by C. A. Henry
“This is something I’ve missed, living in the country. Grabbing take-out from any one of several places, I mean.”
“Are you really happy, living in the middle of nowhere? I kinda envy you sometimes, but then I think about all the things you gave up, and I wonder.”
“Things I gave up, like traffic jams, noise, and crowds, you mean?” Erin chuckled. “Yes, it’s a big change, but it’s worth it. Besides, when the zombie apocalypse comes, you’ll have somewhere to run to.”
“I know you mostly edit books about various worst-case scenarios, but do you really think that something horrible could happen?”
“‘Not ‘could’ happen. ‘Will’ happen. I have been reading and researching a lot lately, and I am convinced that Uncle Ernie was right. History is full of disasters, like wars, tsunamis, pandemics, earthquakes. Governments are overthrown and economies collapse fairly often, in the overall scheme of things. I don’t believe in zombies, to tell the truth, but haven’t you noticed the bad stuff that is going on? Terrorism, crime, unemployment, the stock market’s volatility, illegal immigrants, and racial division? It seems like we are teetering on the edge of a cliff, and it might not take much to push us over the brink. So few people are prepared for even a small crisis. Uncle Ernie tried for years to convince me to be prepared, but it took his death to make me take it seriously”
Jen considered that for a few moments, “I hadn’t thought much about it, I guess, until just recently. I hate to dwell on the negative, but just the hint of a little bad weather does cause panicky people to rush around buying bread and milk. A major event would empty store shelves in no time. And if trucks can’t deliver more merchandise, things could get dicey pretty quick. So what should we do?”
“If it gets bad, you grab Sarah and Valerie and get outta town. Make your way to the lodge. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going, either. You are the only one with family here in town, so if your folks and the Menaces will come, bring them, too.”
In the meantime, get ready, Buy lots of ammo for your gun. In fact, buy another gun, at least one. Get a good pack and load it with all you can carry. I’ll email you a list of things that any bug-out bag should have. We’ll try to get Sarah and Valerie to prepare bags, too, but Val will be hard to convince, especially if she gets serious about her new guy.”
You might try to find out all you can about him, and we’ll consider telling her to bring him, but for now, let’s keep it quiet around him.”
Jen gathered up the food wrappers and stuffed them into her paper bag. “This is a lot to take in, all this disaster stuff, but it’s something that I’ve been stewing about for a while. I think, from some of the things she has said, that Sarah is concerned about it, too. Valerie has her head in the sand too much to see what’s coming, but I see what you’re saying. Something is brewing that just feels ominous. Let’s not wait for you to email me that bug-out bag list. Let’s just go buy a bag and you can help me put something together.”
“Good idea. In fact, I tend to forget that Ernie’s book royalties are going into my bank account and just sitting there. Three BOBs, coming up, and I’m buying! We’ll start at BassPro, and pick up a few things at several different stores, so maybe nobody will start asking questions.”
***
That evening, they all met for Chinese take-out at Jen’s condo. Kicking back in the cramped living room, the four discussed how each had spent her day.
“School is almost out, and I am so looking forward to summer. This will be the first summer in years that I don’t have to spend running to conferences and workshops.” Sarah grinned. “I guess those budget cuts have a silver lining, after all.”
“Well, you deserve some time off,” Valerie responded. “Things never seem to slow down at the office. You’d think they would, now that tax season is over, but we’re in the middle of a nasty audit. That IRS agent is determined to find a reason to hammer our client. She just keeps after us, even though she has been over the whole return at least three times.”
“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to be a CPA. When do you take the test?” Jen asked.
“Last week of this month. I’m ready, I think.” Valerie ran a hand through her cropped hair. “I know people who will taking it for the third time, but I need to pass it in one try. I want my own office after years of working to make my boss rich.”
“I’m sure you’ll blow the top off that test.” Erin assured her. “I’ll be your first client when you hang that CPA sign out. With the inheritance, plus income from the books, my taxes aren’t so simple anymore.”
