A story I started years ago. Times got rough, it got put on the back burner, then forgotten. Be brutal. Should I go on?

A gunshot, and a metallic pling distracts me from distant building I'm looking at. Without thought I crouch low and turn towards the gunfire. I don't see any threat, just us. I see Clemmings lowering his rifle and I realize he is taking a potshot at...something. I don't know, I head down the hill to find out. “So, whats going on I ask?”. “I saw something over by that truck over there!” says Clemmings. I look. I don't see anything. I didn't even see the truck coming in, it was in an overgrown thicket of some kind of thorny bramble,jeez, I'm slipping. Lack of sleep, constant motion, its getting to me. That and I'm kinda nearsighted to boot. The last pair of good glasses I had are long gone. Abandoned whilst running for my life. I haven't been able to scrounge a pair that doesn't give me a headache. I don't really need them anyway. I can't read from afar, but I can still recognize threat,anything that isn't us. I can still shoot. That is all that really matters. Walking as close to the truck as the thorns will let me, I take a closer look. Its some kind of delivery truck, you can't tell what type. The windshield was shot right over the drivers side. No matter how you slice it he couldn't have been shooting at anything man high or even animal height. I know John Clemmings, he is not the brightest penny in the fountain, but he is a crack shot. So it seems that he either missed a shot a his supposed something by about 7 feet or he was fucking around and shooting out windshields. I'm going to have to go with instinct on this one. “Jon, you do realize that they are making anymore windshields for that particular type of vehicle anymore? In fact, nobody is making anything, anywhere. Nobody is making bullets,nobody is making food,and nobody is making fucking windshields. At all. Everything we have we either find, or make from shit we find. Its not impossible that we could have needed that glass, in its entirety, and we definitely needed that bullet.” “Dude I swear, I saw somebody”.... I cut him off “ I don't see anyone, in fact the only possible place someone can hide would be in that truck. Go find out, here is a machete. Reese, Kal, watch his back while he chops, check out the truck, see what it has. We are going to crash on this side of the hill. Out of sight of the building. No fire. Some complained. “Aw its fucking freezing out”,”C'mon.........” I had to talk over them, “look, we don't know who if anyone is in that building. It could be fortys or preps. It can be a lone guy with his long range rifle. It could be a crazy bitch with like 20 dogs! Remember that? Remember what we found in that house too? All I'm saying is that we don't know. I would rather freeze a night and live than not. Early morn, Vick and I are going to check it out. See whats up, until then we have to lie low, and not light fires or shoot out windshields.
There was more complaints. I didn't leave them an option. I'm not particularly proud of the fact that I'm the leader of this motley crew. It is not especially fun and I receive no perks,other than reducing my chances of dying moderately. I kinda fell into it. Its not really important right now. What concerns me, is the four story building in the near distance. It looks decrepit. But,there is obvious signs of cultivation. At a closer look, you can see boarded up windows and doors, but there is also footpaths that run along the building. To me it seemed kind of stupid. Trying to hide, while having a huge maintained garden, closer to a farm than a garden really. I didn't see any fire, but I was downwind of the building, and I could smell cooking, small fires. It made me think. These people don't want to deal with outsiders. They have nothing to trade, and don't want to be bothered. On the other hand, I thought, they may have food. We have little food. Even with foraging, we are hard pressed to feed ourselves. It may be worth the endeavor. I live my life by a series of adages. Sometimes they conflict. For this particular occasion. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Chapter 1 Venture

 I was up before dawn. I'm not sure if it was the freezing cold, or the urge to whiz that woke me up. I guess it was a little of both. I had to be up for guard soon anyway. It was nice to have a jump on the day, while everyone was asleep. It gave me a chance to inventory our resources. Which were nominal, so it was easy. Too easy for my taste. I can't help but count. Small math is always on my mind. Always running numbers. I count calories in a world where there is never a need for a diet. I haven't seen an obese person in years. Everyone has a standard allotment of food. Almost enough so they don't die of malnutrition. After that food is allotted by work that you do. Everything that moves forward in our endeavor not to die is awarded by food. That means everything from guard duty to hacking through thickets for the contents of a mystery trucks. Its tough to measure one type of work against another, so  we don't. Pretty much. We go by hours, weather,dangerous tasks, and extra circular tasks are are always taken into consideration. Every resource we have is counted at the top and bottom of the day. We have a brief get together about it, and everyone is made to understand what we have, and how it affects us. I've learned, that people really don't like to hear this kinda thing. Maybe its the way I say it? I know, I can be kinda coarse sometimes, but in reality, I don't know how many times I can explain it. Sometimes I get mad and I say things not as nicely as possible. That is why I take care to explain our position twice a day. When it doesn't get understood, I get a little peeved. I digress. I will probably digress a lot. Its one of the things I'm known for. Getting on the soapbox and going on a tangent. Its not without reason. I have a lot to say, and a limited format to say it in. If you are reading this. Odds are good I'm dead. Or had to abandoned this journal,like my glasses. 
