by Pete Thorsen
“Bill, I know you have a deer rifle and a shotgun. If I may ask do you have others?”
“Yes I have a couple 22 rifles and a 22 pistol plus a 357 revolver.”
“I would suggest that you teach Sally how to load and shoot all of them, so if she ever needs to she can pick any up and shoot without trying to find the safety or anything. The 22 rifle and 22 pistol would likely make very good guns for her to carry and shoot.”
“Do you think just a 22 is big enough to be even worthwhile to carry?”
“In a fight I would rather have a bazooka but a 22 that you are comfortable with and that is light enough so you can always carry it would be way better than nothing. A heavy gun often gets left behind. So a light one that is no bother to carry might be better. I carry a 9mm instead of a heavier gun and I don’t feel under gunned at all.”
The talk continued and when it got close to noon Deb made everyone a light lunch. When Bill and Sally left later Deb sent some more eggs home with them. Bill and Del had decided to try to shoot another deer in the morning so they would likely all be busy in the morning getting the meat ready for drying.
Chapter Nine
In the morning the deer hunt went just about the same as the first hunt and soon they had brought a dead deer home and Bill was skinning it out. The only difference was that this time instead of hauling the deer hide away with the stripped carcass after the meat was on the drying rack Del decided to try to tan the hide this time. First he carefully scraped the hide to remove any meat or fat.
Then he stretched it out to dry in the sun. While the hide was drying he broke open the deer’s skull and removed the deer brains and put them in an old metal bucket to which he added a gallon or so of water. Then he mashed the brains up thoroughly and warmed the water mixture on one of the smudge fires. By this time the hide was fairly dry so he found a larger container and put the hide in then dumped the warm brain water over the top of the hide. He worked it a little to make sure the brain water was in contact with the entire hide. He covered the container and left it to soak until the next morning
The next morning Del took the soaking hide out and again stretched it out to dry. This time he left it all morning and well after lunch he built a very small fire in an old steel drum that had been used as a burn barrel in the past. He added green leaves and branches on the fire to make it smoke a lot but not get very hot.
Using an old wire shelf that looked like it might have come from an old refrigerator or something over the top of the barrel he threw the deer hide on top so it would get heavily smoked. He spent about an hour with the small smoky fire until he was assured the hide was thoroughly smoked in its entirety. He said hey I’m done. But the two girls were no where to be found. They had gotten totally grossed out with the whole digging out the brains routine.
The next day Del got the girls to at least look at the tanned deer hide. They promptly told him it needed washing, so later in the day he washed it with mostly water and just a very small amount of saddle soap he found in a shed. He decided it really was tanned when it did not turn hard as a brick after it dried and he deemed it a success.
They kept the smudge fires going a little that day but the meat had already turned pretty hard so was mostly safe from bugs. Also that evening he told the ladies that the next day he was leaving in the morning to walk the few miles to town and see how things looked and if there was any news from outside the area. Both of them wanted to go with but Del said this time he wanted to go alone. If things looked bad at all he would turn around and come right home. He was taking a rifle and a fanny pack with a little food and water.
Del left just after dawn. He decided to walk on the road to make faster time and with less fatigue. When he got closer to town he would decide if he should go cross country for safety. The night before he had studied detailed maps that he had downloaded while still in Chicago. He had a compass with and he knew how to use it if it was necessary to leave the road.
A couple hours of steady walking got him to within a mile or so of the small town. He had seen no one, no vehicles, and no movement other than some deer and a coyote. He had a good pair of binoculars with and now used them often, looking ahead and closely at any buildings in the distance paying very close attention to any windows. But still he saw nothing moving anywhere.
The land flattened out the closer he got to town and within a few miles of town it was like walking across a lawn or parking lot. There was no way to have any concealment at all, you could see a long way in most directions and of course anyone could see you. When he came up to the hospital that was outside of town he thought that was all the farther he would go.
He would stop there and hopefully get whatever information he could. He still did not see anyone even when he was in the hospital parking lot. He walked slowly up to the doors and when he tried them they were open. He looked inside somewhat concerned about committing himself to fully going inside. He did take a couple steps in and in a slightly elevated voice asked “Hello. Anyone here?”
He heard footsteps coming and soon saw a woman wearing scrubs come around the corner. She stopped a distance away when she saw him (maybe it was the gun).
“I do not have the keys to the pharmacy. I can not help you get any drugs.”
“I don’t want any drugs. I would only want some information if I could talk to you for a minute.”
The nurse advanced a little closer and said “You don’t look or sound like you live around here. What do you want?”
“I live near here now as I moved in with my sister who has lived here quite awhile. Please I promise not to bother you in any way. We just have heard nothing on the radio or have any idea what is going on. If you know any news at all I would appreciate hearing it.”
The woman seemed to relax a little and did come a little closer. “I really don’t know much. None of us do. Since the power and TV and stuff stopped working we haven’t heard anything either. As far as I know no one has traveled through town but we can’t see the highway from here so we could have easily missed some traffic.”
