Dead States | Year Zero | Nebraska Read online

  Ivy invited Crystal to share a room with them for the time being. Crystal was grateful for the quick shower, but still having no change of clothes she had to put back on the same underwear she had been wearing for the last four days. Ivy offered Crystal something of hers , but Ivy is enough smaller that the offer was impractical.

  Crystal followed the sounds of dinner conversation to the dining room. Seeing Tobin in a chef's coat and looking quite pleased, she exclaimed , “Why Toby Grey you did all of this”

  Tobin nodded glad to make an impression on Crystal, but answered with modesty, “Well I had help. Mick told me, the resort just got new owners who had planned on opening this place as a western themed getaway for families. The place is stocked with non-perishables, just not a lot in the line of meat.”

  After dinner Myles Cavendish made sure that his wife and daughter pitched in with the clean up, while most of the people returned to their rooms. Out in the seating area of the vestibule Mac, Sgt. Andrews, and Mick were chatting.

  Crystal walked up and could hear Sgt. Andrews proclaim, “After a night like this these folks are starting to think they are safe we have got to make it clear that even here there are still dangers.”

  Mac, always quick to assess a situation proposed, “I'd like to establish a council of sorts to make some plans not only for defense, but to make sure we are prepared for winter even though that is months away.”

  Mick piped up “Well this resort was meant to be out of the way, for those wanting to escape for a while, we are pretty self-sufficient here at least for a while. I've got a good shop and if I can't fix it, it ain't broke. I know the area and we can figure out where to get supplies.”

  Matt, who had been eaves dropping, chimed in, “Sounds like you got your first council member. I'd like to throw my name in the hat too. I can definitely provide some ideas on food production and alternatives for energy.”

  “I hope you two understand what your signing up for. Sergeant we'll want you on the council as well. I have some ideas for some others, I'll talk with them tomorrow, for now I need some sleep”, Mac concluded.

  Tobin came in and wearily sat down next to Crystal as the other men exited. Crystal leaned over and placed her head on his shoulder. Crystal was extremely pleased that Tobin had been with this group of survivors. As neighbors the two had grown up together and it was comforting to have someone she was so familiar with in this sea of strangers.

  The confusing thing for Crystal was the new feelings she was having for Tobin. It might be with all her loss and loneliness he was someone she shared a history with. It might be in the four years Tobin had been away to school he had matured into a strong, confident man. It might be the feelings were always there, but Crystal had not allowed herself to feel them.

  Crystal was to tired to figure this out tonight she turned to Tobin and gave him a peck on the cheek, I'm exhausted would you walk me back to my room Sir?”

  Crystal was up early, she had volunteered to keep watch on the last shift of the night. Mac was up early as well, going to meet with Mick and Sgt. Andrews and plan out the day. The pair walked down in silence, each consumed by their own thoughts.

  As they parted ways Crystal asked Mac, “Are we going to be okay?”

  Mac took a moment to reply, “Honey I know we have lost a lot, but we're together and we are all trying are best. Yes I do think we're going to be okay.”

  At the end of her shift Crystal went to the dining room, hoping to have breakfast with Tobin. When she entered Mick was there with an elderly couple. Mick was only a bit taller than Crystal, so he was standing on a chair obviously trying to find someone.

  “Can I help you locate someone Mick?”, Crystal asked.

  “Have you seen Mac or Sgt. Andrews, Percy here would like to speak to them.”, answered Mick.

  “I passed them in the lounge area.”, replied Crystal.

  “Percy I'll introduce you if you think Mae would be okay with the young lady here.”, Mick queried.

  Before Percy could answer Mae tugged at his arm excitedly as she looked at Crystal, “Look Percy it's Dorothy. Dot where have you been I haven't seen you in such a long time. You must come and visit more often.”

  Crystal turned to Percy with a broad smile on her face, “Go along with Mick it sounds like Mae and I have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “Sank you dear I von't be long”, Percy gratefully accepted Crystal's offer.

  Mae was so animated and almost childlike in the way she saw things. The simple breakfast was an extravagant feast. They were on a luxurious vacation not refugees hiding from a horrible world. Between Mae's colored view and Mac's earlier pep talk Crystal was beginning to see the world a little brighter too.

  Shortly Percy rejoined them, put his arm around Mae's shoulders, “Did you miss me?”

  “Oh Percy you worry about me too much, Dot and I have been having a wonderful time.”, Mae admonished.

  Mac entered with Mick, and Sgt. Andrews and Mac addressed the group, “If I could have your attention please. I'm sure that some of you are asking whats next? The short answer is we circle the wagons and hold on. The long answer is we get to work and we look after each other. First things first we need to unload the supply trucks and Myles Cavendish has offered to organize that project. The second order of business is to help out the good sergeant and his men keep this place safe. We'll be taking you in groups of twenty or so for weapon proficiency tests. Finally Sgt. Andrews and I are putting together an interim council to help with further plans.”

