“You going to try to get a job?” Trish asked.
“Not unless you need me to. If I’m not here, who would be here to guard the place?” Three nights ago, he’d chased off two men who had tried to come into the fenced area. He’d come out with the dogs who’d charged the two men. He’d fired his gun into the ground and watched as the men climbed over each other, trying to get through the gate before Baby caught them. He’d have laughed had it not been such a close call. It had started.
“Good. I was kind of afraid you might leave.” Trish said sheepishly. “I was almost afraid to give you the flyer but thought you should know.”
“Thanks. The news people still cannot pin the government down on how many nukes were dropped. Some reports are still saying over one hundred, while other reports say less than fifty. It’s a clusterfuck out there, sorry for the language. I’d seen something about it on the local news. I also saw that they are beginning to start rationing at the stores. You can only buy with the new coupons. You should get some, you know.” Hogan said.
“I know, I’ll head to one of the banks. I think we’re supposed to go to our parent bank. I’ll go to mine once you get back. I think it’s weird to have to buy food with coupons, but that’s apparently the only way for locals to get food. They aren’t wanting the refugees to acquire local food. The refugees have to get their own food and they have to get the food at the camp.”
“I guess when there was a run on the stores and the police had to be called, things got ugly.” Hogan said, once more thankful he had a place to live. Thousands of refugees were streaming in. Some on foot, others in vehicles. It was nearing the end of November and the temperatures had plunged. The sun was beginning to peek through the constant haze. He’d been afraid that he’d never see the sun again. After a week at Trish’s home, she had suggested he get a local driver’s license. He’d been able to pick up his weapon at the police station. He’d given Trish’s address as his permanent home. Hogan had been given a hard time, but since it was at the beginning of the crisis, the local people had been sympathetic, he’d gotten his license. Now, that would be an impossibility.
Having that license with the local address made him a resident. He’d been asked when he went shopping, for an ID. Now, he could no longer use a credit card, nor cash. All residents were urged to use the coupons and stores were now accepting them and were reimbursed. Now, you had to have a local ID in correlation with the coupons. This prevented refugees from accessing food supplies meant for locals. He’d seen on the news; a helicopter had hovered above the tent city. There were tens of thousands of tents. It looked like hell there. He could not imagine the living conditions, especially with the dip in temperature. Also, the smell of unwashed bodies, Hogan was sure it was a wretched place to live.
“Just be careful Hogan. You go there and they find out you’re from someplace else, they might not let you leave.” Trish warned.
“What? What do you mean?” Hogan asked, surprised.
“We’re hearing from some of our patients, who’d gone looking for loved ones, you know, that live west of us. They go into the camp easily enough, but when they try to leave, they are questioned and detained. They had to prove residency here. Hogan, you’re on shaky ground as it is. You go there, you might not get out of there.”
“Shit. What should I do? I have to try.” Hogan said, looking at Trish, who looked as miserable as he felt.
“Go, but before you go through those gates, make sure they know that you live here.” Trish advised.
“Will do. I’ll see if they have some kind of roster with the names of the refugees. Maybe I can put Laura’s name on a list, see if they can contact me if she turns up. I know it is a longshot, her coming here, but she knew this was the last place she spoke to me.”
“That sounds good. Just be careful.” Trish said.
An hour later found Hogan pulling the truck close to the golf course. He felt nervous and hopeful. He seriously doubted Laura and the girls would be there. But he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t check or try. He saw a huge chain link fence that was topped with razor wire. It looked like a prison to him. He slowed and drove up to a blockade, there were several tandem blockades ahead of the one in front of him. It would seem there were several checkpoints to get through. It wouldn’t be as simple as driving in. A man in camo fatigues and winterwear stood in front of the first barricade. He wasn’t military, but something between.
“Can I help you?” The guard asked.
“I’m trying to find out if someone I know is here.” Hogan said, his heart beating quickly.
“Are you a resident of Kansas City? If so, you need to show me ID.” The guard replied, without answering his question. Hogan pulled out his wallet
