Earth's Karma, page 10
part #1 of Karmanator Series
Kat found everyone ready to go, even the babies were buckled into their car seats. While Claire quickly and efficiently tended to Sean’s scrapes, Kat found that some plans had been made while she was away. Skyler explained to her that the kids had decided to pair up so everyone had a partner. They would watch out for each other so Kat would not have to worry so much. This simple statement made Kat quite emotional. She thanked them all for being so thoughtful and they proceeded toward the vehicles with Kat feeling all choked up.
After a brief fuss over installing car seats that left Sean swearing at his finest, Claire, Skyler and Ryan had joined him in the Suburban. They took the baby supplies along with a few of the drinks and snacks and got everyone belted in. The adults were in the front and there was a baby with a teen in each of the two back seat rows. “Let’s roll,” Skyler said, still wearing her ‘Bite me’ shirt. Ryan was plugging himself in to music as Sean started the car.
Kat put the wagon and coolers in the rear of the new car, so she had room for company in her Jeep. She would begin her journey with Nevaeh and Bella (a partnership that surprised her) in the backseat and Lisa in front with her. Kat moved her birthday Xena shirt from the passenger seat where she had placed it just the previous morning and noticed the remains of her Sonic drink still in the cup holder. Her birthday seemed a lifetime ago.
The girls were excited and began sorting out bags of snacks and supplies that were also in the seat with them. Lisa was ready to go. She had many questions for Kat and hoped they might have time to talk along the way.
That left a van full of boys. Liam and Ray rode in the van that was also loaded with more supplies. Old Bill told Joe he would help drive whenever he needed a break. Ray gave a thumbs-up out the window to Kat who began their small caravan off the hospital property. All three vehicles had enough fuel to make the normally 20-minute drive to the sporting goods store. Once they got there, Kat had more plans.
Right away, everyone could see that there would be no such thing as normal driving. There were wrecked cars on every street. It looked like cars that had kept moving when their owners died were only stopped when they hit something. Kat could see several plumes of smoke in the sky from fires possibly caused by such wrecks or perhaps things as simple as candles left burning. The city would remain in a viable state for long.
The group weaved their way around the wrecks, sometimes using sidewalks. They all saw the gruesome remains of people going about their daily lives suddenly stopped in their tracks.
It had been heavily storming when the event occurred. One car that drifted to the edge of the road and into a bus stop bench had its wipers still swinging back and forth for the now non-existent rain. A body slumped over at the same bench was partially lying on a crushed umbrella. They all observed the sudden death around them, quietly processing the horrible sights in their own way.
Kat led the group up the onramp to I25 hoping that with three lanes, they would have more room to maneuver. She had Lisa making six identical check lists for the kids to use to build themselves a go bag when they got to the store. Kat felt like it would be better for them to gather the items themselves, so they knew what they had if they ever needed to use it.
“First, they need to get a heavy-duty pack,” Kat began while weaving around a variety of wrecks and debris. It was do-able, just slow going.
“Heavy-duty-pack,” repeated Lisa, writing it down on the note pad she found in the dash.
“Collapsible water bottle, hard water bottle, water purifier tablets and a Life straw water filter,” Kat listed, looking in her rearview mirror to see Bella and Nevaeh using a phone to look the items up on Cabela’s website. The networks were still running, but she doubted they would be for long. The girls were interested in finding out about the items, and it was keeping their attention from wandering to the decimation around them.
“Life straw filter… got it,” Lisa said. “Next?”
“Fire starter, first aid kit, mylar blanket, survival knife, and a multi-tool,” Kat added, noticing some movement on the highway in the distance ahead. She could not see what it was yet, but she physically went on alert. Lisa noticed the change in her demeanor and began to scan the road as well.
“Ms. K., do you think it is wise to let the boys have a survival knife? I mean, Ray will probably stab himself just picking it up,” Bella asked in all seriousness.
“And who is paying for all this stuff?”, Nevaeh wanted to know.
