Wade Marshall
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Wade and Ben were up with the sun the next morning. After getting everyone fed and squared away, Wade, Ben, Jerry, Jessie, Kelly, Kim, Derek, and Billy Haynes gathered in the room Ben used for his office. It was very important to decide on how to proceed to ensure the survivors would be prepared for as many eventualities as possible.
"Folks, from what Derek has told me and what I personally witnessed yesterday, we need to come up with a game plan for how we are going to survive. Judging from the sheer number of dead we encountered yesterday in Winchester, I can only imagine what large cities are like. We need to make plans to guarantee we can survive the worst-case scenarios."
"You’re right, Wade. We may start losing resources within days. We have no way of knowing how long power, water, cell service, or internet will last," Derek chimed in.
"I am sure there are lots of survivors out there, and I think it would be wise to gather as many together as possible. Now, that being said, there are problems that come with that as well. We don't necessarily know what kind of people we are bringing into our group, so we need plans for keeping weapons and supplies secure. This type of catastrophe will bring out the worst in some people, while bringing out the best in others," Wade said.
"We are going to have to insist everyone do their share as well. In order to finish the tasks we need to get done, it will take everyone working together," Ben said.
"The kids will need to be kept occupied. I was thinking we could get some of the older ones researching on the net while we have it, to gather as much documentation as possible on survival tips, carpentry, first-aid and medical journals … whatever might come in handy in the future," Kelly added.
Jerry spoke up. "We should also check the surrounding property to figure out where our weaknesses are and how to improve our defenses."
"How are we set on medical supplies?" Billy asked.
"I have stockpiled some basic first-aid kits, but we are going to need medication and equipment for more serious injuries," Ben answered.
"Those are going to be tricky to acquire. Hospitals will likely be overrun with infected. We can probably find a good deal of what we need from smaller doctors’ offices and maybe ambulances," Billy suggested.
"Another priority will be fuel. We are going to need a lot of propane to sustain this farm, especially when our numbers swell. We are going to need to find a stockpile and keep it secure for future use. Maybe we can have the older kids research ways to keep propane viable over the long term," Wade said.
"I know Uncle Ben has a lot of food stashed, but the more people we add the harder it will be to feed everyone," Jessie mused.
"Okay, obviously we have lots to accomplish. If there aren't any objections, here is my plan. Ben, you will be in charge of organizing work groups for whatever needs accomplished here at the farm. Find out who can do what and get everyone doing something to help improve our surroundings. Derek, you and your guys will of course oversee the policing and security issues.
“Kelly, can you keep the kids organized and get the older ones working on your research ideas? Jerry, logistics is your thing, so you can organize and maintain supplies and compile a working list of must-have items. Doc, if you can come up with a list of medical supplies and things you need to be as medically capable as possible, get it to me and we will make it a priority. If there are any herbal or home remedy supplies we can use in place of specific medication, include those too.
“Kim, if you could talk to everyone and find out if there are any pre-existing conditions we need to know about like diabetes, asthma, or other types of illnesses that require special meds. Jessie and I will organize groups to go gather supplies and check for survivors," Wade rattled off.
Everyone around the table nodded their approval. With a solid start on things, Wade suggested they get started by gathering everyone together and laying out the basics of their plan. Just as they walked out of the house, a group of vehicles drove up the road. Wade recognized Tommy Jackson’s pickup leading the procession. He met Tommy and Olivia as they climbed out.
"Tommy, Olivia, I’m glad you got here safely. I was worried about you," Wade said, firmly gripping his high school buddy's hand.
"We ended up staying at Liv's parents’ so some of the family could meet up and follow us here. I also brought along a few of our neighbors. I hope that's okay, Wade."
"Of course, Tommy, everyone is welcome. I feel much safer the more folks we have."
After greeting the twenty-three people who came along with Tommy, Wade asked them all to gather outside the house. Once everyone was present and introductions had been made, Wade spoke up to get their attention.
"Folks, if I could have your attention for just a few minutes. I want to say I am glad you are all here and safe. I know each of you have seen some horrible things and probably wonder what is going to happen from here on out. I know I am. The more people we bring together for the common good the stronger we will be.
“We must be prepared for whatever gets thrown our way. Worst case, we can expect things to stop working within a matter of days. Best case, we will have power and cell service for a couple of months. Eventually, these things will fail, though. We have to do all we can to prepare for the worst.
“I want you all to know you are welcome here and I want us to work together to keep everyone safe. That being said, there is much to be done to ensure our security. I expect everyone to help out where they can. Remember, everything you do to improve this farm benefits you and everyone around you. Please let Jerry, Ben, Kelly, Kim, Jessie, Derek, or myself know and we will give you all the work you can handle," Wade said with a laugh.
"Many of you know who I am, but for those of you who don't, my name is Wade Marshall. The farm belongs to my Uncle Ben Marshall." Wade pointed to Ben sitting on the porch stairs.
