Tim Washburn - The Day After Oblivion

He searches the nearest building for fuel containers and finds a pair of five-gallon diesel jugs stashed in the corner of the barn. He pulls them out and continues his search. Stepping around behind the barn, he spots a large fuel tank perched atop a pair of latticed legs and threads through the piles of junk for a look. He lifts the pump handle and sniffs the spout—diesel. He hurries back to the truck and drives it over next to the tank. After topping off the truck’s tank, he fills the two containers. That might buy them three or four hundred miles, but not a thousand. He looks around the tank and finds an eight-foot section of four-inch hose buried in the weeds. The original metal collars are still intact and he tosses it all into the back. Used to fill the large tank from a tanker truck, the hose could prove invaluable down the road. Prowling around some more, he’s trying to figure out what else they may need. He bends down to check for a spare under the bed and finds the slot is empty. They’ll need a spare for sure. After all, it’s not like he can call AAA. He returns to the office building and rousts a few of the boys outside to help.

By the time they’ve finished, they’ve accumulated two spare tires, four more fuel containers, a large tarp to shield the bed from the elements, nearly a dozen flashlights, and two cases of double-A batteries. McDowell drives the truck up to the back door of the building and climbs out. Most of the group is outside, drinking soup from the coffee cups, and he grabs a cup and ladles in some soup.

Once the boys finish, they lay the area rug from the reception area across the bed and load on the old sofa. The girls pack away the utensils and load the two five-gallon jugs of water, along with the luggage. The six diesel containers get lashed to the outside rails with a roll of found rope, as does the four-inch tanker hose. McDowell debates going back to check the other jobsite trailer, but he’s feeling exposed now that daylight is in full bloom. When no one is looking, he sneaks into the cab and locks the pistol and ammo in the glove box. It’s not much of a lock, but it could keep the kids out, especially if they don’t know it’s there. McDowell hustles back to the barn and retrieves the bucket of tools he’d put together. The kids pile in back, and Lauren and Melissa play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the first shift in the back with the kids. Lauren loses, and she climbs into the back. McDowell secures the back rail section and climbs into the cab. He cuts a wide berth around the bodies and points the truck south.

Weatherford

After a brief visit with his brother and his family, Gage spent another hour with his unconscious father before he and Holly returned to her parents’. Gage had been solemn all evening and waited until he and his wife climbed into bed before seeking solace. Cuddled in each other’s arms, or as cuddled as you can be when one of you is eight months pregnant, Gage talked about life with his father, and Holly dried the tears on his cheeks. Eventually the well ran dry and they both fell asleep.

This morning, finishing up the last of the eggs and the bacon, the group lingers around the breakfast table. “Gage,” Henry says, “if you want to spend some time with your father we can put off working on the wind turbines for a few days.”

Gage takes a sip of coffee, pondering. After a long moment, he places the mug back on the table. “I appreciate it, Henry, but I need to be doing something. He won’t know whether I’m there or not and Garrett’s just down the way if Mom needs anything. Besides, the propane isn’t going to last forever.” Gage stands, carries his plate to the sink, and returns to give Holly a kiss on the cheek. “Are you feeling a little better this morning?”

“Yeah, I am. We’ll see how the day goes.”

“Why? What happened?” Susan Reed asks, a tinge of alarm in her voice.

“I’ve had several series of contractions over the last week or so.” Holly makes no mention of the blood-soaked panties.

“I think that’s fairly common this late into the pregnancy,” Susan says. “I remember having some contractions when I was pregnant with Alyx.”

Gage places a hand on Holly’s shoulder. “Babe, do you know where Dr. Samia lives?”

“I think out in that new addition. I don’t know the specific address,” Holly says.

“I do,” Susan says. “They moved in next door to the Johnsons.”

“Why?” Holly asks.

“In case anything happens. Think she’d mind us making a house call?”

“She better not mind,” Susan says, butting in. “Not when my first grandchild’s almost here.”

Holly glares at her mother before looking up at Gage. “I think she’d be okay with us dropping by, Gage. But I don’t want to wear out our welcome. I’m fine for now.”

“Still, I hate to leave you two stranded,” Gage says. “Susan, would you mind running us out to the jobsite? That way you’ll have the pickup in case you need it.”

“Gage, I’m not due for another month,” Holly says.

Susan pushes back from the table and stands. “I like that idea, Gage. I’ll come and get you both before dark.”

“Sounds good,” Gage says.

“We need to load a couple of items out at the barn before we’re ready to go,” Henry says.

“Okay. Give me a shout when you’re ready,” Susan says, carrying her and Holly’s plates to the sink.

Gage and Henry exit the house and climb into the pickup for the short drive to the barn. Henry glances at the shotgun riding between them. “Expecting trouble?”

“Nope. Just being prepared.” At the barn, Gage swings around and backs the truck up next to the large sliding door. “What are we getting here?”

“One of the unused step-up transformers.”

“We’re not going to be able to load that by hand, Henry.”

Henry pulls the door open and steps inside, Gage following behind. “We don’t have to,” Henry says, waving an arm toward the transformer already loaded on a large trailer. “We’ll park the trailer up next to the tower.”

“What makes you think the rest of the grid is operational?”

“I don’t. If we can get just a portion of the grid going I’d be happy.”

“Especially if it’s the power lines running to this house.”

“Of course. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to power the entire town, but if we can get power to a few houses that’s better than nothing.”

“Unless you’re one of those not receiving power.” Gage walks over and puts a foot up on the side of the trailer. “I don’t know, Henry. We could be setting ourselves up for a war.”

“Admittedly, I haven’t thought about all of the societal concerns, but if we have the knowledge and the ability to do it, why not? Maybe we could tie in one of the schools so the other people in town could benefit. At the very least we could get some wells pumping water. Isn’t clean water worth it?”

“I’m not saying it’s not worth it. I’m just suggesting we need to be careful about how we do this.”

“Let’s see if getting the turbines working is feasible before we worry about all the other stuff. If you’ll back the old truck in, I’ll hook up the trailer.”

Gage climbs into the cab and, following Henry’s directions, backs up to the trailer. Henry attaches the trailer and takes his seat on the passenger side. The old truck is riding low in the ass end when they pull out of the barn. They stop at the house to pick up Susan, and Gage takes it slow down the driveway, the truck struggling with the weight of the trailer and transformer.

“Which turbine do you want to try first?” Gage asks.

“The one closest to the house,” Henry replies. “Plus, it was one of the turbines off-line when things went sideways.”