He’d finally wised up and stayed off the main highways coming to R.B. Winter State Park. It had taken him a long time and a lot of syphoning cars and trucks to get to the park. The thought of his family took the joy out of his success with the kill. The buck he’d killed was small, it was after all spring, and the animals weren’t fattened up, but it would be fresh meat. He felt the old sorrow wrap around him. He walked over to the animal; it had been a clean shot. BJ was a good hunter. He just couldn’t save his family.
He tried not to blame God, but sometimes, in his darkest moments, he did. Why hadn’t he died with them? Why had they suffered so horribly? Would he see them one day? Sitting with his Lord, Jesus Christ? He knew that evil men had done this thing. Man was capable of such cruelty. They were a brutal species. Well, whoever did this thing, made this horrible virus, had pretty much ended the human race. The people he’d seen were few and far between.
He pulled his knife and began to gut the animal. He’d carry the animal back to his camp. It felt good to be off the road and the stress of hiding from those who’d wanted his supplies. The world had gone crazy around him. It was bad enough losing his family, but then losing the very supplies he’d needed to survive, that had driven him nearly over the edge. But he was here and he’d not seen another human and that was fine with him. He’d not seen many people, but he’d have to say the majority he’d seen were greedy, and didn’t want to do the work of locating supplies and working on the skills to survive.
He just hoped he’d not run into anymore assholes. He was beginning to think that the human race was doomed. He’d skin and dress the deer when he got back to camp, for now, he’d need to lighten the load. He cut off the head of the animal and this made it manageable to carry. He walked through the silent woods, with the carcass slung over his shoulders. The smell was negligible, compared to the stench of Cincinnati. It had been an unbelievable nightmare there and after his family died, he’d wanted nothing more than to leave. The fog of flies apocalyptic, like some science fiction scene from hell. Body upon body, stacked up and left in the street.
The birds had started singing once more, and he could feel a slight breeze in the forest. He felt as though he were the only person on earth. He turned his face into the breeze and felt it dry his tears. He needed to stop thinking of the past and concentrate on surviving.
He had water, but he would need to go to Halfway Lake to replenish his supply in a day or two. He’d have to boil a lot of it for drinking water, but the rest, would be used for bathing and washing clothing. The Cabin had a toilet, and he could fill the tank with water for flushes. The toilet in the fifth wheel was also useable. He liked having options.
Walking into camp, he looked around. So far so good. He’d not have the ability to guard everything, he just hoped no one would steal his supplies, now that he was here. He thought perhaps he’d bury some of the supplies, near enough to the camp for easy access, but not close enough to worry that someone would stumble over it. He missed his family and it was lonesome out in the woods, but there was a peace here as well and he needed it after the long drive here. He needed to heal. He just hoped he’d be safe.
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Emma pulled off the road and into R.B. Winter State Park. She sighed happily and looked over to Paadi, who grinned widely, her dark blocky brows waggling up and down. She fairly vibrated with excitement. Emma drove slowly and came around a curve, heading toward Halfway Lake. As she pulled around, she was surprised to see a truck, U-Haul and a man digging around what looked like a garden plot. The man stopped what he was doing and turned to face her and she slowed the truck down, not wishing to get too close.
“Easy, let’s see if he’s a good guy or a bad guy.” Paadi warned in a soft voice.
“Okay. If you want, you stay in the truck and watch my back. You’re a good shot, so if things get hinky, you’re my best bet.”
“Okay, just keep out of my line of fire.” Paadi warned.
Emma nodded and climbed down out of the truck, her heart was beating fast, but she didn’t feel afraid. She also left Buddy inside, he was wining, low and excited. She smiled as she walked toward the man, there was something very familiar, but she couldn’t think what. Then she saw a small blond boy, sitting by what was some kind of chicken coop, of all things. She looked back at the big man. He was smiling at her and then it clicked.
“Brian? Is that you?” She laughed and began running to him.
“Oh my god Emma, I can’t believe it’s you!” He laughed and ran to meet her. He grabbed her in his big arms and swung her around, laughing. Tears were blurring her eyes as she hugged onto him. He set her down and held her at arm’s length, grinning down at her upturned face.
“Is Christa here?” She asked, looking
