The World of Tom Stafford by D.A. Sanford - HTML preview

Chapter 5: People

We knew that this day would come. It's been two months since the population disappeared. Nadean and I are sitting on our front porch when we see a car coming into the town. It stops at the gas station. A man gets out with what looks like a hand pump.

He is trying to siphon gas from the in ground tank. Nadean goes into the house then reemerges with both our side arms, my sniper rifle and her shot gun.

I look through the scope, in the car is a woman. She does not seem that she is under duress. Actually, she is reading the map. I want to see his reaction so I turn on the red dot laser on the rifle. He man suddenly looks panicked. He has spotted my red dot on the ground next to him. He immediately throws up his hands and yells that he is unarmed. They are looking for some gas and food.

"We're coming down" I yell "don’t do anything that cause me to shoot. Have the woman come out of the car"

She heard me and complies.

Nadean drives while I stand in the door of the Nomad just in case. We park around ten feet from them. I make a show by having my finger near the trigger but the barrel of the rifle pointing up on my shoulder. Nadean stays in the car.

"What's your name?" I demand. I need to make a show of being in charge.

"Jim Milton and she is Doris Johnson." he answers "Like I said, we are just looking for some gas and food. We are nearly out of both."

"Have you encountered anyone else in your travels?"

"Yes, a few but they were hostile. Unlike you, they shot at us without asking anything.

We fled from them before they were able to get us.”

I look at Nadean, she nods. I feel that they are not hostile, on the surface.

"Pull up to the pump. Just know that she is a good shot with that shot gun."

I point to Nadean who's now leaning the shot gun on top of the top door hinge. As he moves the car to the pumps, I go into the building. With a flip of a switch, to their surprise, they hear the pump come alive when I turn on the generator. Then I come back out.

"Fill er up. On the house. Then we'll talk about food. I want to get a feel for what you're up to. We'll talk." I say but now in a calmer tone.

Totally beside himself, Jim starts to fill up the car. Still looking at me, then to Doris. I could tell that he was wary of this whole situation. I go to the back of the Nomad and open the back tailgate. We always carry water and some food. I want to see how he reacts to me doing something out of his view of my hands.

Jim looks very worried, like he wants to grab Doris and flee the scene in his car. Caution is a good sign, I come from behind carrying water bottles, some cups and snacks. I sling my rifle on my back. put the water and snacks on his hood. Opening a bottle of water, I pour some into a cup then I drink it.

"Take that bottle and pour yourselves some water. The jerky is factory sealed, so are the other snacks."

Since I drank out of the open bottle, they drank out of that one.

"The others are the same but if you want, we will drink from any bottle you choose." I tell them.

Simple to figure. Hearing the factory cap seals break loose, they drank without asking me to take the first sip.

"Trust is a very fragile thing in this new world. " I put out my hand towards Jim.

"That lovely lady over there is Nadean. We own this town by the right of possession.

She lived here when the shit went down. You passing through? or looking for a place to settle?"

"Settling? Is that an invitation?" Doris asks. She sounded desperate.

"It could be, if you are open with your answers. Also, if you are willing to abide by the rule of cooperation. You see, we have fortified areas here and without going into detail we can defend our claim. Are you willing to go over to the shade in front of the store, there are a few benches?"

"We'll go and talk" Jim answers.

"One thing first, I need to look into your car to make sure there are no nasty surprises.

That okay?"

"No problem. Check away. Just clothes and barely a days’ worth of food. Also, a 9 mil pistol under the driver’s seat. It’s empty because I tried to hunt some meat. I have never hunted before and have no experience with a pistol."

I check, the contents are exactly what he said.

"Let's talk."

As Nadean drives over. It's only twenty feet. I'll walk. so do the two. Nadean love that car.

I start "This town was abandoned when I first came here. I found Nadean walking down the road almost half way to the next town. I was able to bring her to her senses. We have since fallen in love and have sworn to each other"

Before I could finish, Nadean adds

"And at each other" as she giggles.

Doris chuckles. but it seems like a nervous reaction.

"As I was saying, we have sworn to each other and now consider ourselves as a married couple. The subject never came up but" as I look to Nadean "I consider our relationship as monogamous. Not open. Can both of you abide with that?"

They both say that they can respect that. First right answer.

"We work for the safety of the both of us. If you become part of our town. I would expect that you will participate in the safety of the community."

They both agree. Doris is getting fidgety.

"Doris, what's wrong?" I ask "you seem to be nervous about something"

"I am nervous. When are you going to drop the bomb?"

"Bomb?" I ask.

"The things that you are asking for are normal morals and obligations. I'm fearful of dictatorship regime rules that are coming."

"You are correct, in a way. As owners we hold the invitation and expulsion rights. If you turn out to be an asset you will be welcome to stay. If you become an ass, you'll be expelled. Become a threat and well I don't need to tell you that threats are dealt with.

The introduction of new people needs to have the final of both Nadean and myself."

"That's it?"

"Yes"

I go on about the construction of the strong hold, Fort Nadean. I tell them that what is scrounged when it comes to weapons and food they need to be declared. You want to horde old money, jewelry and such. feel free. Food is the new currency.

