Flightless

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Dr. Edwin walked up with a nice string of trout and said, "It's crude but looks effective. I'll put these fish in a bucket and be back to give you a hand."

  James had used the side of the house for the shower stall. Boards and plywood were used. Yes, he agreed it was crude, but hoped it worked. In front, a shower curtain provided privacy. James winked at Dan and with the generator running plugged in the heater. Holding his hand under the shower head, it went from cold to warm to very warm. James smiled and high fived Dan. Before his very eyes, James shed his clothes and took a shower singing some off tune melody.

  Dana heard the singing and brought out some soap and a bath towel. Over the next couple days hooks were added for hanging clothes and a shelf for shampoo.

  While James was showering and Dan standing outside the area he looked over once again at the dark house thinking someone or something was watching him. The hair stood up on the back of his neck thinking it might be a monster or two waiting for the opportunity to strike terror into their hearts.

  Dan was correct; he was being watched, not by one set of eyes, but by three sets of dark brown eyes staring at him and the goings on at the big house. As dark was descending that was the signal to eat by the occupants inside the old dark house. First one then the other two followed down the stairs to the basement.

  ****

  A fish BBQ brought a welcome change to the menu. For Dan and Dana the taste was very strange as having never eaten fish before. Of course they had eaten a lot of tuna, but this was different. Dana loved it and Dan turned his nose up at the smell, but ate every bite on his plate.

  After dinner Dr. Edwin said, “We need to start a compost pile for our garden. I’ll find a shovel and dig a shallow hole for the fish bones. Also the empty can’s we use we’ll bury but not in the same location.”

  “I’d guess we don’t have to worry about bears or wolves invading our compost pile,” said Cathy.

  “Not likely,” said James. “On to another subject, I think we need to check out the main power generator tomorrow and look inside the prison. What else do we need to do to make ourselves comfortable around here?”

  “Well, I a little cold eating outside at this time of day. I love a BBQ, but not in January. Let’s find a method to cook inside and eat inside while winter is upon us.”

  “If we can get that main generator working that should provide power enough to light up this whole complex. I’m no maintenance mechanic and I hope I can find a manual about this generator.”

  Cathy said, “Dana and I are going to clean the house to make it livable. James, can you run a pipe from the shower to the house?”

  “I don’t see why not. It’ll take a trip to the plumbing store, but that’s no big deal.”

  They decided to call it a night and all were freshly showered and felt clean for the first time in days. During the night a storm blew in but all slept soundly.

  Cathy woke up first and felt a little sad thinking about her family long gone. It was just too far to take a trip to Florida and it was probably best to not discover her parent’s remains. James broke her melancholy saying, “Damn it’s cold in here Cathy. We need some electric heaters if we can get that generator operational.”

  “I agree its cold James. I slept with all my clothes on and now I don’t want to get out of my warm bag.

  “I’ll go down and turn on the small gas stove to make coffee. I think we need to winter in a warmer climate and summer in a place like this.”

  “I totally agree with you. Let’s get the family together and chat about this climate thing,” said Cathy as she unzipped her bag and climbed out of bed.

  Later sitting around the large kitchen table, James brought up the subject of climate and how living in the mid latitudes was not convienent. He asked around the table what they thought about moving to a warmer climate in winter and back here in summer time.

  Dr. Edwin said, “I for one would like to winter in Texas on the gulf. I’d like to be able to take a boat out and keep myself busy with my profession. However, I’ll do or go where I’m needed and I think we need to find a place where we can develop an international communication system. I have to believe there’re others out there like us, well, maybe not like me, but normal like James and Cathy. And of course the twins are an anomaly that out of over seven billion humans, more than one set of twins should have escaped the plague.”

  “I agree and Houston would be an ideal place for communications,” said James. “But first let’s get the generator working if we can and see if we can call NORAD for an update. Okay, I’m off to town, any riders going my way?”

  No one stayed behind. They first went to the hardware store; then to a department store where they picked up two laptops and some disks to movie watch; also some new clothes, especially underwear. Next they shopped for some rubber boots as the rain looked like it was set in for days to come.

  James was in a bit of hurry so they cut short the shopping and headed back home. James was anxious to see if he could get the big generator working.

  Dan went with him and so did Dr. Edwin. He wanted to look around the infirmary just in case one of them got hurt or sick. James and Dan found the generator under a tin roof. A small shed sat next to it. Inside the shed they found a workbench and some tools that were giant looking to Dan. James said, “This is a big engine and made by Caterpillar. Let’s see if we can find a manual about how to start one of these monsters.”

  A small green file cabinet at the end of the workbench held what James was looking for. He also noticed that filters of many sizes were lined up on the back wall. James took the manual and a stool to the doorway for better light to read by. Dan meanwhile prowled around looking at all the tools and old magazines.

  “James said, “Here we go Dan. Fuel filters need replacing for sure. Then we need to charge the 24 volt battery. I see a new battery in that box over there and we can try it when the time comes. Now we also need to make sure no water is in the fuel tank. Let’s go look for the tank of fuel. I’d guess it’s behind us under that other shed.”

