by C C Roth
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We did target practice every other day for a week and we also had to learn to hunt and dress a kill. That part was disgusting, and I really could have done without it. I mean seriously, when was I ever going to do that? The killing thing didn’t bother me, and the blood and guts were kind of like Bio lab, but the smell was awful. Death has a smell and it’s not lemon-fresh. But Dad explained that like the gun training it wasn’t optional either. He wanted us to be prepared for anything. Supplementing our food storage was important since we had used a solid portion of it already to get through the last of winter. We all worked hard for a solid week to get our garden prepped and started. Dad said it would feed all of us through next winter if we did it right. The last frost hadn’t happened yet so we still had time. We had sectioned off a relatively large area and were trying to build an enclosure around it, to keep out the bigger animals. But unfortunately fence building wasn’t really a skill any of us possessed and it was slow going.
Dad just kept staring at his make-shift fence and shaking his head, “If we only had some chicken wire. That would be perfect.”
His fear was that we would waste our time planting, and everything would end up feeding the local wildlife instead of us. It wasn’t as if one of us was going to sleep outside and stand guard. The fence was a must and we were going to have to get materials from somewhere, maybe some fertilizer and bug killer too.
We were also desperate for information beyond what the radio was telling us. We didn’t know what things were like now outside of our property but based off of the reports it wasn’t good. There were pockets of protected areas where people had come together or joined what was left of local law enforcement, but mostly people were kind of on their own. We needed to see how they were surviving or at least that’s what Mom kept saying. She didn’t want to leave us behind but she really didn’t want to take us either, so some pretty heavy debates followed over the course of a few days. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we had talked in circles a few times until finally we all agreed that a trip into civilization would have to happen soon and that we would be safer together.
We left on a Wednesday morning. It was still chilly and our breaths puffed out in front of us as we made our way to the car. We locked up the cabin and made sure to pull fallen branches and ground cover back in front of the driveway opening when we left. The goal was simple. Get supplies and information. If the information is bad, get enough supplies to last another year in hiding. Mom and Dad were nervous, mostly for Mike and me, I think. They kept giving me creepy, uncomfortable smiles that were anything but reassuring. They had wanted us to stay behind but there was no way Mike and I were agreeing to that. We needed out. We were desperate to see people even though it was dangerous, we couldn’t help it. I was excited to see the outside world again. Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as we thought. Maybe stupid people were done blowing each other up and I could go home. Maybe I’d finally have cell reception again and there were a million missed calls from Nia waiting for me telling me she was safe. Maybe.
Mike had the Remington in the back with me and Mom held her Winchester in the front seat. The news anchor on the radio was discussing the most widely accepted theory about how the Avian-X virus had started and what had caused such a violent spread.
The anchorwoman, Colleen Bury, was saying that our president, kind of an idiot and only one year into his term, had unintentionally insulted and slighted China by supporting new tariffs on trade while simultaneously banning certain imports from their country. Basically, he was slowly cutting off trades that no one had messed with in years and making it more expensive for other countries to import anything in an effort to appear like he was creating more jobs in the US. He had run on a campaign promise to empower the little guy and create more jobs in the U.S. than any other president in the past. Unfortunately, his plan had done the opposite and Americans had been losing more blue-collar jobs due to retaliatory tariffs from other countries. I probably should have paid more attention in fifth period Econ but it sounded like all the facts tracked and basically boiled down to some people in China were pissed and had been for a while. And of course, there were other countries and groups that had been hating us for a long time so suddenly we’d handed them a superpower buddy like China to team up with.
She went on to explain there was a radical group that had been making threats for years and they were one of the first groups to publicly claim responsibility for the calculated viral outbreak, except no one took them seriously until now. Analysts had collaborated and found out the second largest Avian-X outbreak was in a small province in China, rumored to be the headquarters for this new radical group. The Chinese government was officially denying any involvement or knowledge of such an organization and while the U.S. government agreed they likely had no official part in the attack, it was of little concern at that point. The group was allegedly comprised of several terrorist organizations with a common goal, weaken the U.S. leaving us vulnerable and essentially more compliant.
So, the theory goes like this, a group of pissed off radicals manufactured and weaponized a deadly virus. Whether or not they had the help of a disgruntled Chinese biochemical engineer was still unproven although, just such a man was found amongst the dead bodies at the point of origin. Their goal was to unleash the virus on the U.S. then follow with a series of nuclear attacks. Their attack plan worked until somehow, they accidentally infected themselves and started wiping out their own people. Sloppy. Unable to continue their attack, the only nuclear explosion that was carried out targeted Washington, D.C. Now China was battling the virus too and they weren’t doing any better than us. Which meant we were now facing a global health crisis unlike anything the human race had ever experienced. The theory was quickly turning into fact since the evidence was so damning and China was freaking out over the accusations while maintaining their innocence. Innocent or not, they were fighting for their lives just like us so we were in it together no matter what.