“And speaking of inheritance, Erin bought us all something today. I helped her shop and put things together. We are all now the proud owners of our very own BOBs.” Jen dragged out two backpacks, placing one in front of Valerie and other beside Sarah.
“Who’s Bob?” Valerie inquired.
“B, O, B. It stands for bug-out bag. Of course, if you are away from home and trying to get back, it could also be called a “get-home bag.” Erin plopped down in the middle of the floor, and pulled Jen’s bag over. “We filled these with items that will help you get to safety in an emergency, like riots, or a terrorist attack.”
“Well, surely that wouldn’t happen in Tulsa,” Valerie protested.
“Au contraire, dearie,” Jen corrected. “Tulsa has had riots. Just because something hasn’t happened in a long time doesn’t mean it will never happen again. And let’s not forget that there are oil refineries and storage tanks in town, and hydroelectric dams near the city. Those could easily become targets for terrorists. Plus, there’s a history of earthquakes around here dating back to the 1880s, and even more tremors recently. We have tornadoes and floods and blizzards, too.”
Erin leaned forward and spoke quietly. “Val, you may never need this bag. I hope you don’t, but it’s my money to waste. All you have to do is put it in the back of your car, or whatever car you are riding in. If you ever need it, the things that are in that bag could save your life. Humor me, please. I’ll feel better knowing you have it. And it isn’t just for end-of-the-world scenarios. People get stranded by car trouble, weather events, and earthquakes, all the time.”
“I think it’s a good idea, and I appreciate your doing this for us.” Sarah took a sip of her soda. “I’ve been reading one of your uncle’s survival books and I’m beginning to understand better that life can and will change suddenly. I want to be ready.”
“Oh, Sarah, I’m so glad you’re on board. Jen and I were discussing the economy today, and I want you all to know that if for any reason, you need to ‘git outta Dodge’, you are more than welcome at my place.”
Erin picked up the bag in front of her and dumped the contents on the carpet. “I’m going to go through this one with you. All three bags are the same, so you won’t have to empty yours. There’s a set of lightweight camo in each bag, to put on over your clothes in case you have to move through the countryside. Each of you should tuck a pair of jeans, a shirt, socks, and hiking boots into your vehicle, too. Professional clothes don’t do so well if you have to set out on foot.”
There’s a first aid kit for obvious reasons, and three days’ worth of emergency rations. There’s a big knife, some paracord, and three ways to start a fire, in case you need warmth. There’s a flashlight, too.”
Valerie’s expression made it clear that she still wasn’t convinced, but she remained silent about it. Sarah pointed at a small package with something shiny in it.
“What’s that silver thing?”
“That, ladies, is an emergency blanket. It will reflect your body heat, or you can use it to stay dry if it rains or there’s a heavy dew. And this,” she held up a similar, but slightly larger packet, “is a sleeping bag made from the same material. They’re so light, it won’t weigh you down to carry both.”
Erin completed her explanation of the rest of the items, and answered Sarah’s questions, but Valerie had nothing to say.
Chapter 5
Early May
Glancing up at the quarter moon perched above the oaks, Tanner settled back in his camp chair. Peace flowed through him as he breathed in the mingling scents of the forest and the smoke from the campfire.
His companion added a small log to the fire. An older man, he carried his age with dignity. Talako, whose name means ‘Gray Eagle’, grabbed a couple of bottles of beer out of a red cooler and handed one to his grandson.
“So you had a good trip? Did the seminars you presented go over well?”
Tanner took a long drink of his beer. “Yes, and there were thirty in attendance. From the comments when it was over, the officers felt that they got something worthwhile from it. We did a demonstration, too. There is something very satisfying about helping law enforcement officers.”
“You were gone for two weeks. How did the search go?”
“I found exactly what I was looking for in Florida, a female pup with fantastic bloodlines. She’s a beautiful little girl, and has already learned several simple commands. I am just glad I don’t have to go to Europe now. Something is telling me to stay close to home.”