  “Okay here we go. Look there’re are more filters here too. Also a petcock to drain the water if I’m not mistaken.” James twisted the petcock and water started to run out in a steady stream. “You know Dan, fuel oil floats on top of water because it’s less dense than water.” A few minutes later pure diesel ran out. James said, “Let’s go back and change out the fuel filters and pour some distilled water into that big battery.”

  An hour later, hands greasy and smelling like diesel, James and Dan both crossed their finger for the starting of the big diesel generator. James sprayed some ether in the air intake and pushed the start button.

  James and Dan smiled at each other as the big Caterpillar motor roared to life. On the wall next to the door a big switch showed power on or off. James threw the switch to on and lights came on overhead.

  It was too noisy to talk so they moved away from the generator and James said, “Look around you Dan. We have lights on in all the buildings. I think the girls will be very happy. To save energy we need to shut down what lights we don’t need. However, we will light up the perimeter area.”

  “Let’s go clean up and then we can go around checking out the buildings.” James and Dan walked back to the big house as the rain continued. Dr. Edwin caught up with them and congratulated them both on a job well done.

  Inside the big house Cathy and Dana were dancing in circles they were so happy. They ran from room to room turning the lights on and off. What they used to take for granted now was a luxury beyond belief. Heat and lights were once again available for human use.

  ****

  The not so human use was evident in the old house only in one room. The kitchen where the old man had died was the only light on in the house. They were used to the darkness and when the six pairs of eyes looked into the kitchen, they saw a skeleton dressed in pajamas sitting in a chair with his arms laying on the table on either side of his white head. The biggest of the
three gave off a throat sound resembling a sound of sadness.

  ****

  At the Albany Armory, the short fat leader was walking around the wood stove kicking beer cans and swearing in a language that would be hard for normal humans to understand. The gang of monsters understood exactly the leader’s gestures and sounds of anger he put forth. He said, translated, “I know that was the sound of a jet that went over our heads the other day. But where did it go and who was flying it, is the question we need answering boys. When the weather breaks I think we need to ride up the freeway to Salem and have a look around. Also, I damn tired of this rain. Maybe we should move south to California.”

  Chapter IX

  After the excitement of having electricity died down, Dan was telling his sister about the feeling he had of someone or something watching them from across the street. Dana said, “Let’s go look and then we will know. If a monster is lurking there we will be armed anyway. We should tell James and Cathy what were doing though. I’ll be right back, wait here for me.”

  Dana came back with two rifles. “Let’s go Brother Dan and see what is hiding in that old house.” Quietly and their short steps indicated a hesitancy in approaching the dark house. Dan whispered, “Stay close to me.” They were at the front door and found it locked. Dan motioned with his head to go around the side and find a door. The side door was almost over taken with old weeds and grass. However, it was not locked. Dan turned the knob and pushed the door open. The old hinges were rusty and made a squeaking sound as Dan leaned his shoulder into the door.

  A boot and coat room preceded the entrance to the kitchen. The smell was the first thing that hit his nose. He said, “Wow! Smells like animals live here. The kitchen light was on and then he saw the skeleton at the table.

  Dana said, “That must be the owner of the house. An empty mug sat on the table and Dana glanced over at the counter seeing an open instant coffee jar with a spoon sticking out of it. Let’s see what’s in the living room Dan.” Slowly with flashlight in hand, forgetting they could turn on the lights, Dan led the way into a dark living room. Dana moved from behind Dan and turned a light switch on the ceiling light. Dan looked at the front window and saw smudge marks lined up from one end to the other. He had no idea what those marks were from. An old fireplace took up a side wall and a mantel held some old pictures of a family. Dana was curious and as Dan looked at the marks on the window, she saw a big manila envelope marked “Read this first.”

  Dana blew the dust off and opened the envelope. Inside were pictures and a diary. She sat down on the arm of an old over stuffed arm chair and read out loud:

  “My name is Oliver Wentworth. I live, lived alone here as my wife passed on many years ago. I’ve no family, only my babies are left. The word around is we have about two weeks before we all die. I spent the time building a feed system for my babies. I can only pray to God that it works and that they somehow will survive this plague. My babies are a special breed and hope that their special genes will provide them with a long life.”

  “Well Dan, what do you think about that?”

  “I wonder what his ‘Babies’ are. The doggie door tells me he must have been raising dogs. If that’s the case, then these smudges on the window are nose prints are from wet noses. Now I wonder where they are and how many of them are alive. What if they are monster dogs? Make sure your rifle is ready and let’s look in the bedrooms.”

  It didn’t take long to check out the two bedrooms and then they saw an open door that was in darkness. Unfamiliar with basements, Dan and Dana moved slowly to the door. A light switch was just inside the door. Dan turned the lights on and he saw wooden stairs leading down to a room that had the awful smell of animals living there.

  Dana whispered, “Let’s go get James and Cathy Dan.”

  “Never mind, we can take care of ourselves. If they or it attacks I’m ready to empty my rifle into them. Back off a few steps Dana so we are not so close together.”

