Compass Call: Survival & Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 3) (62 page)

“Nah. Let them work it out on their own. We can’t keep hand-holding these guys. Some folks just take a little longer to figure things out. Besides, I want to get out of here. The longer I’m here, the more nervous I become,” said John.

“All we have to do is pack. We can be out of here in an hour if we hustle,” replied Pete.

“Let me start the generator first and we’ll get to work.”

“I say forget about it. We don’t need the light to pack the vehicles, and we can save the fuel,” said Pete.

“You’re right. That’s a very good point.”

The packing commenced without delay. The company approached the packing systematically, loading the vehicles according to a well
thought out and detailed plan of execution, and it worked well because they weren’t under any pressure. They were all a little nervous and excited about leaving, but there was enough work to keep everyone busy. Pete even commented that this departure was a lot less stressful than his own had been.

Each vehicle was configured to be completely self-sustained. If separated from the convoy, or abandoned in the event of an emergency, the company could continue to operate without a severe loss to their resources. The only resource that wasn’t equally divided among the three vehicles was the precious metal, but John planned to do that in greater detail after their first stop. For the time being, he put Corbin’s box in Pete’s truck, and his in the Suburban. He wasn’t sure they’d need to use any of the gold or silver during the journey, but he didn’t want to leave it behind. If he had to bury it, then he could do that just about anywhere and still feel fine about it.

Of all the resources to reconcile, ammunition was the most difficult. John alone had thousands of rounds of ammunition. He knew, from combat experience, that a single short-term engagement could consume several hundred rounds per minute. John’s long standing philosophy on ammo was, “You can never have enough.” Somehow, they managed to load all the ammo, and do it in such a way that it didn’t cause them to deviate from their original packing list. Ammo went under seats, in glove boxes, and in any and all dead spaces they could find while packing, but they loaded it all.

They did, however, go light on water. John felt confident they could find and filer water along the way, but still, each vehicle carried two five-gallon water cans, and two cases of bottled water. The fuel was divided by type. The diesel fuel went with Pete’s truck, and the red five-gallon plastic gas cans were secured to the Suburban’s roof rack. John hesitantly allowed the metal jerry-cans to go with the van, and only agreed to it at Pete’s insistence. Pete was absolutely adamant they have spare gas with them as well.

Of all the vehicles, the van was the least burdened with supplies, and that’s exactly how Pete wanted it. As the scout, or point vehicle, he wanted to keep the van as light and open as possible. John knew it would be the most likely vehicle to die along the way, so he didn’t want it overloaded with food and other supplies. But of all the vehicles in the convoy, it was the best manned and heaviest armed.

All that remained for them to meet their on-time departure was to add personal gear and people. Even the vehicles were arranged according to their correct travel formation. The van sat at the end of the driveway pointed toward the shop. Behind it sat the Suburban, and then Pete’s truck. They would not leave the neighborhood by the street, but instead drive, with lights out, out the back of John’s property and into the adjacent field. They would then take the same route to the train, but with a slight deviation when they reached the ridgeline where the trail lead into the valley.

After everyone’s personal gear was stowed, the company gathered in the kitchen to eat a quick breakfast. It was a modest meal by standard, but Marissa didn’t think she could hold everyone’s attention long enough to fix something more elaborate than French toast. But the food was good, and hot, and nobody complained.

While they ate, John stood and addressed the company, “I’m not one for long speeches and mushy sentimental pep-talks, but I want to say a few words before we leave. First off, a lot has happened to bring us all together at this particular place and time. Based on the composition of this group, this company, and the circumstances that brought us together, I’d say it was no accident. To me, that means we were meant to be together . . . that we are the perfect combination of people to make this journey.

It will be a long trip. A hard trip. I can only imagine the challenges we’ll face along the way, but I know there’s nothing we can’t overcome
if we work together. Most of you know about the changes I’ve experienced before and during the disaster. Some of you understand what it means when I say I’ve been awakened . . . spiritually awakened. You might even be concerned about my state of mind, but let me assure you, I’m quite sane. I’ve never been more lucid in my life. I was asleep, and now I am awake.”

John paused and looked at the faces staring up at him. He felt so much love for them, more love than he felt capable of for such a simple moment. Deep feelings of love and compassion filled his heart and nearly brought him to tears, but he choked them down and continued, “We’ll make it. I know we will. And I’ll do everything in my power to protect and provide for you. I know change is hard, but change is rarely a bad thing, especially when it improves us, or makes our lives better. You only thought you were happy before the disaster, but I promise you, stick with me . . . trust me, and I will show you a happiness that exceeds all understanding.”

