Surviving Day By Day (Book 2): Fears, Flames, and Future

by Allensworth, Audra

  Heath looked over to see Beth join them outside, and that was when Beth held her head high, trying to hide the pain and the wish she had stayed outside.

  Alden shook his head as he walked back to the group. Heath turned and walked back up the steps and into the church. Coming back out he pulled the door closed and tied them shut with a cord he had found inside then joined the rest in the street.

  Seeing Heath come outside Tabitha ran up to him, “Well?”

  Heath just shook his head and spoke so low that no one else would hear him, “Let me just say this….It’s Biff all over again except this time it’s a hundred times worse.” Then he made his way back to the jeep.

  Beth came back to the Rover and walked right past Colt and got in the passenger side. Colt looked to Tabitha, then to Alden, “What’s up?”

  Alden walked to his truck, “No need to move slow anymore, there’s nothing waiting here to come out and get us.”

  With that he got in his truck. Ceara looked to Charlie, “What do you think was in there?”

  Charlie swallowed hard looking at the large cross on top of the church, “Not anything that we want to see.”

  Ceara followed Charlie’s eyes then looked to the church doors, “But why would Heath tie the doors closed?”

  Charlie climbed in the van, “Let’s get going and then we can talk, but I want out of here.”

  Ceara watched as Heath and Tabitha got in the jeep, Tabitha was still driving and Heath looked like he would be sick again. She walked around the van and climbed in just as Alden started moving out of the town.

  Colt drove for several minutes and the time seemed to be standing still, in his mind he was still standing in that street watching Beth run into the church. He wanted to ask just what they had found, but didn’t know if Beth was ready to tell him yet. Colt tightened his grip on the wheel, “Beth, was it….. well, as bad as Alden thought? Did they all commit suicide?”

  Looking out the window Beth heard what Colt had asked and right at that moment she just couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. The image of those sweet little girls wearing their little white dresses with their Mary Jane’s on just stuck in her mind. She could’ve lived the rest of her life without seeing that.

  Beth wasn’t going to cry because her eyes were hurting and the smell really caused her stomach to be upset. After a few moments of silence, Beth turned and looked at Colt, “Colt, I have seen so much shit in my life with where I worked, from third world countries and so forth BUT that back there was just a massive mausoleum if you will. That’s probably why Heath tied the doors shut in respect of those who died in there.” Colt looked straight ahead towards the road. She hadn’t answered his question of if it was a mass suicide; but he supposed that was a good enough answer and that he didn’t need any further explanation. Just as he was about to change the subject Beth started to speak softly, he looked over at her, she was looking straight ahead. “It wasn’t a suicide Colt…… not even close.”

  Alden came over the radio as Charlie turned on to a frontage road, “We will drive for another two hours then stop and eat, stretch our legs and do any other business. Dogs will need to run for a little bit. I will let you know when I am about to stop.”

  Radio went silent, then Heath was on there, “Sounds good Alden.”

  Beth came on next, “Hopefully food will sound good by then.”

  Ceara looked at the mike as if looking at Beth, she picked up the mike, “Just let us know when, Alden.” The radio was silent again and Ceara leaned her head back looking out the window. “So do you think that they were all really dead?”

  “Yeah I do, we didn’t hear any gun fire and Heath did lock those doors.”

  “Speaking of that, why would he do that?”

  Charlie looked out at the scenery, “I think he did that to make sure no other things got in.”

  Ceara got quiet; her mind wandered back to when she was a kid and went to church with her mom and dad. She could see the church, like it was yesterday, they went every Sunday and she loved it because she got to see her friends. Coming back to the present, back to the church they had just left, she wondered if there were kids in that church but didn’t ask. She was too scared of the answer.

  Colt let Beth relax, whatever she saw was more than she had been ready for. Her last statement kept running through his mind, ‘It wasn’t a suicide Colt…… not even close.’ What exactly did she mean? Alden had said something about Jim Jones but didn’t say anything when he came back. Did the whole congregation off themselves? What about the kids? Were they there too? All his thoughts of Jeff and how his short life ended, he decided he didn’t want to know what happened in the church.

