Nate helped the Sheriff load the body in the back of the shooters old pickup. Nate had some questions he needed answers for.
“Sheriff, what’s going on out there? I haven’t gotten very much information.” Nate went on to describe where he came from and all that had transpired since he left Montana. The sheriff and Nate walked back up the road to retrieve Nate’s pack. When the sheriff found it, he went to pick it up and spoke.
“Damn son, you must have a strong back to have carried this thing this far.” He handed it to Nate. Nate easily tossed it over his shoulder as they headed back to the two vehicles.
“Well Nate, last any of us heard, most people aren’t going into work. Why would they? The banks have all closed; looting is the new business of the day. At nights it’s even crazier out there, especially in the bigger cities. Thank God most good people have guns. I do have a ham radio and pick up some radio stations that brave the conditions out there to make reports. All the airlines are closed; hospitals are packed. They are all working for free. Our beloved leaders in Washington are supposed to be working on a new currency. A new world coin, as it will be called. As for our money, unless you have silver or gold, you might as well wipe your ass with it.” The sheriff’s words were hard to hear. It was as bad as Nate thought, and in most cases, worse.
“So my trip back to Texas might take longer than I’m planning?” he said with a smile. The sheriff looked Nate over and spoke.
“You have made it this far. I suppose someone with your skills will do well even in this shit world we allowed to happen.” Nate laughed.
The deputy looked towards the setting sun.
“You need to come back to my house and stay tonight. You helped save my life, oh hell, you did save my life. I owe you, at least allow my wife to cook you some food and you can stay over.” Nate thought about the offer. A real meal would be nice.
“As long as you don’t think it’s a burden. I don’t mind sleeping under the stars.”
“Sorry, I can’t allow one of my deputies to sleep under the stars tonight” he replied.
Chapter 7
The New Arrival
The sheriff asked Nate if he wouldn’t mind driving the old truck and following him into town so they could get the body to the town coroner. The Sheriff and Nate took down the road and headed for Laramie, the town Nate had taken a train ride through earlier in the day.
Nate had explained to the Sheriff that he needed to be on the road early the next morning and into Colorado. The sheriff just smiled and said not to worry about that; he would make certain he got into Colorado. When they pulled into Laramie, people were walking about everywhere. Some of the buildings burned to the ground. A few local police could be seen, but they mostly stayed in the units.
Nate drove by the local Wal-Mart. The excitement of any thoughts of it being open faded. What remained was a burned out shell. There were only one of a handful of places to get food and those days were gone. This image would change forever ingrained in Nate’s mind. He wondered how many times this same thing has happened around the country. Slowly the Sheriff came to a stop outside an older looking office.
A woman came to the poorly light office door and opened it slowly. She stepped out wearing a holster with a small Glock on her hip.
“Sheriff, you ok, your car it’s all shot up?” she said walking around the car looking it over. Jenny Weaver was the County Coroner. She was an oddity. Beautiful brunette, tall, lanky build and the county referred to her as the Living dead girl, mostly because she played Robb Zombie music while she worked.
She had a pale white complexion that made people pause when they first meet her. Nate didn’t pause; he had seen this type before. Intellectual book worms engrossed in the human body beautiful but didn’t know it. They saw everything as scientific and loved life regardless. “A Happy Spirit” in Nate’s words.
“Oh, I’m fine thanks to this man.” He replied pointing at Nate who walked away from the truck towards the two.
“I’m Jenny Weaver, and you?” she said extending her warm hand. Nate half expected it to be cold as a corpse.
“Nate Michaels,” he said, shaking her hand.
Sheriff Purdon moved over to the rear of the old model Ford pickup. He lowered the tailgate and looked at the coroner.
“You have a new visitor. He is the one who made my car into a colander.” He said pointing down. Jenny walked over with Nate following behind.
“Oh, he has quite the hole in him. What did you use? Wait, don’t tell me, let me guess, a bazooka?” she said.
