What We Become by Druga Jacqueline

Author:Druga, Jacqueline [Druga, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic
Publisher: Vulpine Press
Published: 2020-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

PINK SNOW

August 4

The line for the porta johns was almost as long as the line for the oatmeal. Both seemed ridiculous. I was glad I got up an hour or so before the rush and went back to sleep. We didn’t need to get oatmeal, the granola we had in our packs would suffice.

I did, however, want to get a bottle of warm wash water and wash my face and arms.

The second time I woke up, Don was gone again. His things were still there and since I didn’t spot him, I figured he was in the porta john line.

I waited for a little bit for one of the warm bottles that were in a hot water filled pan by the woodburning stove. I held it in my hands for a moment to warm them. I heard somebody say it was twenty degrees out with a negative windshield. I believed that. I was cold and followed the advice I was given to wear minimal layers inside for effectiveness of the layers outside.

There was a lot of chatter about the relocation camps that were being built, what they would be like. Someone said they thought it would be like the FEMA camps. After staying in the tent overnight, I was starting to rethink the old prison refugee camps. At least there would be toilets.

After washing up, which didn’t make me feel any better, I returned to our little corner to finish packing.

Things started buzzing. People were moving about, they were calling for bus riders like it was school, and there was oddly a lot of commotion. Not that I listened to what the commotion was about, I just wanted to leave.

Where was Don?

His hiker backpack was all ready to go, complete with the rope wrapped up again. He had used it the night before to string our belongings together in case someone decided to walk off with something while we slept.

Briefly, I worried that he was dead.

Then he showed up.

“You ladies ready, they’re lining us up.”

“Like prisoners?” I asked.

“No.” He laughed. “Vehicles.”

“Well, that’s odd,” Helen said. “Why would they do that?”

“The order of the vehicles has to do with road safety,” Don said. “Some will clear the roads better than others.”

“Where were you?” I questioned. “I know, I always seem to be asking that.”

“That’s fine. Making sure we were road ready. That we would have the least amount of problems traveling the roads.”

Hating to ask, I said, “Is it bad?”

“It’s getting there,” he replied.

“Oh my God, a different answer. Will the truck be okay?” I asked.

“No.” He shook his head. “I got us a new one. This will be much better. In fact, it has to get pretty bad for it not to keep going.”

“Don,” Helen said brightly. “You’re so resourceful.”

“Not really,” he answered. “And this one comes with a price.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Did we have to give something up? I didn’t ask because I was certain I’d find out soon enough.

Saddled up with all of our gear, we walked to the end of the tent and to the entrance where people were lined up to leave.

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