“You are all welcome here as long as you like. If you have family or friends you can contact, feel free to invite them to come here and join us. We will be much more capable of riding this mess out with a solid group of people. My father always said, ‘Many hands make light work.’
"We spoke at some length this morning about our plans moving forwards. Our best move is to plan for the worst-case scenario, and that means we are on our own. If the military can't control the dead, which to be honest is very unlikely due to the sheer numbers and how quickly this disease or virus has spread, we have to be ready to live and survive in the world as it is today.
“Everyone will have to do their part. I don't want to turn anyone away, but if you don't want to help in maintaining our home and keeping each other safe, you are a liability for the group. I am not promising you an easy time. There is going to be a lot of work to fortify the farm and to ensure we have food and supplies to keep us all fed and healthy.
“If there is something you don’t know how to do but want to learn let us know. It is better to learn as much as possible to ensure we are capable to address any issue. Lucky for us, we have some folks here now who know a lot about building and farming, so wherever you can help would be great.
“We will also be organizing groups to go out and collect the supplies we need. This is dangerous, and nobody will be forced if you don’t feel comfortable with it. Derek and the men under his command will be our police force and are in charge of security here at the farm. If you want to learn to defend yourselves better, they will be working with folks on weapons training. Don't be afraid to speak up if you have ideas or input, this is not a dictatorship. I will listen to you. Everyone here has a voice when it comes to our future plans," Wade said.
The group applauded and some walked up and clapped Wade on the shoulder. Others came up for a handshake or hug and thanked him for letting them come to the farm. Wade took time to talk to anyone who wanted to speak to him.
After the group had disbursed, Wade was happy to see people flocking towards Ben and Kim, signing up to be put to work. He looked up as Derek walked over.
/> "Well done, Wade."
"Nothing special to it, Derek. Just wanted to let everyone know what the plan is moving ahead," Wade said.
"Didn't you notice how those people looked at you? You are their savior as far as they are concerned. You are so like your brother. People just like and trust you immediately. That is a rare gift, Wade. All the best leaders have it, and you, my friend, have it in spades," Derek said, smiling.
CHAPTER TEN
Men at Work
People can accomplish great things when they work together for a common cause. I was amazed at how much the farm transformed in the first five days of the outbreak. Everyone on the farm worked from daylight to dark, without complaint or question. Things needed doing and everyone did their part to get the work done. For now, just about everyone here is either family or close friends. I hope we can continue this atmosphere as more people are brought into the safety of our stronghold against the dead. Selflessness is a truly redeeming quality of the human race. Granted, not all people possess this trait, but I find more people than not have the capacity to help their fellow man when the chips are down. It only takes a small act by many to equal a remarkable good for the world as a whole.
Wade Marshall
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Over the last five days, the farm had become a maelstrom of activity. Every single survivor jumped in with vigor to do all they could to fortify their new home. Wade was amazed at how much had been done in such a short time. Every man, woman, and child were quick to help any way they could.
Ben had led a group of men with chainsaws onto the ridge to the east and felled trees to build a barrier about ten feet high and twenty yards deep all along the ridge behind the farm. The trees were dropped to cross and overlap one another to prevent the dead from sneaking in from the rear of the property. Living people could still make it past the obstruction with some difficulty, but the uncoordinated corpses would find the obstacle impenetrable.
The northern side of the property was where the chicken coops, pig pens, milking barn, and pastures were located. The Shenandoah River ran the entire length of the property to form another buffer to protect the farm. The bulk of the river was deep and fast moving along the farm, but as a precaution Ben put up a sturdy fence along the riverbank about 600 yards from the pasture to the west and one at 300 yards east of the milking barn where the depth became shallower.
The western side of the property where the dirt road to the farm led out to Route 7 was wide-open space. This was also the most likely area where the dead would find their way onto the property. Ben put several men to work using backhoes to dig a trench about 300 yards out from the road, between the farm and Route 7. The trench stretched all the way along the northern edge of the property. It was six feet deep and about eight feet in width. Others had fashioned a makeshift bridge for the gap that would allow vehicles to cross the pit. Using steel posts buried deep in the ground, a section of steel plating was attached to allow it to be raised and lowered as needed.
Plans were in the works to create a tree barrier on the heavily wooded southern side of the farm similar to the one they created on the eastern approach. The security of the farm had improved tremendously in just a few short days. The building materials had dwindled quickly, and there was still a lot to do to shore up defenses. They needed more of just about everything with people trickling in daily.
Tommy had begun constructing bunk houses. They weren't going to be the Ritz-Carlton, but they would keep people out of the elements and above ground. He had two structures well under way and each would house about 100 people. They were going to need bedding supplies to fill the space.
Kelly put the kids to work calling friends and family of everyone, which resulted in a slow influx of people seeking shelter daily. There were 107 souls on the farm now, and even with Ben's ample dwelling space things were cramped. People could make do sleeping in tents outside for now, but soon the temperature would begin to drop. Winter in the Shenandoah Valley could be harsh. Sleeping outside wouldn’t be an option.
