Doing The Apocalypse Shuffle: Southern Prepper Adventure Fiction of Survival Grid Down (Old Preppers Die Hard Book 2) (7 page)

“Scrap that idea for now Jeremy we will have a look at it later. Charlie, we don’t have time for all that before I need to get going. You got any of those fake rubber training guns or a maybe a display one around here somewhere?” Farley asked thinking they might have some R.O.T.C or Civil Air Patrol training aids somewhere about.

“No, nothing like that around here comes to mind.” Charlie said thinking about it for a moment.

“Ok then, we will try to go about doing it a different way. Follow my lead here for a minute. I think you need to park your truck on the exit side of the front gate facing out. When you see someone coming then you drive towards them with the lights flashing and confront them before they can get close enough to the gate see anything. Kind of like you were leaving anyway or just playing sergeant of the guard and saw them. I know it only has caution lights on it but that’s all we got. I am going to leave that black .22 survival rifle of mine here and from a distance it looks like a military weapon to untrained eyes. Can Feng or Fong shoot?” Farley asked.

“No, they can’t shoot. I might be able to hit something with it if I had time to get familiar with it but it doesn’t look nothing like an M-16 up close and even the dumbest hillbilly around here would know something was wrong with me carrying that puny rifle on a military post.” Charlie objected and looked at Farley like he was positive now he was going crazy or something.

“I ain`t telling you, Charlie, to be carrying it with you to greet anyone or for that matter be thinking about threatening anyone with it. What I was getting at was Feng or Fong playing guard inside the shack and waving you through the gate leaving the resort. One of them could be carrying it and all anyone from a distance would see was a glimpse of it. The shooting it part was just for back up if you needed it to make a point or cover your escape.” Farley said gaining ground and interest in his plans.

“I don’t have any clothes that would fit either one of them that looks like a guard’s uniform.” Charlie said thinking.

“I have some military issue camouflage shirts. Just roll the sleeves up and fold the waist around the back.” Farley said.

“Well it could be that might just work if someone was far enough away, but that seems like a lot to go through. Tell you what, just lend us a shirt and Fong or Feng can just reach out the door of the guard shack and wave me on. Anybody close enough to be looking will see just the arm, the rifle and the camo and that should be enough to make them think the post is secure and guarded.” Charlie said thinking it through.

“Sounds like a plan, Charlie, that will work. You know what? While you all are waiting you ought to cut some head silhouettes out of some of those pictures of officers you got hanging around here. We can stick them in the windows of the gate keeper cabin and somebody might take them for real people when no one’s staying up here after I weld that gate shut when I get back.” Farley said adding an idea that was more busy work than anything else but was still maybe a decent decoy of sorts.

“Good, that’s what we will do then and you hurry your butt back here in one piece, ok?” Charlie said.

“You got it.” Farley said and they all set out to get ready for his departure.

4

Barnett’s Bait Store

“I doubt that anyone will even bother to come by this campground but I am sure that you will handle it just fine if they do.” Farley said and Becky, Jeremy and he left as Charlie closed and secured the gate in back of them.

“Well, we are back on this danged road again, same protocols you all, keep your eyes open and remember if we get in trouble for any reason keep your head down.” Farley said as he sped up after reaching the main road.

“I wish that we were already moved over here and you welded that gate shut already, it felt good to be staying there even if it was a strange place, kind of homey in an odd sort of way. What do you really think the chances are of those fishermen coming over for a visit, Farley?” Becky asked already wishing this trip was over.

“I would say that there is about a 50/50 chance of that happening. I doubt they would come today, but you never know, do you? They will probably have to think about it amongst themselves for a day or two before they decide whether or not it’s worth it to try it. The radio is saying that all military installations and bases are on high alert and that no civilians should approach or trespass near them under threat of arrest, detention or be shot as a possible enemy terrorist. There might be bigger problems going on that they are not talking about. I wondered how long it would take for them to start using the terrorist word and applying it to civilians. Evidently several bases have had problems with people trying to trespass to get on them or could be some gangs or desperate people have performed some kind of direct assault against the facilities. The radio announcer I listened to reading the government warnings was kind of vague about whom it was exactly that has been attacking service members or facilities but evidently there have been a number of shootings occurring nationwide.” Farley explained from listening to the radio broadcast last night that he had not mentioned yet.

“Oh great, I could of gone all day without hearing that, Farley. Now we are going to be considered terrorists for trying to live on that military resort.” Becky said angrily.