  Crystal pitched in to help unload and store the supplies they had brought with them. They had chosen to use the first floor rooms for storage, which meant the furnishings of those rooms had to be moved out. Crystal used the opportunity to work with Cynthia Cavendish so she could thank her.

  “Cynthia I want you you to know I appreciate the loan of the clothes.”, Crystal stated at their first break.

  Cynthia retorted back, “Loan oh no my dear I don't want them back you may keep them.”

  “Well thank you for the gift then. It really means a lot to me. Money was always tight at home, but my folks were proud and the thought of me having to go begging for underwear would have mortified them. However, if it wasn't for the kindness of strangers I'd be running around in my birthday suit.”, Crystal replied hoping to soothe the situation.

  Cynthia brightened beginning to understand Crystal's and many others predicament. “My dear I am pleased to be of assistance.”

  Trying to lighten the mood even more Cynthia went on to exclaim, “Maybe you could put in a good word with mon general over there,” nodding in Myles' direction, “that I am not the complete selfish sloth he's been acting like I am.”

  Crystal laughed and told her, “Well we better quit gabbing and get at it cause mon general is giving us both the stink eye right now.” With that they both turned, saluted Myles and walked laughing into a room and began tearing it down.

  When they gathered in the community dining room for supper Crystal could see that many like herself had gotten themselves some new clothes. The sight of all the supplies that had been unloaded, the smell of a hot supper and no signs of the dead in the past couple of days had people buzzing with optimism.

  Crystal went to join the McPherson's for supper and spying Cynthia Cavendish, Crystal invited her and her family to join them. Tobin slipped in silently next to Crystal, subtlety staking out his territory. When Crystal saw Amelia smile and bat her eyes at Tobin, Crystal took hold of his arm and commented to him on how wonderful supper looked. Mick arrived with the Braun's and they joined their group as well.

  Supper was a treat indeed and there had been some pie fillings in what was unloaded, allowing for some little fruit pastries for dessert. From the dinner conversation you would have thought they were at a community supper at the VFW hall. With the exception of a young man here and there raising an invisible rifle and recounting his prowess at the firing range today the horrors that brought them here seemed far aw
ay.

  Amelia had chosen to sit on Tobin's right and sent a continual stream of flirts his way. She repeatedly touched his hand or arm, laughed at anything he said that was remotely funny and at one point even brushed her boobs against him. Tobin, to his credit, seemed unaffected by Amelia, choosing instead to dote on Crystal.

  Once it looked like most everyone had finished Ivy gave Mac a meaningful look and a nudge. Mac got up and asked Tobin to follow him up as he addressed the crowd.

  “Lets all give a big thanks to Tobin and everyone that pitched in with supper tonight.”, Mac stated as he led the crowd in a round of applause while Tobin waved in embarrassment.

  Ivy took the opportunity to move next to Amelia apparently to get a better view of her husband and this allowed Tobin to return and sit on the other side of Crystal.

  Mac continued, “I would like to introduce you all to Gunnery Sergeant Percy Braun. Gunny would you stand up please”

  Percy straightened noticeably when he was referenced as Gunny, stood up and waved to the crowd.

  “Percy is a veteran of the Vietnam war and career Marine drill sergeant. Percy has volunteered to help us as we build our militia.”

  While Percy sat down Mac moved on, “For the sake of expediency Sgt. Andrews and I have asked some individuals to be our interim council. If you each could stand up as I call your names. Sgt. Andrews of course, Dr. Lindermann, local expert Mick Canales, hydroponics and alternative energy expert Matt Brenner, construction foreman Joe Gant, farmer and township supervisor Bob Ryker, history professor Hester Williams, and chemist Lois Schmidt.”

  Mac paused to give everyone an opportunity to get a look at the council members, “As you can see we have a pretty diverse group if you have any questions or concerns please speak to any of us. We caught a breather and we are going to use that and get ahead of this thing. Our main focus is on fortifications and defense, but there are plenty of other things to jump on as well. We will be asking you all to help and if you think there is something we've missed we are here to listen.”

  The room was a mixed state of emotions. Some were confused thinking this was a stop gap until order was restored, some were getting angry, thinking there needed to be more debate and consideration before putting the council in charge, but most were pleased that somebody was making a plan.

  All of a sudden Myles stood up and began applauding and better than half of the people joined him. As the applause died down Myles went on to say, “I just want to commend Mr. McPherson and these other fine people for taking the proverbial bull by the horns and plan ahead. When we left to come here I was of the belief that this was something that was going to blow over in a few days and we would all be getting back to our lives. I understand that this may very well be our life now and our best chance to get through this is by working together.”

