Chapter 10

It was over an hour before they drove up in their big SUV. We had lunch ready. They were both tired from the drive.

They came into the house to hugs. Bill said, “I’m pretty sure we weren’t seen but we were careful anyway. It would seem that the gang you met, Hank, is spreading out or another is present. I had parked our car and walked close to the Interstate to see the roadblock. There were men there watching from behind cars. I’m glad we were leaving. I think Social Circle will be next even though there’s nothing and no one there.”

I said, “Bill, there’s plenty of room. Why don’t you and Stella move in while we look around and figure things out?”

Stella grinned, “If that won’t cramp your style.”

Alice giggled, “He hasn’t much style to cramp.” I blushed.

Stella and Bill joined us for lunch. Then, Bill went out to his SUV and extracted two cases. He put them in a room. He said, “We can bunk here for now. I do think we ought to park a bit better.”

We moved vehicles to get them all accessible at need. We also moved them away from the front of the house.

We sat in the family room and talked about plans for the rest of the afternoon. We agreed upon three things. One was to plan for an eventual power outage. A second was look for more people. The third was to think on what might be done about the gang. The gang was the most current worry since they were a potential threat right now. We knew though that the power would eventually fail and that we needed more people for our budding community.

We talked about that issue but reached no conclusion. My fear, that I expressed, was that we would be in a defensive mode because of an attack or invasion. After some discussion, we decided that we should attempt some process to plan defense or running.

Bill asked, “Did they seem to be oriented toward their vehicles when you experienced them, Hank?”

“Yes, they did get out to look but got back in their trucks. I think they aren’t bound but their habit is to stay in or close to their vehicles.”

Sarah said, “Then escaping cross country could at least buy some time.”

“That’s likely. We would have to learn to ride, I guess?”

“Hank, if you’re going to live out here, that’s a good idea anyway.” Sarah said and smiled.

Alice added, ‘After all, the gas will eventually go bad or run out.”

Stella and Bill were enjoying my discomfort. It was late afternoon so supper preparations were started. We had brought a lot of food. Bill and Stella brought some more themselves. We would be fine for a couple of weeks.

In a quiet moment, I asked Sarah, “What about your brother and his girl?”

She said, “They are an issue. He brought her to live at the house just before the Eclipse. They would have been infected but were busy in bed. They were supposed to be watching over me since I was hurt. Fortunately, I was getting better. Had I had a problem, they wouldn’t have been any use. I’m not sorry to get away from them. My brother and I have never been close.”

“Did you move all your stuff?”

She nodded. “I was thinking about moving out previously. Your presence just accelerated that process. I’ve always liked this house. The Andersons, who owned it, had me over to watch over it while they were gone on their longer trips.”

She smiled. “I ought to give you the grand tour. We aren’t needed in here.” I nodded. We left.

She showed me the upstairs more thoroughly. Even though there were five of us in four bedrooms, there were still three bedrooms left vacant and one was the master! We then walked outside and Sarah showed me the pool and hot tub. She said, “I’ve come over here to swim and relax so have kept them maintained.” She grinned. “Did you bring a suit?”

“Yes, I wasn’t sure why but had brought one from my house when I moved in with Alice though never used it. Maybe, it will get some use now.”

She showed off the four-car garage. I had seen it but hadn’t been inside. She had parked in an open spot. The other three places were filled with a pickup, an exotic sports car, and a four-wheeler. Sarah said, “They had taken their SUV when they left to view the eclipse. They were a nice couple but had mega-money. They owned almost two hundred acres here and had at least three other houses that I knew of.” She smiled sadly. “Mike was an inventor with a golden touch. He and Cheryl had come to visit me before they left. They were flying out to Colorado to their ranch to watch the eclipse in the clear mountain air. I haven’t heard from either of them and have to figure the Z-rays got them. I will miss them. They were better for me than my parents in many ways.”

“I’m sorry, Sarah. We’ve all lost so many. They sound like good people. I wish I could have met them.”

“Hank, what about your parents?”

“I was born in this area. My folks lived here until three years ago. My dad received a transfer to Dallas. They were coming to visit last summer by plane. It went down with no survivors. I’m an only child and my aunts and uncles were never active in my life. It’s been lonely for a while.”

“Hank, you’re a good-looking guy. I would figure you married or with a girl.”

“Sarah, the same could be said of you. I had a girl for a while but we had parted ways. She was killed by the crazies. Alice made me check on her along with her own aunt who was killed also. We think the aunt was going crazy and left before she hurt Alice.”

“No one has clicked for me. My lack of interest was a source of friction with my parents.”

“I guess your brother having a girl didn’t help the situation.”

She grimaced. “Not even a little. They were supposed to be watching over me when I had hurt my eyes. My eyes healed nicely anyway. My parents never returned from watching the eclipse. For all practical purposes, I’m as alone as you.”

“I’m glad we met, Sarah.” I gently pulled her to me in an embrace. She came into my arms smiling. We kissed lightly. Behind me, I heard a giggle.

Alice said, “It’s about time you did that, Uncle Hank.” Sarah and I separated a little and then chuckled. Alice picked up, “You two look good together.” That got a blush from both of us. Alice giggled again.