Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2018 22:44:20 GMT
Thank you Bret! Love the story. Keep it coming please!
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 1, 2018 19:41:15 GMT
Thanks all!
Tom, It’s a very dangerous world Bob lives in. There’s still a good chance he’ll run into someone who’ll kill him, although obviously not in the first chapter. ;-)
Ccindy, I based his hole on past experience.
One time a group of us went winter camping. My buddy and I took the time to dig a snow cave and we had a good night in it. Another group of three people with us used a tree much like Bob’s shelter and they were comfortable all night as well. And it was a lot less effort than digging a cave.
Another time I was hunting, and was sweating when I topped a ridge. I walked across the snow field and the ground dropped out from under me. The snow had blown over the edge and it looked the same as where I’d been walking moments before. My mistake. I was floundering in loose snow and it got down my neck. In minutes I was shivering from cold. I managed to get back to solid ground and forced my way through a fir tree’s branches for shelter. Small pieces of wood, needles, and other litter were everywhere, and remarkably dry. My hands were trembling, but I managed to start a small fire, roughly the size of my two open palms. The area under the heavy branches quickly warmed up, and I was pleasantly surprised how small a fire I needed to warm up in the enclosed space.
But you’re right about Bob!
WVF, thanks!
Chapter 21
After they met with the town council and convinced them they were what they claimed and didn’t pose any sort of threat, the Smokes were shown a place they could stay. A former motel was used to house travelers who stayed a night or two before resuming their journeys. It was small and easy to monitor. The Inn had touted itself as rustic when it was in operation, and it certainly was. But it had clean rooms and running water, highlighted by the natural hot water the town was known for.
Carol’s eyes nearly bugged out when she saw the bath tub and felt the hot water supply. “Can I give the kids a bath before we do anything else?” she asked.
“Sure, go for it. Howie and I can take care of everything. I’ll take them when you’re finished and you can take a bath yourself,” Chad said. He’d said the perfect thing and Carol beamed at him.
Soon, she called to Chad that the kids were both clean and dressed.
“Water fun Dad,” John stated happily. “I splash get Mom wet.”
“I guess it’s a good thing she’s going to take a bath too, then,” Chad said.
“Me help you Oowie now Dad,” John said.
“Thanks Pal, I’d love the help.” Chad was glad to have John and Faith both with him. He hadn’t gotten near enough time with them the past few days of traveling.
When Carol emerged later, she seemed to glow. She’d wanted to stay and soak longer but figured she’d taken enough time. A basic meal of dried meat, cheese, and a few greens Chad had collected was waiting when she emerged. “Thank you Hon. You two need a bath yourselves after we eat. It felt wonderful.”
“Howie can go next,” Chad said. He’d noticed the size of the tub when he’d taken the kids. It could fit two, albeit snugly. “I think I’m dirtier than him and might need some extra help getting really clean.” He grinned at the knowing look Carol flashed at him.
“So after talking to the council, are you still thinking we stay here for a full day?” Carol asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” Chad said. “It won’t hurt us to take a day off, and I think I’ll take them up on the work for food trade offer.” During their meeting with the council, they were told physical work was in high demand. With most of the old world amenities gone, hand labor was valuable. Travelers requesting food had to spend time in the effort to produce the food to receive some in return. More often than not, it involved manure and compost, but Chad was fine with that. He was no stranger to the work.
But if they didn’t want to work, they could pay in silver. As areas re-developed, many had reverted to the old silver, however each area where it was accepted placed a different value on it. Chad did have a few silver coins, but hoped to hold onto them as long as possible. He’d much prefer doing good, honest work.
They finished the meager meal, and Chad and Carol cleaned up while Howie had his bath.
“Man, that was great,” he said when he rejoined them. Then seeing both kids were already sleeping, he said, “I think I’ll follow their example. I hope you two kids don’t keep me awake while you are “taking a bath”,” he said, adding air quotes. In a softer voice he added, “I wish I had someone to help me with a bath.”
“Night Howie, we’ll see you in the morning,” Carol said. “And we’ll try to be quiet.”
#
Despite sleeping in a real bed again and having the chance to stay in it until later, Chad was up with the dawn. His internal clock and senses formed by the need to always be wary didn’t allow him to sleep late. When he checked on the kids they were both sleeping soundly. Carol had fed Faith recently and both had fallen back to sleep immediately. He dressed silently and gazed at his family, his heart near bursting. They were all so important to him, and he asked himself once again if he was doing the right thing, taking them on such a long trek. And as always, the answer he gave himself was a resounding “YES”. He had to get them back home with the rest of the family, to the stability and safeness the family home offered.
He didn’t want to disturb Carol, but knew he’d hear about it later if he didn’t. Lowering his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “Hey Hon, I’m going to go see what I can do to earn us some fresh food. I’ll see you guys later. Love you.”
Carol stirred and opened her eyes a slit. “Be careful. I love you,” she murmured. Chad thought she was asleep as the words left her mouth. He exited the room as quietly as possible. It troubled him to see her so run down and he considered their trip as he entered the inn’s lobby. Carrying Faith all day and waking during the night to feed her, added onto the rigors of travel and nursing were a heavy load for her. He’d have to consider shorter days and several rest days on the trip home. A few days longer shouldn’t hurt; he just wanted to make it home before fall.
Not unexpectedly, a townsperson was sitting in the lobby. “Good morning,” Chad told him. “I was hoping I could work for food today. Can you point me in the right direction?”
“Just you?” the man asked.
“Yeah, the rest of my family is still sleeping. They all need the rest,” Chad said. He could use rest as well, but was sure different activity than walking with his pack would give him some.
The man considered for a moment and then said, “All right. Can you milk a cow or would you rather shovel their crap?”
“I’ve milked a lot but not much recently. I’d be willing to bet my hands and lower arms would be killing me in a little while, but I’m willing to do it,” Chad said.
