“Travel Berkey filtration system, looks like something we might need Coop.” He picked up the box and was impressed. The twin filters could filter out damned near anything. That would be good. It also filtered up to three thousand gallons of water with the filters. Better. He picked up two boxes of the system, then added all of the filters he could find. It would hopefully last them a lifetime. He shrugged, if not his own, then Coop’s. Taking those items back to the truck, he put Cooper and the filtration system into the truck.
Pulling out, he got back on the road, satisfied. A little over an hour later, Brian pulled into the R.B. Winter State Park. Exiting Sand Mountain road, he pulled onto Keystone road. Driving around and finding the side road, he followed it. He stopped at the entrance and rolled down his window. Listening, he heard nothing but the wind. Sniffing the air, he caught no scent of purification. It was a wilderness unto its own. Surrounded by Bald Eagle State forest, there were numerous parks that also surrounded the area. He was sure that in time, many people would come to the parks to hunt and settle, if not there, then the abandoned farms that peppered the area.
He continued and stopped in the parking lot, across from Halfway Lake. There was a large building facing the lake, it was the Beach House. He parked the truck, and got out of the truck. Going around, he helped Cooper out and let the boy run to the lake, following behind. Looking around, it was peaceful here. The last time he’d been here, the place was packed with swimmers, tourists and campers. Now, only he and Coop stood at the water’s edge. He saw a family of wood ducks swimming around the water weeds. Farther away, he recognized the tufted duck, and some he didn’t recognize.
He was pretty sure if people had been here, the ducks and other waterfowl would not be. Or at least he’d not see as many. There were sandpipers farther up the shore, Brian thought they were stopping over on their flight to the coasts. Perhaps at some point, they’d add duck to their menu. He liked duck well enough, but for now, he’d let the creatures be and enjoy watching them.
In the surrounding trees, he heard chickadees fussing and he saw the bright cardinals, males. Since it was spring, the brightly colored males were everywhere. He tracked several goldfinches; they were easy to see as they flew among the branches. Looking back over his shoulder, he looked at the grounds and building.
He’d been set to take a cabin, build on to it and fix it up for the two of them. But, here, by the water and looking at the landscaped grounds, he began to think better of the original plan. Here, the water was at their doorstep, if he chose to take over the large building. There was cleared ground, just perfect for planting a large garden. He’d need not clear forested land. That in itself would have taken a lot of time and sweat. He needed to get a garden in ASAP. He was sure he’d be able to gather enough food for the coming year, but he wanted fresh veggies. Also, he’d need to learn how to farm and raise crops for them to survive the coming years. Their supplies would only last so long.
A soft smile creased his tired face as he watched Cooper scamper up and down the beach. The sandpipers ran frantically away, but didn’t take flight. He’d have fresh water for toilets, drinking, bathing and cooking. He could take the plywood and block and compartmentalize a section of the large building and set up his wood stove to heat that area.
“Come on Coop, let’s unload the truck. We’ll need to make another run to a hardware store before we can head home.”
THREE
Flynn geared up with a double bandana on his face. He’d also smeared deodorant under his nose. He’d not been able to shave, so the deodorant clumped on his mustache. He had found rubber gloves and put them on as well. He was outside the first apartment, and he could smell the stench already. He gagged and swallowed hard. He had to go in and get whatever food was inside. If he were to escape this place, he needed food. He tried the door, it was unlocked. Good. He’d brought a hammer and screwdriver as breaking in tools.
Slowly opening the door, he braced himself for the stench and was not disappointed when a wave of flies and putrid pong hit him. His mouth filled with saliva and he swallowed over and over, commanding himself not to puke. His eyes teared up and his hands knotted into fists. For several moments, he thought he would indeed vomit, but he got control over himself. Walking into the apartment, he looked around quickly, ready to avert his eyes from any gruesome sights. He saw nothing. It was a two-bedroom apartment, by the layout. He’d go nowhere near the bedrooms.
He went directly to the small kitchen. It was neat, but the appliances were old. He began to open cabinets and skipped over the dishes. He came upon a cabinet with canned foods and began to load his backpack. His shoulders began to relax. He’d not starve. That bastard, Casper, hadn’t beaten him yet. He’d have to gather what he could and get the hell out of Philadelphia. He’d head to Amish country and see about working there. Maybe if he could learn from them, he could maybe survive on his own. Who knew? It had to be better than staying in the city.
Leaving the apartment, his backpack full,
