Grid Down Perceptions of Reality Read online

  They probably thought that both of them were dead and buried under the rubble of the house. Tears ran rapidly down Jane's face, dripping off her chin. She was silent for a minute, absorbing this awful news, and she started sobbing loudly. Her body was shaking in time with her deep sobs. She was finally able to say haltingly, “Great job genius. Now, this room will be our tomb.” Her body just sort of collapsed, and she laid down on the floor, almost in slow motion.

  Her sobs were the only sound that could be heard. This was the last straw for Jane. All they had faced and gone through today, and since the world had ended, paled in comparison to this latest disaster. Her shoulder throbbed and burned like fire, making her sob harder. It was all just way too much to handle right now. In her misery she had realized that even if Preston had known about this room, there was no guarantee that he had survived the army they had faced. Maybe none of them had survived, and she and Joe were entombed down here, just dying a lot slower than they had. But, they were dead now, too. There was no one that would come even looking for them, let alone help dig them out. Maybe they were already dead, this was hell, and they would be entombed down here, for all eternity, trying to get out of this room.

  Chapter 2

  On the Road

  “There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.” Jack Kerouac

  Preston, Amy, and Michael used their normal tactic of traveling during the night. The countryside had change and the feeling was tense in certain areas. Death hung in the air, literally in some areas, from the dead and dying, and the smell was overpowering. Disease was rampant; cholera in the water, trench foot, infection and disease was the new norm.

  They were taking a midnight break and whispering back and forth. Amy asked, “How many dead do you think are out there?”

  Preston replied, "I’m not sure, somewhere between 75 to 90% of the population. Maybe more, there’s no way to tell for sure. I would lean more towards the 90% side.”

  “Wow, what about all the dead bodies? Are we going to catch some disease and die?”

  The myth that dead bodies pose an urgent health threat is overblown. Survivors using polluted water are much more likely to be a source of disease outbreaks; we are avoiding the big cities, being careful where we gather water. All we can do is pray and take precautions. After the tsunami that hit southern Asia, in December of 2004, this myth was passed on, and even starving people would not eat fish caught from the ocean. The fish were perfectly safe to eat. The media loves to run with myths and it becomes an urban legend. However, those handling the dead are open to certain types of infection, and should take universal precautions.

  “Really, I thought the same thing, but what about setting up cremation to clean up the area?”

  Of course that works, but people need to understand that cremation takes a lot of heat for a long period of time. Some experts suggest over 1600 degrees for 2 ½ to 3 hours.

  Michael was in good shape, but Preston realized he could not keep up the speed he wanted. This meant they needed to slow down. The longer they were gypsies, traveling on the road, the more likely something would go wrong.

  They traveled most of the night, but had to take 10-15 minute breaks every hour. Just before first light, they stopped for the day. It was near a stream with a drainage ditch running off from the road, which allowed the water to flow into the stream. It was dry, but in the culvert nearest the stream, there were fresh raccoon tracks. Amy pulled out her professional grade self-locking snares and quickly set one on each end. Preston stood guard over her, asking, “We have to leave just after dark, do you think this is going to work?”

  Amy said, “If we get lucky, the coons might spend the day in this dry culvert, so they might be coming back shortly. We should set-up on the hill, keeping our scent away from the area, and it will make it easier to watch.”

  “Ok, let’s do it.”

  They needed food and a raccoon provided the most calories per pound than any other meat. About 1250 calories per roasted pound. After being on the bikes all night, they really needed the calories quickly.

  Amy stayed up on first watch, to keep an eye on the snares, and let the others get some sleep. About an hour later, in the predawn light, she saw a dark, roundish critter working its way up from the main stream. She thought, “Please stay on the path.”

  Within 5 minutes the coon was caught, fighting mad and hissing at the snare. She woke up Preston. “Come on. We have to go grab breakfast.”

  Preston smiled, “That’s my girl. Sure glad you are here.”

  “We have to get this killed and back out of sight, before someone sees us.”

  Using his short handle Estwing Axe, Preston killed the coon quickly. They pulled the snares and ran back up the hill. It still wasn’t full light yet, and no one was in sight.

  It wasn’t a great big coon, only about 16 pounds, a great roasting size.

  Amy said, “Sleep will have to wait until we move off the road about 100 yards, and leave Michael on watch. You clean it, and we are not saving the fur. Just get me a whole, cleaned, ready to cook, animal.”

  “What are you going to be doing?” Preston asked.

  “Making the fire and getting the forked sticks set up so we can roast it.”

  Preston and Michael left to do their parts and Amy got to work getting the fire started. The luxuries of matches, or a lighter, were long forgotten now. Luckily, she had her trusty flint and steel.

  Preston walked down to the stream and quickly cleaned the coon, burying the remains, rather than tossing them in the stream, as he didn’t want evidence floating down stream that might bring unwanted guest.

  As he carried the coon back to Amy, he saw that she had a small, but good, fire going. He ran the small pole through the coon body and propped it on the forked sticks above the flame.

  She smiled like a little girl in the candy store, “Fresh meat. I can’t wait. How long before we can eat?”

