by P. D. Clover
“What about the countryside, people outside the cities?” I asked
“Yeah, that’s a whole other problem. The plan is to have the deputies and the mail carriers drop off letters to explain that people who need aid will have to make it to their Voting station. It’s up to them to figure out how to get there for the time being as all fuel has been seized ,by order of the president and governor, to be used by emergency services. But I think they are waiting on the ration cards. They are trying to stop people from buying up everything and creating an artificial shortage.”
“Makes sense… How far out are the ration cards?” I asked
“I have no idea…a couple of weeks, months? I only heard about it today,” Josh said
“Gotch-ya, well we will see you next Friday in the bread lines,” I said.
“What, why? We have so much, it doesn’t make sense for us to take it,” Josh said.
Matt just shook his head and stood up, then walked down off the porch to stretch.
“Josh, you need to be there, I need to be there, Matt needs to be there,” I said.
“What, like for security?”
“I mean, if its needed, sure… But the reason we need to be there is, we don’t want people to know we have more than they do. If you start skipping the bread line, people will notice and talk. Then you will have a problem. None of us need that. You don’t have to keep the food if you feel guilty about taking it, give it to someone who needs it, but do it anonymously. We are in the world of the have nots, we need to blend in. It’s the smart play. You have kids to think about now,” I said as I stood and shook Josh’s hand. Then I walked down his steps, and Matt and I began the uphill walk in the dark alley back to the house.
As we walked back, we didn’t talk. We just listened and watched. Everybody’s curtains were drawn tight. It made sense. In a world with no information, no stores open… the boogie man was very much a real thing.
As we came up to the house and began the walk up the stairs and across the 80-ish yards to the porch, Matt spoke up, “I am really excited about Info Wars being up and running… I love Alex Jones.”
“Yeah, me too. He is the perfect guy to deliver the news during the apocalypse,” I said.
Matt didn’t look at me, but I could sense a change in his posture, “Do you really think that?”
“Think what?” I asked
“That this is the apocalypse?”
I took in a deep breath and held it for a second and let it out all at once. “I sure hope not… No, I think this is more of reset mixed with a culling of the heard.”
“I don’t follow you,” Matt said.
“Well, we have gotten soft and weak; as a culture, a people, nation, whatever. However, you want to phrase it, the western world is not prepared for this. Hell, for the most part people have turned a blind eye to things their grandparents would have gone to war over… We have let too much go, given up too much of ourselves for the sake of comfort, using the weakness of others an excuse.”
“Yeah bro, let’s keep it simple. I went to public school,” Matt said
“Okay, look at it this way. How many people are scamming the government to get free shit?”
“Millions” Matt answered.
“Exactly. So why do we put up with that? They are defrauding the government, the tax-payer. They are stealing from you and me! Why do we tolerate it? Here is another one – how many politicians are corrupt and do nothing but line their own pockets?”
“Most of them,” Matt said.
“Then why do we ignore it? Hell man, we make jokes about it! Everybody knows, but no one does anything. Why?” I asked.
“I don’t know, I never really thought about it like that.”
“No one does, because if they did, they would have to confront the fact that they are weak, lazy, and cowardly. They aren’t willing to do what is necessary because things are good. Life is good, for the most part. People are not willing to jeopardize that. They just shrug and ignore it. They think there is plenty to go around and someone else’s greed will not affect them. We now live in a different reality.”
Matt just sat there. His face was blank.
“I mean, no one has said a word about the old folks’ home north of town. What are we going to do about them? Are you willing to give up your food to make sure they eat? Most of them are very old and sick. They cannot fend for themselves. They cannot produce or contribute. It may be time to put them on the proverbial iceberg.”
“That’s cold and fucked up man,” Matt said with some heat.
“Yeah, it is cold and fucked up. But someone needs to come up with something. Otherwise, it’s going to be slow and painful for those people. Hell, I bet you gold to silver no one has been out there yet,” I said.