 I'm not really sure why I'm writing this. I know the time and effort. Ink and pen, could be put to more practical things. I just really have no one to talk to. I have no peers. I can say bits and pieces to my people, but never the whole thing. I couldn't say the things I say in this journal, in succession to anyone I know. I have a lot on my mind, and no one to say it to, so this is my only outlet for now. Although, I'm pretty bad at keeping a journal. I've tried before, didn't do too well. Maybe it will be different this time. Now that is now or never. 
 The sun is rising, and I can clearly see the building/farm. I see people moving among the gardens. Early risers. In my mind I try to gauge how many people can possibly live there. Its hard, being nearsighted. I see green shit, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Most likely food, and not flowers. A significant amount of it. How many can they feed? What are they numbers? How well are they armed? It wouldn't do to be immediately killed by people with superior numbers and firearms. Its apparent by the way they are going about there business that they haven't seen us. There is a few ways we can go about this. In this day and age, as in before. Waving a white flag means peaceful intentions. Good luck finding any white cloth though. I know for a fact, none of us has anything resembling white, its just impractical to wear and a burden to carry. 
 A few ideas come to mind. Most are dumb. Likely to get us killed. We aren't thieves. We don't kill unnecessarily. When we do encounter other people. Its almost always unpleasant. Many people survive by taking what others have. These people don't seem like the raider type. First off, we are in the middle of nowhere. Haven't seen any signs of life for days, no other people. Secondly, the garden. A lot of time was put into it. These people are using their calories for making food, not killing and robbing. Odds are still great they are armed though. Everyone is. I keep thinking.
 The truck didn't yield too much. Five road flares. Which may or may not still work. A first aid kid, everything was expired in it. The medical tape was melded together, and unusable. The gauze was still good, in the package. There was a box of those ammonia inhalers in the little glass tubes surrounded by absorbent material the glass breaks in. I remember messing with those as a kid. Not a fun way to wake up. May come in handy. Other than that it was a bust. Not really worth the time or effort. You have to try though. The floor mats and bleached white leather seating is a possible resource, but I can't think of anything off hand. I still have some time, a few minutes of twilight left. I will work out something, I usually do.
 After a considerable amount of thought, I came up with a plan. Risky, and dangerous, but worth the endeavor. Its because of stupid shit like this, I can eat what and when I want to. Nobody argues. I wake up the crew. Its easy because they are only 5 of us, including me and the dog, Sabaka. After everyone is coherent I tell them the plan. Vick, my right hand, next to Sabaka, thinks its a bad idea. Everyone else is seemingly concerned, but I know for a fact, some wouldn't mind if things didn't work out exactly to plan. I know Clemmings wouldn't mind to see me go. I don't intend to die, it may happen though. If it happens Vick knows what to do to carry on. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there. If you don't try, you definitely fail. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
 My plan is simple as it stupid. We rip apart the white leatherette seating from the truck, and draw a peace sign on it with a little coal. Its only a 2'x3' piece of cracked light colored fake leather, but its what we have, that is whiteish. I'm anxious, but at the same time, I feel a stillness inside of me. Ready. I strip. Down to skin. Its about 40 degrees out. Not exactly pleasant, but not as bad as it can be, if you are moving, you build up heat. The plan is Sabaka and I head out there. I'm going to do the talking, and Sabaka will carry a few of our wares, in a fanny pack around his neck. He will also watch my back.  I trust that dog implicitly. Out of all the people in the crew, the dog is my favorite. Maybe its his drive. Sabaka is driven to eat. Food is his goal, and a little petting. I can understand and sympathize with his wants, I feel similar. We get along. Naked, with a dog,some goods, and a cracked piece of whiteish leather, I walk towards the building.