“Speaking of home, Hashuk malli[1], when will you marry and give me great-grandchildren? You need to find your chunkash anli[2] and settle down.”
Tanner raised his face toward the stars. “Grandfather, I have already met her. She’s the one my soul loves. You’ll like her, I believe.”
“Who is she? Who are her people?”
Tanner smiled. “Her name is Erin Miller, niece of Tali isht holissochi[3]. She’s the reason Ernie moved to Tulsa for several years. She lives out at his lodge now. I admit, I’ve been interested in her for a long time. Ernie talked about her so much, I feel as if I’ve known her forever, and then when he got that new picture of her, all grown up and beautiful, well, I think I started to fall for her a long time ago. Now that I’ve met her in person, I just know it’s right.”
“Bring her to meet us. Your grandmother is an ohoyo[4]. She will want to see for herself if you’ve chosen well.”
“Soon, Grandfather. My heart is already hers, but I must make her heart mine. These things take time.”
***
Late the next afternoon, Erin arrived home from Tulsa, mentally tired and physically exhausted. It had rained almost the whole way to Kanichi Springs, causing the trip to take longer than usual. Tense from concentrating for so long, she was glad that the rain had finally stopped. She parked the Expedition in front of the lodge, got out, and breathed in the clean scent left behind by the recent rain. With her bag in hand, she started toward the door, but stopped abruptly. Several large shoeprints led around to the side of the house. She leaned down to examine them, noting that there were two different sets, both large, but with different tread patterns. Sliding her hand under her jacket, she drew her .45 and held it beside her leg as she straightened, her eyes quickly scanning the clearing. Nothing moved, and the birds sang in the forest, telling her that whoever had been there was gone.
***
Erin had lunch with Lydia the next day, and the subject of life in a small town and Erin’s isolated location at the lodge came up. They talked a bit about the prowlers who had snooped around Erin’s lodge.
“They couldn’t have been gone more than a few minutes before I drove in, because the rain would have washed the prints away. It only stopped raining about ten or fifteen minutes before I got home.”
“That’s scary, Erin. Do you want to come stay with me for a while? You know you’re welcome.”
“Thanks, but I have my guns. Do you think I should have called the sheriff?”
“You could have, but it would have been a waste of time. The deputy assigned to our area is worthless. On the other hand, he would probably at least file a report so there’d be a record of it. You know, you can’t stay awake all night. I hate the thought of your being alone out there.”
The discussion on the pros and cons of living so far out on a dirt road, led Erin to make a request of Lydia.
“I need to order several items online, but when companies use FedEx or UPS to deliver, the drivers can’t find me out there. It’s really the only major drawback to rural life. If I ordered some things, would you let me have them delivered to your shop? I could come pick them up, like we did when you ordered stuff for me before. Would it be an imposition? Some of the deliveries may be pretty big.”
“Of course you can. The delivery services all come to my shop frequently, anyway. I’d be happy to help, and I’ll just call you when you have a package.”
“That would be great. I really appreciate it, Lydia. Thanks.”
***
After lunch, Erin decided to stop by the church office to see if Kenneth and Terri Abbott were around. Terri sometimes helped out as a volunteer secretary when their four older children were in school. The youngest, Kristen, was only four, and often went with her mother to work at the church building, which was right next door to their home.
Terri saw Erin coming through the door, and with a big smile, the petite brunette hugged her. Terri’s brown eyes sparkled when she led Erin into Ken’s office. Ken stood and shook Erin’s hand, his white teeth gleaming through a well-groomed beard.
“Well, Erin, what brings you to town this fine day?” Ken inquired in his smooth baritone voice.
“I need some advice. It’s not a spiritual problem, though. I just got home from Tulsa yesterday, a while before dark, and found shoeprints in the mud around the house. At least two men evidently scoped the place out while I was away.”
Ken ran a hand through his thinning dark blond hair. “You should report it to the sheriff’s office. And be extra vigilant. Keep the doors and windows locked, too.”
