Chapter 4: Tough Times

When we pulled in, it was quiet outside. We had lunch and talked.

“Hank, what should we do now?”

“I’m not sure, Alice. This situation is as new to me as it is to you. I do think we need to plan some future actions. There will be some things we will need to do pretty soon. Other things will become important as we begin to understand what conditions will be like for the future.”

“What do you mean?”

“Assuming the conditions we are experiencing are or become facts for the world, a lot of people will be dead or unable to act like people. Our civilization needs a lot of people to keep going. Who will oversee the power grid? Who will drive trucks for delivery? Who will refine gas?”

“I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Most of us don’t. It all just is. If enough people die or are unable to function, there will be some real problems for those who survive. We will have to figure out ‘what condition our condition is in.’” I gave an ironic chuckle. “That’s from an old rock song.”

I took a more serious demeanor. “One of the things we take for granted is news. We expect a lot of information to be available about weather conditions and the condition of people. The lack of information is going to cause us some problems. Are we going to get help or are the helpers having similar problems or worse? I think we need to spend some time watching TV and surfing the Internet to help us know more about how other people are doing. I’m not optimistic. I know that this area is badly devastated. I heard some reports about other areas that weren’t in line with the eclipse. They were experiencing problems, too. If this is more than just a big swath of the US, this could be really bad. We need to get some idea.”

“Hank, I’ve got a laptop and am good at surfing the Internet.”

“That would be good. I can watch TV pretty well.” I grinned. “I have my laptop and can surf some while I watch.”

I turned on the TV to Fox News. They were back to broadcasting some live information now. There were gaps in their coverage of current events. I gleaned that the crazies were a world-wide problem and that contagions weren’t stopping. Somehow, the Z-rays were still affecting people, directly or indirectly. Nothing was stopping the problem.

The army had been called out along with the National Guard. A large diagonal swath of the US was quarantined. We were well within the middle of that quarantine area. For the first time, I heard someone use the term, “Zombies,” when referring to the crazies. I guessed it was logical since it had started with Z-rays though I thought the similarities were not good for comparison. Of course, I realized that it wasn’t my call.

Zombies or crazies as names weren’t important. What was happening to the world was and would be.

The reports suggested that the zombies lasted one to two weeks. After two weeks, the brain’s ability to direct the body deteriorated to such an extent that the victims became comatose and died malnourished or dehydrated. I thought that some of them died from being food for others. I had noticed from actual observation that the zombies preferred normal persons but would take what they could get. I wondered about animals. A crazy grizzly or wolf pack could ruin your day.

As I thought about it, I figured a month or more would be a good period to get beyond most of the crazies or zombies to a mostly depopulated world. I also figured that some long term decisions would have to be made because the number of people needed to keep the world going as it had existed before the eclipse would simply no longer be alive.

Alice looked up from her laptop and said, “Hank, are you seeing this same information?”

I nodded. She continued, “I think in a month or so, the crazies will be almost gone. But then, there won’t be many people left. I see some sites call this an apocalyptic event. What do they mean?”

“There are people who read the Bible to suggest that the end of the world is that. The term has come into popular usage to mean an event that will end civilization as we know it.”

I took a deep breath. “I think that most of this country’s people are or will be dead though it may be little more than just over fifty per cent. That suggests that some of the concerns I mentioned will become realities. Without power, this house would not be comfortable. The land around here wouldn’t make a farm without a lot of work to take out houses and ready the vacant land for crops. I think we need to wait some time yet but will eventually have to leave for a house that we can power and that has land for a farm. Over time, I hope we can find people who are likable and who like us to be neighbors and friends. It will take time and the transition will not be easy.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

We were quiet as we digested the information we had developed. Finally, Alice said, “What do we need to do right now?”

“I think we need to look at food and be sure we are well-stocked. Picking up a generator and gas to power it sounds like a good idea. We need to survive for a couple of months. I hope things will quiet down by then.”

“Then, what?”

“Then, we need to have and to act on some long-term plans. It means that, by then, we need to think about moving. Eventually, we will need to become farmers. I want to be able to get off the power grid because, sooner or later, it will fail. Most houses are meant for air conditioning and for power. Life will be easier if we remember that.”

It was quiet. “Hank, you think my parents are dead or have become crazies?”

“Yes, Alice. It’s not a happy answer but it’s probably the real one. If they were okay, I think they would have called or come here.”

She nodded. There were tears in her eyes. I said, “It’s okay to cry, Alice. It’s not a pleasant thought.” She began to cry. She came over to my chair and crawled into my lap and cried.

After a long few moments, she lifted her head. “Thank you for a shoulder to cry on. I needed to do that and admit the truth about mom and dad to myself in my heart.” I just nodded and let her rest on my chest. She wasn’t heavy.

I held her for an hour before she rose. She went into a bathroom and washed her face. When she came out, she was back to looking like the fresh faced girl that I had come to know.

We had a quiet supper while continuing to watch TV and talk quietly. Our first action would be guns followed by food. We finally went to our beds and slept. I woke up with a young girl in my bed. I must have moved and woke her. She looked at me embarrassed. “Hank, I just needed to know some person in this world was still around. You’re a good guy. I realized that I still needed comforting late last night.” She paused. “Thanks.”

I smiled. “You’re welcome.” After a moment, I said, “Since we’re both awake, let’s get moving on our ‘to-do’ list.” She nodded and left the bedroom in her panties and tee shirt. While I wore briefs when up, I wore boxers at night. We were both dressed later and nothing sexual had happened which I felt was good. I showered and shaved. After dressing, I entered the kitchen and started coffee.