by Cooper, DJ
They nodded and quickly returned to camp. Hurriedly entering the camp, they startled John, who hopped up asking what was wrong. They quickly explained what they’d been instructed to do and said they needed to pack up quickly and go.
After explaining that they would receive an update at the intersecting point and, how the voice told them that they were not safe. There was no question, everyone quickly stowed their things and broke camp. Within the hour they were ready to cross the trestle.
Approaching the edge of the tracks, the voice materialized. They were shocked to see it was a teen boy, he looked no older than fourteen. He instructed them to move quickly and silently. He led them out onto the trestle with two other teens that were previously sitting at the now extinguished fire following up the rear. It was obvious they did not intend to come back across as they carried their packs with them.
They were met on the other side by another group of teens that led them to a small outcropping that made a makeshift cave. They already had a weave of branches across the front of it and ushered everyone inside. They learned that this was where these teens lived and asked them about parents.
These teens ranging in age from about twelve to seventeen, seemed to be well supplied and put together.
A young girl who looked to be one of the youngest said, “When they came to put everyone in the camps my dad sent me and my brother here, the others are the same.”
Ray asked, “Have you heard from your parents?”
The girl looked down, saying, “None of us have. Up on the next ridge is mister Goins, he came here a few weeks after and told us they would not be coming back.”
Ray was saddened by the harshness of life now and said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”
The young girl said, “We help the network now and they help us. Things are different now than they were.”
Ray blankly stared at her, she was right and he knew it, nothing would be the same again. They rested and were offered some meager tidbits for breakfast, it was obviously all the group of teens had. John told them they were fine and even had some extras that was becoming too much to carry would they mind if the group slimmed down the packs and left some with them. The teens knew what he was doing, but didn’t object, they were grateful for the extra food and supplies.
They headed back down the track to the intersection of the railroad tracks and power lines that would lead them into Richmond, Kentucky. Today’s travels were shorter and they arrived at the cache location before sunset. It gave them a chance to set up their camp and relax a little bit. The cache was filled with food and even goodies. A note that read, “Happy Thanksgiving, it is not a feast, but hopefully will bring you some joy in your travels. The area should be secured and there is an old well just to the north, it is covered with a steel door, the water is good.” It was signed simply A.N.T.S.
No one realized it was Thanksgiving already, there were mixed feelings, ones of joy over the feast that was left them and sadness at the Thanksgiving holidays of past and lost loved ones.
Dickie was quiet, just staring off into the woods, it startled him when John approached, saying, “Everything looking good?”
He stuttered a moment and replied, “Don’t sneak up on a guy like that.”
John laughed feebly saying, “Didn’t mean to startle you. I just thought you were looking at something.”
Dickie grimaced saying, “I’m sorry, I was just thinking of Jules and how she loved to make a huge meal on Thanksgiving.”
John put his hand on his shoulder and said, “I am sorry my friend, I didn’t think about how a holiday might affect your family.”
Dickie looked up at him, a small tear in the corner of his eye, quickly he regained his composure and stood, saying, “My family… I’ve got to take care of them, Jules would toss a pan at my head if she knew how I’ve acted.”
John smiled inwardly, and pointed over to Jenny, who was still holding Kayleigh and talking with Georgia and Matty. Dickie reached his hand out to John thanking him for being there for his family, nodded and walked over to where Jenny sat.
Approaching Jenny he asked, “How’s Kayleigh doing?”
Jenny looked up at him, saying, “She’s eating well finally, and seems to be breathing better. I think she was producing extra insulin for Jules and once they were separated she kind of had to re adjust”
Dickie still struggled to contain the tears as he spoke, saying, “I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for my children.”
Jenny stood and handed Dickie the tiny swaddled infant and said, “I am going to go fix her a bottle, have a seat and visit with your baby girl.”
Dickie failed in keeping back the tears that now sat like droplets on his bottom lash, not big enough to fall but too much to pull back and hide. He sat with Matty and Georgia holding Kayleigh. He looked upward as if knowing somehow Jules were watching and said, “She’s beautiful my love, I will protect them right up until my last breath.”
He hugged his daughter close and openly cried mourning the loss of his wife. Matty squeezed his hand and hugged him before going to join Amy at the feast preparations.
They did not know that today was Thanksgiving and they had good reason to give thanks on this day. They made it to the last intersection and would soon be finding themselves among their friends. The A.N.T.S. network continued to see them across the state providing caches.
They were thankful for Gerald and his group for the ride clear across the lower section of Pennsylvania and the news from their friends. Each reflected on the weeks and months past and some talk of how fortunate they were to have all the help that made the journey bearable. They talked of the friends they lost and the betrayal they suffered and considered how much more difficult if not impossible the journey would have been.
The evening mood swung from one of thankfulness and gratitude to tears and sorrow. Tomorrow they would begin the journey of the last twenty miles to Richmond, they would leave the power lines there and follow some older country roads. Somehow, Richmond felt like making it to their destination even though they still had another leg of the journey to go at that point. They knew from their benefactors that Richmond was under the protection of the Militia that their friends were associated with. That gave them a feeling that this would afford them more protection.
