Rise of the Prepper: A Story of the Coming Collapse (6 page)

“Hm.” Dominick nodded. “There hasn’t been any news lately. TV stations have stopped broadcasting two days ago. We know just as much as has been released. Killer virus, people infected dying within two weeks, no cure.” Dominick shrugged. “You know about anything else?”

Seth shook his head. “Nope. That’s all I know too.”

“What you need to know is how to get that oil stain off your jacket.” Jules said from behind him. She placed two plates of grilled bread on the table. Evan finished grilling the sausages and hotdogs and brought them over to the table too.

“Just because the world as we knew it has ended doesn’t mean we have to look shabby.”

“Amen to that.” Seth said and raised his beer in agreement.

Laughter filled the table as Seth and his new friends dined together. Evan shared a hilarious story about Dominick when they were children. Dominick, in turn, shared a story about the time he played a prank on Evan and Jules when the couple thought they had the house all to themselves that earned him a sharp elbow to the rib from Jules and made Casey ask an inappropriate question. The noise woke Brodie up. He looked up at Seth as if to say, “Could you keep it down?”

Time went on and the sun had started to go down over the horizon. The Costners were finishing packing their stuff up. Jules was teaching Seth a surefire way of removing stains from any type of fabric. Once they were done, Dominick took him aside.

“How about it, Seth? Do you want to come with us? We were just thinking of going to Atlanta. We can convoy with you until we get there.” Dominick said.

Seth thought about it. “That would be really nice but I’m afraid I can’t. I still have to get back to my cabin tonight. I need to re-evaluate my plans now that I have Brodie with me.”

“All right.”

The Costners had finished up and were ready to leave. Before they left, each of them said their goodbyes to Seth.

“If you need anything… Well, I’d say give us a call but there’s no service around anymore. In any case, we’ll always be ready to help you should you need any and we’re around.” Dominick said. “Take care, Seth. You too, Brodie.”

“Bye, Brodie.” Casey said, waving at the dog who barked in response.

“You guys take care, too.” Seth said and waved them goodbye.

After the Costners left, Seth and Brodie went to the truck and checked that all his things were still there. Once that was settled, Seth started up the truck and prepared for the six-mile drive back to his cabin with Brodie by his side.

Seth hadn’t been driving that long when he saw a nondescript car come up the opposite lane. It coasted along the road as if the driver inside wasn’t in any hurry.
Although
, Seth supposed,
what would he have to hurry on about?

The car slowed down to a stop a few meters away from Seth’s truck. Seth did the same too and waited as a man stepped out of the car and waved at him. With a frown, Seth examined the man carefully from his vantage point.

The man was wearing black clothes as far as he could tell. He had fair skin and seemed to be older than him as evidenced by the man’s white hair. It had gotten a little dark as the sun had already started setting so he couldn’t make out anything else about the man that could give him an idea as to his identity but Seth didn’t think the guy was dangerous.  All the same, Seth kept his wits about him and readied his gun. He opened the door on his side and Brodie lifted his head up. “I’ll be back, buddy.” Seth said. He walked over to the man and recognized him.

“Father Alain,” Seth said. “What are you doing out here?”

“Seth, thank God. I knew I recognized your truck.” Father Alain smiled. “I was on a patrol.”

“Patrol? Whatever for?”

“There had been reports about raiders being in town.”

“Raiders?” Seth said then remembered the two guys he beat up that morning who were trying to steal his truck. “I see. I fought with two of them this morning.”

“Are you all right?” Father Alain asked worriedly.

“Yes, I’m all right. But you on a patrol? I got to be honest, Father, I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Father Alain laughed. “Well, I may not look like it but I used to dream of becoming a soldier when I was a child. But on a more serious note, as you may have noticed, there’s a considerable lack of people in Boone. The remaining men must do their duty to protect this town and I’m one of those men and you too, for that matter.”

Seth nodded. “Do you have a weapon?” At the priest’s look of confusion, Seth said, “You can’t be going around patrolling for raiders and not have a weapon, Father. What are you going to do when you encounter one of them?”