The man grinned at him. “You have milked if you know what it does to you. I love it when someone says they can do it and only get a pitiful stream and can’t hit the bucket with what they do squeeze out. Then they moan about how much their arms hurt after just a little while.” Chad nodded. Milking had a learning curve and he well remembered everything the guard said. “Okay come with me. I’ll take you to the barns and then come back here.”
Chad followed, feeling half dressed. Though it’d been decided they were safe enough to stay at the inn, none of their firearms had been returned. Without the comforting weight of his pistol on his hip, he felt off-balance. It’d been a part of dressing for several years and its absence felt wrong. He didn’t have long to feel it though, as he entered the dairy barn, ripe with the smell of cow, cow manure and fresh milk. He was directed to a cow already in the stanchion and settled on a T-stool next to her and started milking. As he’d thought, in little time, his hands and arms were protesting the action. But he blocked it from his mind, remembering other times, safe times of performing the activity. He was mentally transported to his childhood home, milking the cow each evening before his dad got home from work. Then he was at Mat’s home, the new family home, milking the goats. It’d been so long ago, and he allowed the memories to consume him, burying the pain of his muscles. Only a few more weeks, he told himself, and we’ll really be there. Even with extra rest days, only a few more weeks. The familiar action, the milking parlor odors, the squish sound as the milk squirted into the pail all took him back home, at least in his mind. It drew on him like a lodestone.
He finished and carried the bucket to a woman who strained the milk into a cream separator. She started turning the handle, slowly building speed. The mechanism hummed and when the handle was spinning fast enough, she moved a rod allowing the milk to flow through the machine. Chad watched as milk flowed from one chute and heavy cream from the other. His family had never owned a separator, relying on skimming the cream off the milk after it’d chilled and separated on its own. But he could see where the machine was much more efficient at getting all the cream.
He didn’t have long to watch as a man called to him he had another cow ready to milk. Chad groaned silently, flexing his hands open and closed. He’d fought through the muscle pain with one cow but mentally questioned if he could milk another so soon. But he kept it to himself, settled down, cleaned the cow’s udder and teats and milked, grimacing at the feeling in his lower arms.
“You did good,” a man said when he was finished. “She was the last one. Now we have to clean the barn and all the equipment.” He handed Chad a scoop shovel and pointed to a wheelbarrow. “Put the manure in there and then hose everything out. We have a line piped in from the river for a high pressure wash. We have another line from the hot springs to clean all the equipment, but I’ll take care of that.”
Chad did as he was told, noticing everyone else had gone. He wondered if the locals left as much of the work as possible to passing travelers. Regardless, the change of activities was welcome, though his arms reminded him they’d done something with every scoop of the shovel. He and the other man left the milking stall when it was thoroughly clean, but not before Chad’s outer clothes were splattered with water and wet cow manure. Chad was pushed the full wheelbarrow as they left the milk barn.
“Is there going to be a chance to get my clothes washed and dried before we hit the road in the morning?” Chad asked his companion.
The man grinned and said, “See why I had you do that part of the job? But to answer your question, yes. We’ll knock off fairly early since there’s not a lot to do this time of year. And someone can show you the laundry facilities then.”
“Alright, so what now?” Chad asked.
“Now I’ll show you where to dump that manure near the greenhouses and you can check in and see if they have any work for you there. I’ll take care of the wheelbarrow,” the man said.
“Hum, I get to push it when it’s full, but you’ll handle it after I dump it,” Chad said.
“I mighta been born in the night, but it wasn’t last night,” he said.
Chad added the wheelbarrow’s contents to a larger pile of manure next to a large compost pile. “I’m not sure what they’ll want you to do, but go inside the greenhouse and someone’ll put you to work. And thanks for the help. You’re a good worker, and you earned your family some milk and cheese,” his companion said.
“So how do we collect on it?” Chad asked.
“I’ll drop some by the inn after I take care of this,” he said, taking the handles of the wheelbarrow and walking away.
Chad watched his back for several seconds, then turned and went in the greenhouse. The change was instant as the temperature and humidity were both higher than the outdoor air. He took his coat off and studied the expansive arrangement. A walking path ran down the center of the building, with beds of plants going off both sides of it. Vegetable plants in various states of growth filled the beds. There were several beds of tomatoes, the vines heavy with fruit, many of them ready to pick. Peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash, filled others. Past them was root crops, with carrot tops and beet greens showing. Though it was huge in comparison, it reminded him more of the indoor garden at home than Ray’s garden at Greater World had. There were no exotic plants he could see, only basic vegetables.
A group of people were further down, kneeling over beds. Chad hung his coat along with others on the wall near the door, and walked down the center path to get his orders. A woman stood to meet him. “You must be Chad Smoke,” she said.
“I am, but how did you know?” he asked.
She pointed to a hunched over man and said, “Howie told me you’d be here eventually. He’s been here for some time, and he said you wouldn’t miss a chance to get your hands in the dirt.”
“Howie’s here?” Chad asked, pleasantly surprised.
“Yes, and he’s been talking non-stop about your family’s quest to make it to Idaho. Does he ever run down?” she asked.
Chad chuckled and said, “I think he’s making up for lost time. We’ve had to be quiet for the most part on the road, not wanting to draw unwanted attention.”
“Well, at least he’s moving his hands as well as his lips. So, do you want to help over there? We’re transplanting seedlings into the larger bed. Howie insists you know what to do much better than he did before he started,” she said.
“That’ll be fine. And yes, I’ve done a fair amount of it before,” Chad said.
Chad situated himself near Howie and got to work with the tender plants. Howie sniffed and looked over at him and said, “Wow Chad, you’re going to need a bath two days in a row. You stink like cow.”
Chad only smiled, remembering the memorable bath he’d had the previous evening. He’d certainly enjoy another bath like he and Carol had, but only after he had clean clothes to put on afterward. It was nearly enough to make him want to stay an extra day, but no, he was already itching to hit the road. Something told him he couldn’t delay the trip any longer than necessary. Despite his earlier resolve to allow more rest time, something had come over him while he milked. He looked in the direction of his far distant home. He needed to get there; he felt it in every fiber of his being.
