Dystopia: The Beginning of the End (14 page)

Chapter 20

“Time to Move”

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads on to fortune.  Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in the shallows and in miseries.  On such a full sea are we now afloat.  And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”

-William Shakespeare

November 15
th

             
Almost two weeks have passed since the battle with the George’s gang, and there had been no word on George.  He had somehow eluded them.

There were various reports from people saying that he was indeed very much alive.  His guys had been moving him from place to place to keep him hidden. 

After the Militia found his place, they confiscated all the stolen supplies and allocated them for the people living in town.  After that, they burned every building on their compound to the ground.

              Matt was up and around, as was everyone else who suffered injuries that day, but the memory was still very fresh in Matt’s mind.  He discussed with a few of the others that they had to start thinking about moving to the property.  He knew it was not ideal with only a barn, but it offered greater safety and he knew George would be back. 

Most of them hated the idea with winter setting in and said they could handle George. 

Matt scolded them, saying, “He will not be so stupid next time.”

Rubbing his forehead as he would for a headache he frowned and continued, “We were lucky, and he was overconfident.  We lost one friend already and our luck is bound to run out sooner or later.”

Talking in a quiet tone he continued, “We haven’t seen anything that others are going through.  We have been sheltered and blessed with amazing knowledge and skills so far. It’s going to get a whole lot worse and this place is just not going to be safe or defensable.”

              They had a meeting of the adults later that evening to discuss it.  While most of them knew that Matt was right, the thought of “roughing it” through the winter was unpleasant at best. 

They may be safer from invaders, but it was going to be much harder living than it had been thus far. 

Janice made hot drinks all around and they sat to begin the discussion of moving. 

Matt began by saying, “We all know why we are having this meeting and I know most of you are not happy with the prospect. So I think we should begin by discussing our options.”

              Jeremy said, “I really don’t feel like we have many.  Two choices really, stay or go.” 

While everyone was nodding as he continued, “I think we all agree that if not George someone will come and by now this little skirmish will be known by many.  They will not make the same mistake he did.” 

Herb stood up, “I think we should go, as you all know Janice and I are not exactly young and fit, but I for one would rather struggle with Mother Nature than think about what these animals will do to my wife.” 

He paused to look at Janice and continued, “All of the things we have done here to make life easier we can do there.  I know it is only a barn, but we can build cabins, one by one.”

Taking a deep breath, he sipped his coffee and continued, “Arthur has kept me apprised of things out there and they are getting worse by the day.  It will come here and I think it will come very soon. We should not only go, but go quickly.”

He looked down and unceremoniously took his seat again.

              There was quiet in the room as everyone thought of what Herb had just said.  Matt broke the silence by asking if anyone else had thoughts they would like to express. 

Rebecca put her hand up, and Matt laughed, telling her she wasn’t in school go ahead and speak.

She asked, “How would we do this, can we take everything from here we already have?” 

Matt looked to Sam, who stood looking at the floor, “I think that and more, the gas is getting too low to take all the vehicles but we can take the box truck and stuff it with the supplies and things, not to mention the pickups. Do you agree Sam?”

Sam stood thoughtful and said, “I don’t think we should take any cars, they won’t get across the creek and the gas could be used in the other vehicles.  But to answer your question, yes, I do believe so.”

              Sarah stood and this shocked everyone, she rarely spoke, “How much land is there and can we have gardens and stuff?  I think it is important we think beyond today’s issues and into the future for the kids.”

Dez smiled at her and stood up, “There are 150 acres plus it backs to the national forest of a couple thousand or so acres.  It has about 30 acres of fertile bottom land that is flat and the rest is nestled between two ridges.  We own all of it, up to the tops of the ridges. 

It has a couple of springs on it and the creek as Sam mentioned.  Hunting there has been pretty decent in past years and there are quite a few walnut trees for nuts along with a lot of timber we could use to build.”

She sat down and Tawny stood upright saying, “Oh, and one other thing, coal, it has coal just falling out of the mountain in places.”

              A few more questions about location and other aspects were answered and they decided to vote on it.  It was a unanimous vote in favor of the move. They then began splitting into groups to assign tasks to get them ready to move out. 

Dez approached Sarah and said how pleased she was that she had asked that question, it was one of the most important things they had considered when they purchased the property and thanked her for reminding her of things she could tell them about it.

              Over the next few days they disassembled things and packed up the homestead to be moved. 

Matt and Dez, went about thinking what to take when Matt said, “Well, I think we have everything but the kitchen sink.”

