Escaping Home Read online

  “Ok, come on through, there is no one, not one person in sight, dad,” Nate explained. He waited north of Campo for his family to be visible before he would start up the road.

  Henry started back up the road going faster now with confidence that there were no obstacles to slow them down. Betty was gazing into town as they drove by. She had a sad look on her face and Henry noticed the look.

  “What’s wrong, Betty?” Henry asked.

  Betty turned to her husband and looked at Ben reading one of his comic books sitting on the bed. She didn’t want to discuss some things in front of him, but felt he was distracted enough to make her comments.

  “It’s the town, Henry. Look at it. It seems so sad that it is abandoned, or appears that way. What has become of our country? I mean, we left our town too, our home, but we had to. Where did these people go?”

  Henry thought about her words carefully. It was a terrible thing that was going on in the nation. How easy it all happened, and so fast; it was a long time coming. Most knew that but ignored it and just kept sending the same people to Washington D.C. who helped tremendously in creating the factors that brought America to her knees.

  “I wish I had an easy answer, Betty. It is very sad what is going on. I would imagine that many of these people fled to other areas with some natural resources, but I am certain that many are dead to be honest. We are lucky. I know that. We have always stored away food and supplies. That’s just us, but you know the majority failed in that area of life,” Henry replied.

  Betty found his words to be harsh but true. He was right, most do not prepare for anything. The founders of the nation did as did their offspring. However, somewhere – not long ago – the wheels of technology set the United States on a course that would cause many to ditch their old ways. Once people stopped farming and living off the land, the roots that made America strong slowly started to rot. The dependence on groceries and convenience took hold, and the average person was happy. Now they were dead or dying from that failure to plan ahead.

  “I know you are right Henry, but it still is painful to see a town or city void of people. I guess it is much worse than I ever imagined. I see all of the cars and just wonder. I guess I don’t really want to know. The truth may be more depressing,” Betty replied. She reached for Henry’s hand that was laying on the bench between them both. She held his hand and squeezed it hard to let him know she loved him. That was their thing that they created long ago.

  Henry smiled at her and then saw Nate ahead slowly picking up speed. Once again they were headed north, moving faster than the posted speed limit. At the rate they were traveling and the fuel they had, they would be in northern Wyoming the next day, maybe.

  *****

  Northern Wyoming

  Sammie was busy helping her mom clean up the abandoned home that their former renters left. Mattie understood why they left – being a very young family; she just hoped they made it back to their family in Montana. The home once belonged to Gene’s parents. It was a modest three-bedroom, two-bath, cabin. It was very old, but well-kept being that it was built shortly after Gene’s father returned home from World War II.

  Gene and Mattie Hartford lived west of Sheridan, Wyoming nearly twenty-five miles from the main interstate. Most of their family lived on acreages nearby. Sammie lived right up the road from her parents. Their heritage was the property and its ownership went way back to the mid-1800s. Since the collapse, they had all become much closer, staying in contact the best they could.

  Mattie was glad that they had raised their kids with the mindset of self-reliance. She was watching Sammie scrub out the sink and rinse it with some of the well water. Sammie was the oldest of her children, but the only one who was not married with kids. Sammie when asked would say it was the fault of her job. That was partly true; she was at work more than at home, that was until the collapse. She was still working for some time after the collapse, but that all changed when the power was lost. Everything changed after that.

  The real world came crashing down for many that week. So many people in her hospital died. Most are not aware of the level of care that takes place day to day in hospital. Doctor’s did perform lifesaving operations during the first few weeks under poor conditions. One of the biggest issues was when water stopped running. When people no longer have the ability to remove very bad waste products, disease will set in. In just a matter of two months, Sammie knew that millions would die across the country. She knew better than most, being a nurse, what it all would mean. Sammie became her family’s doctor; trying to keep everyone clean, safe, and healthy. She even helped everyone build outhouses far enough away from their homes that there would be little chance of illness. Making them deep was a key. Even though everyone had septic, they needed to save the water in order to flush their toilets.

  “Mom, do you think Nate and his family will make it?” Sammie asked. Nate became an instant friend to the Hartford family when he saved both Mattie and Gene. Sammie was still working the night Nate returned with her parents. While Nate slept, she prepared many things for his travel home. She didn’t know Nate, but had heard enough from her family that night as he slept to know he was a good man. The next day when Nate was to leave, Sammie met him at his truck. She felt an attraction to him, but knew the timing wasn’t right.

  “Honey, I wish I knew. Your father says that his Ham friends say things have quieted down in many places because of all the dying. But reports of roving gangs still filter through everywhere,” Mattie replied honestly.

  Sammie didn’t seem too afraid, but she was always good at hiding her feelings.

  “Sammie, if anyone can make it here, it will be Nate. He made it home didn’t he? So I wouldn’t worry too much. Let’s just pray for them all,” Mattie added.

  Sammie walked over to her mom with the scrub pad in hand and hugged her.

  “Your father has been trying to reach Henry on the Ham radio, but it’s probably too soon. They are likely just driving as much as possible. Henry said they had enough fuel, but that all depended on the route. I’m sure once they have time, Henry will try checking in,” Mattie said as she stepped back, wiping the red hair from Sammie’s face.