Copyright 2018 Bret W. Friend
|
|
|
Post by themotherhen on Jun 1, 2018 21:43:12 GMT
bretf, it is good that Chad has a 'gut feeling' about getting home sooner rather than later. He and his family are in danger as long as Bob is after them.
|
|
|
Post by meandtk on Jun 1, 2018 22:19:32 GMT
I'm not expecting Bob to make it past the guards at this town.
|
|
|
Post by joebill on Jun 2, 2018 15:19:11 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 2, 2018 23:02:40 GMT
Thanks Joe. We saw that. My kids have a trek there next month. The leader's son is working there and sent photos and a note about it yesterday. Orange sky and heavy smoke visible from the headquarters. I could be wrong (Lord knows I am a lot) but I seem to remember green fields to the north and west of the training center. But then again, we got 3 inches of rain in one afternoon while I was there. That's month's worth here. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by joebill on Jun 2, 2018 23:11:22 GMT
It's 6 month's worth here, and that is in a wet year. That pasture is usually nice and green, prob'ly from flood irrigation if there was any snow pack this year. There was also a big herd of tame deer running around there. I doubt there is enough vegetation to catch those old log homes on fire, but they have already lost some structures.....Joe
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 3, 2018 13:44:57 GMT
Meandtk, speak of the Devil . . .
Chapter 22
The man called Bob was glad to have Taos behind him. He hadn’t wanted to show himself, preferring to move through such areas like a wraith, silently taking whatever or whoever he wanted. But he’d needed information, confirmation he was on the right track. And to get it, he’d had to show himself and make inquiries.
Luckily, it wasn’t hard to get the information he wanted and needed. There was an underbelly to society, always had been and always would be. The world ending had only added to it, and in many places fully exposed it. Even where it remained out of sight, it was easy enough to locate for someone who knew how to look.
When he made the right contact, the man answered his questions after only a little persuasion. His answers caused Bob to fly into a fit of rage. Boiling inside, he nearly lashed out and killed the man, but tempered himself. He was just the messenger after all. It wasn’t his fault Smoke had passed through days ago. Obviously, he hadn’t got caught by the damned storm. Not only that, the smug piece of crap had left Taos in a truck.
Bob thought long and hard about that. The man giving him the information knew where the truck was. Maybe he should just steal the truck and make up some ground. He didn’t realize he was talking out loud until the other man answered him.
“Oh, God no man. They have a handful of trucks and they guard them better than they do their women. Maybe you could steal one from ‘em out on the highway if you could come up with a way to stop it, but not in town.”
“I could do it. They’d be dead before they even knew I was there,” Bob stated.
“Pshaw. Go ahead dude. It’s your funeral. They’ll kill you and feed you to the coyotes if you get anywhere near those trucks, just like they did the other fools who tried.”
Bob’s eyes shot daggers at the man. “Are you calling me a fool?” he hissed.
“If the shoe fits, and it will if you get close to those trucks,” the man said not backing down. “Ya see man, when it comes to them trucks, they don’t mess around. They shoot anyone they don’t know.”
Bob’s slow boil continued. So he’d have to continue on foot, several days behind. He’d have to come up with a way to make up ground on them if he was going to catch them before they reached the land of the U-tards, or worse yet, the Ida-hoes. He spun on his heal and left without another word. He was so focused he didn’t feel the eyes on him as he hurried through the town or hear the curses of the man he left staring at his back. He nearly ran as he left the town behind.
His burst of energy didn’t last long, and soon he was back at a slower pace and cursing Chad and Carol with every step he took. “I’m coming for you Smoke,” he mumbled as he trudged up the empty roadway.
“Really?” the voice in his head responded smugly. Since the blizzard on the mountain, the voice left him for only a short time before returning again. Since then, it seemed it was always there, always taunting him. It’d been like a mosquito buzzing around his ear while he talked to the man in Taos, making it hard to concentrate. Once he’d walked away, it came back loud and clear. “Are you finally coming so I can give you your private lessons? You sure waited long enough.”
“You’ll pay for that, and for talking down to me in that dining hall,” Bob told the voice.
“Ha. As I remember, you were the one who said we needed to go off somewhere for the lesson. Somehow, I never expected to go so far away before you stepped up. What’s the matter, you want to make sure no one is around to see it when I humiliate you? A real man wouldn’t wait so long. A real man would’ve proven himself in front of everyone. What are you, only a partial man?” the voice in his head taunted. “Maybe I should finish what your mother started, then there’d be no doubt.”
Bob’s response was explosive, and would’ve alerted anyone around he was there. “DON’T EVER SAY THAT!” he screamed. “I’LL KILL YOU FOR THAT, JUST LIKE I KILLED THAT . I’M GOING TO WATCH YOU BLEED AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A PARTIAL MAN FOR THE LAST MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE!”
Bob continued to scream and the voice in his head taunted him, needled him, egging him on. It didn’t stop until Bob was hoarse, kneeling, and sobbing at the side of the road.
|
|
|
Post by meandtk on Jun 4, 2018 3:06:14 GMT
bretf, Wow! Bob is truly messed up.
|
|
|
Post by joebill on Jun 4, 2018 3:22:23 GMT
“those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad” ......Missing from the quote...."madness destroys any man who trifles with it", but some cannot resist......Joe
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 6, 2018 18:05:43 GMT
Chapter 23
With all the seedlings transplanted and watered, work was finished for the day in the greenhouse. As they walked with the townspeople to the front of the building, the woman who’d directed Chad and Howie, saw the hungry look Chad shot at the tomato patch. She smiled knowingly. “Thank you both for your help. Misty can show you the laundry facilities so you can get your clothes clean before you take off tomorrow.” She indicated a younger woman for them to follow. Chad looked longingly at the tomatoes one more time before getting his coat and following Misty.
She led them down a nearby side road and pointed to a block building. “There are tubs, hand agitators, and a wringer in there. I’d imagine you know how to use them. Hot and cold water are piped in. You’ll have to hang your stuff in your room at the inn to dry,” she said.