“Girls, I know it sounds wild, but you are all going to be trained to handle knives and guns and possibly other weapons along the way. Everyone is going to need to be capable in that area. Sean and I will help you learn. Bill probably knows a bit as well. As far as paying, we are survivors and everything that is out there is basically there for the taking. There are no banks, money…”
“Guess I don’t have to worry about that credit card I ran up last month,” Lisa joked.
“Wow, Nevaeh! It is your dream world! Everything is there for the taking,” Bella said a bit snidely.
“Hey, I may not be perfect, but at least I’m not you,” Nevaeh shot back.
“Enough, you two,” Kat said sternly. “I’m stopping up here by the Big I. There is something going on up ahead.” The girls immediately quieted as Kat pulled up next to a minivan that was up on a jack. Kat noticed the rear, left tire was off and the spare was leaning against the vehicle as she parked and stepped out of her Jeep. She unholstered her gun and waited for the others to pull up next to them.
Sean and Joe drove up and parked as well. They rolled down windows to ask Kat what was going on when everyone heard a woman screaming up the road. The screams were followed by the now all too familiar shrieking of creatures. Sean immediately hopped out with his bat and Joe exited with the large crowbar. Kat’s face was grim. She would feel a lot better when they all were better armed.
“Be careful, Kat,” Lisa called she nodded to them and told them to stay put and lock the doors. The three of them walked carefully toward the movement and noise a few cars ahead. Within a few steps, Kat was able to see a man wearing khaki pants and a polo shirt down on the ground futilely fighting three screeching creatures. They had already torn him up badly and his struggling was weak. A wavy line of blood marked the asphalt where the man had dragged himself along trying to get to cover.
As the trio’s approach quickened, they were surprised to see a woman, screaming for all she was worth, pop out from behind one of the cars. She was brandishing a tire iron and started beating the head of an obese woman, covered in fresh blood. The large attacker had her teeth latched onto the arm of the man who was battling for his life. After a third whack, the oversized creature rose from its prey and stumbled toward the woman wielding the tire iron.
Help was arriving, but not soon enough for the poor woman who disappeared under the bulk of her undead assailant. She went down on the pavement next to the man who was barely moving now under the two crazed beings assaulting him. Sean and Joe went to help the man and quickly began to crack skulls with their heavy weapons.
Kat yelled to the woman, making the heavy creature raise its head to look towards the noise. Big mistake, as this movement allowed Kat to take a shot and remove the threat in seconds. Now that the three creatures were dead, the rescuers looked to helping the victims. The well-dressed man was unconscious and bleeding out. Sean looked up at Kat after giving him a quick assessment and shook his head sadly.
Kneeling next to the woman, Kat looked into frightened brown eyes. Joe and Sean moved the bulky body of the thing that had fallen over the lady’s legs and as soon as she was free of the creature, they were shocked to see what had to be a mortal wound to the poor woman’s abdomen. That creature, in only a few seconds, had ripped her belly open so that intestines were protruding. The woman clamped her hands over the injury in a weak attempt to hold herself together.
Kat sat on the road behind her and moved so the woman could lie back in her arms. She whispered words of comfort and told her she had acted very bravely. The brown eyes became less fearful in Kat’s embrace and the woman’s pain seemed to lessen. Her name was Michelle. She was able to explain that she and her husband were trying to go check on her parents when they got a flat because they ran over something on the road. Her husband was almost done changing the tire, when these things began to attack.
He ran from the car to draw the creatures away, screaming for her to stay safe, but she couldn’t sit there and let them tear him apart, so she got out and went to help, which is when Kat and crew had arrived. “If you had come five minutes ago…,” Michelle whispered. “Will you please take Martin?” Kat nodded, assuming she wanted them to help her husband, who had already expired. The woman smiled and closed her eyes. Kat quietly talked to her and channeled as much calming energy as she could, listening to Michelle’s breathing slowing until it ceased.
Walking dejectedly back to their vehicles, Kat realized her shirt was covered in blood. Grabbing her Xena tee from where she had tossed it, she unabashedly removed her bloodied top and undershirt, leaving her with just a sports bra. Lisa was stunned to see the defined musculature that showed in Kat’s arms and abdomen as the birthday shirt fell into place. More things for her to ask about when she had a chance.
