Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) (11 page)

Colton held the door handle as the girls ran to get in their positions. He took a deep breath and drew upon the confidence that had elevated him to the top of his field. He grabbed a screwdriver for a prop and exited into the sun. His exposed skin was drenched in sunscreen after the radiation warnings the other day.

Wren was approaching the front door as Colton walked around the corner of the house. Colton counted four men and three women. Wren was joined by Andrews, who was armed with a pistol, and Holder, who carried what Colton recognized as an AR-15. Even one of the women was armed. This was the new normal, he surmised.

“I guess you folks are here to fix our air-conditioning unit,” said Colton, attempting to break the ice. “You’re a little late, but I’m glad you’re here.”

The group of seven turned and glared at him. No ice was broken.

“Ryman,” started Wren, who stepped off the front porch and approached Colton, “this is not a social call. May we come in? We need to have a conversation.”

Colton wasn’t going to let peer pressure compromise their safety. “Nah,” he drawled. “I think we can talk right here.”

“Where’s Madison?” asked one woman.

“And Alex?” chimed in one of the other women.

“They’re inside,” replied Colton. He turned his attention back to Wren. He was having difficulty being polite to people who were obviously loaded for bear. “How can I help you?”

“We think we need to get a few things straight,” started Wren before the first woman spoke up again.

“We need to see Madison. We understand there was some
trouble
the other day and she might be injured.”

Now Colton was pissed, but he didn’t want to lose his composure. Madison had relayed the details of the unannounced visit by the Wrens the other night, so Colton understood where they were going with this conversation. He was going to shut this
witch hunt
down before it got out of hand.

“Madison told me that the Wrens stopped by the other night after she had been assaulted at the ATM. Let me repeat this for you all. Madison was assaulted on Thursday by a thug who tried to steal her money at the ATM. Alex had to save her. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, none of this is any of your business, so you can take your phony concern and leave.”

“Well, we just thought we should see if she needed anything,” said the second woman, somewhat sheepishly compared to before.

Colton wasn’t going to let them off the hook. “If you had genuine concern for my wife, you would’ve come by here on Friday morning. This is Tuesday and now you’re concerned? I don’t think so.”

Colton paused and stared at Wren. He caught movement in the upper window above the front door. He was sure Madison was boiling mad. He hoped she didn’t open fire on the group.

“Anything else?” he asked, staring at Wren.

“Well, Ryman, you just don’t get it. We’re trying to look after our neighbors and band together as a community. Everyone else seems to be on board with that, but not you.”

“What’s your point?” asked Colton.

“The point is our President has encouraged us to help one another through this crisis until FEMA and the National Guard can provide for everyone. Virtually the entire neighborhood seems to be with the program but you.”

Colton didn’t hesitate and shot back a response. “We don’t have anything to contribute. I have to provide for the safety and welfare of my family first.”

“Well, now, we think you do have lots to contribute, Ryman,” said Holder brusquely. Colton immediately feared they knew about the Wagoneer, but it turned out their intentions were set on his next most valuable tool—the generator. “We could use that generator of yours for the benefit of the community.”

“And the propane,” added Andrews.

Colton hesitated for a moment. They could take it by force.
Deny
.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think we’re done here.” Colton put his hands on his hips and studied their faces.
They know
.

Wren was incredulous,
probably because he was used to getting his way
, thought Colton. “I saw it, Ryman. Don’t lie to us. I saw it in your Suburban the night Christie and I came over. The propane tanks too.”

Well, crap. Last option—feigned outrage.

“Are you kidding me?” he shouted. “You show up at my home unannounced. You accuse me of beating my wife. And now I learn you’ve been snooping around my property and peering inside my vehicle? Hey, anything else I can do for you people?”

Wren tried to interrupt by raising both hands. “Listen, Ryman, the President has urged us to—”

“I don’t give a crap! I’m
urging you
to get off my property. I’m done! You hear me? Go!”

Clack! Clack!