 Its not too long before they notice me. I group of about 25 congregate and watch as I slowly walk up, in my birthday suit, waving a piece of a truck seat. Rolled up in the seating was 2 flares. I see weapons, about 25 of them. Mostly bows, but several rifles and shotguns. As soon as I'm in earshot I say. “ My name is Milo, I come in peace. I hope to trade!”  While walking up I keep saying this, until they stop me. Several more people gathered, and now there was about 35 weapons I had to worry about. Many were laughing and snickering. I don't know if it was my nakedness or the target tattooed on my chest over my heart that they were laughing at. It was kinda chilly too, you know. The dog looks up at me, asking “What now”. 
 I see a few women and children among the group, which is a rarity in this day and age. Many people died during the troubles. The elderly, the very young, and obese were first. Many women died. That first year After. Some people were quasi prepared for this,Preps we call them. those militias in Montana, survivalists types had an advantage initially, but fight it out amongst each other. Other people hole up in fortified positions, Fortys. They lay traps, and reenforce buildings. Use long range weapons. Its best to avoid them. I'm hoping these people can be talked to.
 Two men approach me they both have pistols holstered. Looked like father and son. Similar build and facial features. I guess they were the alphas. At the same time they ask me,”Why do you have a target on your chest?”,” Are you a man of God son?”. I hesitated for a second, not knowing which to answer, I decided to address the elder first. “Sir I believe in a higher power, but currently, I'm having difficulty in believing in God the way I was brought up to...” “So you don't...that is sad. This is the Trials and Tribulations! Proof of God is everywhere and Jesus shall return to make a kingdom of peace of earth for a thousand years!” He said getting progressively louder. The gathered people mummer d agreement, all nodding their heads. I thought that was supposed to last seven years. By my reckoning its been about eight or nine years since things went crazy. I kept my mouth about that subject. “Sir, I respect you and your peoples beliefs. Everlasting peace. I would welcome it. Religion is a delicate subject,I'm here to talk of barter. “ He gives me an icy look.” Have it your way son, state your business. Just be careful how you say it.” .”Around my dog's neck is a pouch, inside I have seeds, and a few ingots of fine steel, and a gold coin. There is also a pair of boxer shorts in there. I'm going to take everything out of the pouch and lay it on the ground. Do you mind if I put on the underwear?” He replied,” No, you will leave here as you came. Hiding nothing from our eyes or God's.......Some girl in the back of the crowd yelled “whoo hoo!” when he said that. A cute little redhead. I saw her on the way in, but I tried not to stare at any one thing, especially somebody's woman. I had to bite my lip to keep from snickering. A man standing next to hear gave her a look. She started laughing out loud then. He smacked her hard across the jaw. She fell. Nobody even flinched. Apparently,this kind of thing is normal here. I bit my lip harder, tasted a little blood. “Put on the shorts!” Elder yelled at me. I had to drop my peace banner and kneel down to get the fanny pack off the dogs neck. Thankfully, I put on my lucky red flannel boxers. And laid out all the items I mentioned earlier. “As a token of my gratitude for hearing me out, please take these goods.” The younger one seemed startled. “Why would you risk your life just to give us things for free?” “  I have more goods of this same quality and more, with my men not too far away, but far enough they can run if something unfortunate happened to me.” “ So what happens now?”  Elder asks. “Well, that depends on you. You've seen my goods. I would like to know what you have to offer in return. Specifically, we are looking for food. Or a different variety of seeds. Dry goods. Flour, cornmeal, oats. Jerky, dried fruits. Perhaps a little meat if its available, but I don't see any animals, but then again, I haven't seen your settlement...” “ We have to talk about it.........” Elder said. He had a quiet huddle with his son, and a few of the menfolk. I saw on guy wearing a leather apron, wearing welding gloves. A blacksmith, I knew those ingots would come in handy! Good metal in refined form is hard to come by. I had some time look around. I saw Red was back on her feet, rubbing her cheek. Just staring at me. Like it was my fault she got smacked. It was making me uncomfortable, so I stared at my goods on the ground. The gold coin reflected the sun, and it was like a little sun on the grass. As worthless as it might be, gold is still pretty. When I was a kid it was worth 100 dollars and ounce. As a young adult, it went up to 1300 and ounce, now its worth nothing. I only brought it because even these days, some people want it. I think humans just like shiny things. The group finished their huddle. They actually seemed kind of excited and welcoming for the first time. Well, sort of. “This token of yours, we can't accept. Nothing in the world is free, although, if you would like to make a donation to our congregation, your gift will be welcomed.” He said. With a small smile. I  got the hint. “ Very well, that is what I would like to do. I hope it helps forward the prosperity of your church.”Thank you for you donation........Milo. That is what you called yourself right?” “Yessir” I answered.  “Alright, lets trudge up that hill and see what ya got!” One of the menfolk said rubbing his hands together. “Whoa” I put a hand up. “First off, you never discussed what goods you have in return. Secondly, I will have my product sent down here, in small increments, to ensure the safety of my men.” “You don't trust us do you?” Younger asked. “Sir, this dog is the only being on this planet I trust.” I reach down to pet Sabaka and he isn’t there. Which got a laugh at my expense. He is amongst the crowd, making friends. I saw a few people slip him a little food. Look at him working those marks and hustling. I love that dog. Red is scratching him behind his ears, they both seem to be enjoying themselves. Elder speaks up to be heard over the din of the crowd. Sabaka gets back on the clock at my side.”You don't trust us, I understand. I offer a compromise and do onto you as you have done to us.” It sounded weird, but we talked. And made a compromise.