"The biggest thing in no drugs or heavy drinking. When we ring the alarm bell, I need every one sober. The alarm bell will be rung if there is a perceived threat of animal invasion, that includes the human type of animal."

"Those are the rules. If you accept them, we will get you a house near the fort which is our home by the way. I will show you the places and things you need to see. For the first month, you are not allowed to explore any building in this town without one of us with you. Nadean will accompany Doris and I will be with Jim. We have deadly traps all over the area."

"Now the big question. Nadean, what do you think?"

"Right now, I say they’re in, on probation."

"I say the same. Are you going to join us?"

They both look like a weight has been lifted. They both agree to the terms.

I tell them to follow the Nomad. "Nadean, drive to that house on the other side of the street that I installed that propane generator the other day." She drives there, slowly for once, and stopped after the driveway. I get out then motion for them to pull their car into the driveway.

""Jim, Doris, this will be your home. We are across the street." I point to the chain link fortress.

I go to the store house. our key box is just inside. I grab that set of house keys. As I hand them to Jim I say

"Why don't you go in. I'll show you how to work the features."

They go in to find that it is clean, with some dusting needed. Fully furnished, by the previous owners.

I walk over to the wall where there is an industrial lever switch.

"I think you'll like this." I push the lever up to the on position. There is a faint hum of the propane generator coming online. The lights come on. Their jaws drop on to the floor.

"The rule is that you use it sparingly but the whole house is functional. The generator must be shut off when you go to bed during the warm months. By winter, we’ll have a full propane truck hooked in."

I walk into the kitchen and turn on the faucet. A sputter then cold water comes out.

"The water heater will need an hour to come up to temperature."

Doris stutters "DDDDoess That mean showers? and laundry?"

"Walk this way" I show them the bathroom. I turn on the tub faucet then pull the lever for the shower. I thought she was going to jump in right then but I reminder her,

"Around an hour"

Then I put them both in orbit. I flushed the toilet.

"There are two bedrooms and down in the cellar is the half bath laundry room. Now, the both of you need to come to the store house. There are garden wagons there. I need you to pick out your food essentials on the first floor. On the second are new clothes you will pick out two sets each. Food, we take in a weeks’ worth amount.”

“As you can see, we are not fat so there is no over stocking. You have been traveling so I know that you know how to conserve. Today's special so take some extra so you can celebrate. Oh, when I went through your car, I noticed that you are low on toilet paper.

Grab a twelve pack."

Nadean says "You also need to grab a few sets of towels for the bathrooms. Second floor"

"Both of you will carry pistols, fully loaded. You see how you were greeted. Cautiously, we were looking at you both for a few minutes before I deliberately turned on the laser to see your reaction. Jim if you had gone for a weapon, I would have dropped you both.

That is how we greet. Observe and get a reaction. I'll start training both of you after you get fed, some rest and a tour. In the meantime, here is a box of 9mm for your empty pistol. Now have at it. Clothes and food."

Kids on Christmas. Rice, pasta, sauce, canned meats, and other things. Upstairs for clothes, shoes and linens.

As they finish filling the wagon, I ask "Wine or beer?" Each say different.

"Since tonight will be your celebration, Jim here's two beers and Doris two wine coolers.

Remember to turn off the generator before you go to bed. Enjoy and welcome to Thornton.”

Thornton, I've been thinking on changing that name. Maybe Nadeanville, but the paperwork, new signs and the town folk may not like it. The state would have to alter the maps. Fuck em, I'll float this by Nadean tonight. New people, I need to keep a watch on them for the next few. Got to search the gun house for night vision glasses. I turn off our generator. The lights are off and I watch for shadows. Nadean comes down after a few hours’ sleep to allow me a few hours’ sleep.

The next morning, they looked very rested when we knocked on their door.

When items are removed from our inventory, we mark it as removed. I noticed that when they were picking their food yesterday, they missed the coffee because the inventory showed that there is the same amount.

When they opened the door, I presented them with a new coffee maker and a large can of ground coffee. You would have thought that they were in seventh heaven with clean clothes, a hot shower and a soft bed. You would not be totally be wrong. For most adults’ morning coffee is the only way to start the day.

"I saw that you missed this in the store house. Call it a house warming. Now how about a cup then we will show you around." Naturally I don't show them everything. That will come with time.

After a few days of observation and a rundown on where the major traps are, Jim and Doris are given scavenge tasks. Houses still need to be searched. These are further out of town. This is a chance for them to drive out to a few houses scavenge for supplies come back. We need to build trust. We need to trust them as much as they need to trust us.

Every time they come back with some good things. I would casually look in their car for obvious “hidden” items. Finding that they are bringing in everything that they find, Nadean and I decide to allow them to choose twenty five percent of the food they recover for their own stock. This is so they could leave with their own supplies if they chose to. It shows that they are free to leave and free to stay. I'm glad to say that they show no sign of wanting to leave.

It's nice to be able to talk with others. It is calming to have the extra eyes.

Then I had the thought.

"Jim, on that first day, I was driving an eighteen wheeler with a shipping container on it.