“What about soap?” Chad asked.
“If you’re lucky, someone may have left some there, but don’t count on it. Have fun,” she said and walked away, leaving them standing in the street.
Chad and Howie looked at each other. They’d expected a bit more than that from her. Howie shrugged at the dismissal and said, “It must be you. I told you you stink.”
Chad gave him a flat look. “And despite you having a bath last night, you’re not much better. Your pants would stand up on their own if you took them off,” he said.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Howie said. “But at least at least they’re not covered in bovine excrement.”
Chad turned and looked behind him. “Humph, I figured Misty must be standing there,” he said.
“Misty? Why?” Howie asked.
“Because of those big, sophisticated words you’re using. I was sure you were trying to impress her. Bovine excrement indeed. It sure looks and smells like plain old cow manure to me,” Chad said.
They grinned at each other and Howie said, “Well, I wouldn’t mind it if she’d stayed around a while longer.”
“Yeah, I know,” Chad said. “Now let’s go look at the facilities.
It wasn’t anything fancy, but the laundry room had everything Misty had said, and it would beat cleaning their clothes in a creek or pond. But there wasn’t any soap.
“Guess I’ll go get all the clothes we need to wash and see if Carol wants to come along,” Chad said.
“You know, the way your pants are, you can wash them in the same water as Faith’s diapers,” Howie said, and held his hand up and slightly pinched his nose closed.
Chad was soon standing in front of a tub in nothing but his underwear, working the hand agitator. He’d washed the pair he was wearing first thing and put them on wet. The rest of their clothing was soaking. He had his back to the door, and didn’t turn around when it opened and closed again. He was certain it was Carol. She was nursing Faith when he and Howie gathered up their clothes and said she’d join them in a short time.
A feminine laugh that wasn’t Carol’s startled him. “Wow, I should do laundry more often,” a woman said, and Chad’s face and neck blushed red. He looked for something that wasn’t in one of the tubs to cover with. “That’s it, turn and show me the front side too,” she said, causing his face to burn more. He grabbed his coat and pulled it on to hearty laughter from the woman.
“Ahh, you don’t have to do that. But what about you Howie? How about modeling for me like your cousin is? After all, he’s got a wife, so he’s off limits,” she said.
“I will if you want to get me alone,” Howie said. The remark got a snort and more laughter from her.
Chad was finally over his shock enough to hear her voice more clearly, and along with the familiarity she used, knew who it was. He looked at her without turning his entire body to face her, his coat didn’t go down as far as he’d like. “Hello Amy. It’s nice to see you again,” he said.
“Not near as nice as it is seeing you, dang near all of you,” she said. “And I wouldn’t mind if you turned all the way around.”
Chad blushed further at the comment.
A man was standing beside her, smiling. “I tell you, this girl can be a handful. You better be careful what you ask for Howie. You might be biting off more than you can chew with this one if you got her alone.”
In a low voice Howie mumbled, “I’d sure like the chance to find out.”
Chad recognized the man’s voice instantly, though he hadn’t recognized his face right off. It’d been partially concealed by the hood of his ghillie suit when Chad had seen him before. It was Chuck Gray, the man who’d stopped them on the road outside of town.
“I thought I’d sit down and chew the fat with you for a while, but I see I’ve come at a bad time,” Chuck said. “How long to you expect to be with that?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t had a working watch for years. It’s all just a vague impression now. But I don’t know, maybe another hour?” he said with a shrug of his shoulders, more of a question than a statement.
“Sounds good,” Chuck said. “I’ll give you time to finish what you’re doing and get dressed, and see you back at the inn. Come on Amy, let’s leave them to their work.”
“But I’d be glad to stay and help them,” she said. The scenery is a lot better in here.”
Before anyone could answer, the door opened again and John ran into the room, followed by his mom carrying his sister. He saw his dad and ran straight at him. “Dad!” he called. Chad forgot about his embarrassment over his appearance and turned to scoop him up. Carol closed the door and looked around.
“Hi Carol,” Amy said. “I was just envying you, and offered to stay and help with your laundry.”
Carol smiled at her. She wasn’t the first young woman they’d met who’d been enthralled by Chad. “I don’t know about the men, but I always welcome help. Especially from a woman. Men never seem to do as thorough a job. Especially Howie. He could really use your help,” Carol said.
Rather than being chagrined, Howie stood straighter at the comment, hoping Amy would help.
Amy looked from Carol to Howie to Chad and back to Carol, gave a shrug and a smile. “Sure, I’ll help him,” she said. “I want to hear more stories about your travels.”
“All right, I’ll see you all in about an hour, give or take,” Chuck said. “And be careful Howie.”
Many hands made the job go fast, and Chad was soon dressed in wet pants and shirt. Before he put the shirt on, Amy saw the bullet scars in his arm and chest. “How’d you get those?” she asked.
Howie groaned at the question. Chad never failed to tell someone he’d caused his cousin to be shot the first time they’d met.
“It’s just one of those things that happened. Someone yelled at the wrong time and it all went downhill from there,” Chad said. At Amy’s urging, he told her the rest of the story, but neglected to tell her Howie was the one who’d called out at just the wrong time and caused the fire fight, only mentioning Howie had been one of the captives they’d freed.
Amy was wide eyed at hearing about the battle. Despite being in the forward lookout post, Chuck did his best to keep her out of shooting situations. She looked at Howie as if seeing him for the first time. “Slavers had you? Man, I want to hear all about it,” she said.
Carol smiled and whispered in Chad’s ear, “That was nice of you.”
“Well, he hasn’t been too irritating on this trip,” he whispered back.
They were happily surprised to find Chuck was waiting in the inn’s lobby when they stepped in. He had a fire raging in the stone fireplace and wooden racks set up around it to hang their clothing to dry. Across the room, a table had the fresh dairy products Chad had been promised, as well as a wooden crate filled with produce from the greenhouse. The aroma of mutton roast emanated from a Dutch Oven.
“Wow, you’ve been busy. Thanks, I really appreciate it,” Chad said.