“Close, I had to use his 45-70. If it wasn’t for this young man, you might have me as a resident,” he remarked. She turned and studied Nate up and down. Nate spoke he could feel the questions coming, but she didn’t ask.
“It’s a long story. You need any help moving him?” Nate asked. The question broke her stare.
“Sure, let me go grab the gurney.” Nate stepped over to where the Sheriff stood. He was trying to get his cell phone to call out with no luck.
“I can’t get mine to work either; I managed a quick call though to my folks a day ago,” Nate said. The Sheriff looked up at him. He seemed to be worried about something.
“What is it, Sheriff?” Nate asked. The Sheriff turned and looked around as if looking for someone.
“Our son, he used to ride these streets when he was a kid. It’s been years since those times. He is in Boulder, Colorado now. He and his wife live there. We have tried since the collapse to get a hold of them. I’m sure they are ok, though. He is much like you are, former military, loves the mountains, lives off the land.” he replied.
A metal clanging noise was heard from behind. Jenny pushed the big stainless steel gurney through double doors that normally were electric powered. It seemed there was rolling brown outs everywhere, Nate had observed.
“Let me help you,” Nate said taking the other end of the table.
Within minutes, they had managed the new arrival onto the table.
Jenny covered the guy with a tight plastic sheet.
“You have a name on this guy?” she asked the sheriff. The sheriff removed a folded piece out of his front pocket.
“Just this, until we can get power and our computer back up,” he answered, handing her what ID he had. “Just keep him on ice for now.” She nodded, and Nate helped her get the body into the dark unlit building.
“So what’s your story, you said it was long?” she said, walking slowly down the slippery dark halls. She turned a corner and opened a large freezer-style door. The air came rushing out with a smell to it.
“I happened on the incident, and just tried to help out the Sheriff. Seems like a nice guy, besides that I couldn’t just watch this asshole kill him.” Nate said, doing his part in the cold room. The room was stacked high with bodies.
“Is this normal for your county?” he said looking around the room. She smiled just a little.
“No, but since the crash, it’s normal. With sporadic power, people with high attention medical needs have been dying off. The others are victims of crimes and some are just heart attacks from the stress of it all.” she explained.
“I see. I’m afraid it’s just going to become worse. I witnessed a few things between Montana and here. The news isn’t good” Nate commented. She stepped out of the freezer followed by Nate. She closed the door and latched it closed.
They both headed back down the hall to the waiting sheriff outside.
Outside, they found the Sheriff with another deputy standing next to him. His car wasn’t seen. Nate figured he came on foot.
“Nate, this is Deputy Cartwright. I told him what happened.” The deputy stuck out his hand and shook it hard. The coroner looked at Nate.
“So what did you do, everyone knows but me!”
“We can all discuss that over Barbs Chili, let’s head to my house.” Sheriff Purdon replied
Nate rode in the front passenger seat while Deputy Cartwright drove. The sheriff needed a br
eak and sat with the coroner in the back seat. The sheriff was busy telling the story of how it all went down. Nate didn’t like this much attention. He was always the silent type doing what was needed for God and country. He was becoming embarrassed when finally they pulled up to the Sheriff's quaint little home. Nate was glad to be sleeping tonight in a regular bed. He wondered though about the others. He just figured since he did see a few vehicles already in the long driveway that they had ridden back into town.
Nate introduced himself at the door to the Sheriff's wife who looked very relieved to see her husband. Nate would learn later she hadn’t seen or heard from him in over a day. Nate asked the Sheriff how he knew tonight his wife was making chili if he hadn’t been home in that time.
“Tonight is always chili night.” he replied.
