Desolation

“It’s not my army, not anymore. Can I see?” Joselin walked up to the other adult and pulled back the blanket covering him. There was a hole where his eye socket had been, and part of his face was missing. The rest of him was badly burnt, but there still was no mistaking him. “Yep, that’s Thomas, and he was the leader, only second to the Teacher, who doesn’t go into battle. The Teacher is the spiritual leader of God’s Army.”

“Well thank you for that,” Wilber said. “You are welcome to join us, if you are no longer a part of that group. And Steve, why don’t you let me take him and you pay your respects to your father.” He took Danny’s body gently into his arms. “I’m sorry, miss?” he said, facing Darla.

“It’s Darla.”

“Do you want me to bury your brother too?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’ll help dig.”

~~~

They had a nice little service for everyone, including Thomas. Turns out when it came to God, Robert Simpson had lots to say. He’d been a church elder for years. He offered a beautiful eulogy for everyone and then prayed a prayer that brought tears to all the mourners, even Joselin.

They then buried the bodies in the four graves they had dug. Afterward, Wilber had everyone come inside and sit down so he could talk to them.

“Here’s the deal,” Wilber opened, looking at all who were gathered around their dining room table, lit by a dozen or so candles. “This is a horrible lot we’ve all inherited, but it’s about to get a lot worse. Those two clouds you saw were from nuclear power plants only a few miles from here. Both plants I’m pretty sure have gone to meltdown, just like Chernobyl. An uncountable amount of radiation is being sent into our atmosphere and, although the jet streams blow it away from us, the radiation will make its way to this ranch within a week or two. Then, I probably don’t have to tell you, if we’re still here, we will all die horrible deaths.”

He paused to make sure everyone had followed along. “Now it’s true, I have a lot of food and water here, but we cannot stay here any longer. Instead, tomorrow morning, Olivia and I will be leaving this ranch and walking to New Mexico, to my brother’s ranch there. You are all welcome to join us. I figure, if we can maintain a decent pace, it’ll take us about ninety days. Honestly, I cannot promise any of us will make it there, but if we do, it’ll be a safe place. There’s a natural canyon that would be easy to protect, so I feel right sayin’ it’ll be safe. There is plenty of game and natural water there. It’s beautiful and we all have an open invitation. Who would like to come?”

The group around the table was silent for a long time. Robert and Emma held hands while looking at each other, before Robert turned and spoke to Wilber and then the group. “We really appreciate the offer, but we have to decline. If it’s all right with you, we would like to stay here our remaining days.” He squeezed his wife’s hand and kissed her.

“You know what that means?” Wilber asked the obvious.

“Of course, but you know that Emma’s time is coming pretty soon. The cancer is back strong, without the chemotherapy.” He looked to Doc Reynolds, who held his head down, not wanting to admit that he was losing another patient. “Without my wife, I’m not too interested in living any longer in this world. I’ll take my chances if it is all the same to you.”

Olivia had already arisen from the table and draped herself over Emma.

“Okay.” Wilber knew he wouldn’t change their minds. “Anyone else?”

“We’re in,” Steve said, looking at Darla and holding her hand.

“Joselin, you’re coming too, right?” Darla looked at a concerned face and reached out with her other hand.

“You sure I’m not a third wheel?” she asked.

“No!” Steve answered quickly. “That makes us three,” he said with confidence.

Joselin wore a wide grin.

“Doc, am I goin’ to have to hog-tie you to make you come?” Wilber asked.

Doc looked at Emma and then Robert and finally Wilber. “Won’t be necessary. I’ll come.”

“Okay, then it’s settled. I know you’re tired, but let’s get packed right now, while my beautiful wife cooks us some grub. Deal?”

They worked together, piling supplies on the porch and then stopping for dinner. There was much conversation, as they compared their life stories, cried, and even laughed a little before calling it a night. The next day was going to be the start of a very long and most likely difficult journey.

~~~

Fossil Ridge, Illinois