  “About an hour, maybe a little more.” He replied.

  “Ok, I’m going to keep an eye on Michael. You need anything?”

  “No, just stop and see me in 30 minutes, just so I can see your smile, ok?” She still got butterflies in her stomach when Preston walked in, after being gone for a while.

  Chapter 3

  Freedom

  “Sometimes life knocks you on your ass... get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them.” Steve Maraboli

  Joe pulled out an axe. “I am going to get us out of here.”

  He handed Jane a pair of hearing protectors. “It’s going to be loud.”

  He started working on the door and Jane groaned. Even with the hearing protection on, it still sound like being locked up in hell. Jane was depressed; feeling trapped like rats, and now the constant ringing from the axe on the door was driving her insane.

  Finally, Joe took a break and she poured him some water. He had worked up quite a sweat.

  “How is the war?” She asked, with a weary half smile.

  Joe, trying to lighten the mood, responded, “It’s the first quarter and the other side is not swinging back, so I think we’re doing well. I checked all four corners and I think I can get us out. The top left side is giving a little and I am just going to have to work hard on it.”

  Within an hour, Joe had the metal door bend down about 2 inches, but just the top corner, and he could see daylight.

  After 4 more hours, he had an opening almost large enough to squeeze out of. He was about to give up for the day, being worn out, but took a few more swings when the handle shattered and the axe head flew off, clanging to the floor. He started swearing and the strain was showing in his face. Trapped like rats and the only tool that might get them out, just broke ******** Great ******* Just Great!

  He gave up for the day - defeated depression setting in. The best laid plans of mice and men, he thought.

  Jane didn’t say a word, she was happy the damn ringing had
stopped. Joe was smart; we would figure something else out.

  The next day, Joe was searching for something, anything, to work as a tool. He found an old ½” steel pipe, about 3 feet long that might work. He propped it in the opening, pulling down with his whole body weight, but the pipe just bent down and the door didn’t move. It had folded like a cheap piece of plastic.

  Now what? There has to be something we can use to get this door open. As they ate breakfast; at least they had plenty of coffee to drink, Jane asked, “Why don’t we try a 2x4?” Joe smiled and said the steel pipe was stronger, and it just bent, the 2 x4 would just break.

  Jane said, “Come on, we have to think of something. We are not going to die down here. You built this thing, so figure it out.” Joe was leaning against a steel support, the type with the adjustable threaded ends, used to lift houses.

  He looked at the pipe support and busted out laughing.

  “What’s so funny? Have you gone insane or what?”

  “I am leaning on the answer right here.” He said. Using the support pipe, he was able to force and bend the door down far enough for him to get out.

  Once on the outside, he was able to clear the debris and open the door.

  “Now what?” Jane asked, “Are we heading back to the camp to join the others?”

  They walked out and surveyed the damage. Jane was softly crying; a lifetime of hard work had been wiped out in a single morning.

  They walked up to the truck and he saw Preston’s map. “They’ve already left. They must have figured we couldn’t have survived the blast. We need to stay put and allow your arm to heal before we hit the road.”

  “What does it mean?” Jane Ask

  Joe Smiled it means, “ MAP, Michael, Amy, and Preston Left 6 June outbound to hunting camp in Wisconsin.”

  Chapter 4

  A Stranger

  Don't trust anyone. People will do anything just to survive.

  Amy was bent over, slicing the rear leg of the raccoon open to see if it was cooked all of the way through. She never heard or saw the man until he spoke.

  “Smells good, do you have any extra?”

  Amy dropped the knife and whipped out her 9mm, pointing it directly at the guy. He was wearing dirty clothes, a torn and ragged coat, and torn jeans. He had long stringy hair, a dirty beard, and was filthy. He looked like he was homeless. He had no gun, just a belt knife.

  ‘Whoa, easy lady, I’m just starving and wanted something to eat.”

  “Who else is with you?” She was searching all around, but still keeping an eye on him.

  “Just little old me. I meant no harm. If you don’t have any extra, I can just keep moving on.”

  “Wait. When was the last time you ate?”

  “Two days ago. I hit a chipmunk with my slingshot.”

  “Slingshot? Where’s your gun?”

  “I traded it off for food this winter. I only had 7 bullets left for it, and it was just an old 30-30.”

  “Where is your slingshot?” Amy asked.

  “It’s in my back pocket.”

  “Just leave it there. How did you find me?”

  “I smelled the meat cooking. If you don’t mind me saying so, I suggest you turn it before it burns.” He said as he nodded towards the raccoon.

  Amy glanced down, took four steps back, and then said, “If you don’t mind, you can finish cooking.”

  Then she added, “Wait.” He froze as she walked back and picked up her knife. Backing away again, she said, “All right you can finish cooking.”

  Just then Michael walked up. He was startled by the stranger and said, “Who is that?”

  The stranger was bent over the fire, turning the raccoon meat slowly.

  He stood up and said, “My name is Luke Bradford.”

  Michael said, “Hi.”

  Amy asked, “Michael, are you hungry?” and he replied, “Of course.”

  “Luke”, Amy said, still holding the gun on him. “Back away for a minute please.”