Chuck smiled and said, “I figured it was the least I could do for you entertaining Amy for a while.” Amy stuck her tongue out at her dad, causing him to chuckle. “Besides, I want to hear about your travels. I know the council talked to you, but I generally ask for different information. I want to know everything travelers have seen coming here and if any of it will cause me heartburn where it concerns the security patrols.”
“Sounds good,” Chad said. “I’ll tell you everything I saw and you can tell me all you know about the road going to Durango.”
Chuck nodded his head and said, “Sure, now get your clothing hung to dry and we can sit here and eat while we talk.”
Once everyone was seated and eating, Chuck said, “So, about conditions to the west. If it was me taking my family there, I’d travel at night from here until you hit Mormon country.”
“What do you consider Mormon country?” Chad asked. “The Utah border?”
“Well, specifically, I’d stay under cover clear to Monticello. It’s the first town you’ll come to in Utah, though their militia patrols pretty regularly between there and the border. But despite their presence, I hear of occasional trouble through there. It’s just over one hundred and sixty miles to Monticello, and it’s kind of no-man’s land between here and there,” Chuck said.
“So night travel the entire distance?” Chad asked.
Chuck said, “As I said, it’s no-man’s land there. There’re some undesirables that work the area and sneak into the Utah towns and settlements in the area, but mostly Monticello. They leave us alone, but I hear they hit the Mormon communities quite a bit. It seems they think it’s easier to steal what they need and hide out than to work. The slip away into the canyon land and disappear any time someone gets after them. They evidently live there like the original inhabitants that set up those cliff homes, though those people were supposed to be peaceful and minded their own business.”
“And they rob travelers of everything they’ve got,” Amy added. “I mean everything, guns, food, clothes, shoes.”
“That’s what we’ve heard, anyway,” Chuck added. “Actually, we hear conflicting reports of how they deal with travelers. They seem to pick and choose which ones to take advantage of.”
Chad saw Carol tense up. “So I guess we move slowly, and only at night until we reach Monticello,” he said.
“That’s what I’d do if it was me. You may run into the militia before Monticello, though. If you do, they’ll know about conditions from there,” Chuck said.
Chad was quiet while he considered everything. They’d have to go even slower and with more care, when all he wanted was to go as far and fast as he could each day. He couldn’t shake the feeling that’d come over him while he milked the cow earlier.
Chuck got up and went to the corner of the lobby and picked up Chad’s air rifle. “The rest of your weapons are here. I figured you might want to leave this evening after talking with me, so I brought them over. Now I want to hear all about this gun. You can tell me about any concerns you saw on the road leading here afterwards.”
“All right, but before we talk about it, what about leaving this evening. How long do you think we should stick around before taking off, to be at your guard post by dark?” Chad asked.
Chuck said, “The relief team will be leaving in about four hours. I’ll tell them about you and you can go with them. It’ll be a whole lot safer for you passing the check point that way. It should give you time to have all your clothes dry and get everything packed, and fit in a nap before then.”
Chad regretted he’d gotten up early, but it wouldn’t be the first all-nighter he’d pulled after working during the day. And if his senses got too numb, he’d stop despite the urge to hurry. Besides, looking at the food Chuck was leaving them, it was worth it. “Okay so this rifle,” he said stroking the stock and getting glass eyed as he remembered the horror and fear, the relief, the shock. “The first time I ever saw my half-brother Mat . . .”
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 8, 2018 22:11:40 GMT
Chapter 24
Chad woke instantly as his subconscious registered noises elsewhere in the inn. He tried to identify it, but it was faint due to the insulation in the walls, and then stopped altogether. He lay there to see if it would repeat and chanced a glance out the window. The sun was low in the western sky. Time to get up anyway, he told himself. He was determined to take advantage of the opportunity to cover more ground while it was still light out, and they’d have to get on the road soon in order to reach the forward guard post shortly after darkness fell. As he lay on his side gazing out the window, the urge to be on the road towards home felt as strong as it had earlier in the day. Though he’d longed to be home for a long time, he’d never felt the need for haste like he was feeling at the moment. He wished he knew what it was about, but he didn’t have a clue, just the strong feeling they shouldn’t delay any more than necessary. Better get moving, he told himself.
He felt restored and ready to walk for hours despite only having a couple hours of sleep. Hopefully it was enough for Carol and Howie as well. He planned to make as many miles as they could in the darkness. Where is that feeling coming from, why? he pondered.
Filled with thoughts of his distant home, he quelled the pulling feeling and a small smile crossed his face as he remembered something Mat told him so long ago. “When I was in the army, we could sit down and fall asleep anywhere, anytime. We never knew when we’d be able to sleep again, so we took advantage of any down-time we got.” Chad was skeptical then, but he wasn’t any longer. After all their travels, he understood what Mat meant, and he and Carol could fall asleep moments after relaxing. But now it was time to get up and walk until dawn and their next opportunity to sleep.
He looked away from the window and gazed at his gorgeous wife, so peaceful and relaxed while she slept, and hated what he had to do. The desire to get home overrode his misgivings for waking her. “Carol, hey darling, we need to get up,” he said, running his hand up and down her side. She stirred and he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Carol flexed one shoulder and then the other, and stretched her legs out, her mouth open in a yawn. Chad watched it all and said, “You better watch it opening your mouth so wide. You might catch something in it.”
“I wouldn’t mind catching a few more Z’s if you could send them my way,” she said, and covered another yawn with her hand.
“Yeah, I know. But we better not, though I tell you what. As long as we’re walking with the townsfolk, I’ll spell you and carry Faith. You can take her after we get to their guard post,” he said.
“You don’t have to do that. I got more rest than you and you did a lot more work than I did today,” Carol said.
Chad gazed at his daughter, wide eyed and watching the two of them. He said, “Yep, I know I don’t have to, but I want to. I haven’t had near enough kid time since we left Philmont.” He leaned over and picked her up, snuggled her for a moment, and then checked her diaper.