As if it was scripted, the distinctive sound of a shotgun racking a round came from the upper window. Everyone’s attention was drawn upward, and Madison simply said, “You heard the man. We’re done here.”

Holder struggled to pull his AR-15 off his shoulder. Madison quickly pointed her shotgun directly at him.

“Easy now!” she shouted from the window, causing Holder to freeze immediately and spread his arms away from his body.

Wren looked at Colton and then turned back to his entourage. He nodded and mumbled, “Let’s go.” The group backed away slowly, and Colton took a couple of steps toward them to ensure their compliance.

“This isn’t over, Ryman,” hissed Wren

Colton stared him down and never broke eye contact. He suspected Wren was right.

The confrontation forced the Rymans into a decision they hadn’t discussed in depth. They had the option of becoming actively involved with the HPA. Colton knew organizing the community with like-minded people was a good thing, and it would save lives. But he didn’t share the same values and outlook as Wren and his friends.

Granted, the Ryman family wasn’t as prepared as they could’ve been before this catastrophic event, but they were better off than most. Colton’s job was to safeguard his family’s safety and well-being. The day the solar storm was coming, Alex and Madison weren’t fooling around, riding bicycles on the sidewalk like Christie Wren and her kids. They had hustled to prepare.

Why should he risk running out of food or give up vital supplies to those who didn’t try to help themselves?

Chapter 18

DAY FIVE

6:00 p.m., September 13

Young Residence

Belle Meade, Tennessee

Madison hesitated to leave Alex at home alone, but Colton assured her they wouldn’t be long. He wanted to touch base with the Youngs regarding the confrontation on the front lawn that morning and check on Mrs. Abercrombie once again.

It had been nearly two weeks since it had rained, and temperatures felt like they were in the nineties, if not a hundred plus. The unusual heat wave continued even after the sun had dealt its crushing blow, which exacerbated the water shortage and the potential for dehydration. After one to two days, weakness overtook the body. As people became dehydrated, they became irritable and confused. They would experience headaches, and their eyes would begin to appear sunken.

“Wren and the rest of that bunch at the HPA realize the weak will not survive,” said Colton as they walked through the trees. “With each day, the other residents will coalesce around his leadership. Wren, Andrews, and Holder will convince our neighbors that binding together and staying in a group provides them strength in numbers.”

“We don’t have any numbers,” added Madison.

“I know, which is part of the reason for this social call,” said Colton.

As they stepped onto the Youngs’ brick doorstep, the door opened and Diane Young appeared.

“Hey, neighbors,” she greeted them. “I was just coming out to check the mail.” The three laughed.

“We are creatures of habit,” said Colton.

“More than you realize, if you’ll indulge me for a moment,” said Diane. “We are creatures and we have needs. We need to eat, so we eat. As intelligent and social animals, we like to chat with one another, so we do. We have dozens and dozens of other behaviors that are just as complicated.”

“You and Bill would know,” said Madison, referring to their profession as psychologists.

“Habits are one of those behaviors,” said Diane. Her husband emerged from the foyer, wearing his customary khaki pants and blue button-down shirt. They were hanging on him. Madison wondered how much weight he’d lost. She continued. “Customs and practices help us make it through the day. This disaster has upset our normal lives, but our habits are still a part of our psyche.”

“Which is why you’re on your way to check the mail?” asked Madison, trying to psychoanalyze the psychologist.

“No.” She laughed. “I was coming out here because I saw you coming through the trees. My goal is to provide you a reason to be careful. Every human deals with change differently. When a calamity strikes, turning one’s habits, routines and life inside out, people react differently. Some become afraid. Others become angry at the rude intrusion upon their otherwise orderly lives. Those who are both fearful and angry will become dangerous due to their unpredictability.”

“The human reaction we’re describing was on full display today on your front lawn,” added Bill. “Diane and I watched the confrontation from under the oaks. Colton, I don’t wish to frighten you, but my observations of Wren and the HPA raise genuine concern for the safety of anyone who might oppose them.”