  They both then turned and walked out the front door and down the small trail that lead back to Mattie’s house. A cold breeze was blowing in from the north, and Sammie could feel it give her chills down her arm.

  “Hope they get here soon, mom. Winters come fast here compared to Texas,” Sammie said.

  “That is my concern also; but again, let’s pray, Sammie,” Mattie said, leading the way back home.

  The evening was coming on fast for Nate and his family following closer behind him. They agreed to drive until it became dark. They felt that driving at night with the headlights from both vehicles on would not be safe. Being in open country was good during the day, but at night they would be seen for miles.

  “It won’t be long before we need to stop for the night, dad. I will keep an eye out for a good spot,” Nate said on the CB.

  “Sounds good. I’m already tired of driving this thing,” Henry replied. He was also sore from all of the quick moving they had done since leaving the house. Betty was already sleeping with her head back in the large engulfing passenger’s seat. Ben was awake, but seemed to be dozing off at times.

  “Anytime Nate, these two are nearly done for also,” Henry added laughing.

  “Oh, I’m awake Henry,” Betty said without opening an eye.

  Henry smiled.

  “The hearing is always the last thing to go, you know,” Henry said.

  “That’s with dying, and I’m not dying,” she added.

  Henry busted out laughing.

  She rolled her head toward him, opened one eye, and just stared him down. His laughing ceased.

  “Ok, up here looks like a good spot,” Nate said, unaware of the ribbing his parents were giving each other.

  Nate drove his truck slowly off the side of the road, and off into a large ope
n rocky area that looked like a small rest stop someone created a long time ago. Henry took the same path, but slower until he came alongside Nate’s truck, parking parallel to Nate.

  The large black truck seemed to disappear into the blackness of the night with the lights turned off and its color of black. The color of the truck was the main reason why Nate chose the hauler over a few others. With both trucks turned off, the silence of the area came rushing in. They were on a small county road north of a small town called Andrix in Colorado; in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but flat prairielands for as far as the eye could see. It was void of any structures or distant landscapes.

  Nate looked at his area and knew eventually the great Rockies would be in view. He watched as his father helped his mother down from the big rig. Then he saw Ben climb down afterwards. He walked over to them with his rifle slung across his shoulders. He would not go anywhere from now on without the gun. It was his guide gun; a Marlin 45-70. He left the other rifles in the truck.

  “Well, I guess I better start carrying my rifle too now,” Henry said, seeing Nate with his. Times had changed, and the bad people of the world that still lived would be far worse now.

  “Good idea, dad. I will start setting up a fire so we can eat. It will need to be a small one, but it will do,” Nate said. Then Nate stopped. “Ben, want to help me? You are great at this,” Nate asked as he saw Ben’s face light up in the setting sun.

  “Yes, I will help,” Ben replied.

  Henry was at the rear of the Tundra digging through the cloth bag of wrapped rifles. He had brought every gun he owned. He found the two he wanted to carry for the time being. One was an older government-issued Colt 1911. He removed the old leather gun belt and the holster, and slung it around his waist. He checked the action of the empty gun a few times and slapped in a loaded magazine. He pulled the hammer back and engaged the safety. He put a few mags in his shirt pocket. Now he stood looking at his rifles. He smiled when he saw his favorite. The Winchester M70 .308 – the gun that best suited him and his abilities – was the one. He picked up the rifle and knew from its weight that it wasn’t loaded. Nate had given him a Glock and an AR-15 clone to keep in the rig as he drove. He liked the guns, but they were not what he enjoyed. He would keep this one out and available along with the others.

  Nate was gathering up small grass for fire tender as Ben gathered up small to medium size rocks nearby. Betty was at the tailgate of the Tundra now helping Henry with the two small pots – one for coffee and one for a large pot of dehydrated chicken noodle soup that would be dinner.

  “It has been a long time Henry, since we went camping,” she said smiling at him.

  Henry slowly turned and looked into her eyes that were catching the last rays of the setting sun.

  “I guess it has been some time,” he leaned down and kissed her gently. She knew then that it didn’t matter where they were, that as long as they were together they would be fine.

  “Hey, you two get a room,” Nate said before Ben walked up.

  “Our son, Betty,” Henry said with his arm around his wife.

  The dinner was better than expected. It was probably because they were all hungry. It always amazed Nate how filling the dehydrated meals could be. The sun was down, and the skies that were earlier cloudy at times, now became clear. The stars were beautiful.

  “Dad, look up and tell me what you don’t see,” Nate asked Henry.

  Henry had a puzzled look on his face. He slowly looked up, shielding his eyes from the fire.

  “Well, I see all the constellations I expect to see this time of year. There is no moon out.” Henry replied.

  “Keep looking,” Nate said. Henry scanned the skies, then made a sound.

  “Uh…no planes anywhere,” he said, finally realizing the obvious. Henry had not thought about the fact that no one was flying now, at least not commercially.

  “Yep, it’s odd, and I still haven’t gotten used to it,” Nate replied.