“Okay, you can carry her, but I don’t want you wearing yourself down,” Carol said.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “Now we better get everything together so we can take off.” He bent and rested his hand on John’s shoulder and shook gently. “Hey guy, we need to get ready to take off. Do you want to give me a hand with Chevon and the cart?”
John didn’t comprehend right away, taking some time to come out of the deep sleep. He was all set to cry from being disturbed until he saw his dad right above him. “Dad, you wake me?”
“We need to get back on the road Buddy. You can even walk with me part way. How about that? Now, can you help me get everything ready?” Chad asked.
“Oh. Me help,” John said, and got off the bed to join his dad.
“I’ll get Howie and we’ll get everything ready up front,” Chad said, and leaned in and gave Carol a kiss. “Okay John, let’s get at it.”
Chad entered the inn’s lobby, and stopped in surprise. Amy Gray was standing near a window, straightening her clothes. “Hello Amy, I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he said. She turned, her face turning red, a deeper shade Chad decided. Parts of her face were already red, caused by rubbing against a beard he suspected.
“Oh, uh, we, uh, I mean Howie and I were just talking . . . about some of the places he’s been,” she stammered.
“Oh. Talking. I see,” Chad said. “Well I hope it was a very satisfying chat for both of you,” he said, causing her to turn redder. He was surprised at her reaction, after how she’d acted when seeing him in nothing but his underwear. Oh well. He knew he’d never figure out women, and things went smoother around them when he acknowledged the fact.
The door to Howie’s room opened and he stepped into the lobby. He had a dreamy look on his face and his eyes danced when he looked at Amy. They weren’t so dreamy when he looked at Chad. Chad raised his eyebrows and his free hand in a silent, Well?
Howie just shrugged, but the smile remained on his face.
Chad studied him, considering. “We need to get the goat and cart. Can you give me and John a hand?” he asked.
“Sure,” Howie said. He looked at Amy with a broad smile and said, “It won’t take us long.”
Chad opened the front door and John scampered out, heading for the makeshift barn and pen where they’d put Chevon and the cart. Howie wasn’t in as big a hurry, following at a more leisurely pace.
When they were some distance from the door, Chad said, “It doesn’t look like you got much rest Howie.”
“No, not much. At first we really were talking about where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. You know, since everything happened, she hasn’t been more than ten miles from here,” Howie said. “She’s starving for information about other places.”
“You and I sure can’t say that, about the ten miles at least, can we?” Chad asked. He was quiet for a while as they approached the pen with the goat. He stopped and looked pointedly at Howie. “So do you want to stay, or is it an option?”
Howie was thoughtful for some time and then he said, “No. She didn’t ask me to stay, but I don’t think it’d work out even if she did. You see, I’m a novelty, she’s known every guy here in town her entire life. I’m sure that’s why she came on to me and flirted with you earlier. We’re new and unknown.”
“So do you want to discuss it with her, staying here?” Chad asked.
Howie shook his head slowly, the smile gone from his face. “No,” he said. “I’m like the fancy new bauble in a store window display. She’d get tired of me in short order,” he said.
Chad studied him and said, “That’s a rather fatalistic approach to it all isn’t it?”
Howie looked sad and resigned. “I don’t know about that, but it’s true. You don’t get it do you? You’ve got Carol and the kids and a real home to go to. But me? My home was nuked and both my parents are dead. I’ve been doing this, going from place to place a lot longer than you, and other than the time I was with you and Carol, I’ve been alone since Mom was killed. I haven’t had what you call a home since Dad sent me and Mom out of Chicago and I’ve never stayed longer than six months in one spot since then. I know what will happen, being a new guy in town with an established woman. It doesn’t work. Believe me Chad, it just doesn’t work,” Howie said. “I’ve been there and done that.”
Chad looked at him, hearing hurt deeper than he’d imagined. “Well, let’s get to Indian Valley, and you’ll have a home. A real home, surrounded by family. Nick will give you a lot of ribbing about being a city slicker, but you can handle it, as much as you’ve been through,” Chad said.
“That’s what I want, and thanks Chad for including me. Maybe the rest of it can work out afterwards.”
Chad clapped his hand on Howie’s shoulder and said, “We better help John with that goat.” They took a few steps and Chad said, “Maybe Amy’s different. Have you thought about that?”
Howie shrugged and said, “Even if she is, all the guys in town who consider her eligible won’t be. It would be Hell to stay here once the newness wore off. Now we need to get loaded and get on the road to home.”
Everything was packed and ready when the relief guards walked to the inn, accompanied by Chuck. “I told them you folks were going along with them, and the more I thought about it, I decided I will too. Amy told me she wants to walk along with you and hear all about where you live. I think it’s a good idea and would like to hear about your home myself.”
“That’s right,” Amy said. “I want to know everything. The climate, how safe it is, what the terrain is like, what the people are like, everything you can think of. Howie told me what you’ve told him, but well, you know, it’s all second hand from him.”
“I suppose we’ve got some time walking we could answer all your questions,” Chad said.
The group started out, with Amy and Chuck grilling Chad and Carol about everything they could think of about their part of Idaho. John was a trooper, staying with his dad for a half mile before he had a hard time keeping the pace. Chad passed Faith to Carol and scooped him up, loving the opportunity to hold his son and not noticing the extra weight.
Amy had a wistful look on her face as she heard everything about Cambridge and Indian Valley, Idaho. “It sounds like a great place to live,” she murmured. Chuck heard and considered it. Chad did make it sound like a fine place.
Howie also caught her tone. “You guys can come with us,” he said hopefully.
Amy was quiet and her dad answered, “Humph, we can’t just pull up stakes and take off on a whim.”
“We could stay another day, couldn’t we Chad?” Howie said. “From what Chuck told us, it would be safer to travel in a larger group.”
