I had grabbed as much stuff as I could. With this plague running rampant, I had decided to get away from people, and that meant going to the old cabin. I had already taken a generator up there along with a few other electrical items, as there was no electricity or running water. For light I used kerosene lanterns, usually.
The cabin had three rooms: a bedroom, a living room/dining room, and a kitchen. The kitchen had a pump in it, which was hand operated, provided water for a large sink. Dad had had the water tested years ago, and I'd had it retested just three years ago. It was as pure as you could get. Apparently, it was an endless supply. At least, it had not faltered so far.
To get to the cabin, you had to know where the cutoff was. It was overgrown with greenery, which sprang back into position after I drove through it. I didn't think anyone knew it was there. I made sure to vary my route in as I drove out and in, so I didn't make a trail.
I avoided people. It was self defense actually. The plague was not responding to any of the antibiotics in existence, and people were dying in droves, everywhere. Some outlying communities had cut themselves off and it was a life or death matter to even try to enter one of these islands of civilization.
Months later, the big cities were dead or abandoned. It was as much as your life was worth, to try to approach someone at this point. It was a 'shoot first and ask questions later' style of living. I was guilty of it myself. I had killed three people that I knew of, trying to make sure I didn't get the plague. You just weren't sure when dealing with people.
I was getting low on supplies, so I decided it was time for a scavenging run in the town, a few miles away. It was a dead town, which had once had a population of around fifty thousand. It was a forty-minute drive with my truck, into town. I was in the middle of nowhere, and I liked it that way.
I had been using my generator sparingly, but I was still getting low on fuel. I had only fifteen gallons in cans, and seven gallons in the generator itself. I only used it on really cold days, or to prevent my potbelly stove or kitchen stove from smoking and telling people someone lived out here. The generator allowed me to use the electric heaters I had brought with me.
I could use it for other items, but the more load I placed on it, the more fuel I used. At fifty percent load, the generator would run for twelve hours. The more I plugged into it, the less time it would run on the same amount of fuel.
I had a list of items I wanted to bring back home with me to the cabin. Survival was getting harder. While I still had food enough for a few weeks, I needed to think about the rest of the winter months. Fuel was important, as was food. Of course, I had a whole town to pick from, though a lot of food in the town had spoiled already. Still, there were plenty of canned goods left to choose from.
Of course, it was dangerous making the run. Last time I'd done a run, I'd had to cut it short, and run. I had been shot at by someone. I had been unable to see him or her, and the 'better part of valor', was to survive to fight another day. So, yeah, I ran for it. It had cut off my visit, and that left me short of certain supplies.
With the cold weather setting in, I wanted to stock up on as much food and fuel as I could. I also wanted more cold weather gear, shoes, underwear... the essentials.
I loaded my empty fuel cans into the back of my pickup, and tied them in place. I had fifteen five-gallon cans, altogether. All but three of them were empty. If I were careful, that and what I had on hand should last the winter. I just needed to siphon gas out of one of the local gas station tanks.
I coasted into my favorite parking place, grabbed my binocs, and started searching the edge of town for evidence of people. Nothing. I watched for over an hour, and decided that it was probably clear since no fires or smoke were going or showing.
I made my way back to my truck, and drove to the gas station for the first part of my mission. I opened the access point, dropped the siphon hose in, and began to turn the hand crank. Soon gas was flowing into my truck's tank. I topped it up, and then did the same to my twelve empty cans.
After that, I went cautiously to one of the grocery stores, and loaded a large pallet with cans of food. I made three trips to and from my truck, loading boxes and boxes of food and canned goods. Finally finished, I got out of there.
I didn't breath a sigh of relief until I was close to home. I kept thinking I was going to be shot the entire time I was driving. I had seen that happen before. After I got close to home, I stopped again and looked over the area carefully. When I felt confident that no one was around, I got back into my truck and made the turn off. Shortly I was unloading my supplies and felt good about this load. It would last me all winter, if I was careful.
It was going to snow soon. Clouds were building up, and I wanted to make a final run to the propane tank farm. I had a propane tank with a three-burner heater, and it warmed a room nicely, but it used the gas at a prodigious rate. I wanted extra tanks. Another plus was you could use it indoors and it was safe. A little moist maybe, but safe.
First thing I did after scoping out the town, was to get more toilet paper. I got several boxes of it, and then a few more foodstuffs. Then I headed for the propane tank farm. I grabbed six 25-pound tanks, and got back home just before the snow started. I sighed. I didn't want to leave tracks, so I was stuck for the foreseeable future at the cabin.
Snow was falling heavily. The only thing that would have made it perfect, would have been if I'd had indoor plumbing. Damn, but it was cold out there! Sitting on that wooden toilet seat was a shocking experience, so I disconnected the seat, and brought it inside the cabin with me. If I took it out with me, as needed, I wouldn't 'freeze my butt off', again.
After taking care of the restroom problem, I fired up the stove and the kitchen warmed up nicely. I was going to make a very good meal. I was no longer worried someone would spot the smoke, as it was dark outside, now.