“The sad thing, the skills those older folks have would be really useful through this. How to garden, can, cook with very little, stretch food stores, wild edibles – a whole collection of the exact stuff we need to know. But who can afford to keep 150 elderly people alive and going? It’s not just food Brother. It’s their medications. How much of that is even left? Here’s another thing people need to start thinking about. How many of these people are on some kind of antidepressant? What happens when they run out? What happens when those people taking heavy antipsychotics run out of their meds? Hell, my mom has to have a blood pressure pill every day to live.”
“I hear ya, but I wish I didn’t.”
“I get it man, I’m gonna turn in. Are you sleeping in here or the camper?” I asked.
“Camper. I will see if I can get INFOWARS on the TV,” he said with a smile.
“Alright Brother, I’ll see you at breakfast.” With that I went inside to go to bed.
Dee was up, watching the cameras on the TV.
“So, is everything good?” she asked.
I told her about INFOWARS being the last broadcasting media outlet in America and about what other countries were doing…war, invasion, the fact that Alex had as much warning as we did and that the governments of the world probably had twice that. She wasn’t surprised. In fact, she quoted Big Mike’s, “there is no such thing as a secret”. We left the TV and the camera feed on, as was now our custom. Just before I passed out, I was trying to figure out how to get Matt a camera feed in the camper. Then sweet darkness enveloped me. I awoke to three, all standing next to my bed, “What?” I asked them still half asleep with my face in the pillow.
My oldest, Paul said “Daddy, Mommy says you need to get up and get not stinky. Mr. Matt and a lady is here.”
The other two just nodded and giggled. “Okay buddy, I’m up. Go tell Mommy I will be there in a few minutes.”
They all said in unison, “OKAY!” and took off like a shot.
I could only wish to have that kind of energy. I rolled out of bed and popped a couple of caffeine pills to help get my mind jump started. Then I took a shower and completed my morning ritual. Once I was strapping on my gun belt, I felt ready for the day.
“Hey Boss, who’s here for me?” I asked as I came in the kitchen.
Dee had some bacon, sausage and biscuits made and on the counter. I grabbed a bottle of honey and began fixing a plate.
“An officer Ryan is speaking with Matt. I think I remember her from the park clean-ups and the town festival. She’s the one that helped you out with the Swindles, right?”
“Correct-a-Mundo.”
I wrapped my food in some paper towel, “Where is she?”
“She is on the porch with Matt. I don’t know her. I wasn’t about to let her wait for you in here. We can’t let people know what we have… That would be dumb.”
“God, I love you!... And that Irish ass!” I gave her butt a smack and walked out on the porch and closed the door behind me.
As I walked around the porch, I saw Ryan sitting next to Matt. He had his arm thrown over the back of the swing. “Officer Ryan, what can I do for you?” I said with a grin on my face than ran from ear to ear.
Ryan ju
mped to her feet and turned to me, her face flushed red. Like I was her father and just caught her in the basement alone with a boy.
She cleared her throat, “I was hoping to talk to you and Matthew.”
“Hmmm…well, ‘Matthew’ is it?” I said, dragging out Matt’s name. “Well, here we are. What’s up?”
“I have been authorized to deputize the both of you, officially,” she said a bit nervously.
“Wait, I thought we already were?” I asked confused, “I mean, we have those badge things?”
“Well, there is more to it than that. You see, I told my chief what we did and what happened.”
“Wait, I feel like bad news is coming. Let me sit down first.” I walked past her and sat on the railing and started to eat my honey, bacon, and sausage biscuit. “Okay, let’s just rip the band aid off. Skip the foreplay and get to it Ryan. I’m a man after all. I don’t need the buildup,” I said with a grin.
“Okay, you’re in charge,” she said flatly. “Oh, and that Billy person, has been executed… in his front yard.”
“Well, Ryan, let’s start with the second part of that, Billy Stoneworth is dead?” I asked.