“Err, well, I have this.” Father Alain said and pulled out a walking stick from his car.

“What were you thinking of doing with that? Hit them on the head hoping they faint away?” Seth said and Father Alain shrugged. Seth shook his head. He told Father Alain to wait for him while he went back to his truck to get something.

“Here.” Seth said and held up an Arsenal Shipka, a small submachine gun.

Father Alain looked at the gun suspiciously, as if it would suddenly start shooting at him. “You know I’ve never used a gun in my life, right?”

“Never too late to start. C’mon, Father. Take it. It’s my gift to you.” Seth grinned.

“Ah, I, ah, thank you.” Father Alain gingerly received the gun with both hands.

“I’ll teach you how to use it.” Seth said and the look on Father Alain’s face made him laugh.

*****

Seth finished teaching Father Alain how to use the gun. He taught the priest all the basics or at least as much as time allowed. Night was approaching and he still had to reach the cabin.

“Well, I pray I’ll never have to use this but thank you for teaching me, Seth.” Father Alain said. They said their farewells to each other and Father Alain gave a piece of beef jerky to Brodie as a parting gift. Seth introduced them to each other when they took a break from the lesson.

              Seth had finally arrived at the cabin. He let out the curious dog from the truck and led him to the front door. “Welcome to your new home, Brodie!” Seth said as he swung the door open. Brodie ran into the cabin, barking happily. He was still weak so he could not bark as loud as he wanted to but he showed his gratefulness in the energetic wag of his tail. Seth smiled down at him and told him he could check the place out while Seth brought in his stuff.

              Seth was busy with moving his things and caring for Brodie that he didn’t notice the suspicious vehicle headed for the cabin.

Chapter Nine: Amelia Meets Whitney

              "C'mon, William. You can do it." Amelia said supporting William on her side as they tried to make their way to the main gate. They had only gotten a few feet away from the court where Amelia fought with the two goons.

The goons were no longer in the vicinity and it didn't seem like anyone was going to show up and cause trouble for them. Still, Amelia thought it wise to move as fast as they could.

Suddenly, Amelia lost her balance and fell to the side. William had stopped walking and the unexpected weight of his body caused Amelia to fall to the side.

Amelia grunted in pain, rubbing her sore backside. "William, why'd you stop?" She asked, a bit pissed. She looked at him and saw that his eyes were closed and his breath was coming in short, light puffs.

"William?" Amelia lightly shook him. "Are you okay? Can you still go on?"

William's eyes opened a little though he didn't look at her. He just looked straight ahead. "Amelia."

"What is it?" Amelia said in a steady, calm voice that was at odds with how she felt inside.

"I want you to leave me here."

Amelia's eyes widened. "What are you talking about? I can't leave you alone here?"

"No, I don't...” He gasped. “Have much longer anyway. There's no use in bringing me with you. I'll just drag you down."

Amelia felt her throat tighten. William had been one of her best students and best friends. Seeing him like that not only scared her but tore at her heart.

"You're not going to drag me down. You'll be fine, William. Just a little more and we'd be out of here."

William sighed and took a shallow breath. "Leave me."

"No. I--"

"Please." William sighed. "We both know I don't have much time left. Amelia, you're one of the best people I've ever known and it had been an honor to learn from you and to be called your friend so please, grant me this selfishness one last time and survive—for my sake, for your sake."

Amelia couldn't stop the tears from falling. They spilled over her cheeks as she tried to hold in a sob. She had always been known as a strong and brave woman. No one had ever seen her cry and she knew that William would feel upset if he saw her like that. Amelia didn't want his last moments to be one of regret.

"All right. I'll leave." Amelia said. "Thank you, William, for everything. Thank you for being my friend." Amelia swept the hair from his forehead and laid a gentle kiss there. She stood up and left. The last of William she saw was of him smiling.