  Betty had a worried look on her face. Something just occurred to her that she never considered before. Nate told them about the reports from the east coast of the EMPs going off. What happened to all of the air traffic at that time?

  “Nate, with the two EMPs what would that do...”

  Nate cut her off. He motioned for Ben to go grab both of them some water from the back tailgate of the truck. Ben stood and walked about twenty feet away.

  “Sorry mom, I know what you are going to ask. It’s likely everything in the air that day crashed somewhere. It’s just not something I want to have to explain to Ben,” Nate replied fast. Betty nodded with a very sad and sorrowful look on her face. She said a silent prayer to herself for the families of those missing.

  “Dad, can I go lay down in the truck? I am getting tired,” Ben asked Nate.

  Sleeping arrangements had already been made. Ben would sleep in the rear seat of the Tundra so his parents could share the bed in the semi. Nate was already thinking if things kept going this smoothly, he may allow Ben to ride with him in his truck.

  “Sure, remember I will be pulling first shift tonight, so I won’t be in the truck for some time. But take Samson with you. I’m sure he will lay in there with you. He is always doing that!” Nate said smiling.

  Ben nodded and woke Samson who was lying close to the fire sleeping as Ben approached. The two walked to the truck. Ben gave a command, and in an instant, Samson was inside. Ben climbed in and shut the rear door.

  “Nate, you have a great kid there. I’m sorry, but I see nothing wrong with him. I think the more you are good to him and give him responsibilities, the better like all kids he will become,” Betty said.

  Henry nodded as he poured some more coffee into his cup and offered Nate some.

  “I agree, mom. Thanks dad. I will need this. It has become a long day,” Nate said, sipping on the hot coffee.

  Nate stretched out his long frame and tried to lean back on his elbows for support, but his one arm was still sore from being shot. He sat back up.

  “Nate, how in the name of heaven did you get home through all of the stuff that happened?” Henry asked.

  Nate thought about the question for a moment.

  “I was very lucky, dad. I don’t know what else to say. I had it in me that I was going to get home no matter what. Hell, I was prepared to pull my weapon on the National Guard troops at the state line. I guess I was driven by the same thing you were when you hiked over a hundred miles in the Vietnamese jungle,” Nate replied.

  Henry nodded as though he was right. Henry had his motivations at the time. He wanted to live and see Betty again.

  “Nate, what are our chances? Be honest,” Betty asked. She was prepared for whatever answer she was given. She just wanted to know what they were up against.

  “Honestly, I would say there’s a forty percent chance that we will make it. However, that is a better chance than we had if we stayed in Fritch,” Nate said, looking at his mom directly.

  Henry put his arm around Betty.

  “But, I will also tell you this, I will do whatever I have to do to get us through any obstacles. If I radio you and say push the hammer down, by God do it and ram whatever is in our way. I will be doing the same. It may take you doing it first, having the bigger truck. Just get down as low as you can in the back and dad will push through,” Nate said with a look of determination she had not seen in Nate before. This must be the Nate that served his country as an Army Ranger. The one who received so many medals, and turned down so many opportunities within the government in high-level security; even turned down the Secret Service.

  “I believe you, Nate,” she said slowly.

  Nate took the first shift to watch the camp. He removed a pair of gen 4 night vision goggles and placed them on his head. Every so often, he would step away from the fire and do a sweep of the perimeter. His parents went to bed about an hour earlier. This was the time of night during missions that he would think about the next day. The detailed planning that went in
to missions sometimes needed to be rehashed in your mind before performing the duty. It was different now for him. He was trying to preplan any possible scenarios, and what to do if they occurred. The other reason he did these mental exercises was that it kept his mind alert when it should be sleeping. Sleep would come in a few more hours.

  Nate did not need to wake his father. He saw him coming right on time. He was dressed and carrying his preferred weapons. It was 3:00 a.m.

  “Reporting for duty, Cap. I assume all was silent as expected?” Henry asked, giving the all too familiar military salute.

  Nate laughed inside. He could not imagine serving with his father, but knew of no one better to shoot that rifle he carried. The idea that life would become a constant state of being on guard was one that troubled Nate. It was a daunting task, even for experienced military, let alone civilians who would often learn the hard way.

  “All is quite on the home front. Here, use these every fifteen minutes to sweep the area just to be sure no one is approaching. They are advanced night vision goggles.

  Nate proceeded to show Henry how to best wear them.

  “Ok, got it. Go get some sleep. We need to get this wagon train out by seven or eight a.m., if possible,” Henry replied.

  “Plan to sleep pretty good in that front seat sitting up,” Nate replied.

  Nate turned to walk back to the Tundra. He walked by the truck rear doors and looked in to see Ben facing the seat, sound asleep. Samson was curled up at his feet, and poked his head up as Nate opened the door and sat inside.

  “Go back to sleep, Samson.”

  The dog lowered his head and sighed as if he was glad Nate was inside. Nate placed his rifle over in front of the front passenger seat and removed his new Kimber from his holster. He placed that down in the section below the center console. He already had the seat positioned as far back as it would go and tilted only a little. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He tried hard to let go of worry and be positive. But he was positive they hadn’t seen the worse yet.