Hideaway (Book 1): An EMP Thriller Page 6

  “I hope you like it,” Larry said, backing away from the lantern. “We've got a working generator, but we only run it when we have to.”

  “Makes sense,” James said, pressing down on the mattress. Its springs squeaked. It was an old bed, but their conditions could be worse. Larry circled around to the door and waved them along. “Let's get the rest of the stuff,” he whispered. They walked past the other bedroom as James pictured Carol lying in bed and listening to their footsteps. They continued through the living room, where James noticed a fireplace and two small couches positioned across from each other and a rug in the center. The small cabin interior was anything but cluttered.

  Once outside, Larry dug into the back where endless boxes and plastic bins awaited. He then began pulling boxes out and stacking them outside the wagon.

  “Any preference on where you want it inside?” James asked him.

  Larry pointed ahead. “Just put it all in the living room. I'll sort through it in the morning.”

  James grabbed the first two boxes and waited as Marla placed another one on top, adding to the weight. He hurried past them and went inside, placing them in the corner of the living room where there was space. Marla soon followed with two boxes of her own. Then came Larry with his canned food box tray, which was plastic-sealed.

  He moved past them and went right to the kitchen, placing them onto the counter. Early Saturday, three in the morning, and they were loading a cabin with supplies. All James could do was laugh to himself. As a team, however, they worked well, unloading supplies until the wagon was emptied. Larry rolled up the window and locked the doors, ever cautious, and then disappeared for a moment to the side of the cabin.

  James wiped the sweat from his brow and asked Marla where Larry had gone. He suddenly emerged with folded camouflaged tarp, asking for assistance. They spread out the tarp as James helped him place it over both vehicles, concealing them--at least in the nighttime. Despite their remote location, Larry told them that hikers and campers came through the creek and that they weren't completely hidden from view.

  Once inside, he set his lantern atop a small circular table near the kitchen. James wanted nothing more than a hot shower, but it was the middle of the night. Larry pulled out a chair from the table and sat, pointing down the hall. “Get some sleep and we'll reconvene in the morning. Carol will make breakfast.”

  James pictured some kind of canned meat of preservatives but was surprised when Larry promised pancakes. He rose from his seat and extended his hand to James and Marla, shaking both their hands.

  “I want to thank you both. We've been through hell today, but we're safe for now. I can guarantee that.”

  He walked off, leaving them in the kitchen area. The bedroom door opened and shut, and they didn't hear from Larry again that evening. He must have been just as tired as them. “Come on,” James said, leading Marla down the hall.”

  Marla pulled at her T-shirt, airing it. “I need a shower.”

  “You and me both,” James said, helping her up. “We'll take care of everything in the morning.” They walked down the hall to their new room. James went right to the end of his bed and took his shoes off. His feet ached, much like his back did, and his neck. He pulled his socks and jeans off and fell back onto the bed in nothing but a shirt and his underwear. The mattress squeaked something awful, but it was comfortable enough. Marla laughed as she changed clothes completely.

  “Wow, you can't even get under the covers?”

  “I don't care,” he said, eyes closing. She eventually joined him, lying on the other side, but under the covers. They said nothing else to each other as he gradually drifted off to sleep.

  Day Two

  James woke the next morning in an unrecognizable room with daylight glowing behind the curtains of a nearby window. Marla lay next to him on her side, facing away. The door was closed, and he could hear movement outside. He glanced up at the arched ceiling where wood beams ran above. They weren't in their bedroom, they were somewhere else. Then, just as soon as confusion clouded his memory, he sat up when everything came rushing back. “The cabin...” he said under his breath. He'd give everything to wake up and find that everything had gone back to normal. Things would get better. They had to. He gently touched Marla's shoulder. She turned over in response and lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling and its long wooden beams.

  “Morning,” James said. His feet ached and his throat was dry, for starters.

