Curtain Fall: Second Edition, Disaster, Preparedness, Survival, Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 1) (41 page)

Paul looked at Marissa, then at Jenna, and finally settled on John. His expression was one of obvious fear and concern. To John, Paul looked much more scared than he sounded, and he had an idea about why. “Did something happen while you were in town?” asked John.

“Yes. It was horrible,” replied Marissa, as tears began to well up in her eyes.

“What happened, Paul?” asked John, calmly.

Paul cleared his throat and said, “We tried to do what you said. We went straight to the grocery store for food, but when we got there the place was a total mess. There were hundreds of people. The parking lot was jammed with cars. People were fighting in the parking lot, John. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Paul was breathing hard and talking fast, so John said, “Calm down and tell me exactly what you saw,” replied John. “I need details. So start with the drive in to town. What did you see?”

“The traffic wasn’t too heavy. I think it was normal for that time of the day. Anyway, the first thing I saw that concerned me was the lines of cars at the gas stations. People were lined up for blocks. I was glad I had a full tank of gas and didn’t have to mess with it . . . I’d still be there if I did.”

John nodded and Paul continued. “At one gas station I saw a sign that said, ‘limit 10 gallons per person.’ I also saw a big fight there. These kids were kicking the crap . . .”

“Paul!” snapped Marissa.

“Sorry . . . some kids were kicking some guy by his car, and everyone was just watching . . . doing nothing to help him. It was wrong. I wondered why the cops weren’t around and then we tried to call 911 but the lines were busy. You know, I didn’t see a single cop the entire time. Do you think they are shut down?”

“I don’t know,” said John. “What activity did you see in the stores around the gas stations, like the drug stores, and the other small shops and fast-food places?”

“You know that liquor store on the corner of Banner and Main?”

“Yeah,” said John with a nod.

“The front of the store was broken up. There was broken glass everywhere. I saw two guys in the front of the store holding shotguns or maybe rifles . . . I don’t know which. One of the guys was pointing a gun at a man sitting on the ground in front of the store. It looked like he was guarding him, or something.”

“What about Red’s,” asked John?

Paul looked puzzled and John said, “The gun store. Did you see any activity there?”

“Oh. Yeah, I saw it. The store was dark, and the front door was wide open. It looked like the place was raided. You know, but now that you mention it, there was a police car out front. It was parked with the driver’s door wide open, but I didn’t see any uniforms,” said Paul.

“Were the lights on . . . the car’s flashing roof lights?” asked John.

“No. It looked like it was just sitting there. In fact it was still sitting there when we drove past it on the way home. I don’t think anyone was in the car,” replied Paul.

“And the other stores?” asked John.

“Some were looted, but most of them looked untouched. I saw people in line at the Burger King drive-up, and also at a few other fast food places. That’s what was so weird about it. I mean, in some places there was looting and crazy people, and in other places people were carrying on like nothing was happening. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

It made sense to John, but he didn’t say that. Instead he asked, “Okay, now, tell me what happened at the grocery store.”

“Right. Well, we went a couple more blocks and pulled into the parking lot. Like I said, I’ve never seen so many cars in that parking lot before. There was another fight between two guys. I think it was over a fender-bender, or maybe a stolen parking spot, or something like that. I couldn’t tell. Everyone just ignored them and kept walking and running in and out of the store. It was surreal.

“Normally a thing like that would attract attention. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few guys watching the fight, but most of the people just walked by like they didn’t see it,” said Paul, and he paused to catch his breath.

Jenna rose silently from the chair and went to the kitchen. Paul and Marissa watched her leave, perhaps thinking they offended her in some way, but John got Paul going again by saying, “Please continue.”

“Yes. Anyway, I couldn’t find a parking place, so I parked across the street and told Marissa to stay in the car with the doors locked. She wasn’t happy, but she agreed because it was safer than going into the store.

“I saw people coming out of the store with shopping carts full of food, and none of it was bagged. I decided then to turn around, but Marissa told me to get in there and get something . . . anything,” said Paul.