“Yeah, I told Chief. Chief told the Sherriff. Someone knew who the guy was, and they rolled out to his place. They tried to take him in, but he fought back. He pulled a gun and was shot. They searched his home and apparently found evidence that he was… guilty.”
“What evidence?” Matt asked.
“I didn’t ask, I just took them on their word. They seemed a bit, off. I don’t need more baggage than I’m already carrying,” she said with a weak grin.
“I get it,” I said. “Did they find out about anyone else involved?”
“No, nothing.”
“Alright, let’s get back to that first part. I’m in charge? Says who and of what exactly?” I asked puzzled.
Matt was laughing. Clearly, he already knew this punchline.
“I debriefed the Sheriff and Chiefs on what went down the other night…your part, my part, Matt’s part… everything. Even my overreaction in the park and how you two handled it. The Sherriff remembered you from the training you and your friends did for us. He said you are now deputized, and that you are in charge of the Hill Top area – security, food distribution, all that stuff.”
I finished eating my biscuit, “Okay, that’s the carrot. What’s the stick?” I asked.
Ryan looked at the ground and didn’t answer.
“You told him about our night vision and guns, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Ryan said.
Matt’s face went blank. “You didn’t tell me that part,” he said.
Ryan glanced up at Matt and turned red, “I didn’t think, and I definitely didn’t think they would care.”
“Let me guess, we are either Team Sherriff or they are going to take our stuff?”
“Something like that,” she said.
“WELL FUCK THEM!!!” Matt yelled.
“Hold on.” I put my hands up, “She didn’t know what martial law meant, not really. It’s not her fault and I’m sure she has learned a valuable lesson, right?” I asked.
Ryan had a tear running down her face, “Yes… I did.”
“Ryan, I am not going to accept that offer,” I said
“Wait, no… you have to! Please! You…”
“Ryan, this is what’s going to happen. You will tell the Sheriff and the Chiefs and any other fucker that I don’t feel comfortable being in charge, and that I will answer to and coordinate with you. Please tell them Matt and I say thank you for the real badges and we are eager to help,” I said flatly.
“Henry, I do not like this,” Matt said heated.
“You fucking did this man! You signed us up, volunteered us thinking it would be funny. Well, how funny is it now?” I asked seriously. “Besides, you were right… We should be more involved. If we hadn’t gotten involved those kids would still be living in that hell. I count that as a win. There is a ton of work to do around here and everyone is just sitting inside hiding, waiting to be rescued. We need to be proactive, not reactive,” I said firmly.
“Maybe, and you’re right… I did cause this,” Matt said.
“No, it’s my fault, I should have left out…” Matt cut her off, “Ryan, we have a plan, and we didn’t follow it. I thought it would be funny to fuck with Henry. We didn’t need to sign up with you to check out that house. And now my prank landed us on the radar of the local government. That’s on me, I’m sorry for getting angry and my outburst.”
“So, Ryan, do you think you can sell that to them?” I asked, bringing her attention back to me.
“Why don’t you want to be in charge?” She asked seriously.
“I have my own family. I have no intention of leaving them to take meetings with self-righteous politicians. I will help you, but I’m not leaving more than a stone’s throw from my family. And don’t you dare tell them that! You tell them that I feel unprepared to lead something like this, that I don’t have the training. I’m more of a door kicker than a leader. Can you sell that?” I asked
“I will Henry,” she said seriously.
“So, if these are real badges, what did you give us before?” Matt asked
Ryan giggled, “It’s the badges we give to kids when they visit the station.”
“Meh, makes sense. We are very childlike,” I said hoping to lighten the mood. “Ryan, when you talk to them, try to get everything you can – radios, guns, ammo, flashlights, whatever you can.”
“I understand. You think they are going to ignore us?” Ryan asked.
“Not ignore us. Well, not intentionally… But there are sixty-thousand people in this county. Our area has three thousand, maybe?... Yeah, I think they are more concerned with delivering food and securing the stockpiles of it,” I said
“Yeah, I think your right. Well, I’m gonna get going. Matt would you mind walking me to my car?” Ryan asked softly.