“This makes me a bit anxious about you being out there by yourself,” Terri interjected. “Is there anyone who could come stay with you?”
“Not really. Not at this time, anyway. Maybe I need to get a dog. Do you know anyone who might have one for sale?”
Ken glanced at Terri, and grinned. “As a matter of fact, our friend Tanner raises and trains police dogs. He’s quite good, too. Several county sheriffs and police departments come to him to train both dogs and handlers, and he sells personal protection dogs, too. I don’t know if he has any available right now, but we can ask. And we can also pray for your safety.”
***
Tanner did indeed have a suitable dog. The young male German shepherd was one that Tanner had picked out to keep when the pup was only a few weeks old. The biggest of the litter, this dog was special. He was not only intelligent, he was also eager to learn. Tanner started training him early, and at almost a year old, the pup was way ahead of several older dogs. Not yet fully grown, he was a large, formidable dog already, and Tanner had no intention of selling him.
When Tanner found out that it was Erin who needed a dog, he told Ken that he had the perfect dog for her. He didn’t mention that Erin was the only one he would even consider as a new owner of his favorite pup.
***
“His name is Blitz. It means ‘lightning’ and it suits him. He’s both mentally and physically quick. You will need to spend some time here learning how to handle him, because he has learned some very specific commands, both verbal and using hand signals. I’ll also need to observe the two of you together to be sure he’s bonding well with you, and that he is willing to take commands from you as his new alpha.”
Erin laughed. “I edit books from home, so my time is flexible. When can we start?”
Chapter 6
Third Week of May
“Blitz, strike!” Erin commanded, watching with satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment as the shepherd lunged toward Ian McClure’s heavily padded legs, taking him to the ground. Ian, who owned a furniture store in McAlester, wore a bite-suit for his role as agitator. He was a childhood friend of Tanner’s and enjoyed helping occasionally.
Erin told Blitz to release and the dog immediately obeyed. “Good boy, good dog, Blitz!”
Next, Tanner had Erin run
Blitz through a series of commands using only hand signals. The pup had a laser-like focus on her and obeyed without hesitation. It was obvious that a close and loving connection was growing between Erin and her new protector.
Ian ran a hand through his wavy black hair and commented, “He’s doing well. He’s the smartest dog I’ve ever seen. He catches on quick, and so do you, Erin.”
“Thanks for helping out today. It’s nice of you to make yourself into a target for those sharp teeth,” Erin joked.
“You’re very welcome. Sorry to hurry off, but I need to get out of this hot suit and get to the store. We have a truck with a load of recliners coming in today. Tanner, catch you later, buddy. Erin, it’s been a pleasure.”
As Ian climbed into his pickup, Tanner turned to Erin and teased, “You kinda like sending this big boy to take down and tear up old Ian, don’t you?”
“I confess that it’s exciting to watch a magnificent animal work, doing what he has been trained to do. He’s sleek and strong. I’m glad he’s on my side”
Nodding, Tanner agreed. “That’s the main reason I do this. These dogs are destined to be heroes. Raising them from tiny, helpless pups and watching them become police dogs or personal protection dogs gives me a great sense of accomplishment”.
“You have a wonderful facility here. I like the way you have it set up. What’s in that building over there?”
“Half of that building is my living quarters. The other half is the office and a grooming facility for the dogs.” He cleared his throat. “Say, do you have plans for this afternoon?”
“Nothing important. Why?”
“I need to take Blitz’s litter-mate, Karma, to the sheriff over in Fort Smith, and wondered if you’d like to go with me. I’ll buy your lunch.”
“Sure, I’d like that. By the way, Karma is a great name for a police dog.”
“Yes. It’s a Hindu concept, and to paraphrase what I read about it, karma refers to the forces generated by one’s actions, which determine the nature of one’s existence after reincarnation. Most people think it just means ‘what goes around, comes around’, but that’s only partially right.”