Matthew Mark - Dark Days Rough Roads

“What the hell?” he said as he jumped up. Something was licking his hand as it dangled off the couch. Haliday looked down at the ground at this mutant dog. He couldn’t figure out if it was supposed be a Chihuahua, border collie, Pomeranian or what. Kayla said, “Good morning Dad.”

“Kayla, what the hell is that?” he asked.

“That’s Max.” Haliday thought great, by the time I get out of here that damn Tahoe is going to look like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies.

“Kayla, you expect to take him or can you leave him with the neighbors?”

Here came the argument. “Did you give Romeo to the neighbor?” Haliday thought about that a minute. Romeo was his Siamese cat that he had had for over 12 years and he was 16 years old now. He, however, could be left for days on end and could fend for himself. He had a two gallon watering dish and a gravity feeder that held enough food for a month. He’d be fine; he was there now doing fine.

“Ok,” Haliday said, “but if it comes down to it, Max is BBQ.” Kayla threw a shoe at it him for saying that.

Haliday grabbed a bottle of water, went into the bathroom, took care of business and then gave himself a quick wash down covering the vital areas. He walked out to the kitchen where everyone was sitting. Haliday was livid. “Who the hell is watching the place?” he yelled? No one said anything.

Linda said, “I thought since we were all up…” and Haliday interrupted her.

“Listen, let someone get in here and you have to go look for a gun. It’s over if that happens. We do as I say, and that’s final. Let’s go see what we have.”

Kayla grabbed her AR and said, “I got it covered,” and stood watch while they went over everything in the garage. Haliday told them to pull everything out of the truck, which they did and then they repacked it. He asked them if they had every ounce of jewelry and everything of value out of the house that was small and might be worth trading. They did. Linda had grabbed a couple of photo albums and Kayla grabbed a small box full of pictures.

Haliday told Mike to grab his two gas cans he had seen and then meet him outside. They drained the gas from their cars and filled the Tahoe and the gas cans. Haliday wedged the gas cans between the KLR and the Tahoe. Room was tight. “Last thing on the agenda, go put on black clothing. I don’t care what it is, but make sure it’s black, plain black, no bedazzled or sequined anything either.

“Look around, say goodbye to the house and what its meant to you and meet me by the truck.” They went and changed and they met him back in the garage. They had been crying again. It was like saying goodbye to your whole life. Taking very few possessions was hard, but leaving the security of their home was harder.

“Mike, you get the door. Linda get in the back seat. Kayla, you keep guard and I’ll pull the truck out.” There was a small yapping sound and Haliday looked down at Max and then at Kayla. “Knock it off, Dad; I know what you’re thinking.” He clenched his teeth. Max was loaded up, Mike opened the door and Haliday pulled the truck out of the garage. Kayla walked out behind it and then Mike closed the garage door.

Kayla was standing there with her rifle at low ready when they heard the neighbor. His name was Tom. He cut through the bushes and asked Mike what was going on. Haliday got out of the Tahoe and answered immediately. “We are leaving.”

Tom looked at him and replied, "I recognize you, you’re Kayla’s dad. What are you doing with this truck?"

“Mind your own business. We’re leaving.” Tom had his duty belt on over his jeans and put his hand on his pistol. Kayla raised her rifle and said, “Mr. Tom, not a good decision.”

Tom looked at them all. “You guys are breaking the law. You’re stealing government property.”

Haliday looked at him, drew his pistol out and aimed at Tom. Haliday was thoroughly pissed off now. “Kayla, get in the truck, Mike, head down the street about 100 yards and then someone get out and cover me.” He looked at Tom and told him to unbuckle his duty belt, drop it and then kick it over to him.

Tom said, “You won’t shoot me; I’m a sheriff’s deputy.”

“Look jackass. I spent the morning cleaning up the mess you and your fellow deputies left at the intersection down the street. Now if you really want to try my patience, please don’t.”

Mike said, “Tom, you’re going to want to do what he says, trust me on this.” Tom unbuckled his belt and let it drop before he kicked it over to Haliday. Mike got in the truck and drove it down the street just a ways.

Haliday bent down and picked the duty belt up. He pulled the pistol out and looked at it. He took about 15 steps backwards and turned his head quickly to see Kayla resting against the hood with her AR ready to go. Haliday jacked the slide back on the pistol but no round came out. He looked at Tom. “Tom,” he said, “are you that frigging stupid that you carry a pistol without one in the chamber?” Tom’s lips parted and Haliday interjected, “Don’t answer.

“Here’s the deal Tom, I’m going to walk back to the truck, and I’m getting in and leaving. I’m going to leave your pistol on the sidewalk about halfway there. As soon we leave, I suggest you go get it, put one in the chamber and keep it that way. Forget you’re a cop, take care of your wife and leave it at that. Put together as much food and water as you can and safeguard it like gold. Good luck.”

Haliday walked backwards for about 50 feet then unloaded the pistol and magazine. He turned and jogged back toward the truck. He dropped the pistol on the grass next to the sidewalk as he ran. He had noticed a few more neighbors outside looking around. One said, “Hey buddy, thank you for this morning. The party store owner was robbed and beaten, after that those hoodlums raped his wife. He’s the one who cleaned up the last two guys this morning.” That had explained a lot. Haliday simply nodded and jumped in the truck and they sped off.

Haliday grabbed the mic and told Dawn and his parents they were on the way back. He asked if they had heard anything. Bev said she heard the big cities were really becoming a mess with a lot of looting and small riots. She heard that the government was having a hard time responding anywhere because a lot of equipment was unusable. Haliday asked them if anyone else made it in and she told him no. Damn, he was certain that at least his brother David and David’s son Bobby would have made it there.

“Ok folks, here’s the situation, I have extra company for now and we are going to look at the best route back to avoid the issues that are arising. I can’t give you a time line and I can’t guarantee regular check ins. Just make sure you guys double-check your security and keep someone awake at all times. Take turns, three hour shifts will you give enough of a break in between watches so you can catch some sleep. Keep a pistol on you at all times too. I have a hell of a trip to make trying to get back. Hopefully I’ll see you guys soon.”

Dawn had everyone meet back in the kitchen. “Look,” she said, “it’s getting really bad out there right now and we need to make sure the house is secured. I’m not sure it’s safe to go out yet and there’s no telling how long we will have to stay here.” Dawn’s sister Diana asked her what Roger thought.

“Well,” she said, “he’s quite busy right now and said to stay put and run tight security. Everyone is going to have to take a turn watching the house.” Dawn’s mom Karen asked her how long. “Three hours at a time is good.” She didn’t seem to like that. “We don’t have a choice, get used to it. Let’s check the house.”

The three of them started to double-check the windows and doors when Dawn heard Roger on the ham. “Dawn, can you read me?” She answered yes. “Listen,” he said, “go to A2.” This was an alternative frequency set up just for them. He did this in case he needed to relay information that he didn’t want anyone else on their net to hear. He did this for his mom and dad’s house too. He had something to say he didn’t want Rich and Bev to hear.