 That is why I'm sitting around the campfire, naked with seven other guys. The deal was, Six of their younger men came to our encampment. Each of them carrying goods I cared to trade for. At the halfway point. Three of their men stopped, and waited, and the rest of us continued on to the camp. I ran on ahead to tell the men to strip naked. At first they gave me quizzical looks, but then they saw the three naked guys with baskets walking up behind me. “No weapons, tuck them away” Now they looked  concerned. “Trust me its cool, hey I'm here. I will explain later” Younger, whose real name is Jon. Or Jr he also goes by, was the person I bartered with. He was a few years younger than me. I don't know how old I am exactly thirty five-ish, but he was like twenty six or twenty nine. The talks went good. Everything they brought up we took off them. In return, they took almost all our corn seed. All of our metal. A few ounces of pumpkin and watermelon seed. And several fine knives we had. As part of the deal. Jr. and two others would camp with us, and we would part ways in the morning. In the traded goods was a case of shitty beer and two bottles of whiskey. I guess these people aren't the crazy religious zealots that we thought. As the night drew on and business was done, I cooked some of the food we traded for and we all ate. Little biscuits, scrambled eggs and onions and deer jerky. Almost like a little thanksgiving. We drank all the booze, even Jon and his two guys. I forgot their names. Had a pretty good time. I talked for a while with Jon. He seemed like a pretty good guy. Good head on his shoulders. I asked them questions about their community and their daily life. Sometimes he would start to say something, and seem to think about it, and second guess himself. I didn't pry. I learned that Jon wasn't particularly religious either. Nor was his father. They happened across that commune a few years ago, at that time Elder Jon's wife was still alive, they had a younger son Jacob. They lived in the commune for a few years, and then several people got sick. Jr's mom and brother, the leader of the community and several others died. Elder Jon took over, and carried on the same way the people who led the place before did.
 Personally, I thought it was odd. Why would you play lip service to beliefs you don't believe? Then I thought about it differently. That is their racket. That is how they survive, and prosper. Its been working for several years. It may become difficult in a few years to explain why Jesus hasn't returned yet, but its how they get by. It was only after we were blitzed we realized that we don't have to be naked, and its chilly, and this is really gay. We had to lend Jon and his people some clothes till morning. We didn't post a guard as per usual. Every once in a while its okay to task a risk, just relax and not worry about people trying to covet your goods or take your life. Before we all went to bed. Jon asked me again” So why do you have a target on your chest” laughing. I explained to him, that awhile ago when I was in the Army, a friend of mine had a tattoo gun, and that target was the first piece of ink he did on someone else.” I thought it was funny at the time.” “It is funny....... really stupid though”  We both had a good laugh.
 In the morning we parted ways peacefully. All in all I say it was a good venture. We are well stocked with self deprecating weight. As we travel on, the food we eat will make space for the goods we can find. Which we will in turn trade for food, or other products. And we made friends along the way. Its not impossible that our travels will take us back near this way, its unlikely but its nice to have a preestablished reputation with a group. They made it clear, we aren't welcome to stay, or linger, but they will not attack us outright. That's a victory in my book.

Chapter 2 Unwelcome addition

 I felt pretty good about the previous days experience, Everyone was in high spirits. They didn't mind that there packs were heavy. It was all food. We were all feeling the after affects of the booze from last night. We got off to a late start, and didn't move very fast after we got moving. We didn't really have a destination. So there was no rush. We just focus on moving forward, and going places we haven't been. I have a general idea about where we are.  Somewhere in PA or Virginia.  The eastern end, Mountains in the distance, but we haven't crossed them yet. We went around a few, but up ahead is the Applaicans. I don't know what happens after those mountains though. New Jersey is where I'm from. So is the most of my friends and family. I guess I'm gradually making my way there. Going home. I didn't tell anyone about this. As far as they know, we are looking for a nice place with available resources, and we can set up a shop, and people would come to us. We would have a fortified position, and everyone would have a girl to himself. My own version of Jesus bringing a kingdom of peace for a thousand years. Its worked for a few years, It may be hard to keep up in a few more. 