The Chili was outstanding. It would rival Nate’s mothers. He had a few good size bowls before calling it quits. The Sheriff's wife was a great lady, very polite and thankful after finding out the details that brought her husband home. They were all gathered in the family room. A few hurricane lanterns with LED lights gave the room a soft glow, but the fireplace made everyone sleepy. Deputy Cartwright was going to head to his place, but the coroner would be staying overnight with the Purdon’s. Her apartment was set on fire shortly after the collapse occurred. She managed to get some of her belongings out but lost just about everything. She had been sleeping at her office, but it was starting to become very smelly. The rolling brownouts had become blackouts.
After about thirty minutes it was just Nate, Jenny, and the Sheriff sitting around the fire. The room was covered in pictures of the Sheriff's son, his wife, and grandkids. Nate had taken a look at them earlier. He looked like someone Nate could have been friends with especially since he served in Iraq and was Recon Marines. He knew a few of those types; they were so crazy but tough as nails soldiers. He was certain his son would be fine in Boulder.
“So Nate, how far do you think you will make it daily?” Jenny asked. She was sitting pretty close. The sofa he was sitting on was extremely comfy, and it sank. Between his weight and hers she was leaning into him just a little.
“I’m hoping to do between 30-50 miles a day.” He replied trying to use his right arm to pull himself away from her ever increasing advances in his private space.
“Wow, you must be in shape to do that plus carry the bag you have.” The Sheriff could see what was happening. He could also see from his point of view that Nate was uncomfortable.
“Nate, come over here. I need to show you something.” Nate nearly jumped up from his seat and went over to a small wooden cabinet that Wyatt was looking into.
“Know what this is?” he asked Nate. Nate stood staring into a very old box lined with green felt. Inside was a large, long barreled revolver.
“Wow, I know most guns, but I’m not familiar with this, Sir” he replied, not sure if he could pick it up.
“Well, it’s a Magnum Research BFR in 45/70.” Nate’s eyes must have widened substantially. The sheriff laughed at the sight.
“Nice gun, bet it has one heck of a kick,” Nate said, asking if he could pick it up out of the box it was in. The box was cedar and reminded Nate of the cedar furniture his grandparents had when he was a kid.
“You certainly can, since its yours.” the sheriff said. Nate looked up to see Wyatt smiling.
“Oh no sir, I couldn’t do that…” He was cut off by the sheriff.
“It’s an order, Deputy Michaels” he replied, laughing some. The sheriff was now more serious in his voice.
“I want you to have it; it’s just one of the ways I feel I need to help pay you back for sticking your neck out for me. You did not have to get involved like you did; you could have kept walking the other way like most do.” Nate was speechless. He did love the gun but only did what he knew was right.
“I do appreciate this sir; I do, was just doing what I was brought up to do and learned in the military,” Nate replied.
“You will need this extra firepower, son. You already have the rounds for it. Listen, I was on the ham radio with some friends in Colorado. Things are getting bad there in Fort Collins and Denver. Also in Boulder, I’m afraid, but knowing my son, he is already in the mountains at their bug out retreat. No city dwellers gonna find that place.” he said laughing.
“I’m sure you are right. Well, that’s not good news, but I didn’t plan to just walk down the interstates. I have tried to stay off the beaten path as much as possible. That’s why I came across you.” Nate explained.
“Well son, I would like to help with a little transportation if you don’t mind. Deputy Cartwright is a pilot, a damn good one. On the side, he does a lot of stuff for organ donation and local charities in need of his plane. He has agreed to fly you into Colorado. A place off the beaten path to help the best way we can. He can get you as far as Crystal Lakes; they have a small airfield there. From there you could take many smaller roads south. It would keep you safer than being too close to the main arteries.” The sheriff sat down on the arm of the sofa after finishing his statement.
“I wish I could get you all the way home. Fuel is scarce, but he insisted that he has enough for the 18-mile flight and back. We can replenish any rations you might need, and I have tons of ammo to help. You might need some warmer jackets unless you got some in that big ass pack of yours?”
Nate laughed. He was in luck with this amount of help. The mileage and time saved by not walking to Fort Collins like he was going to do saved him from many things.