Dez looked at him, she had an epiphany and said, “Why not?”

Looking at her quizzically, he said, “Why not, what?”

She replied, “Why not take the kitchen sink and anything else that would help us build.  All of it, anything we can take.” 

Matt kissed her and said, “You are a smart one aren’t you?  I will tell the others.  If it fits, it ships. Right?” 

Dez grinned “Right!”

              Ryan came by to see how their packing was progressing, he wanted to talk to Matt and Sam about something. 

Matt came walking up to him and shaking his hand said, “How are things?” 

Ryan told him, that they heard of a case of Ebola up in Richmond. 

Saying, “They have the family quarantined and they think it may have arrived with a relative that came from Lexington earlier in the month.  The relative died of his injuries that were sustained while trying to get there, but they said he was sick when he arrived.  They thought it was from an infection in one of the wounds, but then when one of the kids got sick they thought it might be something else.” 

Sam and Matt both gasped, Matt shaking his head said, “So close?”

              Ryan continued, “The family lives pretty rural and can’t remember having contact with anyone else since the arrival of their relative.” 

Pacing as he spoke Ryan continued, “But everyone is staying inside who knew them just in case.” 

He reminded them, “I need you all to stay away from people on your way down and I am sending some guys to help provide protection for the trip.  I know you won’t really be any further away just in the opposite direction but we need to take precautions now.” 

Matt and Sam agreed and thanked him for the extra security.  As Ryan was getting ready to leave for Arthurs place.  Matt walked with him, he had something else on his mind. 

              He hoped the group from the north would have made it by now, but they have heard nothing of them since Arthur spoke of them.  He told Ryan they would be leaving some food and a walkie to talk to Arthur for when they arrived. 

He asked Ryan if he could see about helping them when they did arrive.  Ryan said he would, but he would want them quarantined until they knew they were free of Ebola. 

Matt looked surprised, saying. ”Oh man, thanks, I hadn’t thought about that.   We will have to work something out for their quarantine, thanks for reminding me of it.” 

Ryan shook his hand and told him to have Arthur radio when they would be ready to pull out.  Matt said he would and thanked him again.

Chapter 21

“Engagement “

“Adversity is like a strong wind.  I don’t mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go.  It also tears away for us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be.

-Arthur Golden

November 20
th

              Thanksgiving Day.  Everyone agreed and wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving to move to the new location.  While the ladies were preparing the meal the guys all joined for a traditional game of football.  Things almost felt like any normal Thanksgiving.

Toni had the children making decorations out of leaves and sticks and things that they gathered in the woods. 

Dez chatted with Tawny about her and Sam saying, “You two are sure spending a lot of time together.” Smiling at her waiting for some details. 

Tawny smiled and told her she really liked him and that he was good to Dylan too.  Dez hugged her friend telling her she was happy it was Sam and saying, “Sam is a good guy, Matt has known him most of his life.  Did you know a while back Sam actually went to Matt and asked him if we were ok with it?” 

Tawny looked at her in horror.  Dez said, “What is it?”

Tawny blinked blankly and said, “Sam had said he needed to talk to Matt about something today, he had a weird look on his face Dez.  Do you think he is leaving?” 

Dez laughed at her and said, “I don’t think so silly, probably worried about the move is all.”

Tawny seeming more relaxed and said, “Yea, that is probably what it is.”

              While the guys were playing ball Sam asked Matt to sit the next round out with him, he wanted to discuss something with him.  Matt feigned his shoulder hurt and told the others to play, he and Sam would sit this one out. 

Sam looked at Matt with a troubled look saying, “I need to ask you something.”

Matt was concerned and said, “Anything buddy, you know that.” 

Sam kind of kicked the dirt around for a second and blurted out, “I want to ask Tawny to marry me.” 

Matt sat looking stunned for a second and Sam got nervous and said, “I know you probably think it is too soon right?  I shouldn’t do it.” 

Matt choked a bit on his words and said, “No bud that’s not it, you just surprised me is all.  I did not think it was that serious between you two.  I mean we knew you were walking together and spending time over there, mainly because we kept finding Lynn on the sofa” He chuckled a bit and continued, “But that is awesome.” 

Sam replied, “You knew?”

Matt laughed, “Of course, Dez and Tawny are best friends, how could we not know.” 

As he laughed loudly, and continued, “I think it is great and so does Dez.”

              Sam looked kind of sad and said “I don’t have a ring for her though.” 