 In the middle of the day, we came across an object, in the middle of our path. We stay away from the major interstates, but we usually parallel them. To my nearsighted eyes, it looked like a blanket of a dark brown color with a book on top of it. I talked to the others who had good long distance vision, and that is what it was. Normally I would be concerned about traps, or some kind of trick. I didn't feel any of that.  A gesture kept everyone back, and I investigated the package. On top, was a bible, left by the Gideons. The rest of the package was indeed a small blanket. Intricately folded. I flipped through the bible first, On the first available open space was written in bold , but girlish letters “ I love you” Immediately, I thought of 1984 by Orwell. Julia falls down, and Winston helps her up. As that happens she slips a little note to him saying as much. Red flickers through my mind. Can't be. Its coincidence. Perhaps the religious folk sent a swift runner to leave us a little gift. In return for the donation. That is likely. I unfolded the blanket. In it was some cookies, and bones. Cookies for us, and bones for the dog. Going by ratios, the dog got the better end of the deal. I also found a single red hair. Shiny like copper. Red had a part in this. I wasn't sure how to take it, or how to explain it to everyone, so I didn't. I distributed the  cookies equally, and gave the dog a bone. Stashed the rest of them. I gave the blanket to Keith. Who I knew was lacking in that department, but before I did, I inhaled the blanket deeply. It reminded me of earth, girl, a touch of unwashed people, but not unpleasantly so, and something else I couldn't place. I liked it overall. Even Before, I relied on my sense of smell more that the average person. Oftentimes I was made fun of, when I would inhale sharply, taking in a scent in small bits. A lot of those people who poked fun at me are now probably dead. Doesn't matter now. I look at the bible more closely. It feels light, its missing pages, and some name or excerpts or rubbed away or blackened out. Either someone found another use for the pages ripped out, or this was an intentional editing of some people's bible, or both. I'm sure it would become clear in time or not. It wasn't worth the time to ponder on the move. We kept moving.
 We made camp later than usual. Everyone has a specific job they do. Vick does a 360 walk around the camp, takes the high ground where possible. After he scouts the area we get together and talk of possible vulnerabilities  and escape routes.
  That is how we determine where Kal sets up his trip wires. For the most part, Kal doesn't need any instruction. He has being doing it for a while. Using different types of wire and thin cable, he sets up choke points and bottle necks. On the outermost perimeter, tripwires with cans or bells or flares, alert of us any would be attackers, or potential food. Behind that comes the deadly traps. Essentially, homemade zip guns with shot gun shells. Closest to our position is the razor loops. This is Kal's own creation, and he is pretty proud of it, and justifiably so. Its genius. In our travels, we came across a spool of very thin and flat wire. It was some sort of spring steel. Its hard to cut, but very bendable. Kal used a file to put a simple edge on lengths of the wire. Using stakes, he places loose loops on the ground around our encampment, closest to us. If you know where it is and see it. Its an easy thing to walk on or avoid. If you don't see it, and the loops catches your foot, you are in for a nasty wound. You could potentially cut off your own foot at running speed. Like I said, genius. 
Chris Clemmings' job entailed setting up the tents and fire pit. He also was the closest thing we had to armorer. He maintains our weapons, and now, he counts our ammo. If one of Kal's traps yields food, notsureperson skins and dresses the animal. 
 Keith Reese, the youngest of our group foraged for firewood. He dug our latrines and covered them up. After we left a site, Reese did his best to make it look like no one was there. He helped others in their tasks when possible. He hasn't really found a knack yet but he will. Reese is the youngest, and the newest member to our social club.
