An Old Man And His Axe: A Prepper fiction book of survival in an EMP grid down post apocalyptic world (Old Preppers Die Hard 1) (9 page)

The fish was cleaned and gutted and Becky floured and corn-mealed the slabs of meat while oohing and ahing over how practical a rocket stove was to have around. During the process of getting everything ready for supper, Farley made his proposal to swap food and gas for the key to the place they were staying in. After realizing that there was not much of a prospect for Becky ever having any problems of getting in trouble about relinquishing the keys to him, she gratefully accepted the offer and without any prodding by Jeremy, offered Farley to spend the night with them in the cabin.

Farley kind of figured that part of that invitation was due to describing their harrowing experience with the armed rednecks living up the road but the woman seemed to generally like his company and was very grateful to have him around.

The five gallons of gas they added to her car set her on ¾ of a tank. That was enough to get her and the boy where they were going but left no margin for error and in this topsy turvy world they were living in, Farley convinced her that it was very risky to depend on just enough and to wait a day or two before considering it further.

Farley also had ulterior motives in his request, not that he thought his old ass had a chance in hell with the attractive woman but that for the first time in this adventure he realized how much he was going to miss human contact and companionship. Nobody wants to face the apocalypse alone and Farley was no exception apart from his bravado he would be o.k. trying it alone.

While they were playing cards that evening under the light of one of his battery operated LED lanterns, he got to thinking about his prospects and theirs. That they needed his supplies and country survival wisdom was apparent, what the future for him all alone spending his last days lone wolfing it wasn’t evident to anyone but him. Some people like the hermit lifestyle but not Farley, and then again these people would be a serious drain on his preps and his own survival. He questioned himself deeply about whether or not just surviving was more important than having someone around to just share the hardships with and feel silent and remorseful with his life.

“Something wrong, Farley?” Jeremy said picking up on Farley’s now somber mood.

“No, I am just doing the wishing and wanting routine after a long day. I think I will step out to the dock and check the fish lines before going to bed. How about you all, you ready to turn in yet?” Farley asked.

“Normally I would agree with you but we haven’t had any light at night in this house since the power went out and my phone died. I would like to sit up awhile if we could; I got half a bottle of vodka if you want a nightcap.” Becky offered.

“I told you I thought you brought some booze with you!” Jeremy started complaining before Becky’s icy stare told him to hush.

“I guess my boy told you I was crazy and not supposed to drink with my meds but he don’t understand everything, besides I been off my pills for weeks now and I actually feel better.” Becky said half reassuring Farley and her son that it wouldn’t be a problem for her to partake of some adult beverages.

“That is the best thing I have heard of all day; I got various instant drink mixes we can use for a mixer.” Farley said, grinning like Cheshire cat.

“Oh hell.” the boy grumbled but didn’t say anything further as both the adults gave him their ‘stay in your place’ boy looks.

“I got some MRE pound cake out there in the van you all can have, we will make it a party!” Farley said to brighten things up.

“Is it any good?” the boy asked.

“Very good, matter of fact, if you don’t fuss about us having a few drinks and relaxing, I will introduce you to some military cheese spread and crackers you can have for a treat.” Farley said rising to go get some.

“I am not saying another word, but I ain`t going to go to bed early, either.” Jeremy said before the humor of it all had everybody back in an enjoyable mood.

“Let me get a couple of things to bring in the cabin. Jeremy, you want to help me?” Farley offered.

“Yea sure, so what does MRE cheese spread taste like?  Is it kind of like cheese whiz?” Jeremy questioned as he followed him out the door.

“You could say that, I got some packets of peanut butter also but you’re limited to one because I want to use it for squirrel bait. You ever eat squirrel, Jeremy?” Farley asked as he unlocked his van and started rooting around as Jeremy held a flashlight for him.

“Can’t say that I have, what’s it taste like?” Jeremy asked.

“Tastes like food, notice I didn’t say chicken. I will catch us some tomorrow and teach you and your mom my famous fricassee recipe. Hey, your mom isn’t going to freak out if I carry this .22 rifle in there will she?” Farley asked.

“No, she was raised around guns, won’t be a problem at all. Probably be glad to have it and you in the house. Are we going out looking around for gas in the morning?” Jeremy asked.

“I guess so, any idea which way we should go looking? I don’t want to burn up a bunch of gas or leave your momma alone for very long.” Farley said before he started kicking himself for not thinking that Becky would probably have a very dim view about him taking her boy out to go steal gas.

“I was thinking up by the marina would be a good place to go but she said no to that yesterday. I told her all them boats probably had a can of gas on them or some in the tank but she said she already tried there and nobody would sell.” Jeremy stated.

“How far is this Marina?” Farley asked.

“About 15 miles, Mom said the owner was walking around with a big stainless pistol on and in a bad mood.” Jeremy said warningly.

“You hear or see many boats out on the lake?” Farley inquired grabbing his bug out bag but not knowing why he felt more comfortable having it close to him outside of extra ammunition.

“First few weeks or so I heard several boats out and then it got pretty quiet, it’s rare to see one now but this is a big lake as you know.

