Desolation

“O? I can’t even imagine….” Emma’s voice trembled with mourning, her camo-green head pointed down, not wanting to make eye contact with Olivia for fear of feeling more of her pain.

“Thank you, Emma,” Wilber answered for his wife, whose only movement was the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. “If you want to lie down inside, that would be fine. I think the fighting is over for now.”

“No, Wilber, thanks,” Emma said, trying to sound strong, even though her physical and emotional strength had mostly left her. “I’ll help Robert find Steve.”

Robert said nothing, knowing there was nothing he could say to help; he preferred to say little to begin with. He held his wife and her rifle, and they walked to the tree where they expected to find young Parkington.

~~~

Steve pulled his head out of the crook of Darla’s neck and looked at her face, with questions swirling in a flood of emotions. How did she get here, of all places on this earth, at this time? Why was she mixed up with these evil people? Why had her brother been in harm’s way? Had she missed him as much as he missed her? Would their love survive? Would they?

He simply held her and watched, her tears long since abated, the tremors of her sobbing quieting like the rumblings of the earthquake. Finally, after a long time, she looked up.

“Is it really you?”

Before he could answer, she leaned into his lips and kissed him, her arm squeezing him closer.

When she let go, she looked down and then back into his eyes. “I couldn’t save him. I should have saved him.”

He didn’t know what to say, only wanting to comfort her in her grief. “I’m sure—”

“Look at the pretty colors,” Joselin broke in, pointing to the northeast, over Fossil Ridge.

Steve looked back at Darla, kissing her again, and stood up, her hand sliding off his shoulder and finding his. He didn’t want to let go. He lifted his head to the sky. “Whatever it is, it seems to be rolling our way.”

He knelt back down to Darla’s level. “Let’s go to the house on the hill. The owner is my friend. We’ll figure out what to do about Danny, and where to go from here.” He let go of her hand and scooped both arms under Danny’s body, lifting him and Darla at the same time.

“But…”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you both,” he said as he cradled Danny in his arms. Darla held onto them both and they walked to Wilber’s house.

Joselin reached down and grabbed their rifles. “I’ll get these,” she stated. I feel like the fourth… no. The third wheel.

Thompson Journal Entry

Continued…

When to bug out

It will be vitally important for you to have a bug-out plan. A bug-out plan addresses that worst case scenario, when everything fails and your only chance of survival is to leave or “bug out.” You must plan for this! I have provided some tools that should help you bug out of Rocky Point if the shit hits the fan.

Back Packs

You will find six bug-out back packs, one for each of us, which will have all the essential items.

47.

Not Over Till It’s Over

Rocky Point, Mexico

“You see, Max’s great-grandfather Russell Thompson’s best friend was my great-grandfather, Peter King. I guess Great-Grandpa saved Max’s great-grand-dad’s butt after the first Carrington Event in 1859. So, Russell Thompson, who became very wealthy mining gold and buying land, made a pact with Pete’s family to always look after his descendants. And I guess Max had been doing this from before we met him.” Bill was more animated than he’d been in weeks as he shared the story.

Sally cut in. “Sorry to interrupt, Dad, but I read the journal already and know all this. So, if it’s all right with you, I’m going to go get Stanley from where we hid him out back and pull him around to the front so that we can—what does Max call it—‘bug out’ of here.”

“Wait, we’re leaving?” Lisa jumped in. “What about these supplies, and Max’s promises—”

“Hang on, hon,” Bill interrupted. “Miguel, would you go with Sally to get her truck, in case there are any more bad guys?”

“Sure, Señor Bill.” Miguel kissed his wife and checked his rifle. “Are you ready, Señorita?”

“Thanks, Miguel, follow me.” Sally led him back to the faux kitchen and out the back door.