The anchorwoman and her guest, the newly appointed Press Secretary, were arguing now. “But the question remains, Stephen, how did they get the virus here and who helped them? I mean come on, we know this group did not accomplish this on their own, not entirely. They must have had someone on the inside working with them. Why is that so difficult for your administration to admit?”
“Now to be clear I am not saying that is what happened. No one has said that is the case here. I want to be on the record that it is not my opinion that these terrorists had help from within the United States and I believe it is careless for you to throw—"
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me. Stephen, the American people deserve answers and this cannot go on. It has been five months since this virus was dropped on us, five months of death and despair. The American people’s way of life is dying. We have a right to know who our attackers are and to seek retribution.”
“Colleen, I agree with you but we cannot just pick a name out of hat and drop a bomb.”
“Well how long does our government expect us to wait for these answers and just what are they doing to protect us and our future way of life? That’s what our listeners want to know and so do I.”
Geez, a person could go crazy trying to piece together the “what if’s” and the “whys” behind how we landed in the worst suck of a mess ever created by mankind. Most of it faded into the background for me by that point and I only absently listened to the discussion and the theories being thrown around. In my mind it didn’t change anything. Knowing the answers to all the questions didn’t change the why. The why was in the past and no matter why we were here we had to live with it.
The woods drifted past me through the car window in a blur, creating a kaleidoscope of frail, gangly branches dotted with fresh specks of green. Our drive out that day wasn’t much different than it had been a few months ago on our way to the cabin. The landscape was still stark, preparing itself for a late spring. Signs of people were few until we got a little close
r to town. Hillsboro was small and for most, just a place to stop for gas while traveling through. The houses became more frequent as we drove along the back roads that gave way to real neighborhoods. All of the gas stations and restaurants we passed were vacant and boarded up. 30 minutes out and we hadn’t seen much to report in the way of life as usual. I pulled my phone out in desperation and checked for a signal.
“Why do you think that my phone isn’t working by now? Some people have service in other states. And the news keeps reporting that our government is in constant contact with all of the officials across the country.”
My dad shrugged. “Don’t get your hopes up, Sam. The government doesn’t need to use cell service to communicate so that could mean anything.”
I was annoyed, “Why don’t our phones work? I don’t get it.”
My mom eyed me cautiously, “There was an initial interruption of service for everyone because of too many frequencies jamming the system, remember? But that was only a couple days maybe a week. This is intentional. It’s a way of isolating people. If you limit people’s contact then you hopefully limit their travel.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you could call Nia right now and she answered what would you do?”
“I don’t know. Find out if she’s okay? Tell her I miss her?”
“Then what?”
The line of questioning was tedious. “I guess I’d ask where she is so…”
“So you could go get her, right? Maybe tell her how to come here? It would mean more people spreading the virus.”
I tried to consider what Mom was saying. “But if it’s intentional that means that our own people are holding us hostage? Trying to keep us in the dark?”
“Yes. It sounds a little brutal but it’s a safe play for now. Don’t worry, it won’t last. People will find a way to get it up and running again. No one wants to be in the dark especially right now. It’s just a question of when.”
“But why can’t I connect to the internet? I feel like I don’t even know what’s happening right now.” Yes, I was whining like a toddler and I didn’t care.
“Well if the cable services are down and the cell services are down then there isn’t really a way to connect. Some places haven’t had any interruption, like California, mainly because they haven’t suffered the same losses as us. But it sounds like the East Coast and Midwest have been cut off for the most part.”
I stared at the useless piece of technology in my hand and wondered how much longer I’d be amputated from the world.
“So what you’re saying is there is still a whole world out there full of tweets, likes, and ugly cats but I’m just not a part of it anymore?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Stupid war.” I threw my phone down hard onto the seat and watched it bounce to the car floor, hoping for a reaction, anything to cut my boredom. But my mother was impervious to my little outbursts. Only big blow-ups got her attention anymore. Maybe I could set the phone on fire, that would at least earn a disapproving look.
Mike did his I’m annoyed with Sam sigh, “No one cared about your tweets before anyway, Sam. You’re not missing anything.”
“True, but I do miss trolling those randoms that tell everyone to ‘have a blessed day’. That’s so obnoxious, who do they think they are going around blessing everyone? The pope? Ooh, does the pope tweet?”
Mike laughed, “sure, but only to Catholics.”
Only a few cars passed us on the road as we approached the center of town and residential soon turned into a more commercial landscape. Most of the buildings still looked abandoned. Finally, we spotted it. A Quick Stop that had several trucks and cars parked in the lot and there were people walking around. Actual people. I was almost giddy.
“Everyone, masks on,” Mom said from the front seat. “Stay close and don’t touch anyone.”