“Physical harm?” asked Madison.

“Maybe,” replied Bill. “Following a tragedy, and after reality sets in, an individual may exhibit anger at their condition. A person undergoing this phase might say—
why me
or
it’s not fair!
”

“Others will be looking for someone to blame,” added Diane. “When a logical target for their fear-induced anger is unavailable, they will seek out others. They’ll lash out in frustration at those around them.”

Madison became very nervous. She’d just pointed a gun at a group of neighbors who were exhibiting signs of a major depressive disorder. She unconsciously looked around her to see if anyone was coming.

“Well, I don’t intend to have anything else to do with Wren or his band of do-gooders at the HPA,” said Colton.

“Actually, that’s the exact opposite of what you should do,” said Bill. “You can’t prevent others from talking behind your back. But by avoiding the group dynamic of the HPA, you’re exhibiting guilt and weakness. Face your accusers and find a way to contribute without compromising your family’s safety and well-being.”

“I’ll be outnumbered.”

“We’re your friends, Colton,” said Diane. “We’ll go with you if for no other reason than to be a character reference. Along with the Kaplans, we know you two better than anyone. I’m sure they would join us.”

“They’re right, Colton,” said Madison. “I should go too. It will remind them we’re a loving couple. Plus, I want to shut those nosy neighbor hens up once and for all.”

Colton reached forward to shake Bill’s hand, which turned into a hug. All of them embraced, which caused Madison to erupt with emotion.

“Thank you both so much,” she sobbed. “This has been a difficult time for all of us. My daughter has seen things that I hoped she’d never be exposed to. Now, the whole neighborhood is rallying against us. It’s hard to take, you know?”

Diane hugged Madison again and whispered to her, “You’re not alone, dear. We’ll help you as long as we can.”

An approaching vehicle caught their attention. At first, it appeared to be a military truck, but upon closer inspection, Madison realized it was a GMC pickup painted in several shades of green, brown, and black to produce a camouflage effect.

“Those are the guys from the HPA meeting,” said Colton.

“Indeed,” added Bill. “They were supposedly National Guardsmen. Diane and I didn’t buy it.”

The truck slowed as the driver turned his attention to the O’Malley residence and then sped to the east. The back of the pickup was overfilled with clothing, tools, and some furniture pieces.

“They looked like they were moving rather than patrolling the neighborhood, looking for bad guys,” said Madison. It was nearing dusk, and she wanted to check on Mrs. Abercrombie. She also had an odd feeling about those men. She wanted to get home to Alex. “Maybe we should get going, honey.”

Once again the four neighbors exchanged hugs. The Youngs closed their door accompanied by the sounds of a bolt lock being engaged and a heavy piece of furniture being slid into place to block the door. Diane’s words replayed in Madison’s mind—
We’ll help you as long as we can. What did she mean by that?

Chapter 19

DAY FIVE

6:45 p.m., September 13

Abercrombie Residence

Belle Meade, Tennessee

Colton took a chair from Mrs. Abercrombie’s patio set and placed it under the utility room window. He unclipped the small LED flashlight that accompanied him everywhere now, as did the Taurus tucked safely in the paddle holster. After today’s confrontation, Colton vowed to remain armed at all times.

He flashed the light through the room, revealing a basket of neatly folded laundry and several bottles of bleach and detergent. With his last pass of the light along the floor, he caught a glimpse of something in the hallway. He shielded his eyes from the setting sun and focused them on the object. It was Mrs. Abercrombie’s leg. She was sprawled out on the floor.

Colton, dejected and frustrated, knocked his head against the glass window several times.
I should have known.

“Colton, what’s wrong?” asked Madison, who had just returned from checking on Alex.

“We have to go inside. I’ve got a bad feeling about her.” Colton lost his balance getting off the chair and landed in the grass on all fours.

“You okay?” asked Madison.

“Yeah,” said Colton, wiping the grass off his still-battered knees. “Madison, um, I think she’s dead.”