  She arched her back, stretching. “My back hurts. Springs dug into me all night.” It wasn't the most comfortable bed, but it was better than nothing, which had become their motto as of late.

  “Need a massage,” he offered, feeling as though it was the least he could do, but Marla declined. He shifted to the edge and placed his feet onto the hardwood floor.

  An appetizing aroma traveled into the room from the kitchen. Someone was cooking. James remained still for a moment, in no hurry to barge out of the privacy of their room just yet. They had yet to meet Carol, and he still wasn't sure what she'd think of their presence.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, getting up.

  Marla nodded. “I’d like to take a shower first.”

  “I'll go ask Larry,” James said. “If we’re lucky enough to have warm water, I’m sure that it’s rationed.”

  Marla got out of bed herself, wearing a long T-shirt that went to her thigh, just covering up her underwear. “ How long are we staying here?”

  He paused and looked at the door before answering. “I haven’t determined that yet,” he said in a quiet voice. “A week or two? What do you think?”

  She walked toward her luggage with a vacant look, offering no immediate response. “I don’t know, James. Doesn’t really matter what I have to say?”

  Noticing the air of discontent, he walked over and pulled her close. Her arms remained at her side for a moment as she slowly hugged him back.

  “We're going to get through this,” he said. “Just trust me.” She pulled away as he offered a warm smile. “And if I screw it up, you’re in charge from here on out.”

  “So, we’ll just be back to normal?” she asked with a laugh. James yanked her forward, playing as she squirmed away. “Okay. You win for now. I'll try to make this work for a few days. Then we need to move on.”

  James agreed as he grabbed their suitcases and placed them on the bed. “Fair enough.”

  Marla unzipped her bag and opened it, taken aback as clothing spilled out. She stared down, appalled at the mess of clothes hastily stuffed inside.

  “I'm sorry. We were pressed for time,” he said, pulling out some clothes of his own. He paced toward their window and looked outside as he changed, observing the tranquil forest outside. Directly behind the cabin, however, was a cleared area comprising of a garden. He saw several sweet potatoes lined up, small but promising. There was also some tomato plants and carrots along the fertile ground, surrounded by chicken wire. Marla sifted through the mess of clothes, finding some jeans and then slipping them on. Once semi-dressed, she ran a brush through her thick hair, evening it out.

  James opened the curtains completely, allowing sunlight into the room. It must have been eight or nine in the morning by his estimate. Marla opened their door and headed straight into the small bathroom across from them. James stuck his head out of the room and looked toward the kitchen where unseen food sizzled from the oven. Someone was cooking, but he couldn't see who it was. He heard the toilet flush, followed by the sink. Marla soon stepped out, wiping her hands.

  James rushed in after her and closed the door. A standing shower, sink, and toilet were packed inside the small bathroom, like that of a camper. James soon returned to the hall and saw Marla in the kitchen talking to a woman he assumed to be Carol. The woman stood with her back turned to him, her gray hair tied up in a bun.

  She wore a blue plaid shirt tucked into her blue jeans. Marla glanced at James upon his approach. The woman turned her head, exposing bright blue eyes and a warm s
mile on her slightly wrinkled face.

  “You must be, James,” she said, extending her hand. “I'm Carol, Larry's wife.”

  James shook her hand, smiling back. “Yes. Very nice to meet you.” He looked past her and saw that she was cooking pancakes on one of the only two burners on their small, propane-operated stove. There was a counter top, a faucet, and some cabinets behind her.

  “It'll be nice to have some company here for a little bit,” she said. “I was just telling Marla here how I've been cooped up by myself for the past day.”

  “Sorry for our unannounced arrival,” James said. He tried not to stare at the food, though he couldn't wait to dig in.

  Carol shrugged as she flipped a pancake on the stove. “Don't you worry about that. We're glad to have you both here to help. It's not so easy with just the two of us.”

  James looked around the living room. With its minimal furnishing and barren walls, it looked even smaller in the daytime. “Where is our super survivalist, anyway?”