“That’s doubtful Becky; don’t worry yourself, that resort is not a regular military post or base. Also, you need to remember that we actually have us permission and a somewhat official invite to stay there but I would still advise all of us to avoid any military folks we might see from now on or in the future.” Farley said turning towards the Marina.

“We aren’t stopping at the Marina are we, Farley?” Becky said more as a statement then voicing an actual question.

“Nope, I told you already, I am going straight to your old home and straight back to your new one. We will look at the bait shop on the way and if it looks clear of problems then we will stop on the way back and see if I can do any trading.” Farley said.

They carefully drove by the vacant Marina and by the looted and ransacked convenience store and then turned and made their way towards the bait store several miles up the road.

“I could apologize to that Mr. Barnett fellow if you want me to Farley; it sounds like he has already said he was sorry to me in kind of a third party way by telling you.” Becky offered.

“Just play it by ear darlin’, we will pretend that nothing much happened and leave it at that. I am guessing he will probably do the same.” Farley decided.

“You got much stuff you got to pack up, Becky?” Farley asked studying the road and the occasional houses they passed, curious if he could spot anyone and evaluate the situation better.

“No, we don’t have very much that has to go.” Becky said before Jeremy chimed in he thought it was lot of stuff to load up before his mom hushed him.

“Well I do have some lawn chairs and other vacation type comfort stuff besides our clothes but it’s not very much actually.” Becky reiterated.

“Well, I ain`t trying to rush you by any means but let’s just get it and go. I got lots of room in the van now and I am not going to be very concerned with perfectly packing it all pretty and orderly so just remember I warned you. I want to get back by that bait store and get that over with as quick as I can so we can get back to the campground and weld that gate shut and enjoy Miss Fengs’ feast.” Farley said.

“Oh, I will hurry, I am just as anxious as you are to get back myself. Well, the bait store is still open, looks like they got themselves at least one customer today.” Becky said indicating the extra car in the parking lot up ahead.

“Yea I see that, interesting. Hey, I am going to stop here for a minute and run in and ask Barnett a stupid question or directions or something so I can see who that is that’s parked over there. They might have what I want if those folks in the bait store don’t have what I want or offered gun wise. Let me see if they are friendly or not and if they are willing to even talk about the subject. You all hang out in the van or parking lot for a bit if you don’t mind and I will be in a hurry to get back to you.” Farley said eyeing the place.

Farley reached up on his dash and grabbed a baseball cap with a Cat Diesel logo embroidered on the front, slicked his hair back behind his ears and hid its length under his hat a little bit and got out and entered the establishment.

“Hi there, Mr. Barnett, hello Frazier! I had to come back down for a few things.” Farley said cheerfully as they looked up and returned his greeting.

“Hello friend, good to see you again. Something in particular you need today?” Barnett said forgetting Farley’s name but recognizing him from his previous visit.

“You come back for some more worms?” Frazier asked.

“No, I think that I got enough of them squiggly’s for now, thanks. You mind if I just browse around for a bit?” Farley asked while casually observing a middle aged man and a lady eying what was left of the beer.

“Sure, you go right ahead and have a look around, nothing new to see though since you been in last.” Frazier said looking at him like he expected Farley to keep up the conversation anyway.

“I didn’t think you would, oh yea, the reason I come in today was I need some bar oil for my chainsaw, I saw that you were in the business of cut firewood and figured you might have a jug of it for sale to me instead of these little bottles you got on the shelf? I need some 2 cycle engine oil, also.” Farley said as he was walking down an aisle eying everything left while chatting over the counter.

“A big jug like that might be a little pricy for your tastes; things aren’t what they used to be, you know, that stuff is sort of in high demand.” Mr. Barnett said sliding into his usual price gouging manner that told you that you didn’t have to buy it if you didn’t want to, that was his price and he didn’t have in mind lowering it any unless it was in his favor to do so.

“I figured bar oil might be a bit high but I reckoned that it should be cheaper buying in bulk or bigger quantity just as it has always been since the crap hit the fan. That item will be more than plentiful enough you know and demand is going to slack off, I imagine. Won’t be any need for folks to be buying it because people just won’t have the gas to run a chainsaw anymore, unfortunately.” Farley countered.

