Jericho Survivor Diaries
part 3
Friday October 7, 2006
The morning light filtering through the morning window woke me up. I slowly went to the kitchen and pour the last of my day old coffee into my mug. It was cold but at least it got me up and ready for my trek to the city limits and my mom's place. In the corner of the bedroom sat my guns, my clothes, and bag of supplies ready to go. On the headstand i had left my 1911 colt, ready for trouble should it come knocking at my door so to speak. As i was getting the last of my AR-15 ammo ready to go, i began smelling smoke. I ran through the house looking for a fire but found none, i grabbed my 1911 and headed out the front door. Ms Williams, my next door neighbor was outside as was some of the other neighbors. Off in the distance of town, smoke began rising from several areas and gun fire could be heard coming from town. hello chaos meet anarchy, i whispered. I went to my beat up old pickup truck and got inside in turned the key."The engine turned over but didn't start. I tried two more timeswith the same result. On the third try the engine turned over and began puttering."I sighed a relief and left the engine running and headed back insdie and packed all my guns into the bed of the pickup and got in the cab and headed for Mitch's trailer down the street. I got out and with my 1911 on my hip headed for his home. I banged three times and got an answer with the barrel of a gun pointed at my head. I grabbed the end an swung it out of the way and spoke"Hey, it's me we have to go NOW!"Mitch lowered the gun and spoke."Sorry, since yesterday i have been a little paranoid, i am ready let me get my stuff."I went back to the truck and waited. After about 30 seconds Mitch brought out a old canvas bag and several guns. He put them all in the bed of the truck and got in with me. We headed out of the trailer park leaving behind alot of scared people and began to head down the highway to the dirt road that would take us to my mom's place."Have you heard from your cop friend, David? Yea, he came over yesterday told me some other cities have been hit including told me they dont know about the president."As i continued to speak his face turned white knowing the full gravity of the situation." Once i get us settled in i am going to go back to your place and get your CB, then we wait and see what happens."I said as i turned onto the road that led to my mom's place. About a mile up the road the bridge was out. Several cars had apprently slid off the old bridge and hit the supports causing the collapse. The creek was now a torrent rushing through from the rains about 3 days before."Great, this means we are going to have to go through the town and take Highway 6 to get to your mom's place."Mitch said."I walked over to the edge and looked down at the water and came to the same conclusion he was right."Yeah, come on lets get ready to go through the lion's den.
Me and Mitch Walked back to my truck and I pulled the tarp off the guns. "What do you want me to do man, whatever it is i am with you" Mitch said. Ok i want you to put your 12 gauge in the cab with you and make sure it is loaded ok."Mitch nodded and got the 12 gauge pump out of the bed and collected the ammo from his bag and headed for the cab. I got out my AR-15 and two out of the 8 clips i had pack for it and made sure the clip already in the gun was full. I got back in the cab of the truck and turned the truck started and i slowly back up the dirt road and began heading back toward the hightway and headed toward the town."Mitch, i want you to listen to me, if we have to stop i will get out and you will stay in the truck ok. If i get into some trouble i want you to be ready to start shooting at whatever the threat is. If i gets to bad i want you to haul tail out of their and head for my mom's place, ok."Mitch nodded and took the shotgun from behind the seat and put it in his lap. As we came to the red light that led to the main drag into town, i looked at both ways to see if anyone was coming. Along the sides of the road, cars were left abandoned. Some looked to have been burned, down the road on the right side an 18 wheeler hauling a large gas tank was on the side of the road, the gas tank opened from the top. On the left side of the road toward town cars lined the road. I turned left and after about a minute of driving i came into town. we went buy all the main Shop mart retail store. The parking lot was filled with cars but none were driving but ours. People were streaming in and out of the supercenter, carring everything from TV's to food. Then someone pointed at the truck and the mob began to come towards us. I pushed down the gas pedal and headed out of there, over the overpass. I headed down east main street until i got to main street. Usually at this time of day, the small stores were packed and the bars had at least one or two cars in them. This day was different. Cars littered the parking lots with some burning or burnt. The smeel or smoke began to drift through my open window and i rolled up the window to avoid the smell. Then on the passenger side a shot rang out.
I do not know where the bullet went but the gang of 10 boys and girls on Mitch's side was a good indication that they were where it had come from. As more shots rand out i forgot all traffic law and hauled it past the stop sign down snake street."Mitch point that gun and fire at their feet try not to hit them." I heard Mitch bust out the Passenger windwo and begin fireing widly at the mod as we left them behind. Through my rearview mirror i could see the mob seperate and splint into two groups. One group hiding behind the curbside tree on the left side of the road, the other doing the same on the right."He Mitch nice shooting but next time rolled down the window instead of breaking it first ok." Mitch had a pale look but still gave a small sorry before he got out his 12 gauge shells and began reloaded the 8 shots he had used made it down snake street until we came to the railroad tracks. A train was in the intersection and we could not pass."Great, These train tracks run through the entire town, how are we supposed to get to the other side and out to Highway 6 now" Mitch said as he hit the dashboard with his fist. "Get your bad out and keep you Shotgun handy we are walking from here" I said as i got out of the truck grabbed my AR_15 and reached into the back of the truck and got my Bag out. Mitch followed suit and soon we had crossed the train tracks and begun heading fro Highway 6.