Jenna returned to the living room and handed Paul and Marissa a glass of ice water. Paul sipped the water and said, “Thank you very much, Mrs. An . . . I mean, Jenna.”

Jenna smiled and returned to her seat next to John. Paul took another drink and said, “I walked into the store and well . . . I’ve never seen anything like it. It was total chaos. There were people everywhere, and they were tossing whatever they could find into their carts.

“I didn’t have a cart, there were none left, so I could only get what I could carry. There was more fighting in the store, so I was careful not to bump anyone. To be honest, John, I was very scared. In fact I’ve never been more scared in my life. I saw two women fighting over a bag of chips. Can you believe that? Chips, John. It was as if that bag was the last one in the world.”

John almost said that it was, but he knew better then to elevate Paul’s anxiety. “Tell me what the store employees were doing?” asked John.

“I didn’t see any store employees,” replied Paul. “There were a few registers lit up, but none of them were running. If there were employees in the store, they were long gone, or maybe just blending in,” answered Paul.

“Were you able to get some food?” asked John.

“I managed to grab a small bag of pinto beans, a jar of almond butter, a few cans of sardines, but that’s it. I used my shirt as a bag and hunched over to hide what I had. When I cleared the doors I ran as fast as I could to the van. Marissa was very upset with me, but I grabbed what I could. She wanted me to go back in and get more food, but I told her I couldn’t. It was way too dangerous . . . and it was.”

Paul turned to look at Marissa and said, “She was furious with me, and I don’t blame her. I didn’t believe her . . . and now we don’t have enough food to . . .”

Marissa interrupted Paul by saying, “Stop it, Paul. We have food. If we’re careful we can eat for a month I think. But after that I don’t know what we’ll do.” She turned to John and said, “We’re not here to ask for a handout. It’s not why we stopped by.”

“OK,” said John.

“We know you have survival training. Can you tell us what we should do to get ready for . . . for tomorrow?”

John considered the question while looking at Marissa. She had a strength about her, but it was different from Jenna’s. He turned to Paul and saw fear masked by bravado.
“At least you’re aware of the situation,”
thought John when he studied Paul. Finally, he said to them both, “Survival depends on a lot of different things. It’s more than just having food and water. You need other equipment to make it . . . well, easier. Things like flashlights and a first-aid kit. But what you need most of all is a survival mindset.”

“A survival mindset?” asked Paul, as he turned to look at Marissa.

“Yes,” said John. “I’m not talking psychology here as much as mental strength . . . a will to survive. To survive you’ll need to have a little different outlook on life. It’s sort of like being a soldier. When you’re in combat you think and act like a warrior. You think differently when everything around you is dangerous and trying to kill you. You know how to use your weapons . . . your tools. You’re mentally and physically prepared to fight for your life, and protect your buddies.”

“That’s a Soldier’s mindset,” said Paul. “We’re not soldiers.”

“I’m aware of that,” replied John. “But that’s not the point. The point is, you have to think like a survivor. I got it that you didn’t have a chance to mentally prepare for this disaster, but there’s no time to whine and complain about what you don’t have. You have to . . .”

“I’m not whining,” said Paul rather flatly, and looked as if he was ready to stand. “In fact, I didn’t even want to come talk with you. And I don’t need you judging me, or my family.”

“I’m not judging you or your family, Paul,” said John patiently, but then thought quietly,
“Wow, sensitive and emotional. This should be interesting.”

Marissa scowled at Paul and said, “We know you’re not judging us, John. Please continue.”

For the sake of Marissa, John decided to try and smooth things over with Paul. He said, “Survival . . . disaster survival . . . is a lot like combat. You can train and think you’re ready, but life has a way of changing the conditions on you. Even a well-planned operation can go haywire on you from the beginning, which is why the army spends so much time developing their leaders to act appropriately in the absence of definitive orders.”

John sighed and said, “I guess what I’m trying to say is, you can never give up. You can’t quit. If you want to live, you have to fight for it . . . and fight hard. Make options for yourself. Don’t let chance dictate your course, and don’t give up.”

“I haven’t given up,” replied Paul, even more edgy than before.

