When the Power Is Gone: A Powerless World - Book 1 (19 page)

Russ was quiet as he drove. I knew him well enough to know he felt terrible, and probably partially responsible, for those people being dead. I had to say something.

“Baby, what happened was not your fault. You were trying to talk them down. He obviously fired inadvertently – I mean, no warning, no escalation of the situation – it had to be an accident. It is not your fault he had his finger on the trigger. It is not your fault he fired. It is not your fault the rest of us fired back. You could not have prevented this. Stop beating yourself up over it. Please.”

Russ looked at me, eyes full of pain.

“I know. Every word you just said is true. I know it’s not my fault. I know you all reacted as you should have. It still doesn’t ease the pain in my heart. I knew we would probably have to take lives at some point during this new reality. I just wasn’t mentally ready for it yet. It hasn’t even been two weeks. I can’t believe society has stooped so low so fast. It’s worse than any scenario I had thought of or planned for. I’m afraid we are going to be in for a lot more of this kind of thing at the farm. We have to get there, get settled in, and get busy on security and reinforcements. The bad is coming, fast.”

I nodded my head in sad agreement. I wasn’t ready for it to be this ugly yet either. All we could do was hope that the farm was far enough away from civilization that we could stave off the ugly for a little while.

Russ took the next left, which was more of a cow path than a road, and headed into what looked like the woods. There was nothing but trees for as far as the eye could see. We rounded the corner, and Russ let a smile creep onto his face.

              “We’re here.”

From the road, if you didn’t know it was there, you would never see the entrance to the place. It was completely camouflaged with trees and brush that was actually attached to the gate. The trees were artificial, but they were very high quality, and you had to get up next to them and actually touch the leaves to find that out. Russ, Bob, and Monroe had spent hours working on it and checking it from every angle on the road to make sure no one could tell it was actually a gate. It was heavy, and the guys offered to try to lighten the load for him, but Monroe waved them off.

“We don’t leave here but about once a month to go to town, and even then we don’t really have to, we just do it to keep adding to the supplies while we can. I can handle it for no more than that.”

It looked just like it had when we were here a few weeks ago, which was a good sign. If someone had found the place, chances are they wouldn’t have taken the time to reset the gate if they had busted it in, which they would have had to do, because as I said it’s heavy, and the same camouflage lined either side of it for a quarter of a mile. This was the front edge of the property. The rest was extra high barbed wire fenced, but even that was set back into the trees a good 100 feet, and Mother Nature was allowed to grow whatever her heart desired between the fence and the edge of the property. You couldn’t see the fence from outside the property, and the tree line was so thick there was nothing that let an outsider know there was any reason to go deeper in.

Russ pulled up about 100 feet from it and stopped. The rest of the convoy pulled in behind us. He got out, looking all around for anyone who might be watching. He pulled out his binoculars and checked in all directions. Bob had a set and was looking as well. I looked back at the group, and Mike had a set out, doing the same. We were going to have to figure out how to keep him. Former military, whether a prepper or not, he was adapting quickly to this new world. He had experience and skills we could use immediately, and apparently some valuable supplies. We would need more like him to defend the farm. I made a mental note to bring that up to Russ at the first opportunity.

Russ signaled that it was clear, and everyone exited the vehicles and headed our way.  Russ addressed the group.

“We’re here, gang. We just need to signal Monroe that it’s us, so he doesn’t shoot us, then it’s about a half mile in to the homestead. As I said before, you are more than welcome to stay with us for the duration, but I hope you will at least stay a night or two, so you can get some decent rest, solid food, and get a plan in place. We knew all along we were never going to defend this place with just the eight of us, and we have plenty of room to create more shelters. Knowing Monroe, he probably has the supplies to build a bunch of tiny houses.”

Bob spoke up. “He does. I’ve seen it. The man collects everything and throws nothing out. I swear, he has pieces of Noah’s Ark stashed somewhere.”

We all laughed until Russ took the conversation back.

“So, there’s your validation. What I’m trying to say is you are welcome to stay, for as long as you like. If you decide to leave –“ he was looking at the Scanlins “- we’ll do whatever we can to help you on your way. No one has to make any decisions right away. Let’s get up to the house and check on Monroe and Millie, and get this next chapter started.”

Janet and I looked at each other and grinned. We were so excited to see them again. Honestly, they were the grandparents none of us had anymore. Russ and Bob went to the fence. Bob had a black case in his hand. He opened it and pulled out a flare gun. This was our signal to Monroe that it was us. Not many people carry flare guns with them, so we were pretty sure this method would be safe enough. However, there was more to the signal code. Monroe had to reply back, using a mirror to signal Morse code. He sent, “Password”. Russ signaled back, “Molon Labe”. Monroe then fired his own signal flare. We were clear to enter. Overkill? Maybe, but it was the best we civilians could come up with when we decided what to do if SHTF.

With the help of all the guys, they opened the gate, after Bob unlocked the padlock on it. We drove the vehicles through quickly, then the guys all jumped back out, ran back to the gate, and closed and locked it back up. Once we were sure it was secured again, we headed in to the farmhouse. What a welcome sight Millie and Monroe were, standing on the porch, fit as could be at their age! All the dogs were with them, paying attention, but they recognized our vehicles, so they were calm. I was so excited to see them I was jumping in the seat. Russ looked at me and grinned an evil grin.

“Should I slow down, take my time getting up there?”

I punched him in the arm. “NO! Hurry up!”

He laughed out loud (thank goodness, he was coming back to his old self) and headed toward the front stoop. He stopped just before it, and I was out before he even got the truck in park. I ran up to them and threw my arms around both of them at the same time.