Before Chad could answer, Chuck grinned ruefully and said, “It does sound tempting but any decision that important needs time to weigh all the options. But thanks for the offer.” It truly did sound tempting, getting Amy to a new area with new opportunities and without the daily threat of attack. But he’d seen Chad’s face at the prospect of staying an extra day. No, he couldn’t leave on the spur of the moment, but it would be the basis for many long talks to come between him and his daughter. He’d made a vow when he held the tiny infant that he’d do anything within his power to keep her safe and happy. It’d been hard enough to do while rearing her as a single parent before the nukes, and was compounded afterward. Was he now at a major crossroads because of that vow?
Amy spoke, breaking Chuck out of his reverie. “Our guard post is right up ahead, so we’re going to have to stop.”
Chuck and Chad clasped right hands and Chuck said, “You take care now. It was a pleasure.” He shook with Carol and then took Howie’s hand. He held it and studied Howie for several moments before releasing it, then stepped back.
Amy also shook hands, but gave Howie a long embrace. When she stepped back, tears on her cheeks glistened in the moonlight.
“It’s time for you to ride in the cart pal,” Chad told John, and set him in and got him nestled under a sleeping bag. He stood back upright and said, “Chuck, Amy, thank you both. We really appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” He turned and nodded to Carol and they started walking up the dark highway. Howie lingered longer before giving Chevon’s lead a slight tug and following behind.
After rounding a curve in the road, Chad stopped. “You alright Howie?” he asked. “Do you want to change your mind?”
“I’ll live. Now we better get going. We’ve still got a long way to go to make it home.” Home. He liked the way it sounded, though the vision he’d formed in his head from Chad’s descriptions had changed. It now included a lovely young woman with long black hair.
Copyright 2018 Bret W. Friend
|
|
|
Post by cccindy on Jun 8, 2018 22:33:22 GMT
Thanks for the update, and for not bringing Bob into it--yet.
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Jun 9, 2018 0:05:12 GMT
Enjoying every chapter, thanks Bret.
|
|
|
Post by bretf on Jun 10, 2018 14:08:36 GMT
Enjoying every chapter, thanks Bret. Even though that SOB Bob is still around and not bumped off in the first chapter? Chapter 25The night traveling passed without incidence, as did the following two. Still, Chad gnashed his teeth, longing to reach Monticello where he hoped they’d be able to travel from dawn till dusk again. Each night, they traveled shorter distances than they had when walking in the daylight. They spent less time on the road and moved slower, with Chad staying much closer to his family. Each morning as the sky began to lighten at their backs far sooner than he wanted, he searched for a place to hole up and wait for the cover of darkness to get back on the road. All the while he had the odd feeling they needed to cover ground faster. The third day out, his anxiety at their pace lessened slightly. A broad open plain stretched out ahead of them. In the distance, the remains of the town of Bayfield lay nestled in green fields. The snow-capped mountains were mostly at their backs, though snow remained on the hills to the north of the plain. But the plain was different, almost like they’d entered another world. It was spring on the west side of the Rockies, and the plain was lush with growth. Nature had laid out a veritable smorgasbord, at least for someone who could recognize it. Chad might not be familiar with all that was useful, but he could identify enough of it to make substantial additions to their diet. Although there was still some produce from Pagosa Springs remaining, he wanted to supplement it and stretch it out as long as possible. Besides, it would be foolish to pass by so much food and he tried hard to minimize his foolish moments. He’d gathered a fair amount of prickly pear cactus and juniper berries the past couple of days, but that was it. He desired a variety from the cactus and so far, the berries had only been added sparingly to their meals. They were nutritious, but extremely bitter. Eaten in greater quantities, they would keep the travelers fed, but he hoped they didn’t get that desperate, they were so nasty. Still, he’d gathered them from nearby trees each day as he took his guard shifts. After setting up camp and having a quick meal, Carol and the kids and Howie took to their beds for some much needed sleep. Rather than settle in a secluded spot for the first shift of guard duty, Chad slung his messenger bag over his shoulder. He studied the surrounding area carefully, then set out to forage. Right off he saw small game trails in the vegetation and returned to his pack for snares to set as he foraged. He went slow and careful, watching the countryside for other people as much as the ground as he foraged in ever widening circles. When he was as far from the camp as he felt comfortable going without someone on watch, he returned and emptied his bag. Gently shaking Howie’s shoulder, in a soft voice he said, “Hey Howie, sorry to wake you so soon dude, but I need you to take the watch. There’s a lot of good stuff growing around here. I’m going down to an abandoned farm and check it out. There’s almost always edible plants where the ground used to be tilled.” “Huh, oh yeah. I’ll watch while you’re gone,” Howie mumbled. Chad stood, but didn’t leave. He was ready to shake Howie again when his cousin let out a low groan and stretched his arms and legs out stiffly. Shaking his head, he sat up and whispered, “Okay, you can go. I’m up.” He clambered to his feet, yawned, and stretched again. “Did you pick out a good place to watch from?” he asked quietly. Chad motioned with his head and walked away from the camp, threading his way through the surrounding trees. As he’d foraged, he’d kept an eye out for a good watch location. He stopped at a place where the trees opened up and gave a better view of the open plain. “From here, you can see all the easy approaches to our camp and still stay hidden,” he said. He pointed to the distant farm, set back from the highway. “I’m going down there. I’ll check it out and harvest anything useful, then come back.” “Got it,” Howie said, and settled behind a pine tree with his pistol in his lap. Chad nodded and slipped back into the gulley that led to the farm. Chad couldn’t have been more pleased once he reached the farmyard. Many edible plants, considered weeds by most gardeners, covered the ground with new growth. He saw several he’d been familiar with for years and were favorites in the spring; lamb’s quarter, mallow, and amaranth. He noted their location and went past them; he had to make sure the buildings weren’t occupied before any harvesting. As he moved to where he could see past the barn, he smiled at the bonus he hadn’t seen from the camp. A pond was behind the barn, with dried cattails rising from the water along the banks. There was great potential there, but it also had to wait. It was tense as always as he went through the buildings. His heart hammered and his hands gripping the rifle were covered with a sheen of sweat as he checked each for occupants. The house and barn both showed they’d been