  A few months ago, we came across a group of seven travelers, all men. There was tension, but we traded, and went about walking. Something about those guys gave us the creeps. Even Chris, who is about as sensitive as a lamp post said something wasn't right about those guys. We made camp, much the same way we are doing now, but none of us slept. Four of them tried to ambush us in our sleep. Between Kal's traps, and Vick's scouting we knew in advance when and where they would come from. We only had to shoot a single bullet. Traps,trips, and knives took care of the rest. We dressed in their clothes and trekked to their camp. The two that were armed were surprised when we shot them. The last man was Reese. He didn't look like he belonged with those scumbags. He was kinda baby faced. With blond hair and blue eyes. Skinny. Well, wiry. He was also beat up. A black eye and cut lip. We took him in. At first he didn't talk, he still doesn't say much. Everyone has an idea of what he went through. No one mentions it. Sometimes, I worry about him, but I believe he will open up eventually.
 Sabaka's job is to be the coolest dog in the world. Which he does with gusto.  He avoids the trips better then the humans who put them there. Often, he runs off into a thicket and comes out with a rabbit or bird. That is how we met actually. It was when just Vick and I walked together. Sabaka came up to us with a rabbit in his mouth and dropped it at our feet and ran away. We thought it was odd, but awesome. After a few minutes he comes back with a squirrel and lets us have it. We made camp, and I cooked them both and gave some of the best pieces to the dog. He has been with us ever since. 
 I have a few jobs. I'm the cook, the quarter master,doctor,and navigator. Making sure everyone is doing there job and fed is the most time consuming. I do guard duty like everyone else. The exception for me is that I always get the last shift. Kind of a perk I guess. I usually stay up late. I get about 5 hours of unbroken sleep a night usually. Lately it has been less.
 After camp is made. We have dinner and our pow wow at the same time.  Everyone is made to know what we are working with, and what our agenda is for tomorrow. We start early tomorrow, and go hard for at least 3 days. We find a good place, and rest for 2. I ask if anyone wants to add anything to the bingo book at the end of meeting. There is usually something. Today Vick asked for one of those multi-tools. Should be possible to find. The bingo book is part wish list,part shopping list. We don't bother to write it down, just say it aloud and hope it happens. We usually bed down early. I do have a really cool, partially broken wind up pocket watch, but I have no accurate way to set it. Just kinda use the sun and season. Each of us has our own shelter we set up for camp. We all carry a waterproof tarp, a few stakes, and various types of binding. A tent is cool and all, but its bulky, those poles weigh a lot. Depending on the situation, we can make our own leanto, or triangle tent, if it gets rough, we can make a bigger tent by clipping the tarps together. I've been in situations where it comes to either freezing or sleeping next to a man. It happens, its unfortunate though. 
 As I was lying in my tarp, just thinking, about before all this......... Seems like forever ago, a different life, or a story I read. The problems I have now, are nothing like then. Back then, I worried about being able to pay my rent on time. I played so many video games, drank beers belligerently, smoked and sold weed. I had little unwarranted mini-dramas with my friends. I watched movies that were only kinda entertaining, I watched stupid sitcoms or cartoons. Cooked and ate some delicious foods. All sorts of steak, salmon, shiska bobs...........best not to think or write about that. It just hurts. I also remember, hating it on many levels. Feeling unsatisfied. I can remember thinking how it was all bullshit. I was just a cog in a big wheel. Or an ant on the hill. I wasn't living really, just kinda surviving and perpetuating my own nominal, petty life. I felt that, if only I were born in another time, I would be able to thrive and prosper. 
 Well, as I was living another time did happen. It really is one thing, to want an idea of something, and then to have the reality of the idea just thrust upon you. It wasn't what anyone expected. I keep trying to think back to when it exactly it started. Its hard, because it wasn't any one singular event, not that I know of anyways. At first, prices went up, for everything. Just regular things like a two pound pack of chicken jumped up to about twenty bucks. Gas went up to four dollars, than four twenty, all the way up to seven dollars a gallon. It happened so incrementally it was hard to notice. It did get noticed after not too long, people country wide started protesting. There was all sorts of movements, of so many types, its hard to recount. Religious types, gun types, survivalists types, racist types, I'm guessing more than a thousand factions. Then, there was brown outs. Then black outs. There was no internet. Cellphones didn't work properly, then not at all. Looking back, it really didn't take long. Three? Five days, before things became violent. I was in a fucked up situation at the time, I was traveling down to Virginia by bus.....I heard a scream. Damn it, I suspected something like this may happen.
 In my mind, I tend to think about everything within reason. Its like a blender. All that I have seen, or heard of, or read, is in there. I think about imaginary scenarios, I have conversations with people, both sides, I think about possibilities, and probabilities... I rush outside. Pocket watch says its around ll:30 at night. Pretty cold out. Its gotta be less than thirty degrees. Its Kal's shift. He always takes first shift, and sets up his trips and traps.