Farley knew how big the lake was, hell you could buy whole maps of the lake that encompassed the rivers and tributaries feeding its 750 mile shorelines. He had never been out on the lake itself proper in a boat and instead had enjoyed just what he could see from wherever it was that he had seen on the way to the vacation cabin he had once rented so he was at a loss as to whatever hidden coves or other resort settings it possessed.

How many people would bug out to the lake in this SHTF situation they found themselves in now, he wondered? Probably anyone who had a cabin and a fishing pole he guessed. I mean as soon as it became apparent that the city is not where you wanted to be at this point and time, folks would start migrating in that direction, he figured. It might not be as easy to scrape by around here as he figured. People that had places on the lake were often times sportsman with lots of money and that meant a bunch of high priced deer rifles and chances of being picked off at a few hundred yards if he was up to no good.

Farley you might need to do a total rethink on this situation, he considered. On the one hand his chances of survival were increased by having access to water and game, on the other hand having a bunch of close knit people with guns and particularly ones accustomed to carrying scoped deer rifles made him consider being even more cautious about venturing out on a foray somewhere. Time for a drink, time to think about bugging in where he was at…

“What the hell?” Farley said as he heard the sound of a shotgun going off in the not too far distance. It was hard to tell exactly how far away the gun shot was this close to the lake but it was within walking distance of about a half mile or so.

“You reckon that’s them pickup truck boys?” Jeremy asked in a low voice.

“No, that shot was closer than where we saw them parked at. Come on, your mom is probably worried to death now. Act like it was nothing.” Farley said heading for the house.

Becky met them at the door and searched Farley’s eyes for a clue as she asked him had he shot his pistol off at something. “Wasn’t me, darling, sounded like way further up the road. Probably someone out shining a deer.” Farley said trying to reassure her.

“What’s ‘shining a deer’?” Becky asked looking off in the dark in back of him and her son.

“That’s sometimes still hunting or riding country roads and shining a bright light on a deer to make them freeze so you can get a shot off at them. It’s illegal as hell and considered poaching but it’s effective. Somebody probably just got them some dinner is all, a gun going off at odd hours in the country is just one of those things you get used to. Could be they shot a coyote bothering their place or put an attitude adjustment on a snake too close to the house, nothing to worry about.” Farley said telling her to just take it in stride.

“Ok, sorry for being so jumpy, you’re probably right. I am just a bundle of nerves these days; did you bring some mix for our drinks?” Becky asked trying to relax.

“I got that and some good munchies. Brought my rifle in too, hope you don’t mind.” Farley said setting down his gear here and there.

“No problem, if I had one I would be carrying it around. You don’t happen to have an extra one do you?” Becky said looking a bit afraid.

“No, sorry, I got my little pistol and this little rifle. I used to have a bunch of guns, my grandfather told me to never sell guns or land off but he never experienced the economic hardships I have been through.” Farley said remorsefully.

“You and me both, I used to have things but it seems fate has a way of separating you from them regardless how much you love them. Now, as for mixers what do you have?” Becky said brightly ending the pity party they were working on.

“I have got a few flavors, but I suggest we mix a whole batch of one thing or another if we can get in agreement on flavor. Lemonade or fruit punch is my choice of poison but there is orange or grape if you prefer.” Farley said salivating over getting himself his first real alcoholic drink in a while.

“Lemonade sounds fine to me if it does to you.” Becky said studying the various small brown imprinted Mylar packets he dropped on the table.

“You want to do the honors or you want me to?” Farley asked.

“You better do it, I have no idea how much a canteen cup holds.” Becky said studying the directions on a package.

“Oh, that’s easy, it’s about two cups. Look here, this is a canteen cup.” Farley said removing his from his web gear strapped to his pack.

“I take it you were in the Army, Farley?” Becky asked studying the cup he had removed out from under a one quart canteen.

“Yea, many years ago, nobody in our services wears web gear like that anymore. I still like it, though. It distributes the weight and allows you to carry more. Cool, that will work.” Farley said as she handed him a 2 quart pitcher to mix the drinks in.

“Going to be one of those nights...” The boy muttered.

“I got some cocoa if you feel like firing up that stove again.” Farley advised him.

“I don’t mind, that thing is easy to light.” The boy said jumping up at the opportunity to play with the thing and grabbing a sauce pan and heading out the door.

“He doesn’t understand...” Becky began before Farley cut her off.

“He understands more than he should, I guess but he is fast becoming a man. You need to start depending on him as such also, the world is pretty messed up now.” Farley said pouring water out of the kettle they set on the rocket stove to sterilize the water previously in after they got done cooking the fish in a frying pan.

“I know, it’s time to grow up quick and I haven’t wanted him to do that quite yet.” Becky said remorsefully.

“To us and to him.” Farley said after pouring a generous amount of the libation they were about to consume into a couple of glasses.

“Farley, do you think they will get the power back on soon?” Becky asked taking a big swig out of her drink.

“I am not going to mince words with you, darling, no it’s not going to happen anytime soon and those that still believe it might happen are going to be the first to go.” Farley said somberly looking out the screen door at the boy trying to light the stove with the Ferro rod he had recently gifted him with.