound with their hands, so parents in the office wouldn’t hear.
“Well, I’m not sure how he got the name, but . . .” Jeff started, trailing off when the giggles only increased. He glanced between the three women, confounded by their levity considering what was happening right outside the door.
“Sorry, Jeff. Totally inappropriate.” Dreia said when she gained some composure.
Linda sobered up too, already knowing what Jeff was trying to share, and motioned for him to continue.
“Uh, okay. Well, Stubs,” Rena snickered upon hearing the name again but emphatically waved him on, “is broadcasting his message in intervals on several different channels. He sounds like some kind of extremist with legitimate knowledge of EMPs, and he’s not attempting to calm people down. Instead, he’s trying to incite them to ‘rise up against the government who didn’t protect us from the attack on our nation’.” Jeff threw up air quotes for emphasis.
“That’s what took us so long. We waited to hear his message for ourselves,” Linda added. “He’s telling people who are willing to get involved to meet at Dockett Park tonight at dusk.”
That news subdued Rena’s mood instantly, and she looked alarmed. “That’s only two miles from here and in our boundary!”
They all looked at Dreia, who considered the implications.
“We have time on our side. And you heard the parents out there, most really believe power will be back on soon. So, I don’t think it’s likely he’ll have a big turnout tonight. We just need to
stay focused on getting the kids home. Plus, dusk is still about three hours away. Everyone should be back here well before then. Rena, how many working cars did we end up with?”
“Only two, Maria’s minivan and Lauren’s car. I think everyone’s checked by now.”
“Change of plans. I know I said we should wait since using them might draw unwanted attention to the school, but this new information changes things. Let’s load up the kids who live the farthest out. They’ll probably be parent pick-ups.”
Dreia paused thoughtfully before continuing, “Jeff, can you go talk to Maria and Lauren? Find out how many kids they can squeeze into their vehicles, and I’m not talking a seatbelt count. Pretty sure the police aren’t going to be out writing tickets, so let’s turn them into clown cars. Linda, I believe both ladies were on bus routes, can you go check around to see who’s available to take their places? I still feel like there should be two adults with every group, including the vehicles now.”
“We’re spread pretty thin,” Rena pointed out.
“It was bound to happen. We’ll just have to figure it out as we go.”
Everyone nodded solemnly before Jeff and Linda left the office to follow through on the new plan. Rena started out as well, but Dreia put a hand on her arm.
“Wait, I need to talk to you privately,” she said as she closed the door again. “I’m more worried about this guy making his rally point so close to the school then I let on. Where exactly is this park?”
“It’s northwest of here, right before the highway.” At Dreia’s blank look she continued, “I always forget you commute up from North Carolina. You wouldn’t pass it on your way here.”
“You said it was inside our zone, though? How many bus routes are in that area?”
“At least one. There’s a large apartment complex adjacent to the park, and we have several students who live there including several of my disciplinary frequent fliers. I’ve taken some of them home a time or two, when they were being suspended and parents didn’t have transportation to come pick them up. It’s not the best area anymore, which is a shame because the park is really nice.”
“Sounds like a recipe for trouble. I bet this guy Stubs either lives there himself or knows exactly where to find the audience he wants.”
“Should we hold that bus group here at the school?”
Dreia took a minute to mull it over before answering, “No, we need to go ahead. The last thing we want is for parents with possible ties to a hothead showing up here looking for kids that never came home. A lot of people see the school system as an authority, and we don’t want this guy’s attention focused on us.”
“Alright. Any last-minute suggestions?”
“Well, yeah, that’s another reason I wanted to talk to you alone. I know the plan was for me to remain here and orchestrate everything, but I think I should go with the group heading to the park.” Dreia braced herself before finishing, “Rena, I keep a gun in my van, and I think I need to take it.”
Rena sputtered, “I . . . what . . . a gun? On school property?”
“Yes,” Dreia said, raising her chin and owning up to ignoring a major school policy that would have gotten her fired. There wasn’t any sense in worrying about it any longer. The EMP had effectively turned her teaching contract into a worthless piece of paper.
“Frankly, I’m not sure what to say,” Rena finally stated. “I suppose relief that someone was prepared for this is still my primary reaction. Have you always had it out there?”
“Since the day I started teaching here. No one looking in my van would even know it’s there, though. It’s in a special gun safe under the driver’s seat. My husband installed it years ago when school shootings started making news more frequently, and I have always maintain a current concealed carry permit. I’ve never taken it inside any school I’ve worked at, and thank God often that there’s never been a reason for me to do so. However, I’ll admit knowing it’s there has given me some peace of mind. I think the odds are heavily weighed in favor of me carrying it now, and I just thought you should know.”
Rena nodded slowly. “I agree. While you go take care of that, I’ll find out which bus route goes by the park and send the others on their way.”