Calling it a night they went to bed, sentries walked the perimeter and kept a keen eye. As John walked his watch he could not help but think about those that followed them. He knew they still had a tail, no one could seem to figure out who or why, but they were out there in the dark following them. Someone in their own camp was leaving clues, in their midst…a traitor.
Chapter 25
“Sickness”
“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”
-Seneca
November 21st
The morning was cold and hazy with a light drizzle, the dampness making everything feel even colder. There was something wrong in the camp, only a few were moving about and some moaned as though in pain. Dickie walked over to Amy, who was up and asked her what was wrong.
Amy said, “I don’t know, there is a sickness, I can’t tell if it is food poisoning, some kind of dysentery, or my worst fears.”
Dickie shuddered and asked, “Your worst fears?”
Amy explained that Ebola started with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Telling Dickie they needed to separate everyone, sick from well.
Dickie hurried to see if Jenny was ill, she was not and the children weren’t either, he settled them into the area on the far side of the camp. Setting up a tarp over them and a small fire in a Dakota pit, this would hide the flames from unwanted attention and keep them warm. Amy already had John and Roger settled into the large tent that would now become the infirmary and quarantine area. Kimmie and Renee were fine, but Danny, Mark and Melinda were ill. Laurie wasn’t sure if she was sick or just upset so she sat away from those that were not sick, but she did not go into the quarantine tent. Ray was like Laurie i
n that he felt slightly ill, but not like the others, so he too stayed separate but on watch across the camp. He set up a spot with some cover and a tarp to keep the rain off of him, but near the power lines, away from the others.
One tent was kept for those not at all ill, Kimmie and Renee slept in there, another for Jenny and the kids. The last of their four tents was for Laurie and Ray, who were both still feeling slightly queasy but not really ill. The girls were asked to help with watches, but Kimmie and Renee were lazy and didn’t want to stay awake. Dickie, Laurie and Amy each relieved Ray in his position. Jenny put the kids down and set a watch near their tent.
Days went by with little improvement and worries of dehydration became the first order of priority, keeping those ill hydrated would be the key. Amy was sure it was not Ebola, they suffered no bleeding as can be seen in hemorrhagic fevers, but they were not out of the woods yet.
Near dawn of the third day, John called out to Amy. She hurried to the tent and found that his fever broke, he was alert and thirsty. Still weak from the fever and dehydration he tried to rise, instantly he fell back, dizzy and nauseous.
Amy said, “You need to take it easy.”
John wearily replied, “Is everyone ok?”
Amy told him, “Yes, so far everyone is hanging on. I feared the worst but I think it was just a case of food poisoning.”
John asked, “Why didn’t you get sick.”
Amy replied, “I actually think it was the honey mead. Ray and Laurie were feeling queasy for a day and they only sipped it, just to try. Dickie and the rest of us girls who didn’t drink any have felt fine.
John said, “I don’t understand how honey mead could have food poisoning.”
Amy softly replied, “Well, I’m glad everyone is feeling better and we will be on the move again soon.”
She looked to the door of the tent and leaned in to kiss John, whispering in his ear as they hugged, “I don’t think it was food poisoning, and I think our traitor was trying to slow us down. You guys need to rest as much as possible, seems pretty certain we are going to have trouble soon.”
John looked at her, eyes wide, he gave a slight nod, saying, “Is there anything to eat? I’m starved.”
Amy laughed an uneasy laugh and said, “Let me get you some broth.”
Dickie was by the fire when Amy approached, she began to spoon some broth into a cup. She nodded to him, a signal letting him know that she passed on the information to John. Dickie nodded and walked to the watch location where Ray was waiting. Knowing they could not move on yet, the chances of a confrontation became more likely by the day.
On the seventh day at this camp the illness was mostly gone and they were moving about normally. Mark was the only one still ill, but was improving every day. Dickie, with Roger and John sat that evening around the small fire discussing moving on and having Mark ride in the cart when needed. Renee walked up to them, hearing them talk about moving on and pretended to look upset.
Raising her hands, palms up beside her head, she began to act concerned for Mark’s welfare, when in fact she only visited Mark one time, three days ago. After her visit he was just a little sicker. Amy thought it was because of the excitement and chaos her and Kimmie brought everywhere they went.
Again acting upset she stood in defiance towards the three saying, “He cannot be moved right now. I forbid it.”
They looked at her like she completely lost her mind. John said to her, “We will take every precaution and Amy is taking good care of him, he would be better off if we could get him to a real doctor anyway.”
She stammered and replied, “I don’t like it at all, and I think he needs a few more days.”
Roger stood and angrily shouted, “How would you know, you haven’t even given him the time of day.”
John reached out touching his arm, indicating to him to sit down, saying, “Amy will decide, she and Laurie have been caring for him. We would never knowingly harm him.”