Matt told him not to worry about that and asked when he wanted to ask her.

Sam said, “Tonight at dinner I thought would be a good time to do it.  While we are still in a relatively comfortable place and during a happy day.  I worry what things might be moving forward and want her to know how I feel.” 

Matt patted his friend on the back and said it would be perfect.  Sam was full of energy for the rest of the afternoon while Matt went in search of a ring.  Sam was his best friend and he wanted to do something to help him out. 

He went up to Arthur’s place to invite him to dinner and see if he could reach Ryan explaining he needed a ring and why. 

Arthur got up and said, “Don’t you worry about that old boy, I got the perfect ring right here” as he began to fish through an old jewel box that had belonged to his wife. 

              Arthur’s wife had passed away a number of years ago, she had tons of jewelry. He did not have the heart to get rid of it all this time. 

“Ah ha!” He exclaimed, “Here it is.”

Then he produced a beautiful diamond solitaire, holding it up for Matt to see.  Matt gasped saying it was perfect.  Arthur put it in a box and handed it to him. 

Matt looked at the box and said, “I don’t know what I can give you to pay for this.”

Arthur smiled and said, “Call it a wedding gift.” 

They both headed down to the house to show Sam the ring and get ready for some of what Matt called, “Good grub, good times and good folks.”

              When Arthur and Matt arrived at the house, they were all glad to see Arthur could come and cheered at his arrival, to which he bellowed out, “I’ve come for the grub.” 

Everyone laughed and they all went inside to eat. 

Sam was fidgety all through the meal and Matt kept kicking him under the table, nodding for him to get on with it. 

Sam stood up and said, “I would like to make a toast!” Glasses raised everyone cheered as he spoke, “To family!”

Glasses brought together making a “clink” sound everyone recited, “To family.” 

Sam walked over next to Tawny and took the traditional stance on one knee, produced the ring and said, “Tawny, I love you… With all my family here to witness I need to ask… will you marry me?” 

Matt elbowed Arthur and said, “Not much for words is he?”

Arthur smiled, saying, “It’ll do.” 

Tawny was in shock, sitting there mouth agape.  Everyone yelled, “Well?”

She started to cry and looked at Sam and said, “I do love you, yes I will marry you.”

Sam grabbed her and gave her a big kiss as Matt raised his glass and said, “To Sam and Tawny.” They all responded, “Sam and Tawny.”

              While the movie was playing and everyone was chatting about a wedding, Sam approached Arthur and thanked him, saying, “I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for this.” 

Arthur just shook his hand and said, “My wife would have approved.”

Turning to go he smiled at him with a touch of nostalgia in his tone said, “I hope it brings you many happy long years like me and my wife shared before she passed.”

              That next morning it was moving day, Ryan sent four trucks, each with two guys, with thirty gallons of extra fuel for the group. 

They got right to it picking up the bedding and then took down the TV and tables from the night before loading it all up right off. 

Matt and Dez were walking around the property checking everything and having a last look. 

Dez said, “I knew we would eventually move there, but it is kind of sad leaving here.”

Matt hugged her and assured her everything would be alright.

              Once they were loaded into the vehicles and they began the trip, they would leave all they had come to cherish behind.  Looking forward all were feeling determined and set their sights now on getting established on the property. 

              Janice and Rebecca cooked up a hearty breakfast with eggs, pancakes, fried potatoes and fried spam.  The odor of the meal drifted out into the yard and brought Jeremy and Connor into the barn to investigate.

              Smiling from ear to ear Jeremy said, “Ladies, that is about the most delicious thing I have ever smelled.  What are you two whipping up now?’

              Janice shooing him from the stove said, “Git yer grubby mitts outta my cookin’ or you’ll get the wooden spoon.”

              Jeremy Laughed and asked, “Is it almost ready? I can’t stand it, I’m going to starve to death.”

              Janice told him to go ring the bell for breakfast, and wash them grubby mitts of his. 

Laughing he pecked her on the cheek saying, “Yes Ma’am.”

              After breakfast, they packed up everything they felt they would need or might come in handy and even some stuff, Dez said was, “Just because.”

What would normally be an hour drive will now take them all day. 

Many of the roads were blocked and some areas had to be avoided entirely.  Arthur radioed ahead to Cory, who was another ham over in that area that they could be expecting them.  There were a number of road blocks they had to navigate to get there.  With the militia guys alongside them Ryan said that they should have no problems crossing through these or the towns. And as the sun began to get lower in the sky the group finally set out for what was to be their new home.