“Well, seeing that you put it that way, maybe it should be more reasonable then. You might be just right that it will be sitting on the shelf longer than I thought it was going to. I tell you what; I will make you a onetime special good deal today on both of them items that you wanted.” Barnett said with a crocodile smile that said he hoped Farley had some more of those old silver dimes to trade he had with him last time to trade at a reduced rate of exchange.

“Are you still deciding if you are going to give me two hundred dollars worth of credit on that gun, Frazier? That number sounds fair to me if it sounds fair to you.” The man who was in the back of the store said, freezing Farley in his tracks with a jar of pork rind bait in his hand that he had been examining more closely with feigned interest so as to be able hang around the place and try to pick up on some gossip and conversation.

“You want to agree to that, Mr. Barnett?” Frazier asked while looking down at something holding his interest lying on the back counter out of Farley’s view.

“Yea that’s fine Frazier, go ahead and give him 30 bucks for the extra ammo he offered also.” Barnett said glancing at the parking lot and asking Farley if his boy was with him today.

“Yea, he is out in the car with his momma, hey which one of these catfish stink baits work best to try for blue catfish rather than them mud cats?” Farley asked.

“That boy can come on in anytime he wants to you know, that is if he ain’t holding no grudge. I am sorry like I said for that little misunderstanding you know, just one of them things. I hope he knows we ok, ain`t we buddy?” Mr. Barnett said making sure Farley had tried to patch things up with Becky and Jeremy like he told him to from his last visit.

“Oh yea, we are all just fine and the lady sends her regrets for snapping at you, no worries there. I told him and Becky I wouldn’t be in here long; we still got to go help finish picking up friends stuff today and moving them over by us. I just had myself a short list of things I wanted today and needed to ask a question or two, too, if you don’t mind.” Farley said.

“Sure ask away, what did you need to know?” Barnett said hooking his thumbs in his suspenders.

“Last time I was in I noticed you had some ammo for sale but I didn’t know if you had any guns available for purchase.” Farley said walking over to the counter where Frazier was standing.

“We don’t normally stock guns, Farley, we just help a good customer or a friend out once in awhile to make a trade or selling a personal one sometimes. Ammo licenses are one thing and firearm dealer licenses are another if you catch my drift.” Barnett said finally getting off his stool to walk toward where Frazier and Farley were standing.

“Is that one going to be for sale?” Farley asked looking down at an old single action western style Ruger Blackhawk in .357 that was lying on the worn boards in front of Frazier.

“Could be but I ain`t priced it or cleaned it yet. I also like to test fire them, too.” Mr. Barnett said not wanting to name a price on it when the guy that sold it to him was still hanging around the store.

“Can I see it anyway while you’re considering it?” Farley asked Frazier who just reached down and handed it to him with a smile.

“Nice, I always liked these old style pistols. How much is ammo going for today, Frazier? Say on .22 caliber.” Farley said admiring the pistol and aiming it at a far wall to check the sights for any obvious misalignment or defect.

“I don’t have any .22 rounds left except maybe a half dozen small 50 count boxes of lead round-nose standard velocity. I want $16 a box, limit one to the customer.” Barnett said.

“Damn, having a limit reminds me of that stupid Wal-Mart rationing, that stuff was hard enough to find before the collapse. How much is this .357 pistol and some ammo for it?” Farley inquired after the man who had sold the pistol left.

“I want 2 bucks a round and that’s cheap, I only have one box of it though, of 50. I got some .38 you can shoot in that thing also, though. I will take a buck fifty a round for them or .75 cents a round if you don’t mind old military and police surplus.

“Ok, that’s not too pricey, I guess, how much you want for the gun then?” Farley asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Cash or trade?” Barnett said, looking back at him.

“Either or, how much cash you want for it?” Farley asked.

“$500.” Barnett said without batting an eye.

“Damn, Barnett, you are kind of proud of it aren’t you? Those things sell retail new between 500 to full retail $600, I tell you what, I have in mind that I will give you $350 for it and buy whatever you got in stock of that pricy ammo for it.” Farley countered.

“No, I couldn’t do that; I might be able to give it to you for $450 though.” Barnett said after a moment of thought.

“Let me see that old hog leg gun again, well it’s well used, got a tiny bit of holster wear showing on it. Three eighty would be a better price to my mind.” Farley offered.

“No, I think I will have to stick to four fifty. Guns at any price can be considered a good deal these days.” Barnett said casually looking at him.

“What else you got in here for sale today?” Farley asked.