  As they headed west, Alden was glad he picked the back highway. There were few cars along the route and most that had run out gas had done exactly what Charlie had back at the town; they had pulled over. With a few exceptions, most of the Wanderers were out walking in fields looking for livestock to feed on. They would turn towards the highway and mostly watch as the caravan rolled by. Some started towards them but would give up as they drove by doing about forty miles per hour. Within the hour of leaving the small town he read the sign that said; WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA.

  Heath reached down and picked up the walkie, “Alden, keep your eyes out, there’s a National Forest around here. We could check it out and stop there for lunch.” Alden looked at his watch and saw it was now 1:30 in the afternoon. Picking his walkie up he called back, “I just saw a sign that said Winding Stair Mountain. We’ll check it out; if it’s safe we’ll pull in there.”

  A few minutes later Alden saw the sign that pointed the way to the park. He followed the sign for the scenic drive and soon found a picnic area that had a wide open view and seemed to be safe. Pulling in Alden stopped and got out pointing to spots where he wanted everyone to park. As Heath and Tabitha got out of the jeep, Heath looked at him, “Why pick the parking spots?”

  Alden watched as Tonto headed for a tree, “I don’t want us bunched up if we have to get out quick, this way we all get to our vehicles and we can be gone in a minute.” He turned and headed for the bathroom, pistol drawn; moments later he called out from inside, “ALL CLEAR IN THIS ONE.”

  Ceara ran in hopping around… “GOOD, GET OUT, I GOT TO GO!!!”

  Alden laughed as he zipped up his pants and walked out leaving Ceara alone. A few minutes later she walked back out, Charlie had her part of a loaf of bread and a little bit of pig they had packed. “Thanks, I guess we will have bread for a few days before it starts molding then back to just meat for the stops, but hey, at least at night we will have veggies with the meat.”

  Charlie turned and watched as Beth and Tabitha were heading into the bathroom. Grabbing his shotgun he walked into the Ladies side. Soon they could hear him whistling happily. Heath and Colt followed his lead. Charlie smiled as he walked over and washed his hands and face then looked around, “Damn guys this place is nice.”

  Heath chuckled as he finished and began to wash up, “Yep better than a men’s room, it doesn’t smell like stale beer.”

  Colt laughed, “Yeah and the floor isn’t all stained with used beer either.”

  All three walked out and saw Beth and Tabitha standing there. Tabitha spoke up, “How in the hell do you guys stand the smell?”

  Colt laughed, “We don’t take as long as you guys.” All of them headed to a picnic table where Charlie and Ceara had started to lay out a small lunch for the group. Alden was already sitting, drinking coffee out of his thermos and going over his maps.

  Beth walked around stretching out her hamstrings because she had been having bad cramps ever since the church. Beth stretched from one side to the other then bending over and then standing back up her bones finally popped. It hurt at first but felt extremely great after the pain left.

  Beth really wasn’t hungry and the thought of food really made her stomach turn, but hopefully she would be hungry someday. After she was more relaxed, she walked over and noticed
some wild flowers that were blooming on the side of the building. The deep purple flowers spoke volumes to her. As she stood there the beauty of new growth immediately gave her a feeling of hope. “Somewhere there is hope”, she whispered to herself and just then she heard Colt laughing which caused her to immediately look over to where they were all standing. The answer was right in front of her and finally the truth had been revealed. THEY were hope! THEY were the chance and together maybe just maybe THEY would survive together and move forth. Brushing off her jeans she walked over and smiled softly at Colt. “I don’t think I have ever heard you laugh like that.”

  Alden was chewing on a sandwich that Ceara had handed him going over the maps. “Tonight we’ll camp at a small airport about 60 miles up the road near McAlester.”

  Charlie swallowed a bite and took a drink of water, “Why there? At the rate we’re going we could probably make another 100 miles or more.”