Renee huffed off, returning to the tent that she and Kimmie shared. Angry conversation could be heard but she did not come out of the tent for the remainder of the evening. John knew something was up with these two, but hated to think they were the cause or the traitor.
December 1st
The next day found Mark feeling much better and he agreed they needed to get moving. The tents were packed up and the site cleaned to leave little trace, but after ten days in this place it was difficult to make it look untouched. They determined that leaving no trace of who had been camping was the best they could do.
Their path now returned to the power line right of ways they found themselves at less of a risk of contact with other people. The illness brought to light, a fear almost forgotten amongst the others, that of Ebola. Having no contact with anyone in the past ten days Amy said was helpful.
John asked, “Why do you say that?”
Amy replied, “Because Ebola has an incubation period of up to twenty-one days and we can’t risk bringing infection to the others.”
John pursed his lips in thought, saying, “You’re right, I didn’t consider that. We need to be more careful and remain at a safe distance from anyone from this point forward.”
Amy nodded as Dickie spoke from behind her, “We should have eyes open all sides while traveling, and making sure no one approaches us.”
Stopping to check on Mark and have a quick meeting for everyone to be aware of the Ebola concerns they quickly got back on the path.
That day the managed four miles, and while it wasn’t their best distance, John said they had made good progress. The terrain was a little rougher as the hills continued to rise and fall and Mark was still weak.
Over the next few days they made similar progress and saw no one. There was a cache exactly as marked on their map and they were careful eating. Ray, who had not been sick volunteered to taste everything and wait to see if any illness would fall upon him. Ray was visibly nervous about eating anything, but proceeded to eat some of the bread and fruit. Anything in cans was deemed acceptable and they prepared all canned food that evening.
Trying to make Ray feel better about it, John said, “Way to get all the best food there guy.”
Ray grimaced saying, “My momma didn’t raise no dummy.”
John knew the fears as did everyone else. Although laughing everyone knew, this was a dangerous move on his part. Ray whispered to John that he felt like a goldfish in a bowl, everyone staring at him from a distance. John laughed and told him he was just about as pretty as one too.
Ray had no ill effects from the food and the relief was almost palatable amongst the travelers. The mood bordered on joyous as they traveled alongside the right of way. Just inside the tree line, where they would be able to maintain some cover made the journey a little more difficult, but deemed necessary for safety.
Midday on this, the fifth day of their final leg, Dickie heard something strange and told everyone to take cover as he and Roger investigated. What he heard was something like a drum, but more like a hollow log being tapped. Woodpeckers abounded, but there was something rhythmic about this, it dawned on him that it was rhythmic and he recognized it.
Turning to Roger he said, “I knew this was Morse code.”
Roger then recognized it, saying, “Now that you mention it, I hear it too.”
Dickie said, “I’m not real good with it, can you make out what it is saying?”
Roger nodded, his eyes looking up and right as he listened. He reached out to Dickie, signing for something to write it down with. Dickie searched his pockets and finding nothing, put up one finger and ran to where John was. Making the same sign at the group, Amy reached into her pack a produced a small pad and pencil. Dickie returned to where Roger was and handed him the pad.
Roger said, “It is fast and I am rusty but I have managed to get a few words already. It is repeating so I will get it all in a few minutes as long as it continues.”
They listened carefully hearing the rhythmic tapping and saying
each sequence. Dot dash dash dot, dot dash, dash, dot dot dot. Dickie wrote the code out as Roger continued to listen.
Roger said, “Next word, dash dot dash dot, dot dash dot dot, dot, dot dash, dot dash dot. You get that?”
Dickie nodded and they continued until the message began to repeat. They sat down to decipher the code and Roger easily converted the dots and dashes into words.
“Path clear camp just beyond tower painted red, message and supplies delivered. A.N.T.S.”
Tapping on an empty water bottle in response, they sent the code for, “Understood, KY bound.”
The tapping ceased and they returned to the others, explaining what they were able to decipher, the travelers looked for the red painted tower. They found the red paint on the fifth tower, nearly two miles from where they heard the Morse code. Stopping at a small pine clearing they found a pile of rocks carefully stacked.
Roger smiled, dropped his pack and said, “Home sweet home.”
Within minutes of arriving to the clearing a rider appeared with a satchel. He unceremoniously tossed it in their direction, tipped his hat and rode off. Inside they found canned foods, rice and oatmeal. There was jerky and some kind of pemmican bars and a note.
The note read “Large gang activity beyond Richmond, at blue painted tower exit power line easement. Look for blue ribbons, follow to house with blue shutters. Enter via back yard into the house through bulkhead. Inside supplies, truck will come in two days’ time and carry you last leg. Do not leave the house or speak to anyone, Ebola confirmed outskirts of Richmond.”
They were excited knowing the end of the journey was near. That night they rested and talked about making it to the blue tower the next day. Everyone wanted to sleep indoors again and even if just for the feeling of normal that could be to just relax on a sofa. John talked about hanging out with Matt while Danny couldn’t wait to see Toni and Jeremy.