Once again, Dreia acknowledged Rena’s practical attitude and headed out to her van. With the new development she would’ve taken the pistol without Rena’s blessing, but having the support helped appease her conscience.
Even though no one else was in the parking lot, she discreetly unlocked the gun safe and removed her small revolver. It went straight into its holster, which she then tucked inside her get-home bag. Some people called them go-bags, and others called them bug-out bags. While Dreia was sure hers wouldn’t meet an expert survivalist’s standards, it held what she considered necessary for getting home.
As Dreia stood next to her van holding the bag, the urge to just start walking came over her again. She leaned her forehead against the van and thought about Abbie and Chase, hoping they were already safe in their home. Clasping her bag to her chest, she then pictured her students setting out with the bus lines for the safety of their own homes. Dreia sincerely wanted every student to be reunited with their parents before the day ended. Taking a hitched breath and telling herself to be patient just a little bit longer, she resolutely turned back toward the school.
As an afterthought she grabbed the light jacket she kept in the van and carried everything inside. The women’s staff restroom was twice the size of the men’s, with a small lounge space outside the room that held the stalls. The outer room held the sinks and a small cabinet, where the women could stash bags with personal items. Windows set high in the wall ran down one side, letting in plenty of afternoon light. At some point a small wing chair had been added. It made the perfect place for teachers to change clothes for programs and conferences, or simply to get more comfortable when working late.
Dreia checked to see if anyone was using the toilets before she flipped the lock on the outer door and set her bag in the chair. She pulled out jeans, a t-shirt and comfortable hiking boots first. After changing, she rolled up the jacket and khaki slacks she’d been wearing and shoved them into the bottom of the backpack. Then, she placed her ballet flats on top before rearranging the rest of the supplies. Without the boots, the bag was considerably lighter. She folded up the gauzy, floral blouse she took off and stashed it in the bathroom cabinet. It was one of her favorites, but not exactly the kind of clothing she needed now. The ballet flats weren’t either, however a spare pair of shoes might become a necessity at some point, and she’d rather have some that fit even if they were flimsy.
Dreia pulled a hair tie out of a small exterior pocket and forced her thick hair up. As expected, some refused to cooperate and fell around the back, making the overall look messy. And not the fashionable kind. Shrugging her shoulders she decided it was still better than having it lay heavily on her neck for the hike ahead. Looking in the mirror, she noticed more silver strands glinted in the light with her hair up. She’d didn’t mind, though, and thought about her younger sister. Brielle had inherited their mother’s premature gray hair and was obsessive about coloring it regularly. She wasn’t going to react well to the inevitable changes in her beauty routine.
Suddenly she remembered her sister’s unread texts from earlier. Dreia wondered if the downed grid extended all the way to Kansas City and tried to imagine how her sister and parents were reacting if it did. No one back home had any interest in what they called her disaster talk, and she could only hope one of them remembered the totes full of basic essentials she’d stubbornly stuck in each of their garages.
Dreia realized she couldn’t worry about that, there was nothing she could presently do. So, she focused her attention back on her preparations. Clipping her holster into the back of her jeans, she turned in front of the mirror to make sure it wasn’t noticeable with her shirt down. The extra twenty pounds she couldn’t seem to lose, causing her to favor loose t-shirts, worked
in her favor for once. The pistol was virtually invisible. She practiced drawing the .38 special out a few times, to refamiliarize herself with the action since she hadn’t worn the holster for target practice in quite a while.
Satisfied that she could get to it quickly if necessary, she shouldered her backpack and went to find her self-appointed bus route. Rena met her in front of the office.
“Bus 137 goes by Dockett Park. They’re in Lisa’s room. She and Sam were originally going with that group. As loudmouthed as Sam can be, I’m actually glad he’ll be the one with you. Do you want Lisa to go, too?”
“No. Like you said, we’re already stretched thin.” Dreia noticed Rena’s eyes furtively scanning her. “Can you see it?”
“No! Where is it?” Rena exclaimed, realizing she’d been caught.
“In a holster at the small of my back.” Dreia turned slightly to the side and pulled her t-shirt tighter, so the bulge was visible.
“I never would have noticed!”
“That’s the idea. Here, can you keep my backpack in your office? I already took out some extra ammunition, and we’ll be close enough to the school that I’m comfortable going without it.”
Rena slung the bag over her shoulder. The rugged, olive green looked completely out of place with her pinstriped skirt and pink, ruffled blouse.
“Alright, time to go,” Dreia said, feeling a shiver of anticipation.
“Hopefully you’ll have a very uneventful trip.”
Dreia was caught off guard when Rena pulled her into a tight hug. It was very out of character for their boss, who was always the epitome of professionalism.
“We’ll be back before you know it. If by chance my husband shows up, let him know where I am, but try to get him to wait here. I don’t want to miss him in passing.”
“Will do. Please, be careful.”
Rena released Dreia and they shared a nervous smile before Dreia turned and headed toward Lisa’s classroom.