  Dana hung back as Dan moved down the stairs looking right and left as if at a tennis match. At the bottom he stopped and stared at what looked like a feed trough. Dan noticed inside it was a few hard looking animal feed pellets. Dana walked up to him and peered inside the trough. Then with her flash light, she shinned it on a mostly empty bag of dried dog food. Upon closer inspection, many empty bags were scattered around the basement floor.

  Dan said, “This is really strange and it would appear a fairly sophisticated feeding system was built here. I wonder where the animals are.”

  “I see many sacks of food and it looks there’s room behind for a space to hide in. Let’s sit down and see if they’ll come out,” said Dana.

  They sat down on the steps and waited. Dan’s backside was getting tired of sitting and he was about to suggest leaving when they both heard a low growl. Not so threatening, but a deep sound of an animal.

  They looked to their left and soon a white head appeared around the backside of the stacks of dog food. Dana gasped at the beauty of the face of the dog. It was pure white with blue/grey eyes. It locked eyes with Dana and then slowly moved out to reveal a pure white German shepherd. It sat down with its tongue hanging out staring back at the two humans. Both kids were tongue tied. Then another one, identical to the first one stuck its head out and looked over at the two newcomers.

  Dana could see the second one was a tad smaller than the first one. It too moved up and sat by the first one. Dan whispered, “Wow! What beautiful dogs. I wonder why they’re still alive. Look Dana, there’s another one peeking out behind them.”

  “That makes three of them and I wonder if that is all or are there more to come?”

  “I’d say we must be at the end of the family Dana. But what do we do now? Sit here or get up and try to make friends or what?”

  “I’ve no idea,” said Dana. I’m going to crawl over there and see if they’ll accept me. I’m sure they can smell the difference between a male and female.”

  Dana moved very slowly and kept eye contact with the big one. She was fearless as if they were dangerous, they would have attacked when they entered the house. Now she stopped about four feet away and stuck out her hand for the big guy to smell. The big dog kept its eyes on her and licked its lips. Then it timidly stuck his neck out and smelled her hand. Apparently it didn’t mind the smell and then Dan crawled over and did the same thing: stuck his hand out for all three of them to smell.

  Dana sat up with her legs crossed yoga style. Dan did the same. What seemed like a long time, but in reality only a few minutes went by, the big guy stood up and very tentatively moved closer to Dana. Dana reached out and with her palm up, the big guy gave it a lick. Then the big guy sat down along side of Dana and let her pet his thick furry coat.

  Soon the other two came over feely and willingly to greet the humans. Upon inspection Dana and Dan agreed the big one was a male and the other two were females. Dana said, “It looks like the big guy likes me best so I’m going to name him Zeke.”

  “These two females look like twins to me. Let’s see what I came name them. How about Snow and Flake. What do you think?”

  “I like it. Snow and Flake. Great names. Now I wonder if they will follow us to the big house.”

  “Only one way to find out and that is to walk up the stairs calling them. Let’s go slow Dana. I think, well, I’d guess, we’re the first humans they’ve seen.”

  At the top of the stairs, the dogs stared up at the two humans. Dana called for Zeke patting her leg to come here. He slowly climbed the stairs with his two sisters close behind. They went out the front door and all three dogs followed their new masters. James was outside doing some plumbing work and he stopped what he was doing and then simply looked with his mouth open. Dan and Dana were smiling from ear to ear. James just shook his head as he saw three snow white shepherds and two smiling kids. Nothing finer, he thought, then kids with their dogs.

  He called to Cathy and she came out seeing the kids with their new found friends. Cathy clapped h
er hands and then squatted down to see if the dogs would come to her. James moved over next to all of them and soon the dogs were very happy being petted and being shown a lot of attention.

  That evening a few extra cans of corned beef made the humans even greater friends with the shepherds. Later that night the new friends spent the night in the twin’s bedroom.

  The next morning dawned clear and cold. Cathy was so happy they had electric heaters to keep warm with. They kept the kitchen door closed and the temperature of the room was comfortable.

  James came in from the outside and said, “Our water lines will freeze if this keeps up. We’ll need to let the water run. Hell, we should fly to warmer weather. Let’s see what the rest of our gang thinks.

  “I’m ready at the drop of a hat. Let’s leave everything as is and fly to Texas,” said Cathy.

  “Okay then let’s get the show on the road. We need to fuel up the cargo plane and take a generator for the huffer. I think that is about all we have to do,” said James.

  ****

  James was piloting the cargo jet. They took off to the north and then flew southeast. The day was similar to two days ago: clear and cold. At the Albany Armory the fading sound of the jet was clearly heard. The fat leader said, “Hear that you meat heads. I told you there was a jet north of here. When it warms up we’ll head north to find their house. Someday they will come back and then we’ll be ready for them.”

  ****

  Dan said, “I’m surprised the dogs are so relaxed. I thought they would panic when we took off.”

  “Yes, me too. Zeke was so calm and look now he is asleep,” said Dana.

  Everybody was in the cabin; even the dogs. James had been surprised how quickly they had fueled up the plane loaded the Humvee and forklift. They brought enough food to last a week if needed. Now James leveled out at thirty thousand feet and set the autopilot.