  Alden looked up from the map. “Two reasons. One, I like the idea of an airport for camping. We can pull out to the middle of the airfield and that way we have a wide open field of fire plus unless there’s thousands of them, we should be able to escape easily if we need to. Second, and even more important, we’re running low on ammo for the military weapons. Shotgun shells are easy to find but the rounds for the M-60 and the M-16’s not so much. So right here, Alden pointed to the map, is a military weapons plant. I say we check it out and see if anyone’s alive and if they would be willing to give some up.”

  Tabitha went over and fixed herself a quick sandwich along with one for Heath. When she was finished she walked over and handed him his and then started eating hers. But instead of just standing there, she made her way over to look at the map with Alden, “A military plant? Sounds pretty damn decent idea if you ask me. Maybe there’s an Army Surplus store in the area too that we could look at and see what they have too.”

  Tabitha smiled and then winked at Alden then continued, “That’s to say, if there is anyone alive…… and if they’re not, well than, we get a five finger discount.”

  Alden looked at her Tabitha, “With the way things are anymore I don’t think five finger discounts are an issue.” He winked at her, “but we need to remember we’re trying stay away from populated areas as much as possible.”

  Ceara swallowed a bite of bread and thought about going into an ammo plant, “So say we get there, and on the off chance there is any ammo still there. What I mean is, wouldn’t everyone within two hundred miles know about this place and head there?”

  Colt shook his head, “Nope, think of it like this, how many did you know that had guns like Alden does? Not many would even think about an army ammo plant for more than the standard issue stuff.”

  He turned to Alden, “My only issue is, say they did go there, well the ones there would or could have been turned. We may be walking into a horde.”

  Alden took a sip of coffee, “There’s always that chance no matter where we go, but we need to keep stocked up. Those plants are well guarded, so outsiders being in there probably won’t be an issue. The ones inside would probably not be there. Most had families, so when the shit hit the fan where would you run to?”

  Heath shook his head, “Exactly, hell, just look what my first reaction was. I left my post in the mountains, which probably would have been safe, and tried to get back home. I was lucky to make it as far as I did alone.”

  Charlie looked at the map, “So when we go in? Tomorrow morning? I guess it will be you and maybe two others?”

  Alden nodded, “Yea cupcake, I was thinking of Heath and one other. Maybe one of the girls so we keep the group sort of split even.”

  Ceara set her water on the table, “I’ll go, not sure how much I will help but I am pretty good with the knife you gave us.”

  Charlie gave her a look but didn’t say anything, but the thought of her being out of his sight didn’t sit well. Ceara noticed his face and knew that look, “Tabitha usually goes but I don’t see why she should always be the one put in danger.”

  Alden watched the looks in everyone’s eye. Looking at Tabitha, “You and Heath are a team in the jeep, so you stay back. Beth you’re the Doc, so yeah Cupcake,” turning to Ceara, “You’re up.”

  Beth looked over at Colt and then the rest. She kind of felt guilty not being able to be a part of helping scavenge for items that they may need. However, Alden was right, she was needed right there to help keep them all healthy, if they were going to stay alive. Beth said, “Well, I see your point Alden about me being kept here to take care of our group. I would like to help more outside of bandaging everyone up, but I will do what I can.”

  Then Beth looked over at Ceara, “There is one thing that you could keep your eye open for me if you can?” Ceara nodded her head and with that Beth continued, “You do whatever you have to with Alden and Heath but if for some reason you may see some medical supplies we could always use bandages and other stuff. Just like we did back at the drugstore; do you remember? Just simple stuff…. Nothing big, but if by chance you come across some things like that, bring some back.”

  Ceara walked with Charlie over to the van, speaking in a low voice “Where the hell am I going to find medical supplies in a factory?”

  Charlie laughed, “Honey, I think she means like first aid stations or hell with it being an ammo factory they may have a full out medical room for injuries.”

  Ceara thought for a minute, “Oh, well I didn’t think of that, I guess they would have to have something like that.”