It was about a block from where the tracks where that Mitch Broke the silence."Look at this place David, I mean look at it. It looks llike a war zone. I mean Bills Bar-b-que across the street there is a place i was taken to eat lunch when i was in High School. Now it looks like a bomb took it out man." I look across the street at the one story building. What should have been white was a blacken from the fire and soot. The sign was crumpled along the entrance and the two side windows on each side of the door were gone with the shards on the ground before them." I know, Mitch. My dad took me to alot of these stores for one thing or another. Heck down the next street here is where i met Sarah." As we came to the corner of another cross street we stopped at the corner and look both ways for anyone. After seeing no one in sight was ran across the street and continued to walk on the sidewalk. Walking over debris from the rioting."You know David you never really told me or anyone what happened between you two. You made a great couple, you were always happy you two were. I know, it is a long and stupid story." I said as we came to another cross street i looked up the sign and noticed this was the last cross street on Main and that we were getting close to the Highway Six intersection just up the road."Hey Mitch, we are on second street, Gabe's sports store is just up the road we might be able to get some ammo and survival stuff there."I said as we looked up and down the street."What about money man,i dont have any and plus unless you haven't noticed it has suddenly become nuts out here. I know but we might be able to work something out and if he aint there we take only what we need and after everything settle down we pay him back someway. Look you need some ammo for the 9 mil, and we might need some camping and first aid supplies in case we have to go to Mike's Cabin on the outskirts of Cedar Vale."Mitch nodded and we began to head down the cross street toward the store.
"So, what happened to you and Sarah, David?"Mitch said as we crossed in front of the 1st American Bank."Like i told you before it is a long story and a stupid one on my part."Then from the right side of the road we heard a gunshot and me and Mitch hid behind a burned out car. Then more shots ran out and down the road where Gabe's was came a old pickup truck with several people inside The Pickup was hauling tail as it passe by us. The Truck was loaded to bare with supplies."That, was Gabe's Truck and he Wasn.t Driving" Mitch Said as we stood up from behind the car."Yea i know, lets get a move on and see if there is anything left." We ran down the road and came to the parking lot for Gabe's. The Lot was empty but the building had seen better days. The neon sign above the store front was out. The windows on either ide of the main entrance were blown out and the screen door was knocked down while the wooden door hung on the top pivot. We both entered the store and headed to the back of the store where the weapon supplies were kept.
When we finally got back there, all of the guns along the back shelevs were gone. The floor was filled with different types of ammo, camping supplies, clothing, and other assorted items."Mitch head to the back of the counter and look under the displays and see if there is any 9MM ammo left put what you can in you bag."As mitch Rounded the Corner he shouted toward me."GABE, DAVID GABE IS BACK HERE."I ran to the counter and looked over to see the 62 old man known as Gabe lying on the floor with blood pooling around his upper arm. I reached into the bag on my Shoulder and pulled out my medkit i had brough and got out the smelling salt. Gabe Awoke with a star and began flailing his arms around."GABE, GABE calm down it is me and happened slowly tried to get ot a seating postion but i held him down as i cut his slothing and began trying to patch up his arm with a alchol and Gauss."After the power didn't come back on i locked the door and waited for the power to come back on. When it wasn't on by morning, i got out my survival radio and heard about the attacks. I bolted the door but during the night some punks ripped it open. I started shooting at them, got a couple of them and drove them off. They came back three more times. They got me on the third time and after that nothing."Gabe said in a scratchy voice."Gabe, there is no one in town do you know where everyone is at?"Mitch said as i finished his wrap and got him to a seating position leaning against the counter"Yea, The Armory, on Highway 1. Radio has been telling everyone to head to the National Guard Armory, since this , Gabe we are heading to my mom's place i need some supplies in case was have to go further. Can i take some stuff? Yeah, take what you need david no , old man. "I said as i smiled and stood up and look toward Mtich who was still bent down."Mitch I need you to go get us some , camo clothing, jackets, and some MRE's From the Front i am going to get us some more medical supplies and some
ammo from what is left back here for our guns, "I said then Gabe reached for my leg as Mitch began heading to the front."David, In the back store room in a box marked AC134 is some civilian radiation detection units. You might need them in case we get some Fallout."