“Paul Hernandez!” snapped Marissa. “You are being rude. Please forgive us, John. It’s been a long day.”

“I’m OK,” replied John. “I understand, really. I’d be feeling the same way if things were reversed. But if you guys get to the end of your rope . . . if you need options, then please come back. We won’t let you starve to death.”

Jenna rested a hand on John’s and gave it a supportive squeeze. John’s last comment seemed to do the trick for Paul as well, for he sat back in the couch and looked relaxed for the first time. Marissa also seemed to breathe a little easier, though John thought it was more about Paul than anything John had said.

For John, the idea that food alone, or even the promise of food, was all it took to calm Paul’s worries made John realize just how fragile their
survival situation was. Food, it seemed, was already the new currency, and John wondered how he’d feel when it came time to fulfill the casual offer he just made.

“What do you recommend in the meantime?” asked Paul.

John rose and said, “Let’s go to the kitchen and make a list.”

Paul said, “OK,” rose, and followed John into the kitchen.

John said, “I’m glad you’re taking the disaster seriously. The first step in surviving is seeing the situation for what it is. In knowing things have changed and that you have to act for yourself.” He then opened a kitchen drawer and handed a small spiral tablet and pen to Paul. “Prepare to copy,” added John.

“Huh?” said Paul.

“I’m gonna give you some plans, and I want you to write them down,” said John.

“Oh,” replied Paul. He opened the tablet and clicked the pen. “Ready.”

“Water. Collect as much as you can. Fill your tubs, sinks, buckets, pails, empty bottles, anything. You won’t live long without water.”

While Paul scribbled notes he asked, “How long?”

“Less than three days.”

“But tap water’s still running,” said Paul.

“It won’t for much longer,” said John.

Paul nodded and said, “Got it. What’s next?”

“Food. Inventory what you have and come up with a plan to use it wisely . . . no waste. Eat the perishable stuff first because the power will go out again. Save the canned and other standalone foods for later.”

“Standalone?”

“Yeah, like pasta, crackers, cereal, stuff that doesn’t need eggs and the like . . . stuff you can make and eat without perishable foods,” said John.

“That makes sense,” replied Paul.

“Do you have a way to cook your food when the power goes out?” asked John.

“Umm . . . no. Everything is electric, even our hot water heater.”

“Fireplace?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. What about firewood . . . do you have any?”

“A little,” said Paul, as he wrote on the pad.

“I’ve got plenty, so when you run out you can have some of mine,” said John.

“Thanks, but do you think the power will go out soon?”

“I’m surprised it hasn’t already,” said John.

“Oh,” said Paul.

“What do you have for equipment? Do you have camping supplies?”

“We have some . . . a tent and sleeping bags, but no packs,” said Paul.

“Tools . . . an axe, shovel, stuff like that?”

“Chainsaw,” said Paul.

“That will come in handy,” said John. “What about weapons?”

“I have a shotgun, but that’s it. Marissa really doesn’t like guns in the house.”

“That will change with time. You’ll both come to realize weapons aren’t dangerous, only the people using them.”

“That’s what I say, but she worries about the boys,” said Paul.

John nodded and said, “Trust me . . . that will change. You’ll both come to see weapons as essential pieces of survival equipment. But let’s talk security for a minute,” said John.

“OK . . . you mean like home or personal security?” asked Paul.

“Both,” said John.

At that moment, Jenna and Marissa stepped into the kitchen. When John turned to notice her, Jenna asked, “Are you guys almost done? Their kids are in the car, hon.”

“Oh! That’s right! I’m so sorry. We can finish this conversation tomorrow,” said John. He turned to Paul and said, “I think we covered enough for now. Why don’t you stop by sometime tomorrow . . . like around noon, so we can talk some more?”

“I would like that,” said Paul, as he removed the sheets of paper he used in the notepad. He thanked John and Jenna individually and handed the tablet and pen back to John.

“Yes,” added Marissa. “Thank you so much. We really appreciate all your help and hospitality.”

John and Jenna walked the couple to the door, and after another round of thanks they said goodbye and returned to the kitchen. “That was a good thing you did,” said Jenna, “To offer them help with food.”