“It’s the cliff behind the house. It must be fifty feet behind the house. We’re looking out over the pasture. That hill to the left is the way up to the cabin. Can’t people see the shutters?”
Tom was on a roll, explaining the bunker. “No, they can’t unless they’re up close. We planted those trees above the cliff and let the brush grow up on the steep hillside to hide the windows. The shutters are covered in rock to match the cliff wall, and the dark window screens help reduce any light being reflected. We only open them when we know no one is around, and never at night with the lights on. We have several periscopes to check for strangers wandering through.”
Sam poked him on the arm and asked, “Tom, where do the wastewater and sewage go?”
He looked at her and smiled. “That was a difficult one. The pipes run underground to a huge septic tank below the cliff. Hiding two pipes was a major task. We incinerate all garbage at night when no one can see the smoke. All tin cans are saved and used for various projects. We have a bank of solar heaters on top of the barn made from copper tubing and cans. We use the cans to help collect the energy from the sun and transfer it to the antifreeze in the copper tubing, which is then pumped down here.”
Granny B stepped into the middle of the group. “Jackie will show you to your rooms, so you can check them out. You’ll find plenty of towels, washrags, and bedding supplies. We have some clothes stored, but we might have to scavenge for more. Enjoy your new home.”
Sam was cold from being in the bunker’s rather cool air. She checked the drawers in her and Lucy’s room and found two hoodies. They looked at the bunk beds, and Lucy called dibs on the top bunk. They left their room and stepped into the shared bathroom. There was the expected toilet, sink, and shower, along with a mirror above a small counter. “Well, at least we have a place to put on our makeup.”
Sam washed her face and looked at herself in the mirror. “I’ve lost a few pounds and look like a ghost without my makeup.”
“Mom, you’re beautiful. I hope I take after you when I grow up.”
Sam held her daughter in her arms, and tears flowed freely. “Mom, why are you crying?”
“Because, for the first time in years, I feel we’re safe.”
Sam and Lucy walked to the door, where Tom had disappeared, and knocked. Tom came to the door and ushered them into his room. Sam took a deep breath. “You’re room is so big and well furnished.”
Tom stuttered as his face flushed in embarrassment. “I uh … we uh … well, these rooms are our bedrooms. We never slept in the house. Cameras and warning devices were in the house and around it, so we would be warned if anyone got close to the house. Then we could run upstairs and greet any visitors. We never had unplanned visitors. Grandpa was a stickler on security. We’ll fetch our electronic security devices from our locker tomorrow and replace the ones fried by the EMPs.”
Sam giggled and walked on into Tom’s room. “This is too big for just one person.”
Tom got the veiled meaning. “My wife died a couple of years ago. I guess I should move to a regular room.”
Sam knew she’d stepped in it, so she said, “No, you’re our leader, and this was your home long before we showed up knocking on your door. Keep your room, and don’t be embarrassed.”
Tom saw Lucy out off to the side and turned to see her playing with a small pinball machine. “It’s an old toy built before electricity was commonly used in the USA. You can play with it if you want.”
“Thanks, I’ve been bored.”
Tom smiled. “You’ll be assigned some chores that’ll take part of your day. We have some rabbit cages and baby goats that will need tending. Do you like rabbits and goats?”
Lucy looked at him, then her mom. “I’ve never had any animals. Her boyfriend didn’t like animals. I’d like to look at them when you can take me.”
Sam changed the subject. “Where do we get water? Is there a well?”
“There’s a well, but most of the time, we use the water from the creek up the hillside. We built a small pond to make a reservoir and placed a screened pickup pipe a couple of feet off the bottom. We use that water to flush the toilets straight from the creek. Still, the water for drinking flows through a series of filters into several large containers in one of the shipping containers. We treat the filtered water with a small amount of bleach to make it safe to drink. We stored several cases of pool shock and use it to mix up bleach. Then we mix just enough of the stock bleach into the already filtered water to disinfect the water.”
“I guess you thought of everything.” Sam looked up into Tom’s eyes.
“No. Grampa never figured we’d have so many pretty women down here in the bunker.”
“Does that bother you?”
Tom thought. Crap, I’m flirting with her. How do I get my stupid ass out of this? Tom moved to the door. “We need to make a couple of trips up to the cabin to bring back everyone’s belongings. I’ll see you later.”
“Tom, take the trailer from the barn back to the cabin, so you’ll only have to make one trip. If you can, drive down the hill
