They reached the road's dead end as Charlie had described it. Back several hundred yards they’d passed the trail Charlie described as going to the remote cabin.
Sam parked in the small turnaround and shut the engine down. He said, “I’ll ride to the cabin to see how the trail is and see if it’s still unoccupied. If it’s available, I’ll get a look at what shape it’s in. If it has already been claimed, we’ll have to go to plan ‘C’ for a place to settle.”
As they unloaded the Yamaha from the trailer, JR asked, “What’s plan C?”
Sam grinned. “Don’t know yet haven’t got that far. Think about it while I’m gone and see if you come up with something.” She shot him a stern kiss my ass look.
Brush and small saplings slowed his progress on the narrow, overgrown trail as he twisted and dodged the bike around them or powered through. After reaching the cabin he was sure the Kubota could traverse the trail if he cleared the scrub brush, saplings, and three large tree trunks laying across the trail. The primitive log cabin was deserted and looked abandoned. Inside it would require a lot of cleaning and some rather major repairs, especially to the roof. He had tools to do the repairs and would go back to Charlie’s place for lumber after unloading the camper from the truck. For an hour, he explored the immediate area around the cabin and down to a twenty foot wide rushing stream in a narrow valley. On a three by five notepad he wrote a to-do list.
Riding back to JR and Smokey, he made a mental list and rough schedule of things to do before they could settle into their new home. He grinned at the thought of his and JR’s home. He, JR, and home had a good ring to it. And Smokey.
At the truck Sam described the condition of the cabin to JR. He was more excited and animated than she’d seen him. “It’s bigger than I thought it might be, so I stepped it off. It’s approximately twenty-four by twenty-four feet square inside; about the size of a standard two-car garage. There’s a stone fireplace in the east wall for cooking and heat. But there’s something weird too; a small, thick insulated door about three feet high and two feet wide is cut into a north wall that opens to a log enclosure about three foot square with three thick wood shelves in it. Inside there are nine opening in the logs about one inch wide by three inches high, three in the back and three on each side. Outside, screen wire is nailed over the openings.”
JR looked at him quizzically. “What do you think that’s for?”
“I thought about it as I rode back. It could be to store meat in the winter. If it didn’t freeze it would still be as cold or colder than a refrigerator. I saw thermometers at Charlies; the next time we’re there I’ll grab three, one for the cold box, one for inside the cabin, and one for outdoors.”
“Okay, great Apache hunter, you’ll have to kill a deer, an elk, or maybe a moose to fill that.”
“You might get to shoot one, too, smartassed Comanche squaw. While there and traveling back and forth, I saw all kinds of game: white-tailed and mule deer, moose, several kinds of squirrels, and rabbits, and a small herd of buffaloes was down in the valley at a distance to the north.”
JR beamed. “Good, then we shouldn’t go hungry.”
He stopped as if in deep thought. ”Windows! There are two small windows, one each in the west and east walls.
“You’ll like where the cabin sets too. It faces south, and it’s on a knoll overlooking a shallow valley with a good sized stream running through it. I hiked down for a look and saw trout in it, so we’ll have fish to eat. Near the cabin there’s a cold freshwater stream within twenty feet that comes out of a mountain bluff rising at least a hundred feet behind it. It meanders down the knoll to join the larger stream.”
Sam quieted, turned toward the truck, then stopped and turned back. “Another thing, there’s an elevated platform about, maybe ten foot by twelve foot with a bar-b-que grill and lawn chairs setting on it. The grill is rusted out and the plastic straps on the chairs have rotted. I’m thinking of building a shed on it for general storage above the ground. The cabin isn’t about to hold everything from the camper and the trailer and leave room to move around. But first we’ll need to put plywood on the floor to cover the gaps in the rough sawn boards.
“Oh! And there’s a lot of work to be done. The cabin is dirty inside; it looks like the old man was a heavy smoker and not too clean, so it needs a heavy-duty scrubbing. Plus, the roof leaked and the flooring in one corner is buckled and twisted and needs replaced.”