Wade and Jessie walked to Ben's old flatbed and began loading in some water and extra ammo pouches. Derek stood a few yards away and was talking on his phone. He ended his call and walked over to join them.
“Everything okay, Derek,” Wade asked his friend.
“I just got off the phone with Marsha. They left Wilsons Landing, SC. four days ago and are just now getting to Fayetteville, NC. My brother Richard is keeping them on the back roads so they can find suitable places to shelter for the night. Still, it’s slow going. Their group numbers 156 souls,” Derek said.
“It may take them longer to get here sticking to secondary roads, but if they’re careful it’s probably for the best. There will be far more of the dead on the main interstates.”
"Where are you two off to?" Derek asked.
"We are going to need lumber soon. I thought we would make a run up to Landry's Mill and see if we could barter for some lumber and check in on them," Wade said, pointing to the mountain behind the farm.
"Wait one." Derek turned to his guys.
"Taco, Z-Dog, mount up. You’re going to chauffeur our friends here on a supply run," Derek barked out.
Within minutes, the GMV pulled up and Z-Dog told Wade he would follow. With a quick nod to Derek, Wade and Jessie jumped into the flatbed and held their breath as the cantankerous old beast cranked and cranked before the engine stubbornly roared to life. Hauling hard on the old manual steering wheel, Wade wheeled around the relic and headed out of the driveway, passing the sentries who were on duty at the trench.
Wade turned east on Route 7 and started up the mountain towards Landry's Mill. As soon as he crossed over the westbound lanes for the entrance of the mill, Wade saw a scene that sent a chill through his blood. The yard beside the house looked to have been set up for a large party with pop-up tents, picnic tables, and a roasting spit. Dead were everywhere, aimlessly wandering around the yard and the mill. Wade caught movement inside the house through the big bay window of the Landrys’ kitchen as well.
Wade looked to Jessie and saw the same disappointment mirrored on his face. They had been too late. He should have come sooner. Many of the dead moved their way as the engine noise from the old flatbed and the powerful GMV caught their attention. Z-Dog drove around the flatbed and turned broadside in front of the truck and then Taco began letting off lethal bursts from the Ma Deuce. Z-Dog jumped out and opened up with his weapon. Wade looked at Jessie, and with a nod they both climbed down from the truck and added their fire to the growing cacophony of gunfire. In short order, there were no dead still on their feet. Wade motioned to Taco.
“We need to check inside, see if anyone is still alive. Z-Dog, finish off any wigglers and hold perimeter while we check the house,” Taco said, jumping from the GMV.
With that, Taco, Wade, and Jessie started to the back door. Wade was about to grab the handle when Taco grabbed his wrist and shook his head.
"Strap those AR's on your back and take out your side arms. They are much better for tight spaces. I’ll go first. Wade, you have right, and Jessie, you have left. We clear everything as we go," Taco rattled off, allowing no room for arguments. He grabbed the handle of the door and pushed it open. Wade and Jessie, standing to the right and left of the door respectively, heard two shots ring out as soon as Taco stepped inside. They turned and followed behind, tense and ready. As Wade stepped over the two bodies in the short hall, he noticed each had a shot between the eyes. It reminded him of how lucky they were to have Derek's team.
Making their way up the hall, they were nearing the kitchen on the left and the living room on the right. Jessie broke left and Wade right as Taco continued forwards a few steps before stopping to hold position. Jessie took down two of the dead in the kitchen while Wade dispatched one in the living room. Dejected, Wade made his way out of the house after they had cleared it out, killing five more infected. They found no trace of survivors. They walked back to the GMV and shook their heads a
t Z-Dog.
"Wade!" The cry came from the barn next to the mill.
Taco and Z-Dog dropped their weapons from the ready position as a man poked his head around the door of the barn. Wade recognized Justin Landry as he stepped out of the barn, looking haggard and holding a pitchfork so tightly his knuckles were white. Wade walked over and grabbed Justin in a bear hug. He had spent many a day with this man in his youth, paddling his canoe up and down the river, fishing the day away.
"When we didn't find anyone in the house, I feared the worst, Justin," Wade said, releasing his old friend.
"We were celebrating Uncle Clyde and Aunt Bettie's 60th anniversary. We had most of the family here. June was feeling poorly and went in to lie down. Next thing I know, I hear screaming coming from the house. I ran upstairs and ... Jesus, Wade, June had attacked one of our nephews. She was ... ripping his throat out with her teeth.
“Jake went in and pulled her off poor Lenny and she spun around and took a chunk out of his forearm. She was like a wild animal. I tackled her to the floor. She was trying to bite me the whole time. My sweet June didn't even recognize me. Jake yelled out and ran past me.
“Lenny had gotten up, Wade. He had no throat left, but he was up and snarling just like June. Jake gave him a kick in the chest and sent him out into the hall. We were looking for something to tie June up with when we heard Jake's wife Laurie scream. Jake ran out into the hall and Lenny had latched onto Laurie's leg.
Dead in the Valley Page 6