“You’re here! You’re safe! We were so worried about you!”

They both hugged me back, then I stepped out of the way for the rest of the family to greet them. I didn’t realize it, but I had tears running down my face. What was that about? Joy? Relief? Probably both, and a lot more. It took us about five minutes to get through the families hugging each other and the dogs getting their petting as well, then Monroe stepped out and looked at the rest of the group standing in the yard, looking a bit awkward. He looked at Russ.

“Been collecting, I see.”

Russ nodded. “Yes, and I think we have done well so far.”

Millie stepped around the men and walked to the group.

“Welcome to our home, all of you. Please make yourselves at home, wherever you can find a spot. We’ll figure out the sleeping arrangements later, but for now, let’s get some food in you.”

Gotta love a gracious Southern woman. The rest of the group started walking toward the house, shaking hands with them both, then spreading out in the yard and on the porch, just enjoying a “home” again. The dogs went around to each person, sniffing to get to know their scent. Since they all came in with us, they were accepted as new members of the pack. Rusty and Ben kept their eyes on them, to make sure the smaller kids weren’t scared.

Moira came up to me and asked if the bathroom worked here. I bent down to her level and smiled.

“It does, but we have to help it flush. Come on, I’ll show you where it is and how it works.”

The great thing about a septic tank – it isn’t dependent on technology. It just needs water to wash it down.

Russ looked at me as I was walking by. “Is there anything dire we need to get unloaded?”

“The only things we need to get out are the animals. We should be able to add them to the pens here, but I’d set them inside the enclosures, in their cages, for now, just to see how everyone gets along. With all of ours being female, there shouldn’t be any testosterone flaring up, but sometimes estrogen can be just as bad. Not that you’d know anything about that, huh Baby?”

I smiled sweetly at him. He shook his head.

“Uh uh – no way I’m stepping into that one. Rusty! Ben! Come help me with these critters!”

Ryan and Bill jumped up. “What do you need, Russ? We can help. We need to start earning our keep around here.”

Ryan was talking, but Bill was nodding his head while his brother spoke.

Russ looked at them both. “There will be plenty of time, and plenty to do, for everyone around here to earn their keep very soon, but if you want, grab a cage out of my truck.”

Mike walked up without saying a word and grabbed one as well. Yeah, I really, really liked him.

When Moira and I came back down, I sent her out to play with the dogs and the other kids, and I went to the kitchen to help with the food. I found Janet, Marietta, Kate, and Sara in there as well. Good thing it was a big country kitchen. Kate and Sara seemed to be working on plates, utensils, and glasses, while Janet and Millie were warming up leftovers. There was a ton of food, already cooked. I was shocked.

“Millie, why did you have all this food cooked already? You couldn’t have known we’d be here today, and certainly not with all these people. There’s enough food to feed everybody and still have leftovers.”

Millie looked at me and smiled.

“I’m not sure, Anne. I woke up this morning, and I told Monroe: ‘
We’re going to have company today. A lot of company. We need to get some food cooked
.’ So, I started cooking. All we have to do now is heat it up. Something or someone was telling me y’all were coming today. I’ve got a feeling I know who.”

Millie looked completely peaceful, not a worry in the world, and turned back to the stove.

“Okay, then what can I do?”

She said over her shoulder, “Get those men and kids to wash up out at the pump house. I left soap and towels out there this morning.” Psychic Millie was scary, but efficient.

I walked out the front door. There were people everywhere. Kids running and playing with the dogs; men watching the chickens interact through the cages; more men checking the place out; and Russ, Bob, Brian, and Monroe off by themselves. That couldn’t be good. I hollered to the group in general.

“Hey everybody! Millie has an awesome dinner waiting for us. Y’all go over to the pump house and get washed up. Rusty and Ben can show you where it is.”

Russ and company started my way. I met them in the yard. “What’s up? What were you guys talking about?”

He looked at me grimly. “We’ll talk at dinner. Let’s put the kids in the screen porch, so the adults can talk.”

So, I was right. Not good.

****

Monroe took the lead at dinner.

“The first thing I did once we figured out the power was out, was check my old truck and tractor. They both still ran. I took the truck into town and found out real quick there wasn’t much else running. I got some looks from some folks at the general store when I went to buy up the flour, sugar, salt, and a few other things I could with the cash I had. I saw a couple of punks eyeballing my truck, so I headed back here. Problem was, those punks know us, though I don’t think they know where we live. They haven’t shown up yet, but I expect they will at some point. Good thing is it’s a good 10 miles to town. I imagine they’ll get here sooner or later. I doubt they’ll be alone.”

“We’re going to need to start security watches immediately. Yes, it’s been over a week since Monroe was in town, but there is no doubt we will be discovered here by someone. Right now, we have enough bodies that we can do two-hour shifts, two per shift, and still have people left over. I think that will work for now. We just want to make sure someone is awake at all times, to give us a heads up if they see or hear anything. We can work up a schedule of all who would like to volunteer for a shift.”

Russ paused as every person at the table raised a hand, including the women. Russ nodded and smiled. “I had a feeling about this group. Thank you all.”

Just then, Rusty came running in from the screen porch. “Dad! I heard something! I think it was a four wheeler, out in the area of the road!”

Everyone jumped up, grabbed the closest weapon, and rushed out the front door. We stopped and listened. Yes, it was definitely a four wheeler, out on the road. Russ looked at Monroe.

“Have you heard any vehicles out here since everything went down?”

Monroe shook his head. “Only ours. Makes sense a four wheeler would run – more like a motorcycle, probably manual start.”

We stood still, listening to the motor fade away. We breathed a collective sigh of relief, but Russ had a serious look on his face.