At eleven, he and JR unloaded the Kubota and its small trailer. The trailer's bed was still loaded with cases of ammunition he’d bought initially from Mabry. After a cold lunch, he took the smaller, new chainsaw, a small can of gas, and a quart of bar oil and walked the trail to the cabin to widen it so the four-wheeler could get through.
J.R. and Smokey stayed with the truck to protect their gear. She and Sam had discussed training Smokey for his own good, so he didn’t attack zombies or thieving people and get injured or murdered. For two hours, she followed the regimen Sam laid out but saw little progress in his behavior. She started the Kubota and drove it to get used to the way it handled. Smokey sat regally on the seat next to her and occasionally barked and growled at wildlife only he perceived to be at the edge of the woods.
Nightfall was less than an hour off when Sam returned. Instead of coming back the way he left, he approached the clearing from the west on a game trail.
JR was expecting him; nightfall was approaching as Smokey stood attentively facing the edge of the turnaround softly barking several times. Sam slowly stepped out from the woods; he looked tired after cutting and dragging felled trees and saplings for over six hours. “You look beat,” she said as they met.
“I am—hot, dirty, and hungry too; but I feel good. Got the whole trail opened up. I’m sure the Kubota can make it to the cabin now. We’ll take that load of ammo there tomorrow and store it in a dry corner of the cabin.”
“What gives with coming out here instead of the way you left?”
“That game trail crosses the cabin trail and cuts off a bunch of walking. I’m guessing maybe a half mile or a little more.”
“I’m sure you’re hungry. The fire is ready to cook the pork steaks Charlie gave us, and I’ll put potatoes in the hot coals to bake. I figured you would be starved, so you get two steaks. While the food cooks, lets wash before we eat.”
They stripped to their underwear and washed using minimal water. J.R. washed and then dried Sam's back, then tossed the towel over her shoulder and continued to caress him. He took the hint to turn and embrace, and they shared their first lover’s kiss. She moved the food to the fire’s edge and put a lid on the cast iron skillet to deter Smokey before they retreated hurriedly to the camper. Smokey whined at being locked outside and then listened attentively to murmurs and cries of ecstasy coming from the camper. He crawled under the pickup, put his head on his paws, and pouted. Well after dark the lovebirds left the camper and had dinner by firelight and moonbeams. Smokey stayed close to JR and practically swallowed his piece of steak like a glutton. As soon as they ate and left the dishes to soak, the lovers disappeared back inside the camper till well after dawn the next morning. Smokey was again relegated to fend for himself outside.
At breakfast the following morning, Sam was attentive but pensive. With apprehension, he disclosed two issues he’d withheld since meeting JR. “Since I guess we’re now a couple, there are some things I need to tell you. Hidden in the trailer are two hundred 1/4 oz. gold coins I paid $60,000 for.”
“Damn, you did have a ton of money . . . quarter-ounce? I thought gold came in one ounce coins.”
“For investment they mainly do. But I learned online the smaller weight coins would be much better to barter with. You stand a better chance of getting a more equitable deal with the smaller size and don’t have to buy things you don’t want or need to get the full value of a larger coin. When I bought gold, the price was roughly twelve hundred dollars per ounce, so these were worth about three hundred each. It’s unknown
what value will be placed on gold now and in the future, but it’s thought to be the most valuable and stable bartering commodity. I waited to tell you until I was certain our relationship was solid, and I could trust you. Now that I know you better and we’re in a relationship, I feel comfortable with you.”
“Thank you. I understand why you waited. I also appreciate you thinking enough of me now to share it with me.” She hugged him and they kissed a short spell.
Sam leaned away. “There’s more. I also have ten thousand rounds of .22 caliber bullets; they are thought by survivalist to be the next most valuable commodity because they are used to shoot small game for food.
JR nodded as she thought intently.