I started the potbelly stove in the dining/living room, and let that start heating it up in there. I opened my bedroom door, and wheeled in a propane tank. I hooked it to the three-burner heater, and lit the heater. I set it on low. The cabin was warming nicely and the kitchen was comfortable now, from the Franklin stove.
I lit two Aladdin lamps. Each of them provided as much light as a sixty-watt light bulb. I placed one in the living room, and set one in the kitchen. I made bread, and heated some stew. I also had a can of corn for my vegetable. I sighed as I ate, thinking I should have gotten more butter. I had two sticks left.
For two days it snowed, but I felt very comfortable in my 'nest'. I was warm, using one of my propane tanks during the day turned on low. I fired up my fireplace, pot bellied stove, and kitchen stove at night, warming the cabin nicely.
I was going to have to chop a little more wood from my woodpile into kindling for the kitchen stove, pretty soon. I dreaded that job, but it had to be done. I had a small kerosene heater which I used to heat coffee or a can of soup during the day. I ate the bread I had made a few days ago with it. Nothing beats homemade bread.
I looked at my supplies stacked up against walls, and was pleased. The cupboards were filled to overflowing, and I had wall-to-wall supplies. That even included my bedroom. I was set for the next few months, anyway.
I sighed. Time for another run to the outhouse. Damn, but it was cold outside! I took a flashlight with me, as it was getting dark, and a handgun. Never knew when you would need protection. There were wild packs of dogs, and other animals out there, that would attack a man if they were hungry enough. Hell, I had even seen a large cat, a cougar I think.
While I was outside taking care of business, I thought I heard the faint sound of an engine.
I listened closely, and sure enough, I had. Sound carries really well in the dark, and I was definitely hearing an engine.
I made sure no light showed out of my cabin, and then went back in. Damn! Someone was driving on the old state road, if I could hear them. I had heavy curtains hanging on all the windows. Basically, they were meant to keep the drafts controlled, but they also kept light from getting out. I had sheets hanging over the front door of the cabin, since I had discovered an air leak I had been unable to repair. That took care of the door draft.
I made sure my rifle was loaded as well as my pistol and revolver. I had a nine shot Berretta 7mm pistol, and a Colt .45 double action revolver. I loaded a couple extra clips for the pistol, and kept a box of shells handy for both my rifle and revolver. If I was discovered, whoever did so would regret it for as long as they lived, which would not be long. I ate a cold meal that night, of cheese and bread. I cooked some coffee to go with it, though.
Tonight I was not going to fire up my stoves or the fireplace, or the potbelly. I was going to rely on my propane tank and burners, alone. The cabin was pretty chilly, but better that, than be discovered. I was worried about visitors. I didn't sleep well that night. Every sound brought me to 'full alert wakefulness'.
The next morning, I went out the back door of the cabin, after I had dressed in my cold weather gear. I had my rifle in hand, as I went to check the area.
No foot prints but my own. I started a trail through the foot and a half of fresh fallen snow. I went by a round about way, to the road.
As I made my cautious way through the snow, I found the tracks of several types of animals. I paused. Damn, I thought that one was a bear. Shit, that's all I needed. If it was, I was going to have to kill it to make sure it didn't get me, or screw with the cabin. A bear could take the door off the hinges, or easily break a window.
I made my way through the brush, to check the road. I looked, and found fresh tracks in the snow, made by a vehicle of some sort, that had passed recently.
Large tires made the tracks look like the vehicle had traveled easily though the snow. The tires were extra wide, making me think 'truck', or 'four-wheel vehicle'. Evidence of another vehicle following the first was there, also. Were they traveling as a group? Was the second following the first for some reason? I just didn't know.
I looked both ways and waited to see if anyone was coming, or if I could hear anything. No one came, and I heard nothing. I carefully made my way back to the cabin, taking care that my tracks could not be seen from the road.
The cabin was warm when I got back, or seemed that way to me. I had fired up my propane tank, and turned the burners up. I had the burners sitting in a metal bracket off of the floor, so it was safe to let them burn in the cabin, unwatched.
Compared to outside, it was positively balmy inside the cabin. I made some hot chocolate on my kerosene stove/heater, and drank it, warming myself up. I was sitting close to the burners and getting tired, as I was very warm now.
I got up, and pulled the curtains aside looking out the windows. Nothing was out there as of yet. The tracks of the vehicle worried me. They were headed towards town, and that was 'my territory'. As far as I was concerned, these people were interlopers.
I needed to head towards town, and see what was going on. I did not want to drive, as the tracks would let anyone traveling the road see my turn off. I decided on cross-country skis. I would walk some distance from my cabin before donning the skis. Then I would make my way to town on my skis, trying not to be too obvious with my tracks.
It was a mile from my cabin to the road. I was that far back into the woods. It would take me a couple hours to make it to town on cross country skis. I made sure to dress in layers. I took a backpack with me, with fresh socks, and minimum emergency gear. I took off my jacket, and put it in my backpack, and started the trip. At first I was cold. Then I was warmed up quickly by the task at hand.