  Carol turned toward the front door across from them. “He's outside somewhere.”

  “How long do you plan to stay out here?” he asked.

  “Long as it takes,” she answered. “Could be a month. Could be longer.”

  James glanced at Marla as she stared ahead, hardly pleased with any such notion.

  “You really think so?” James asked.

  Carol nodded as she placed pancakes on four different plates. “This is more than some EMP attack, I'm sure of it. The power grid is one thing, but I don't know anything powerful enough to disable vehicles. That's science fiction stuff.”

  Marla then spoke. “We don't have any idea how far it's spread. We heard some reports on the radio, and they talked about it like it had affected half the country.”

  Carol turned from the counter after preparing each plate. “And that's why Larry and I are thinking long term.” She walked over with the other plates and set them down. James sat at the head of the table with Marla next to him. Even he wasn't quite sure what she meant. He stared down at the pancakes and bacon, ready to dig in, but no one else was eating now. Carol set the other two plates at the remaining spots of the table and clasped her hands. “What can I get you both to drink?” She turned to take a quick look into the kitchen, where sunlight beamed through a tiny window above the sink. “Water? Coffee?”

  “Coffee,” James and Marla said in unison.

  Carol promptly returned to the kitchen. James scratched at the scruff on his face from two days of not shaving. He saw a mini-fridge in the corner next to the pantry door. There were vents throughout the cabin, but without airflow. He wondered more about the prospect of a hot shower. It was strange to consider how much the simplest things could be taken for granted. He'd give anything to charge up his cell phone and to be able to make a call. At that point, it'd be nothing less than a miracle to drive to the store and pick up a gallon of milk.

  Carol poured them both coffee and walked it over to the table. James felt a tad guilty being attended to in such a manner and thanked her profusely. “Don't mention it,” she said. “Now dig in. Larry will be back whenever he gets sick of playing in the woods.”

  Marla laughed as she sipped from her coffee. James first grabbed a strip of bacon and devoured it. Carol seemed to simply watch them at first, not eating herself. She then sipped from her own coffee mug and let out a big sigh. “I always knew it'd come to this,” she began. “Something so terrible that we'd find refuge out here...”

  James swallowed a mouthful and tried to interject, but Carol was already on to another topic. “We've got to evenly ration our resources out here. We've got a generator and a water pump outside. If you two would like a hot shower after breakfast, we can turn it on.”

  Marla's eyes lit up as she began to converse. “Larry had mentioned something about this super radio that could pick up signals from anywhere?”

  Carol set her mug down, amused. “It's just an old transmitter, but we can try it later if you'd like.”

  Marla remained insistent. “Is that all?”

  Carol shrugged in response. “I'm afraid you'll have to ask Larry. He's the technical guru.”

  The door suddenly swung open and Larry entered the cabin on cue. He had on work gloves, overalls, a ball cap, and sunglasses. His gloves were covered with bits of grass and weeds. He pulled his hat and sunglasses off and then looked around the room out of breath. “Ah, there you are. Good morning.” He closed the door and tossed his gloves on the couch, approaching them. There was dirt caked all over his work boots. He'd been into something, but James had no idea. He could have been weeding, gardening, or digging holes by the looks of him.

  Carol looked at Marla with her own explanation. “Don't mind Larry. He's just been clearing some of the brush that tends to build up around here.”

  “How'd you sleep?” he asked, heading straight for his food at the table.

  “Like the dead,” Marla said.

  “Great,” Larry said, seeming pleased enough.

  “The woods are pretty spooky at night,” Marla added. “I'm just not used to the sounds.”

  Carol laughed as she cut into her pancakes. “We do have an old bear that likes to pass through here every now and then.”

  James and Marla exchanged glances, color fading from their faces.

  “Don't worry,” Larry said with a mouthful of pancakes. “Ol' Gus doesn't mean any harm.”