  As things were beginning to end for the night, Sgt. Andrews got a report on his radio. He stepped out of the room and when he came back he announced, “Everyone I just got word that the perimeter guards have dispatched two Dee's. My men are doing a sweep of the compound and once we have the all clear we'll get you back to your buildings.”

  After ten nervous minutes the all clear came in. A line of armed guards was posted from one building to the next and people moved quickly to their rooms.

  Tobin and Crystal weren't slated to be bused to the range for weapons proficiency until after lunch. Part of his culinary studies involved managing a food budget. So after breakfast Tobin asked Crystal to help him inventory their food stores.

  As they counted boxes Crystal confided in Tobin, “Are you having as much trouble as I am getting your head around this. It still seems so unreal. I never saw my parents bodies, I never said good bye to them, I haven't even had a chance to get a good cry.”

  Tobin took Crystal in his arms, “I know. I know. I was there when my parents and sister got ripped apart. I froze. I...I didn't know what to do. How to help them. If the national guard hadn't arrived to save my ass, I wouldn't be here.”

  “Oh my God, Tobin how horrible. I had no idea. I was so wrapped up in what I was going through I never gave any thought as to what it was like for anybody else.”

  “No its okay. We all got our stories. I am grateful you are here. I'm not sure I'd be doing as well without you here.”

  Crystal took a step back and looked at him quizzically, then raised a hand and wiped back a tear from from the corner of his eye, “No matter what Toby I promise you, I will always have your back.”

  After lunch the transport came by to take the next group to the rifle range. In addition to Crystal and Tobin, the group consisted of Matt Brenner and his twins, the McPherson's, the Cavendish's, Ed, and a handful of others. When they got to the range Amy and Blade were conducting the testing. They divided into two groups. Blade handling melee weapons, knives, machetes and hatchets. Amy covering pistols and rifles.

  Amy saw that Matt had the Colonels pistols strapped on, “Nice looking pistols do you know how to use them.”

  Matt just stepped forward drew a pistol into each hand took aim at a couple of targets fired the pistols almost in unison and knocked over both targets. Matt holstered the revolvers and said, “The Colonel had some requirements if I was going to marry his daughter. ”

  Amy turned to the twins, “and what about you two did your grandfather teach you anything.”

  The twins stepped forward and each picked up a rifle and then Cassie started, “This is the M16 it has three modes semi-auto, burst, and safety. It comes with a 30 round magazine.”

  Travis took up the instructions from there, ”Insert the magazine and slap it home, chamber a round, sight in your target,”

  Cassie picked up again, “Select semi-automatic and squeeeeeze the trigger.”

  The two fired in unison, both hitting their targets and Travis started again, “Set to safety, remove the magazine and clear the chamber.”

  The twins set down their rifles, turned to Amy and asked, “Any questions?”

  Amy laughed, “Brenner family passed.”

  The rest took their turns at the firing range, the McPherson's seemed as comfortable with the military weapons as the Brenner children. The majority of the rest more used to hunting rifles, were a little clumsy with the military weapons, but handled them passably.

  As the groups switched over to Blade, Amy pulled Crystal aside and nodding towards Matt Brenner, “ What do you know about him.”

  “Join me for dinner tonight and we'll talk then.”, Crystal replied.

  Over with Blade the Brenner twins again demonstrated an almost scary familiarity with knives. The McPherson's as well. Surprisingly Tobin was also adept with a knife, but he just passed it off as a chef thing. However, watching Blade demonstrate his knives showed everyone a whole new world of uses for a knife.

  With weapons testing done plans moved rapidly for a supply run to fortify the resort and training of a militia to defend the resort Blade and Slinger oversaw the training of twenty of the men to go on a supply run. Percy and Amy began the training of ninety individuals to form militia units. When not otherwise occupied everyone pitched in preparing the grounds and planting crops for a fall harvest.

  On her first day of militia training Percy took Crystal aside, “Crystal may I ask a favor. As you could see my vife is ailing and it vill be hard for her with me avay so much of the day. She mistakes you for our daughter that had passed avay many years ago and it is a comfort for her to be vit you. I vas hoping you vould be able to spend some time vit her vhen I'm avay.”

  “I would be honored to spend time with Mae. My own mother is gone now and I like having someone to call Mom. I think it will be good for the both of us.”, Crystal answered tearing a bit at the memory of her parents.

  Three days doesn't seem long enough to prepare to march against a city of the dead. However, everyone would breath a bit easier once a bit of fencing separated them from the dangers of the world. Tobin was part of the group going on the supply run and Crystal cou
ld see that as the time grew closer to them departing, the more anxious he got.

  After dinner Crystal took Tobin aside to talk, “I got a weird offer today Toby, I was asked to be patrol leader.”, then in her best western drawl, “So you better watch your P's and Q's boy there's a new sheriff in town.”

  Tobin absorbed in his own thoughts barely heard her and answered out of reflex, “That's nice.”