My cab's electronics fried and I wrecked. The whole rig went down a thirty foot ravine. I was unhurt and started walking. The container is upright. I have always wanted to go back to see what was in it but worried about going and getting injured. I do wonder what was inside. You game?"

"Sure, which do I drive?"

"I think that I'll take the pickup with the trailer. You should drive the box. There is a turnaround spot past where the wreck is. We'll turn around first. That way we don't need to when we are fully loaded. We need to take some of the portable tools, the bolt cutters. I have the winch on the pickup but a good long rope to help coming up and down that slope."

Jim says “I'll have Doris to go over to Nadean. That way they can have a girl day."

"Sounds good, tomorrow morning we go, After coffee"

I didn't remember walking this far but we made it to the wreck site.

"I'm surprised that you lived through that without any broken bones" Jim remarks as we look down.

The only thing barely visible is the cab. The box is almost completely covered in vines.

We tie the rope to the box truck and throw it over. The tools are tied to the other rope and lowered down.

"We don't want to disturb the plant cover. We probably will not get everything in one trip.

It will be safe under the vines. Jim and I look it over.

Jim comments,

"I read about these overseas containers. Water does not get in and they have a copper foil inner layer to protect electronics. You were not carrying groceries. There might be some serious stuff in there. You were going to deliver this to Thornton?"

"That was the final destination."

"Some prepper or a really important person. Not your ordinary web order. Let's open this carefully."

I cut the seal then the locks, yes three locks. Inside at first glance makes me wish I brought a change of drawers. Locked down are two military style ATVs with gun mounts.

The crates behind were bolted and strapped. I pull the manifest that is taped to the crates. There are two fifty caliber fully automated machine guns with ammunition. Five thousand rounds each.

As I read that, it pulled Jim's attention from the ATV's and he said,

"My hearing is in doubt. Did you just say five thousand rounds each?"

"That's what is printed here."

"Does the manifest tell you if there is clothes in there?"

"Why?" I ask

"I just shit my pants. The ATVs are great but fifty calibers. One on an ATV and the other on the tower."

The other box had what I really wanted. Besides other weapons, there are six pair of night vision goggles.

"You're right, we hit the jackpot. I'll climb up and lower the cable. Both ATV's have tow eyes on the front. We'll push them out then I'll climb. We'll bring those up first."

"While you're doing that, I'll unbolt the crates. once the ATVs are up there, we can use the extra rope. Those crates will withstand the haul up to the top. With what is in there, we will be able to make this a one trip haul." Jim is ecstatic.

The gun guy, it has to be him. He's the one person I hope never shows up.

Jim was right, we got both crates into the box truck. Both ATV's fit on the trailer, just.

The straps were used to hold them for the return trip.

“Jim” I float the question, “do you think that the town’s payloader would pull that container out?

“Why?”

“I think that it would make a great shelter for these ATVs. Just in case of another burst.”

“I wish that we could use that carrier” Jim answers “We would be able to but the carrier is wrecked, we would have to drag the container back. By the time we made it back, the floor would be ground away.”

“Maybe some time we’ll see if that carrier is still good for one last run but not now. We need to get this back to town.”

We stopped at the gas station to fill up the ATV's Thank God for the copper foil. Even though they have the electronics, they both started up.”

The two women come down, Nadean drove, of course. Her first words were

"I have got to drive those!"

Doris added, "There are two. I'll take the other"

"No, you don't" I then showed them the gun mounts. "There are machine guns that mount to each one."

I open the box truck to show them the two crates. Now they need a change of clothes.

They both said "Now we really need to ride them!"

After unloading at the store house. and taking inventory. Besides the machine guns and ammunition, there was flack vests Kevlar helmets along with many other battle items, in

other words we are now a military. Has to be the gun guy. Nadean had told me that he was in a high position with the government and this town was like a retreat.

It figures, someone willing to bend or in this case, break the rules, could get their hands on military equipment like this. Only a corrupt politician could pull this off. We’re better off without him.

Since Jim and Doris came to Thornton, we have had some people pass through. The main object for them was that they were trying to get somewhere. There were some that we offered some gas and food then let them go on their way. For now, the four of us decided that we would only offer couples the choice of joining our community. Singles, for now would only upset the balance.

We have had a few that we deemed too dangerous, try to take what we had when we confronted them. They were always taken care of. If we just chased them off, we would always be looking over our shoulders.

There have been a few couples added to our settlement. We have been lucky so far that they seemed like good people. They fit well into the group. An example is Doctor Charles Darcy and his wife Susan. They were married well before the end but both were not to be affected on that day.

Charles is a cardiologist and his wife is his nurse. They set up a clinic in the fort since it is now considered the center of our community

The town of Thornton has grown to six couples. We even have an elderly couple Gladis and Sadie. They were living in different communities but found each other on the road.

Both were widows that are in their early seventies. They decided to drive until they found someone or ran out of gas. Luck was on their side. They only lived around one hundred miles away. One of them remembered having a restful time when she visited Thornton, they made it their first goal. Both are full of life, full of laughter and full of affection for each other. They both were generous to a fault.

Unfortunately