  Ceara turned back to the others, “What time do we go?”

  Alden stood up and grabbed his thermos, “I say we get on the road, get to the airfield and set up camp. In the morning we go to the plant.” Walking to his truck he grabbed a couple of empty water bottles from inside and headed to the bathroom. “Refill any empties you have and let’s get going.”

  Minutes later they were all on the road again. The trees and telephone poles flew by as Alden looked out the side windows trying to get a glimpse of anything out of the ordinary. For a moment his mind wandered back to a time before the craziness. If it wasn’t for the Wanderers this would be just an enjoyable cross country trip. The sun was shining and there were some of the big white puffy clouds in the sky. The cool breeze blowing through the window and the only sound was that of the engine as he drove along. Tonto’s window was down and as with all dogs his head was outside catching all the smells of the world as they rushed by.

  Charlie was driving the van and kept looking out the driver’s side mirror. The passenger side was blocked as Maximus was stepping all over Ceara to get his chance at the fresh air. Charlie laughed as Ceara finally gave up the fight, “OKAY, You big goof, here, sit by the window.”

  Ceara slid over, sitting on a wooden box with a pillow that she had put between her and Charlie’s seat for Maximus. Charlie turned and smiled, taking her hand, “I was wondering how long it would take before he won.”

  Ceara squeezed his hand, “He didn’t win. I get to sit next to you now, which was my plan all along.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek then laid her head on his shoulder.

  Heath was driving looking at the billowy clouds, “I always loved those things.” He said pointing to the sky. Tabitha was looking out at the scenery and nodded. A few miles went by and he found himself just looking at the farm houses as they passed by, wondering if there were survivors. Thinking about how only just a few months ago, families would be sitting inside watching a ball game, or sitting on a porch in the afternoon just enjoying the day. Now the yards were overgrown by the un-mowed grass. Small flower gardens were choked out by weeds. He could see windows broken on some of the houses as the curtains flapped in and out. He wondered why he had never paid as much attention to detail, as he was right now.

  How he had taken for granted all the small things, life as they had all known it, was really not so bad, and the world was full of peaceful beauty. He was lost in his thoughts when he suddenly spotted Alden’s brake lights. Slam
ming on his brakes he hoped the one’s behind him were paying more attention.

  Tabitha was jolted out of her own dreamland, “WHAT THE HELL HEATH?”

  Heath grinned a little sheepishly, “He stopped,” pointing to Alden’s truck.

  Alden was looking at an old service road that led to the airport. Getting out he grabbed his binoculars and scanned the area. Ahead he could see a highway that was cluttered with cars. He tried to get a better view of the land but there were trees that blocked his sight. He turned and saw an old rusted sign that read ‘Road Closed use new Airport entrance’. Alden got into his truck and broke through the gate. The others followed until they reached the end of the old runway. In front of them ran a dry creek. Alden grabbed his pistol and got out. He signaled for the rest to pull up and join him.

  As they got out he looked at Colt, “You’re with me, let’s go check this out. The rest of you stay here and stay alert.” Alden snapped his fingers and both dogs ran to him. He then pointed and Tonto took off with Maximus following.

  The two men went down into the creek bed and up the other side, then broke through a small wooded area onto the south end of the new landing field. Alden pulled out a small set of wire cutters and cut a hole in the chain fence. Colt watched as the dogs were way out ahead of them. There were woods to their right, and to their left a school on the other side of the security fence. Colt could not see any cars in the parking lot on the south side of the school. Alden started to walk directly up the runway keeping to the center so that they would be out in the open and be able to see anything come at them. There were several small buildings to their left now which Alden figured were private hangers. He stopped and scanned the area with his binoculars and saw no movement of any kind. He looked at Colt, “Now we wait for the dogs.”

  Minutes later both dogs came trotting back down the runway. Alden reached down and petted them both as they sat down in front of him, “Good boys, both of you.” He looked to Colt, “They say it’s all clear, let’s go get the rest.”