He frowned as he took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. “Also, I wasn’t truthful when I said I hadn’t been involved in a serious relationship. I had a girlfriend for a year, and I was deeply and foolishly in love. We met at a party when she was home from Texas A&M. Her name was Ari, and I planned to marry her. Fortunately, I learned the relationship was one sided. Last year before Christmas, she left me and Oklahoma for New York City and a man she met four months previously. She was double timing me during that period and let me continue thinking we were solid until she had him roped and hogtied. She dumped me from New York over the phone. She said David, her fiancé, was the son of a wealthy business tycoon and had a highly successful career ahead of him in his father’s business. He was an only child and would one day become the CEO of the business. She didn’t even call to apologize; she simply wanted me to stop calling her. In other words, she had no confidence in me and was jumping ship for a more secure and glamorous future. Then I realized she was just a damned gold digger for sale at the highest price.” He wiped the moisture from his eyes before continuing. “It just didn’t feel right or important to discuss that part of my life with a stranger when we met.” His eyes were downcast toward the fire’s dying embers.
JR nodded as she laid her palm on his forearm and smirked. “I’m truly sorry you were hurt, but it’s just one more way in which we are so much alike. Remember the starting quarterback for the Wolverines? Jeremy Darr? I replaced him when his knee was busted. He was the captain of the football team and we dated for six months, thirteen days and nine hours. Not like I was counting or anything. He left late August after graduation for college at Michigan State. Like you, I was blinded by love and made the affair into more than it was. He was a smooth talker. No more than he’d left, I started getting calls from guys on the football team wanting to date me. I refused because Jeremy and I were a couple. I wouldn’t cheat on him. A few of the callers got abusive, and I hung up. Several weeks after he left, another team member I considered a good guy told me why the other guys were hitting on me. Asshole Jeremy spread the word that he was done with me and they could have me. He said I was an easy lay and would spread my legs for a few beers with an ‘I love you’ thrown in. I was hurt and thoroughly pissed.” JR grinned as she relived what was forthcoming.
“Two weeks later I got to show him how pissed I was. He was in town to visit his parents, and I ran into him Saturday night at a party. He’d had too much to drink and laughed when he admitted saying what I’d been told. He thought it was funny. I cussed him, then kneed him in the nuts. And it was a good, solid hit. When he doubled over in pain and fell to his knees, I slammed his face on the concrete patio and fractured his nose. Blood went everywhere, and several guys dragged me away kicking and screaming, so I couldn’t do more damage. A day later I heard he had two gorgeous black eyes and a bandage on his nose that covered a lot of his face.” She smirked, then laughed thinly. “His lawyer dad wanted to sue me for assault, but Jeremy the coward didn’t want the whole town to know he’d got his ass kicked by a girl. He left the following week, and I never saw him again. I’ve had time to get over him and did.” She chuckled. “On the other hand, I’d like to run into him as a zombie, so I could blast his brains out without guilt . . . keep that in mind if you decide to dump me.” She grinned mirthlessly. “I didn’t see a need to tell you my deep, dark secret either. But now we’re even. I don’t have any more secrets. The fact that I love you is out in the open and I’m happy and proud to say it: I love you. I love you. I love you Sam Boyle. You’re exactly the man I always hoped to marry.” They kissed and hugged lustfully as young lovers are prone to do before retreating back inside the camper.
Hours later their first real work of the day was to park and disconnect the trailer, then strip the camper of removable items to reduce the weight. Then it was raised several inches above the truck bed on 12 volt electric jack stands. As Sam watched for hang-ups, JR slowly inched the truck out from under the camper.
While the camper was being unloaded, Smokey created a ruckus a short distance away in the woods. After parking the truck, JR walked into the woods to investigate. Smokey was out of sight barking and growling at something on the ground. Fifty feet into the woods, he darted in and out from a four foot long Prairie Rattlesnake that hissed and struck at him. JR shot the snake and then had to forcefully drag Smokey back to the work area. She rewarded Smokey with a half-pound of hamburger. She told Sam about the snake, and he said, “I heard they’re good to eat. Do you want to skin it?” She answered by throwing a big rock at him.