I nodded and walked back to the store room. the door had been shot off the hinges and was lying on the floor. I got to the back and began looking through the boxes pilled up. Most were empty but in a seperate store room i finally found the box. Using my knife i cut the box open and got out three of the Rad detectors. I brought them up front and through them on a table which held clothing and jackets Mitch had collected up front. As i was about to begin looking for more ammo Mitch came running back to me"David, company that truck is back."My heart froze as i know they were back for more loot. I collected my Ar-15 from Gabe's side and told mitch to head for the left counter while headed to where Gabe was on the right. I told mitch to wait for my signal and to not fire unless i fired or he was fired upon. He headed that way and ducked down behind. I handed Gabe my 1911 and told him to cover the other end of the counter in case the came around that way. From the front of the store came four youths, 2 male, 2 female. the the male closets to me was saying something to his buddes as he looked down on the ground and noticed the mess and grabeed an free bag on the rack and began to head for the table where our stuff was. When the quartet turned away i sprang up and shouted" STOP RIGHT THERE" With my AR-15 pointed at quartet stopped but one of the females looked as if she was going to reach for a gun. Them Mitch poped up and the female decided that her odd of shooting that piece in her pants was nil. the 18old male in the middle stepped forward and spoke."What are you doing in my store? Your store, last time i checked this was Gabe's store and you aint gabe."Mitch said as he pointed the shotgun at the two ladies."Gabe, is dead or will be soon and this my part of town now, i run this part of town and i say what goes."I raised the gun at the "leader" and spoke. "You run jack and crap and jack left town, sherlock. So my suggestion to you, follow jack and leave before i wind up doing something i will regret. There, are four of us, boy and only two of you. you dont have chance."Said the leader as the groups hands began to move closer to their belts."KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOUR SIDES"Mitch screamed and the group lowered their hands again."You are right me and him might not make it out of here if shooting starts, but you will go first , unless you want me to send you to the next world first class, take your crew and get before my finger slips and splatters your brains across Gabe's clothing" I said.
The "leader" held up his hands and began to walk him and his crew back to the font of the store."Okay, boy you win but know you have to leave sometime and when you do you and your friend are dead. The crew left out of the store and me and ran over to me and gabe crouched behind the counter."What do we do now, David? We get out of here, Gabe is personaly pickup in the back of the store as it always is." Yeah, but i dont know if it can start yet here are the keys."I took the keys and looked back at the the two."Mitch get ready to carry Gabe, sorry gabe but you are leaving and coming with us."Gabe hit the side of the counter and spoke."No, way i am not leaving my store to those theives for them to loot and take as they see fit. I have lived through the roughest times this town has and never backed down i wont leave we aint leaving your store we are torching it."I said and then gabe looked down at the gun in his hand and nodded."Gabe is there a back door out of here."Mitch said as i looked over the counter to see if my new friends had returned or still waiting outside. "Yea, right beside my pickup it leads to the storage area."Gabe said as i looked back down at hime."Ok, Mitch take Gabe through the backdoor and put him in the bed of the pickup truck, and get in the driver's seat but don't leave yet you dont hear from me in 10 minutes, high tail it out of here and dont look back."I then got up and headed for the other end of the counter and slid open the side door to reveal bags of gunpowder. I pooled all the bags of gunpowder into the center of the room except for one. I drew the knife from my holster on my hip and cut the bag open. I snuck up to the front of the store and while hiding out of site poured the gunpowder in a line around the walls of the gunshop. and led the lines back to the central area. I then took a bottle of turpitine and poured it on the powder and took one of the bags of powder and poured a line out to the truck where Mitch was in the drivers seat and Gabe ws proped up against the bag wall of the bed with my Gun at the ready.
I went back into the store and collected the items that Mitch and I had gathered along with our bags put them in the truck and walked up to the Driver window."Mitch, get ready to leave in a hurry." I then left back into the shop and reached over to one of the racks and collected a flare and headed back outside to the truck leaving the door open. I flicked the Flare and through it at the line of powder i had laid down and ran to the Passenger side."GO MITCH GET US OUT OF HERE NOW!!!!" Mitch, Turned the key and put the truck in drive and pulled out of the alley and down a street. Behind us i watched as the gang followed us and began shooting at us. Until the fire reached the gunpowder inside that is. The explosion had no fire but enough force to knock the leader and his crew down and keep them out of our hair. After about five minuted of making sure we weren't followed i spoke to Mitch."Mitch, slow down they aint behind us, slow down dude we are safe for , SAFE, look around us man. we aint never going to be safe."He said with a wild look in his eyes. He did slow down however, and eventually stopped so i could make out where we were. Fortunately we were at the intersection to highway 6. We took the left and headed down the Highway for about 10 minutes. I would look behind us to see if gabe was still alive, he was still with us but i could not see his eyes, nor did i want to. I had cost him his life in that explosion and i only hoped i did the right thing. Eventually we came to the dirt road and turned down it. after a minuted we turned and came to my childhood home. I went up to the grey and white trailer and went inside. No one was there, my mom was not there but on the Tv was a note. I picked up the note and began to read it.
David, me and your uncle and your sister are alright. They are evacuating town and the city limits. We are heading to with the National Guard to Jacobsville, to the south. If you get this please meet us there and be careful.
mom
As i read the note Mitch had come in the door."Where is your family David?"I turned to Mitch and showed him the note."Put your stuff down and make yourself at home for a little. I am going to get gabe and the rest of our gear. We will stay here for the night and tomorrow head for Jacobsville if it is still there."Mitch sat down on the old couch and spoke."no offense but after what has happened that is a big if."I headed out and prepared to stay at my old home for the night.
TO Be Continued.....