“OK I won’t take up any more of your time. I’m sorry if I scared you.” Del turned around to leave but was then stopped by the woman.
“Do you know anything different? Did you see many people when you walked in to town? The lack of news is driving many of us crazy.”
“No I know nothing more than you. I have walked a few miles and you are the only person I have seen. Though I did see some smoke from what I think may have been a cooking fire but that’s about it.”
“Most of the people here are country people and the lack of power has not hurt them too bad I don’t think. We had a few people come in that were hurt in simple accidents at home but none were serious. The Sheriff’s deputies stop here about once a day to check on us but they don’t have any information from out of the county either.”
“Well it eases my mind knowing that you guys are here if we get hurt. And I am happy that things are calm here. I had no idea what I would find when I came to town. I rather expected a ‘Mad Max’ type thing I guess. I’m from Chicago, which I doubt is even there any more. I have to get used to the more laid back country attitude and way of life.”
“Yes I think you are very lucky to be here rather than in Chicago. Before the TV went dark it looked absolutely awful there. Thanks for stopping in here. We are kinda desperate to talk to others.”
“I certainly enjoyed talking to you. I have a lot to learn about country life. Mostly I’m finding it is just a lot of work. I better be heading back or my sister will be worrying something has happened to me. My name is Del and I’m pleased to meet you,” Del said as he stepped forward to shake her hand.
“I’m Beth. Stop in again if you come to town, she said as she took his hand.
Just then the door opened and a man in a police uniform stepped in. Seeing what he thought might be an armed man grabbing Beth he started to draw his gun.
“Mark stop its OK. He’s a friend”, Beth sho
uted.
The cop took his hand off his gun and stepped forward.
“Sorry I kinda freaked out seeing what I thought was a stranger grabbing you, Beth.”
“It’s all right. I appreciate you watching over us. This is Del. We just met but I think he’s a good guy. He just stopped in to see if we knew anything about what’s happening.”
Stepping forward and extending his hand he said “I’m Mark. If Beth says you’re OK I believe her. Glad I did not have to shoot you.”
Shaking the deputy’s hand Del said “I’m Del and very pleased you did not have to shoot me either.”
“Well I have new information that I was just stopping in to tell everyone. We got a radio call from the next county that they had heard Martial Law had been declared a while back. That is all they heard and no one had seen any military people yet. I guess it doesn’t really affect any of us but it was news so I thought I would drop by on my regular patrol to relay it.”
“Well it was well worth the hike into town then. I got to actually meet a couple of regular people and learned some new information. But like I was telling Beth I had best be getting home so they don’t send out a search party for me. I’m pleased to meet both of you.”
With that Del waved and left to start his trip back home. He did learn a little and he hoped the deputy was right about the Martial Law not affecting any of the people here. But only time would answer that question. In the mean time he had many miles to walk.
Chapter Ten
Del made it home that day just fine and everyone was relieved to find out things were as normal as possible in town. After the second batch of deer meat was divided up between the two families they thought it was enough to last awhile and they would not shoot any more deer until they got low on meat again.
Both gardens were doing fine with early crops already being harvested and Del told everyone that they had to let some of the plants go-to-seed so they could collect the seeds for next year (he never mentioned that he had some heirloom seeds packed away in his stuff).
Even with the news that things were calm in the area, everyone continued to carry a gun all the time. They all thought it was just common sense to do so. Once in a while (when ever they happened to think of it) now in the evenings they tried Del’s radio on all the bands with hopes of hearing something. So far it was only static but there was always hope.
As it got warmer everyone appreciated the ‘coolers’ that Del had made. A cool drink never felt as good as when you think you might not ever have another. One morning they saw a fairly large amount of smoke off towards town. Bill happened to be over looking for a piece of metal just the right size for a project he was working on.
Seeing the smoke they knew they would have to investigate because it could easily directly affect them. Bill and Del left as soon as they grabbed some water to take with. They walked swiftly on the road for a couple miles then seeing they were getting close to the source of the smoke they left the road for some cover off to one side.
They moved much slower now because they both thought caution was a good idea. Soon they could smell the smoke occasionally when a breeze blew some towards them. They now stopped every few minutes of travel to look and listen for trouble. At one of these stops they both saw someone running towards them.
They hunkered down and both had their rifles ready. They could now see it was a young teenage boy who was about done running as it was plain he was wore out. He was looking back off and on as he was running and the inevitable happened and he tripped and fell.
Del and Bill jumped up and ran over to the kid who appeared to be maybe thirteen or so. He was terrified when he saw them but Del just put his finger up to his mouth in the sign for quiet and both he and Bill sank back down next to the boy. Very quietly Del said “We are not going to hurt you. Can you quietly tell us what is going on?”
