The Gathering Storm (Surviving the Fall 2)

“Damn!” Rick couldn’t help but smile at the sound of the frustration in the person’s voice. “Something must have fallen in there. Maybe during the quake.”

Quake? Rick’s eyebrows shot up. There were earthquakes?

“Look, there’s a window over there. Just go around and see if there’s anything worth getting in there, okay?”

Rick’s heartrate jumped yet again and he swiveled his head to face the window on the opposite side of the room from the door. It was much wider than the one on the door and anyone looking through it would have a full view on the entirety of the break room and its contents.

“Yeah, yeah. Come give me a boost over the fence, all right?”

“Pansy.”

“Shut up.”

The two voices grew fainter as the pair walked off, heading around the building to look through the window. Rick’s eyes grew wide as he looked around the room, trying to figure out what to do. He thought about trying to hold something up over the window to make it look like it was blocked but realized that was a foolish decision. He then thought about trying to move Jane and his equipment over beneath the window to remain out of sight, but knew he didn’t have enough time.

The tables. The idea hit him like a bolt of lightning and he scrambled to his feet. He pulled the tables that were in front of him over, tipping them upward and angling them so that they blocked all sight of the side of the room where Jane and his gear were sitting. He then opened the cupboards near the vending machines and began pulling out wads of napkins, cutlery, creamers and stir sticks and throwing everything onto the ground. If they think there was an earthquake I’ll give them an earthquake.

Once a sufficiently large mess was spread out across the floor Rick ran back behind the tables and knelt down, not daring to even peek through a crack in between them for fear of being seen. There was silence for several more seconds until he heard a tapping on the window and the same two voices again.

“

I think I can break it.”

“Then what? You gonna slide through the bars or something? Gonna need a whole lot of butter to get that greased up.”

“Shut up. There’s nothing in there anyway. Bunch of stuff the quake knocked over. Bah.”

“Come on. We’ll try down the street next.”

The voices faded into the distance quickly as the pair ran off to join their companions. Rick stayed still behind the tables for several minutes after the people left, scarcely daring to breathe for fear of attracting any attention. When he finally peeked out from behind the table and saw that they really were gone he sat up and sighed deeply. His heart was still pumping and though he felt incredibly tired, he dared not close his eyes again for the rest of the night.

Chapter 12

The Waters’ Homestead

Ellisville, VA

“Let’s go, kids!” Dianne shouted up the stairs and looked at her watch. It was only seven-thirty in the morning but she wanted to get moving as quickly as possible. She heard muffled groans and grumblings signaling that they were waking up and went back to the kitchen to stir the oatmeal, cream of wheat and check on the toast.

Josie was the first down the stairs, scratching her stomach and yawning as she padded into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Jacob and Mark followed soon after, and Jacob was the first to remark on Dianne’s appearance. “Are we going somewhere, mom?”

Dressed in blue jeans, hiking boots, a long sleeved flannel shirt and wearing a utility vest with pouches sewn onto every square inch of space, Dianne nodded. “Yep! After you all finish breakfast we’re going to head out and check on the Statler’s and the Carson’s places and see if either of them are back yet. We’ll also take a run into town and see how things are going there.”

“I thought you didn’t want to go out, mom.” Mark’s voice had the slightest trace of mockery in it and Dianne raised an eyebrow.

“Watch the attitude, kiddo. You were right, though. We need to go check on our neighbors. Plus it wouldn’t hurt to take a ride around town and see how everyone’s doing. It’s been a week since we were out so hopefully things have calmed down since then.”

After the children were done with breakfast and had gotten changed, Dianne pulled the truck around to the front of the house. Jacob and Josie ran outside to get in while Dianne had a quick conversation with Mark on the porch.

“Here.” Dianne handed Mark his rifle and he looked at her questioningly.

“Do you want me to put this in the back?”

“Nope. Keep it with you in the front. Unloaded, as usual, but you’ve been doing a good job being responsible the last week. I think it’s time you started keeping it with you in the front when we go out.”

Mark nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be safe.”

Dianne smiled and handed him a mag. “Make sure that you are.” She pulled on the front door and turned to the truck. “Alrighty! Everybody ready?”