I was wrong. It took me about two and a half hours to make it to town. The two vehicles were easy to spot. I heard a shot, and ducked. However, it was not directed at me. I could see a guy was firing at the camping store, and return fire was coming from at least two weapons inside it. Stand off as far as I could tell.
I crept my way into town, making sure neither side saw me. I wanted to know who was shooting, and why.
"Come on, Beverly. It was a misunderstanding. You and your daughter throw out your guns, and I will forgive you taking the Bronco, and leaving without my permission," the guy outside said.
"You damned rapist! I saw what you tried to do with my daughter! She's only eleven! My only mistake was leaving you alive," a female voice shouted back.
I presumed that was Beverly. I frowned. I had no use for rapists, or men who tried to shoot woman and kids. The three people I shot were adult men, and they had their chance. I had warned them off, but they chose to pursue me, forcing me to kill them.
I positioned myself, and made sure I had a clear shot at the guy who had pinned down the mother and daughter in the camping store. Damn, that was one of the stores I came too for supplies a lot.
While it had been broken into before and all the guns taken, I had found ammunition there, and they had sleeping bags, tents, and other camping supplies that were useful to me.
I made sure I was out of sight of the camping store, lined up my shot, and shot the man who had been firing at the woman. Damned rapist! He fell over dead, shot through the head.
"Hello, the store! My name is Jack Beardman. I just took care of this rapist out here. You are safe, now. I promise I don't want anything from you. I will be on my way, and will let you go yours," I yelled to them.
"Wait! Can I talk to you about something?" I heard the woman yell.
"Sure. I am always polite to woman," I yelled back.
"Meet me by the Bronco?" she asked me.
I considered my options. I wanted to talk to a woman badly. I had been alone for months, and just talking with her had given me an erection.
"OK. I will leave my rifle, here. You leave yours, inside. Your daughter can cover me, if you like," I responded.
I was taking a big chance, but I was really hungry for conversation with another human being. Taking a deep breath, I carefully leaned my rifle against a vehicle, which had been here forever, and walked out into the open.
I felt like I was going to be shot at any moment.
As I got to the Bronco, a woman came out. She was bundled up in a fluffy jacket, pants and boots. She had a knit cap on her head, and blond hair escaped the hat and framed her face appealingly.
I looked at the window and saw a rifle barrel poking out. I stopped and waited.
"My name is Beverly, and thanks for your help," she said, stopping about five feet from me.
"Anytime. I didn't like what I heard that man saying. Even in this day and age, one can be polite to woman. He sounded like someone the world is better off without," I replied.
"He is. I met him a couple months ago, and was his prisoner, me and my daughter. I caught him trying to rape my daughter last night, so I hit him, and we took off. I guess I didn't hit him hard enough," she told me grimly.
"Well, I have no use for kidnappers or rapists. Glad I was able to help," I told her.
We talked a few minutes more, then I told her I had to get going, or it would be after dark by the time I got home.
"Where do you live? Perhaps we could give you a ride," she said eagerly.
"I live a few miles from here, in a cabin. I skied here," I replied.
She bit her bottom lip, and then asked me a question. It surprised me.
"Do you have room for me and my daughter at your cabin? I wouldn't normally ask, but I am desperate to find a place, and protection for us. You seem to be honest and honorable," she said slowly.
I was surprised, totally stunned. I had not considered this at all. Now she was suggesting something that would eat into my supplies. While it was true two could eat as cheaply as one, three would make a definite dent in my supplies.
"Well, I don't mind, but we will need to gather more food from the grocery stores. I have a fold out couch that turns into a bed. You and your daughter can sleep on it. The cabin is a small place though. A kitchen, a living/dining room, and my bedroom," I replied seriously.
"Perfect! I can't thank you enough. I promise we will pull our weight. I know how to cook really well, and so does Shannon. Plus we can keep the cabin clean as part of our rent there," she said a bit desperately.
I think she was afraid to be alone, and she also wanted protection, or she would not ask a perfect stranger to let her and her child move in. I told her as much.
"Look, I am not offering to sleep with you, but I am not ruling that out either. I will cook and clean for a place to stay, and Shannon can do a little also. You helped when you didn't have to, which means you are a decent person. Do you know how long it has been since I met a decent man?" she asked me.
We made a run to one of the stores and got more groceries. Shannon was a bright young girl with a serious expression on her face. She was eleven years old, and seemed older than her years.
We drove almost to my turn off, when I stopped the vehicle and pulled it off the road.
"We are a couple miles from my cabin from here, but I don't want to leave tire tracks directly to my cabin. The fewer people who know where it is, the better," I told them.
We packed the groceries as best we could. It was a difficult trip. I had my cross-country skis, but the two of them floundered through the snow. Finally after a couple trips, we had the groceries unloaded and inside the cabin. Everyone was exhausted by the time we were done.
We fit pretty well together as a unit. I soon began to think of them as my family. After the first month, Beverly moved into my room with me. Shannon stayed with the fold out couch. We bonded, and we laughed, and we sang.
I made a special trip to town and got schoolbooks for Shannon. She frowned when I showed up with them, but she had to learn, didn't she?
Edited by TeNderLoin