  James found himself observing their surroundings to see what kind of locks were on the windows and door. There was only one apparent entrance into the cabin, but in each room were windows, fortunately small enough to prevent a bear from coming though, but he did wonder about the elements.

  “You know, I remember you, Marla,” Carol said, pointing. “That segment you did for our store was great.”

  “Thank you,” Marla said, slightly blushing. “I remember Larry mentioning his wife at the time, but it's too bad we couldn't get you on camera.”

  “She was traveling at the time,” Larry quickly interjected, before gorging on his food again. He had nearly cleaned his entire plate, as had James seated next to him. “Visiting her parents in Wisconsin, if I remember right.”

  Carol nodded. “That's where I was. Shame I missed it.” Her attention suddenly shifted to more recent matters. “Larry told me you guys had a heck of a time getting out of the city. Sounds very dangerous.”

  James thought of the explosions and the fires and worst of all, the noxious fumes in the air. The panicked crowds shifting through downtown, nearly trampling each other in a race to escape, was particularly chilling as well. He couldn't believe they had managed to make it home, let alone in a secluded cabin far from the nearest town. He leaned back and squeezed Marla's shoulder.

  Larry finished his plate before anyone else and then looked at James. “How about I show you around after breakfast?”

  “Sure,” James said. “I'd like that.”

  “Can we go to the creek?” Marla asked to the sudden silence of the room.

  Larry glanced at Carol with a nervous expression and then back to Marla. “In due time, Marla. I think Carol has some plans of her own.”

  Confused, Marla looked at Carol for confirmation, receiving a smile in return.

  “We can go see the creek later,” Carol said. “It's just, Larry had his plans with James and I have mine with you. This helps even the workload between us.”

  Larry rose to his feet, ready to continue the day. His tall, lanky frame loomed over them as a breeze blew inside from the open screen-in living room window. “Don't make me wait all day, James. Let's get moving.”

  James ate the remainder of his pancakes in a hurry as Carol watched him, amused. “Oh, James,” she said. “I don't think you know what you got yourself into coming out here.”

  The table laughed together in what seemed to be a first real moment of peace given their circumstances. There was little knowledge of the outside world; no news they could read or listen to and discuss. Larry's
portable emergency radio sat atop the kitchen counter, its light flashing red and a low crackling emanating. There were no updates to be heard.

  ***

  After what felt like the shortest shower of his life, James met Larry outside the cabin, dressed and ready for the day. He'd been poised to conduct a tour of their surroundings. The vast forest beyond had a serene quality and undisturbed feel. As he scanned the trees above, it nearly felt as though they were the only people in the world. His cell phone withdrawals had slightly tapered off. Where he once felt annoyance, anger, and desperation, he was now beginning to find acceptance. They walked between the station wagon and truck together and then circled to the back of the cabin where Larry first showed him their portable gas-powered generator.

  “We bring this inside at the end of the day,” Larry began. “Can't very well keep it out.”

  James observed the generator. It was like his own, but a John Deere model. He followed Larry behind the cabin to the garden. Much of its vegetables looked ripe and ready to be picked. Larry then diverted his attention directly behind the cabin where they had a modernized water pump.

  “This is what it's all about,” he said, placing his hand on the railing. Unlike the generator, it was bolted to a slab of concrete, fastening it to the ground. “Carol and I have been building this place up, piece by piece, just waiting for this day.”

  James turned to the sky, staring past the branches above. “That's some impressive foresight on your part.”

  “Foresight?” Larry said, annoyed. “We're far from done. I was blindsided by this like everyone else. You think I wanted to leave my store behind? That I wanted to abandon my livelihood?”

  James quickly apologized, but he wasn't sure what for. Larry huffed and paced toward the garden, hands in his pocket and looking around. The back area was big enough to fit an aboveground pool if he wanted. James wasn't sure why Larry and Carol had chosen this spot for their cabin, though it was ideally located up a rocky hill and surrounded by forest.