Matt just stood there.
“Well, I’ll be happy to walk you Ryan. Matt, would you please tell Dee what you just got me roped into? Thanks!” I walked over to Ryan and Matt jumped up took Ryan by the hand. “Come on Ryan, let’s take a walk around the block first. We should give Dee some time to cool off,” Matt said as he hurried Ryan away.
I shouted after them, “You two kids be safe now. Ryan, please have him home by 10:30 p.m. It’s curfew.” Matt flipped me the bird as they walked down to the street. I laughed then stopped, realizing that I had to tell Dee that I was now on the local official’s radar, and that I was now a sworn-ish deputy. This morning went to hell in handbasket.
After I finished “informing” Dee of the current shape of the world and my now drafted service to the local Sheriff’s department, I felt surprisingly good. Mostly because she was furious at Matt and not me. I am totally fine with that. Dee has that strange Irish temper. She goes from calm to stab-a-mother-fucker in the blink of an eye, and I hope for Matts sake he decides to take Ryan for several walks around the neighborhood.
Chapter 26
The rest of the month was uneventful. The only thing of note was that Ryan had stopped back by to let me know the Sheriff was fine with me “working with Ryan” as opposed to just being in charge. I suppose that’s the best I could have asked for. We were able to get some people with good heads on their shoulders to join the security team. I took a few days and was able to get the Sheriff’s promises of stuff fulfilled – all of which was provide by the Sheriff’s department, mostly guns, ammo, gun belts, flash lights and toy badges. We were even able to get the food distribution system working. People whose last name started with the letters M-Z got food before Noon, and everyone with A-L was after Noon until 5 p.m. The Hill Top Park meetings were now every Monday and Thursday at Noon. It was amazing how fast people adjusted to the new world. Most people listened to INFORWARS every night with their families for news. We all learned from Alex Jones that we were no longer living in America. At least, not the America that we once k
new. The left coast was basically a third world country now, at least the urban areas were. The military had been sent in to protect the agricultural areas. The cities were left to burn. LA, San Francisco, Sacramento and a bunch of other urban areas declared themselves a separate country and claimed all of the land to the Mississippi. Supposedly, Portland and Seattle were also a part of the new country of California, but according to Alex Jones, they only had the urban and suburban areas. Washington DC was on fire. The President Moved the Capital of America to Texas, a few far left politicians tried for a power grab and were executed on sight. Everyone’s main concern now was getting the California harvest distributed, but it wouldn’t be near enough for everyone. The national stockpiles were dispersed and ready to try and get America through the winter. According to Jones, the president was entering talks with Mexico and Canada for mutual cooperation. Things were not going well on the Mexican front due to cartel corruption. So, all cartel leaders were killed in one week. America turned its might to bare, well, the Texas national guard did anyway. Alex told the world that the Texas Rangers had massive intelligence on cartel operations. They knew where they all lived. They knew who the blatantly corrupt officials were, and in one week they were eradicated, and the country of Mexico was now in talks of becoming part of the U.S. That direct action on Mexico made Canada come to the negotiation table so fast, you would have thought the meeting was giving out free beer. Everything everywhere was in a state of transition. Using emergency powers, the president created new states, splitting up Washington, Oregon, California and Colorado. The biggest problem to the nation now, was that the Chinese were supposedly supplying the new country of California, or as Alex and the rest of us now called it, Commi-Fornia with various forms of support. While that was all terrifying, it may as well have been on another planet. We were concerned with a rash of burglaries that had turned deadly, wild dogs roaming the neighborhood after owners turned them loose after not being able to feed them. We also heard stories from people walking on the roads about trouble in other areas. The county had set up security posts on the on- and off-ramps of the interstates that went through the county. They collected information and provided water to those on foot. Much like the days during the depression we were all filled up here, we could take no more. Eventually the call was made to euthanize everyone at the old-folks home north of town, many of the residents welcomed it I heard. I did not take part in that.