  Amy handed Michael her knife and told him to go cut off a back leg, and then bring back the knife back to her. When he had, she said, “That’s your breakfast. Now go on watch and tell Preston we have company.”

  “Luke, you can sit down on that side of the fire and break off a front leg for yourself.”

  Luke asked, “Why are you so cautious, I am alone and unarmed?”

  She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Better safe than sorry.”

  He attacked the meat like a starved animal, even cracking the bones open and sucking out the marrow.

  Preston walked up as Luke devoured the leg.

  He asked Amy who the stranger was, never taking his eyes off of Luke. She told him what she knew, while also watching the strangers every movement.

  Preston grabbed a front leg and hand it to Amy, and then he cut off the other back leg and sat down, with his eyes never leaving the stranger.

  The stranger pulled in everything at a glance. They had coffee, halfway clean clothes, and were cooking meat. The lady was armed and trained. Her husband was a big guy, carrying his AR-15 with confidence, and their son was standing watch. Wow, he thought, these people don’t mess around. The son was only carrying a little .22, but he seemed much older than his age reflected in his eyes.

  He was waiting for Preston to start talking.

  Preston cleared his throat, and whispered something to Amy. She got up and walked off. Luke thought, “Oh no, this is not going good.” He started talking, “Look mister, I don’t want any trouble. I’ll just be moving on.” He started to stand up, but Preston had the AR-15 up in flash, saying “Sit down.“ His no nonsense tone made the man comply.

  “You can relax. I am not going to kill you, but I’m sure as heck not going to allow you to walk off while I’m sleeping. I am sorry, but we are going to have to tie you up for the day, at least until we are ready to go.”

  The stranger protested, “What? I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m not what you have to worry about.”

  Preston shot back, “Oh really, what do we have to worry about?”

  “There is gang roaming the area, and they have horse-drawn wagons with caged girls. They trade the women at a one-hour rate, for whatever they need. I’m telling you they are 20 heavily armed bad-asses, and you three wouldn’t stand a chance against them.” Preston listened careful, allowing the stranger to continue. “They have mountain bikes and horses. There are two wagons; one carries their food and supplies and the other, the girls. They have a regular route set up, and know where all the single guys are. They trade for food, ammo, silver, and gold. They are always looking for new women, and they would kill you for your young wife, and cut your son’s throat in a heartbeat.”

  Preston growl instinctively, “So where are these lowlifes right now?”

  “They are supposed to be in the area this week. I am not a threat to you, really.”

  “I’ll tell you what, you are leaving, and I’m escorting you out the area. If I even see you turn around in the next 2 miles you are dead man. I am sorry but I am going to look out for my family first.”

  Luke said, “No problem. I understand. Thank you for the food and I pray you make it through without any trouble.”

  Preston followed him out of the area for a mile. He told Amy to move camp, and when they did, she took watch and let Michael sleep. Amy was waiting for Preston and he was back within 30-minutes. He passed on what the stranger had told him, saying, “We need to get out of this area damn quick. We need to move hard and fast.”

  Amy nodded and said, “We can’t push Michael any harder than we already are”

  “I know. Damn, I am worried about you too.” Amy responded, “Don’t worry, I’m a pretty good shot, trust me.”

  “Twenty trained men against the three of us won’t work. We are in the open and they could easily out flank us, taking us out.”

  “What’s the plan then, boss?”

  “You get some sleep, I have some thinking to do.�
��

  She thought great, shake me up and then tell me to go back to sleep. She climbed into her sleeping bag, and was so very tired that sleep came easy for her.

  She woke up at 2:00, and Preston was still on watch. She handed him a thermos of coffee, and he smiled.

  She said, “You are my awesome guy,” and kissed him.

  “Well, Mr. Awesome is going to sleep now. Wake me in 6 hours. I have a plan for tonight.”

  She anxiously asked, “Really, what’s that?”

  He responded, “I’ll show you tonight.”

  Chapter 5

  The Best of Plans

  She believed that rape and the victims of rape were simply part of the madness of war – a chaos without rules or system.

  “It has become more dangerous to be a woman fetching water or collecting firewood than a fighter on the frontline.”

  — UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Margot Wallström, February 2012

  Amy woke Preston up before dark.

  She was trying an old trick that she had learned when she was in the Girl Scouts, called slow cooking. With this method it’s very easy to cook, but without the smell and sign of having an open fire. This method is quite simply to dig a hole, and then you fill the bottom with coals and place your pot inside. Cover the meat with water and whatever else you’re going to add to it. Put the lid on the pot and then you place coals around the pot and on top of it, covering it with about of 6 inches of dirt, burying the whole thing.

  Six hours later, simply remove the pot. It had been cooking the whole time, almost like a natural slow cooker. Amy did not want to waste anything, because food was vital. To ensure they got all the nutrition they could from the raccoon, she had placed it in the pot, bones and all, and surrounded it with some cattail roots, dandelion greens, and she was lucky to find some mint, which she added a couple of leaves into the pot. With this slow cooking for the whole day, the stew was mouthwatering tender and unbelievably delicious.