“I can’t thank you enough, sir. “ Nate said extending his hand. The Sheriff took it and gave him something else in the other hand.
“Son, you take this, along with this paper. It may help someday.” the Sheriff handed Nate a silver badge. The paper was an official looking document with his name and a certification stamp embossed in the letter at the bottom.
“You are officially a Deputy of Laramie County Sheriff’s Department. You have already been sworn in. We think things might be easier for you along your trip if you have this with you. Many officers out there are taking a beating and are becoming trigger happy at the sight of people walking around with a rifle. Hopefully, it will be a get out of jail card for you.” He stated.
Nate listened to his words. He was in shock actually; never in a million years would he have ever thought anyone would think of him and his safety this much.
“I will wear it with pride. Thank you. Thank you very much, but I’m sure you will understand if I wear it under my jacket. I don’t want to become a target either.” Nate said smiling.
“That is wise, son. I don’t envy your journey, but we will all pray for you,” he said. Jenny just sat and listened to the entire conversation. She was smiling but seemed to have a tear in her eye.
“Dad, that was the nicest thing you have ever said to anyone,” Jenny said.
“Dad” Nate looked at the sheriff inquisitively, different last name, she must have been married at one time.
“I don’t claim her, she’s a brat,” the sheriff said laughing a bit. Nate then looked back to the wall to see the young girl standing next to the Sheriff's son. That was Jenny, now he could see it. Her hair was very dark now, blond when younger.
Nate just laughed. Guess that explained why she was staying over.
Chapter 8
Fly Over Country
Day 8
The night brought much-needed sleep for Nate. His bed was beyond what he could ever hope to find in any hotel. He had a guest bedroom with a king size bed. The morning also brought with it the strong, unmistakable smell of black coffee, maybe even brewed in a percolator. He got up using the small bathroom next to his bedroom. Mrs. Purdon had placed an unopened toothbrush with toothpaste on the sink for him with a note to take it with him. He earlier found out she was a retired dentist. He showered and dressed. Now he was certain he could smell bacon. Fortune was shining on him if these folks were cooking bacon like Gene and Mattie did. Those two ate bacon like ot
hers breathed fresh air. He ran his fingers through his slightly graying head of hair. He ignored the grays, nothing he could do about it anyway. He was still young he told himself, all the time.
Nate walked down the hall until he came to the small kitchen. At the table sat Wyatt and Deputy Cartwright, both sipping on black coffee. Mrs. Purdon was flipping several slabs of thick-cut bacon.
“Good morning Nate,” the Sherriff said. The deputy said the same. Nate extended his hand to them both and Nate took the time to express his gratitude to the Deputy for the use of his plane.
“Nate, would you care for coffee?” she said, moving to the old cedar cabinet to retrieve a large coffee mug. Nate could nearly taste it already.
“Yes ma’am, thank you” Nate replied. He could feel the heat of the oven door as he walked by. The smell was very familiar, biscuits.
“Have a seat, Nate, breakfast will be done shortly.” Nate did as he said, she was a little younger than his mother, but still and she reminded Nate of his mom, especially the cooking. If this food tasted as good as it smelled, my lord, he thought to himself.
“Good morning y’all,” Jenny said looking like she just left the beauty salon. She didn’t look the least bit out of order as far as her hair or makeup. Nate figured she got up pretty earlier to make herself up so fine. He liked her; she was a character that was certain.
“Nate, I have a small map that might help you when we get to Crystal Lake. When we arrive, it will be a fast drop. I will unload you fast and take off. As far as we know, it’s safe there right now. Most of the tourists already left. It’s the unknowns we are concerned about.” Deputy Cartwright explained. Nate looked over his map and agreed it was a logical path to follow.
“Your map is very good; your points on here with the elevations are very detailed, were you in the service?” Nate asked. He smiled at Nate.
“No, but I have been trained by many who were.” he replied.
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