*****

              Amelia was just walking down the road following its winding path having no idea where to go. It had been such a long time since she had been outside and free. It was ironic though. She had finally achieved freedom only to have it when the world was no longer the same—a time when simply breathing could kill someone. It was like she had been finally given a piece of her favorite chocolate cake only to be told that it was poisoned. Amelia took a deep breath.
Oh, well. It’s not like I have anyone waiting for me. Seriously,
Amelia thought,
what should I do now?

              Amelia had walked about half a mile when she came upon a Church’s Chicken restaurant with a burning helicopter on its rooftop. “That’s new. Whoever came up with that design had a very unique sense of artistry.”

              The helicopter had become charred. The flames that had once devoured it had dwindled down and was on its way to burning itself out. The surrounding area was deserted except for a few a cars that had been abandoned.

              Amelia was still looking at the restaurant, wondering if she could cook some food if she went inside. There must be some chicken left. She could fry a couple and make spicy buffalo wings. Her stomach grumbled and she remembered that she hadn’t eaten anything yet. “You know what, I’m going to do just that.”

              Amelia was about to go into the store when she heard a commotion on the rooftop. She looked up and saw a young girl stumbling to the edge of roof and doubling over, coughing. The girl was dangerously close to falling off of the rooftop. If she moved just a little bit more forward, she was going to be in trouble.

              The girl looked down and saw Amelia. “Please help me!” She said.

              “Okay. Just stay calm and don’t move from there. I’ll be right back.” Amelia called out to the girl. The girl nodded.

              “Okay, let’ see.”  Amelia looked around for a ladder or something that she can step or climb on and reach for the girl but there was none. “Now what are the chances that a trampoline is around here somewhere?” If she found one, the girl could jump down instead. Okay, fine. Who was she kidding? There’s no way something convenient like that would be lying around.

              Amelia went back to the front of the restaurant. “Hey!” She called out to the girl. “Do you see any door there? You can  go down through it.”

              “I-I’ll check!” The girl said. Amelia watched her disappear from view. After a minute or so, the girl came back, almost ready to cry. “There’s no door here!”

             
Shit.
Amelia looked around with her hands on her hips.
Is there really no trampoline around I might have just missed it.

              “Please help me!” The girl cried.

              “All right. Here’s what I want you to do.” Amelia said. “See the ledge there? I want you to go there.”

              The girl looked at where Amelia was pointing. “Are you crazy? I can’t possibly get down there.”

              “You want to get down here or not?”

              “I’m not going to that ledge!”

              “Fine. You can stay up there forever for all I care.” Amelia said and turned her back.

              “Wait!” The girl sobbed. “F-Fine. I-I’ll go down there.”

              “That’s a good girl.” Amelia smiled. She watched as the young girl carefully climbed over the edge of the rooftop and slowly lowered herself to the ledge with shaking arms.

              “You can do it! Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll catch you so just relax and take it slow.” Amelia cheered from below.

              At last, the young girl was able to lower herself successfully onto the ledge. “I-I did it.” She said with a wide, watery smile.

              “You sure did. Now, I need you to drop down from there and I’ll catch you.”

              “What!?”

              “Well, how else did you expect to get down here?”

              “I thought you asked me to go to this ledge so I can climb down using a ladder or something.”

              “It’s good to have hope, kid.” Amelia told her.

              “Don’t patronize me!” The girl said, outraged.

              “Ooh, big word. Now jump.”

              The girl was at a loss for words. She realized that there truly was no other way for her to get down other than to jump off the ledge. Biting her lip, she stepped cautiously to the edge of the ledge. “All right,” She said. “But make sure to catch me!”

              Amelia readied herself to catch the girl. “Okay, now ju—”

              The tail of the helicopter fell off and made a loud noise surprising the girl, catching her off guard. Her foot slipped off the edge of the ledge and she plummeted down, screaming.

              Luckily, Amelia remained steadfast and was fully prepared to catch her. She caught the girl and set her on the ground. The girl was in shock and she was crying hard.