John swallowed and looked at Marissa. She was crying openly, unashamed. He smiled at her and she smiled in reply. “Marissa, would you offer a prayer for our journey?”

Marissa stood and said, “I would love to. Everyone please bow your heads . . .”

Marissa delivered a prayer with power and confidence, and it was one of the most beautiful prayers John had ever heard. She blessed the company, the journey, the vehicles and the resources. She asked for Father’s protection and guidance, and His deliverance from their enemies, that they could overcome any and all obstacles. She also blessed John, and asked that he be inspired to lead them, and further develop his spiritual abilities for their benefit, to help the company do the same so they could all be awakened in their due time. She closed her prayer in the name of Jesus Christ and John noticed she closed with an “ah-men” instead of the common amen.

John thanked Marissa and he sat down to eat. The kids were very excited about the trip, and there was no shortage of conversation about
it. It pleased John to know that they were excited to leave, but it also concerned him. The weight of their lives, the responsibility he had for them and everyone else in the company, was settled firmly upon his shoulders. He stood up and walked away from the table, and Jenna followed him. She sensed his troubled mood and grabbed his hand as they walked.

John removed the front door barrier and slipped onto the front patio with Jenna in hand. “It seems like yesterday when we were standing here watching the first of the ash fall,” said Jenna. “We had no idea how things would change in just a week.”

“Yeah,” replied John, solemnly.

“Yeah? That’s it?”

“When you decided to go back to bed, I thought you were giving up,” he added.

“I went back to bed because I was tired. I’m not like you, John. I didn’t need to watch the ash fall to believe it was going to keep falling,” replied Jenna, tenderly.

“I . . . you’re right. Even after all that’s happened leading up to the ash fall, I was the one in denial. It seems we’ve both moved past that now. Are you ready to go?”

“I am now. Like I did with the ash, I’ve come to terms with leaving the house. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know it’s going to be worse than the ash. The disaster was only the beginning. Did you hear about the fighter jets that flew over the house last night?” asked Jenna.

“I read the log, but didn’t talk to Bonnie about it. But I’m not surprised. I’ve seen things that reflect a big military event . . . like some kind of war or something. But that’s not the only reason I want to leave the area,” replied John.

“Then what’s the main reason?” asked Jenna. For the first time she was curious about John’s true motivation to leave. All along she thought it was the threat of mob violence, and then war. It never dawned on her that it would be something more.

“I want to meet the couple . . . the people I met in my night vision,” answered John.

Jenna didn’t know how to respond, and John felt an uncomfortable tension rise up in her. He turned to her and added, “It’s also because Eli told me to go. I know this is hard for you, but you’ll know what I mean when you meet the couple at the farmhouse. They’re important, Jenna. They’re an important couple for the work.”

“What work?” she asked.

“Whatever work we’re asked to do,” answered John.

When everyone was loaded, and the communication check complete, John gave the signal to move. The van cleared the back fence and pulled through, and just as John was about to pull through as well, an image of the compass filled his mind. He opened the console to look for it and stopped. He grabbed the radio and said, “Blue One, Green One, over”

“Go ahead, Green,” said Pete.

“I forgot something. Hold your position and I’ll be right back, over.”

“Roger that. Holding.”

John set the parking brake and leaned over to kiss Jenna. “I forgot the compass. I’ll be right back.” He jumped out of the Suburban and jogged to the house, passing the dually as he went.

Paul stuck his head out the window and asked, “What’d you forget?”

“My compass,” replied John without stopping. He reached the garage door and lifted it easily. With flashlight in hand, he dialed the safe’s combination and opened it. The box was inside, the only thing left sitting in the safe. He couldn’t believe he almost forgot it, and was grateful he didn’t get all the way to the train before remembering it.

John spun the safe’s dial and locked the pins out, in their extended position. He wanted people to know there was nothing in the safe, and save them the trouble of trying to pry it open when he was gone.

John knew, by the weight of the box, that the compass was inside, but he opened it just the same. He flipped the top open and waited for the needle to settle. It pointed west. John sighed and put the compass back in the box, and then slipped the box in his right cargo pocket. Never again would he separate himself from the compass, not until he could return it to the man who gave it to him, the man who lived in the white farmhouse, and say “Thank you.”

AUTHOR’S ENDNOTE

F
ollow John’s survival story as it continues in “Tread Fearless,” book four, the Gatekeeper Series, scheduled for release in 2015. John and his company decided to “bug-out” and they begin their long and perilous journey toward sanctuary in the Colorado Rockies. Though they embark on their journey with twelve people and three heavily loaded vehicles, the thousand-mile trip will result in many unforeseen trials and challenges. Their destination, known only to John through a remarkable vision, remains a matter of trust and confidence for the other members of the company.