The boy waited a minute to catch his breath then said “Men came to our house. Dad told me and mom to run out the back door and not to look back. Mom wouldn’t go instead she picked up the shotgun and told me to run as far as I could. She told me to run a long ways and then find a neighbor’s house and tell them what happened. So I ran and when I was a little ways away I heard some shooting but I just kept running. Can you go back and help my folks and see if they are alright?”
“Did you see the men?”
“I tried to look out the window but dad wouldn’t let me. He said don’t look just run.”
“Did you hear vehicles or do you think they were walking?”
“I didn’t hear anything but I think my dad did and that’s why he ran to the window to look out. Whatever he saw he said right away for me to run. Please let’s go check on my folks.”
“Just lay there and rest for a minute. We are just going to move a little ways and talk for a minute. We will be right back. Don’t make any noise.”
Bill and Del walked a few yards away. Bill said “We have no choice, we have to check it out. I’ll go alone. I’m used to sneaking through the woods. You take the boy back to where we left the road. Stay under cover and give me an hour or so and I’ll meet you there.”
“Be careful. I’ll admit you are very likely better than me at this. Here take my binoculars. Be very careful. Something really spooked this kid’s dad. It has got to be bad. No heroics. If it’s not safe to get close pull back. Sally needs you back in one piece. I’ll wait for you.”
With that they split and Del went to the kid and told him “We are leaving quietly without running. The other man is going to see if he can help your folks. We are going farther away where it is safer for you like your Mom said. Remember no running and try to be quiet.”
The two left heading back towards safety while Bill was heading into who knows what. Del didn’t like it but it was the sensible way to proceed. They needed intel on what was going on. Del and the kid made their way back to the rendezvous point where Del told him they would stay for an hour or two and if the kid wanted he could rest as Del would keep watch.
About an hour and half later Del saw Bill approaching and without talking they took the kid with and headed back home. On the way home they learned the kid’s name was Peter and his folks were Frank and Shirley White. He was ‘almost fourteen’.
Bill said Peter could stay with them as they had some clothes there that their son had grown out of many years ago that Sally never got rid of. And he could even have their son’s old room. He knew Sally would love to have him stay with them. When they got to Del’s place and Peter was introduced to the two ladies, Del asked Peter to take a walk around the place for him to see if everything was OK. Peter jumped at the chance to help out. When he was gone Bill told the story of what he had seen at Peter’s house.
There was what used to be an old style army truck like you saw in old army movies. It was painted in about a hundred colors but fastened to the front was a naked dead woman. Bill had watched at Peter’s old house for about fifteen minutes or so. The house was totally engulfed in flames so no one was going in or out but there were about ten guys that were going through the garage and large shop carrying a few things back to put in the truck. One dead guy could be seen lying in the front yard. Bill thought it was one of the bad guys. Another of the bad guys had a crude bloody bandage wrapped around one leg. He was just leaning up against the truck the whole time. He didn’t look too good either. The bad guys all piled into the truck and turned back towards town. Maybe to seek medical attention for the guy who had been shot.
“Bill, do you think they will come here?” This from Deb.
“No way could I know that but I would say there is a fair chance that they will at some point.”
Deb asked “Should we run?”
“I’m not running” said Bill.
Del said “First we should make contact with all the places between here and Peter’s house. Warn them that bad guys might be coming. They could run or fight but at least they will be warned. The bad guys would go through many places before they get here, i
f they ever do. In the mean time we can prepare to fight.”
“Warning the others is a good idea. We could maybe save a lot of lives that way.”
“If the bad guys only have ten guys, I don’t think they could ever make it here going through all those other places. Most people will fight and even if they lose they would probably kill some of the bad ones at each place. If those people would consolidate into fewer houses with more people able to fight at one time they could kill or force the bad guys to retreat” said Del. Then he continued.
“I wonder if what Bill saw is just a patrol from a larger force that may have taken over the town. That kinda makes more sense to me. There could be a hundred or more bad guys. We need more information. We can still warn all the neighbors but one of us has to get into town.”
“Going to town would be very dangerous. No matter how many there are.”
“I’ll go. I likely don’t have to go all the way to town. I’ll go back to the hospital. If anyone is still there they would know the scoop as to what is happening in town. I’ll take Deb’s bike. If I see someone coming in the distance I could hide the bike and myself in the ditch. When I get closer to the hospital I’ll leave the road, hide the bike, and circle around to sneak up on the back side of the hospital.”
“That might work but that area is pretty flat with very little cover anywhere. Most of the time you would be plainly visible.”
“I would not be visible if I went tonight. With the bike I could be there in less than an hour.”
“It would be safer at night. You would want to take any reflectors off the bike. And try not to have anything real shiny on it. Wear dark clothes. It could maybe work.”
“Bill, you are standing there telling us you think Del should go try to get himself killed? You are both crazy. We should stay here. You and Sally should come stay with us so we would be together and have more firepower if that becomes necessary.”