used by travelers, and he breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he found no one was present. After clearing each building, he went to the pond and studied it. He didn’t want to get wet but he’d have to in order to get some of the best food nature offered. He found a decent stick and stripped down to his underwear and waded into the cold water. The air might feel like spring, but the water still felt like winter. The frigid water and mud sucked the warmth from his feet and legs, making him wince in pain, but he stayed in, his lower extremities soon going numb from the icy cold. At a clump of cattails, he worked his stick into the mud below the roots. Thankfully they grew relatively shallow, about six inches below the surface. He rocked the stick and tugged on the stalks, loosening the roots until he could pull them out. About a foot-long section of tubers pulled free of the sucking mud, and he was happy to see new buds and short stalks shooting up from them. He sloshed them in the water, rinsing as much mud off as he could, then tossed them on the bank and probed with his stick for more roots. In short order he had a pile of roots and shoots on the bank, as many as he wanted to carry. With his teeth chattering from the cold, he moved to an undisturbed area of the pond and rinsed himself off as well as he could with trembling hands, and got back on the bank. He sluiced water off his legs and feet, and though he was far from dry, he pulled his clothes back on. His homespun woolen pants clung to his wet skin, not sliding up as easily as he would have liked. But relief soon came and his feet and legs tingled as the cold dissipated with renewed circulation. Once he was fully dressed, he paused and looked around and listened for any out of place sounds. Not hearing anything, he gathered up the roots and hurried back to the area he’d seen the fresh greens. He gathered all he could until his messenger bag bulged. With the bag over his shoulder and his left arm wrapped around the clump of roots, he hurried back to the gulley he’d used to approach the farm. Again he paused and checked his surroundings before heading back to the camp. As he neared the campsite, he was concerned when he didn’t see Howie where he’d left him. In a momentary panic, he scanned the area. Had something happened? Did someone come while he was in the pond and he hadn’t heard anything? He was all set to drop everything he’d harvested when Howie appeared from a small bowl, pine needles covering him. It seemed Howie had been learning about concealment on their trip and camouflaged himself after Chad left. Chad let out a sigh of relief as Howie gave him the all clear sign. “It looks like you had a successful outing,” Howie said softly when Chad got near him. “Yeah, it was good, but dang cold,” Chad said and motioned with his head to the bundle of cattail roots. “Are you good for a while longer? I’d like to make a fire box and get theses roots steaming.” “Yeah, I’m okay,” Howie said, and settled back into his burrow. “Besides, I’ve got a bit of work still to do here.” He held up a pine cone. “The mini bears got most of them, but I found a few they didn’t get.” It was a pinion pine cone, the source of pine nuts, and “mini bears” was a term picked up in Philmont. During the Boy Scout days, the mini bears, chipmunks and squirrels, were a constant threat to trekkers food supplies. Bear bags kept food safe from black bears, but mini bears scoured campsites and could get into any food not thoroughly secured. Pine nuts were traditionally harvested in the fall before the mini bears got to them, but a few could still be found in the right spots. Apparently, Howie had found one of those spots. “Good man,” Chad said. “Those’ll be great on the greens I’ve got in the bag.” He nodded and walked to their camp and put all his bounty down in the shade and studied their campsite. A finger of the gulley he’d used to travel to the farm and back extended past their camp, and he saw a great spot to make the oven. He dug through the cart and found the fold up shovel they carried and three short boards, then excavated a hole in the gulley and lined it with rocks that’d been exposed by erosion. There were enough dry branches scattered under the trees where they camped, he soon had a fire going in the pit. As it burned, he stepped away from the camp and looked at it. Most of the smoke was dissipated in the tree branches, but some still made it through, raising gray into the sky. There was nothing he could do about it at the time, he just hoped no one would come by and see it. “Hey Howie,” Chad said, as he approached his cousin’s hiding spot. “I’m making more smoke than I like so be extra vigilant. I set some snares earlier, so I’m going to go check them,” he said, pointing to the opposite side of the gulley. Howie nodded and Chad retraced his path from earlier. He was disappointed as snare after snare was empty. Then his face lit in a smile at the final set. A jackrabbit hung from the branch he’d attached his line to. He’d have preferred a cottontail even though they were smaller, but never turned down either when he managed to get one. After the snare was reset, he turned to look at the area they’d made their camp. Thankfully, the smoke was no longer visible. He returned to his fire pit, plucking lush green cheat grass as he went. At the pit, he saw there was a good bed of red coals in it, just as he hoped. He skinned and gutted the hare and cut it into pieces, then moved his cattail roots near the pit. With the shovel, he moved the glowing coals out of the pit, and lined the rocks with the green grass, then placed the rabbit and roots in the hole, covered it with the boards and shoveled dirt over it all. The heat in the rocks would cook everything, the moisture from the grass releasing to help keep the food moist as it steam-baked, so when they woke in the late afternoon, they could have a fresh, warm meal. Chad spelled Howie, sending him to sleep. Once he was nestled into the pines, he went through the greens he’d gathered, and prepared them to eat. He split his attention between watching the road and the pile of greens. The activity kept him occupied and alert, but all too soon he finished, and the tense hours of walking and foraging caught up with him. He held on as long as he could, but had to wake Howie sooner than he wanted. “You know the drill,” he said. “If you get drowsy, get me up to relieve you.” With one more look all around, he curled up in a sleeping bag near Carol and was asleep in moments. # In the late afternoon, Chad opened the fire pit and used a pair of wooden tongs to pull cattail roots out and place them on plastic plates. The plates were a luxury item for them, added to their travel gear after they’d gotten the cart and could carry more with them. He split the top of the roots on the first plate and passed it to Carol. With a spoon, she scraped the starchy insides out and tossed the outer section into the gully. Howie copied her, and she did another plateful for Chad and John. While she did that, he put pieces of the jackrabbit on their plates, then salad greens topped with pine nuts and a number of tender white buds and shoots he’d taken from the roots. They leaned back, enjoying the meal, feeling fortunate nature had blessed them with such a bounty. Copyright 2018 Bret W. Friend
|
|