“I know we’ve talked you to death already, but do not take your masks off guys, this is not safe and you need to watch your distance. I mean it,” Dad said in his serious voice.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, death everywhere we get it. Let’s go.” I patted the driver’s seat impatiently. My hands were sweating and I could feel a wave of nausea rolling through me. It’s not like I was and extrovert or anything but I was dying to talk to someone, anyone outside my family.
Dad pulled into the large lot and parked in an empty spot near a large tent. The canopy covered a long table holding several crates and boxes. Two men were sitting lazily on folding chairs, both holding shotguns at their sides and resting their arms across their bellies. I scanned the lot. There were maybe 15 other people hanging around doing various tasks. They all looked harmless enough, just average people. Some were wearing masks like us but some weren’t. Which meant they were either idiots with a death wish or maybe the virus hadn’t been active in this region lately. I chose to take it as a positive sign.
We all got out of the jeep together and walked over to the tent. Dad nodded at the men behind the table. They were pretty rough around the edges with scraggily beards and well-worn coveralls, but we all probably looked a little rougher than usual these days. Their faces seemed nice enough though they didn’t smile or make any move to stand up. One was in his thirties maybe and the other much older and larger.
“What brings you by, friend?” the older one asked.
“We’re just looking for information and a few supplies. We need some building materials. You all know where we might find some?”
He thoughtfully rubbed a chubby hand over his beard. “Hard to say. The owner here has kept his store open,” he said gesturing towards to the Quick Stop, “but most of his supplies are what people bring in to trade. He’s liable to have anything. You all have anything for trade?” He eyed my parents then us, trying to figure us out.
“We might. We didn’t bring much since we didn’t know what we would find.”
“Well, his name’s Frank. He’ll take care of ya’ but don’t try nuthin’. His wife is liable to shoot you if you move too fast.” His companion chuckled a little.
My mom nodded to their crates. “Maybe you might have something we need?”
“Yes ma’am, only if what you need is hooch,” the younger one said with a grin.
She smiled back politely, “Maybe next time.”
We all said thank you and headed over to the store. The lot was large and there was another tent off to the other side, similar to the one we’d just left.
A tiny bell rang on the door as we pushed it open and a woman behind the counter nodded our way. She was in her late fifties and although I couldn’t see her whole face, her eyes were the epitome of grim. Her hand went under the counter as she watched us walk in and I knew in an instant the large man outside had been telling the truth about her blasting us if she felt like it. I nodded back out of respect and tried to look innocent but for some reason she seemed to be staring directly at me.
“Hello and welcome,” a man said. He was older than my parents and gave us a warm smile as he walked from the back of the store where he’d been talking with others. “What brings you all in?”
My mom stepped back, letting my dad speak. “We need a few supplies. Thought we’d check out the town and see how things are.”
“Ahh, been holed up somewhere have ya’? Well that’s smart. Go ahead and look around. We work only on trade now so if I got what ya’ want then it’s yours, as long as you got what I want. If not, no trade and everybody walks away. That work for you?”
“Sounds fair.” Dad agreed.
“You steal somethin’ or try anything then you’re probably gonna get shot. I can’t have people just runnin’ out. We’re tryin’ to take care of each other. Most of us are anyway.”
“That’s such a relief,” my mom said. “It’s not what you hear on the news every day.”
“Well, we’re tryin’. Things are pretty bad in Bloomfield. I’d steer clear if you can. I can’t talk too much about it but they got a militia that�
�ll shoot you dead and rob you blind if they feel like it.” He winced a bit as he spoke, as if he was angry or maybe it was sadness. “Scary what people are doing. Steer clear of them. C’mon, I’ll help you find your way around.”
He kept his distance but didn’t wear a mask, a bold choice or a stupid one.
“I’m Frank, by the way. That’s my wife behind the counter, Ellen.” He nodded to each of us but the days of handshaking were over.
Frank walked us through the small store which was full of stocked shelves but not what you would normally see in a gas station. There were sections labeled crudely with sharpie marker on cardboard; food, water, hygiene, tools and miscellaneous parts for all sorts of needs. It seemed he had a bit of everything. A man and woman were in the back looking through some sort of electrical wire as we passed them. They eyed us cautiously and stepped away, covering their faces in fear.
I grabbed my mom’s arm and whispered, “What do we have to trade?”
“Not much, but we might have something in the trunk. I brought a box with flashlights and a few food items we could part with. We’ll see what he doesn’t have on his shelves first before we show our hand. And we don’t want to offer more than we have to.”
Dad and Frank talked for a bit as we walked around searching for treasures hidden amongst the shelving. I desperately wanted to grab a tube of raspberry body wash sitting on the shelf all alone between a box of Q-tips and a pile of deodorant. I was so tired of man-scented soap, it made my showers depressing. But it was a luxury item we couldn’t afford. I would have just taken it had I been alone, but Mike was right next to me and it wasn’t worth the lecture. I tried to wait him out, but he kept hovering. Mike’s annoying habit of trying to keep me out of trouble was my least favorite of his traits.