He dodged and grinned. “I’ll take that as a firm no and won’t ever ask again.” He stopped laughing and then turned serious. “There’s an old saying about if you see one snake there’s always more. We’ll have to be on guard in the woods and watch for rattlers. I think those may be the only poisonous snakes this far north. At Charlie’s place we’ll look for emergency snakebite treatment kits. If he didn’t carry them, we’ll look in Kalispell.”
After lowering the camper near the ground onto short pieces of dead log, they reloaded the camper with minimal supplies and planned to continue sleeping there. Sam commented he hoped their wild love making didn’t tip the thing over.
JR smiled devilishly. “So do you want to confine me to the missionary position?
I thought not.”
Too early the next morning at the break of dawn, Smokey was agitated and barking incessantly outside the camper. Sam was still half asleep when he pulled his pants on to investigate. As the narrow aluminum door was opened enough to peek outside, he saw a single zombie in the clearing being chased by Smokey. He woke quickly and scurried back for his boots and handgun. Carefully he eased out from the camper in dim light. With one well aimed shot, he put the undead monstrosity down. Then while JR started a fire to cook breakfast, he dragged it with the dirt bike to a gully almost a mile away and used a dead limb to roll it off the dirt road’s edge into the deepest section of the gully.
The sun was well up when the truck pulled into Charlie’s for lumber, flooring, and cedar roof shingles to repair the cabin. After those they planned to search for four treated 6X6s to set the camper on permanently.
Sam walked back to the storage sheds to locate the treated six by six beams while JR backed the truck close to the pile. They were near the end of the shed and had loaded two of the eight foot long beams when a zombie appeared around the shed wall six feet from Sam. Sam was surprised by its rapid appearance and backed up hurriedly only to stumble in the loose gravel. Smokey attacked and clung to the zombie’s leg as it continued to advance while swiping its hand at the inconvenience. The zombie drug Smokey as it reached for Sam and brushed his shirt with its scabby, filthy fingers. JR had a six by six beam in her arms and stood frozen for a minute. Jumping into action she forcefully thrust the heavy beam into the zombie’s chest knocking it backward several feet. Then she slammed it again and it fell back against the shed wall. Sam recovered his footing, drew his pistol, and blasted the undead monster. It had been turned for a while because the body tissue had rotted and dried.
JR exclaimed, “Jesus Christ, that was close. We can’t relax for a minute without something happening. If it’s not zombies, it’s rattlesnakes, or horrible humans attacking us.” They continued to search out and loa
d the remaining lumber items on Sam’s list.
They finished loading lumber and disposed of the zombie carcass without incident before going inside the store.
Near the anchors and straps Sam found a choke chain hanging on the wall. He could use it to train Smokey. He feared if Smokey continued attacking zombies or humans he would be seriously injured or killed by either. Plus, he didn’t know if animals could become infected and turn into zombies. JR yelled when she found two emergency snakebite kits.
That afternoon they installed the four 6X6s under the 2500 pound camper and lowered it onto them. Ground anchors and straps stabilized the camper against wind or enthusiastic sex upsetting it. JR grinned and blushed every time Sam mentioned it; so he worked it into the conversation often as they worked.
Four hours of sunlight remained when they hauled tools, materials, and minimal supplies to the cabin. Items that could be damaged by weather were protected in black plastic garbage bags and stored in a dry corner inside the cabin.
Early the next morning, they started cleaning, roof repairs, plugging rodent holes, and other miscellaneous small tasks. A bed sat in the corner where the roof leaked, and the mattress was ruined by the water damage. Sam drug it outside and hauled it to the deep gully where the zombie was interred. Two homemade looking tall cabinets with shelves stood against the west wall. Several threadbare changes of outerwear plus socks and underwear were stored in one cabinet above a pair each of boots and much worn house slippers. The other cabinet held cast iron pots, pans, skillets, a Dutch oven, several plates and dishes, and miscellaneous flatware. At the bottom several large tin pans sat. They were larger than standard pie pans and shaped with shallow sloping sides. Sam guessed they were for panning gold in a stream. They saved everything in that cabinet and disposed of the other and its contents.
Running To Escape: A Sam & JR Zombie Thriller Page 13