Kat briefly modeled the new attire for the students watching her from the three vehicles when the back door on the Suburban opened and Ryan got out. He walked with determination to the minivan that still rested on the jack. Kat called to the boy, who continued until he was next to the van. Kat began to trot that direction and Sean got back out of the Suburban with his baseball bat in tow.
Ryan slid the side door of the van open and disappeared inside. Kat arrived at the doorway in time to hear his voice asking, “Can I be your friend?” and then watching the teen gather a small boy around the age of five into his arms. The child, clad in jeans and a Spiderman shirt, wrapped one arm around Ryan’s neck while a stuffed Spiderman dangled from the other hand. Kat could only see a shock of blond hair in contrast with Ryan’s shaggy black mane, as he backed his way out of the doorway with his little passenger.
“Martin?” Kat asked, getting a glimpse of big brown eyes that looked just like his mom’s. “Ryan, you are so amazing!” Kat exclaimed. “Martin, your mom and dad asked us to take care of you. I know you must have seen what happened, and I am so sorry.” Kat reached out to hold the boy’s hand, but it caused him to pull more tightly into Ryan’s embrace.
“You wanna go with us, little man?” Ryan asked. The child nodded his head into the teen’s shoulder. Kat followed them back to the Suburban and helped to buckle him in the rear seat with baby Elijah and Ryan. She met Claire’s look of concern and watched Skyler turn and offer the newly orphaned child a candy bar from the snack bag. The treat was accepted somberly, and Skyler smiled and welcomed him aboard telling him not to worry, he just inherited six brothers and sisters who would help take care of him.
Back on the road, Kat gave a brief version of the events and told her passengers that they had a new group member named, Martin. He was going to need the love of everyone to heal from the things he just experienced. Kat let a rare tear roll down her cheek which Lisa was quick to wipe with her thumb. The girls in back both said they would help any way they could.
To get Kat focused on other things, Lisa directed her back to creating the go bag list. Kat asked the girls what they thought they might need and was gratified to hear them suggest flashlights, matches and duct tape. Old Bill would be so proud. Several more items were added and by the time Lisa had made six copies, the caravan arrived at Cabela’s.
Clearing the parking lot and store was their first task. Because the kids would be ‘shopping’, Kat and the men went in to move any bodies to the back of the store. Old Bill went to the receiving area and came back with two rolling flatbeds. At first the thought of stacking humans like cord wood and rolling them off to basically be discarded, made them feel like they were being disrespectful.
After some discussion, they came to the agreement that with the sheer numbers of dead, there was no way they could provide what would pass for normal disposal of remains. The people were gone, and the bodies had to be dealt with. It was not a pleasant job, especially when it was a young person. The only thing that made it a bit easier was the fact these folks never knew what hit them and did not suffer.
Soon everyone was inside. Claire tucked the twins into a cart, laying them on a folded blanket. Kat explained the go-bags to the students and gave them their lists. She told them they should also find sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, a pair of athletic shoes, a camo outfit, and a change of clothes that was their choice. It was understood that all sharp tools would stay in the package until they had been taught to use the items safely. If they found anything else, it would need to fit in their pack and they would be the one carrying it.
Skyler and Ryan told Martin they would help him make a mini-bag and they took the youngster to pick out a backpack. The other students split up and excitedly went about collecting their supplies. Kat took the adults to the gun section and got everyone matched up with handguns they could handle. They each spent time loading several magazines for the weapon and picking out tactical holsters that worked for each person along with hearing and eye protection. Everyone had at least minimal experience shooting a handgun, even Claire who surprised everyone with the fact that she had a conceal carry license. This knowledge brought a big smile to Sean’s freckled face.
Sean quickly picked out some black tactical pants which sported multiple pockets, a $300 pair of steel-toed duty boots, a camo shirt, tactical vest, new cap and some sharp looking sunglasses that doubled as shooting glasses. He stepped into the men’s room to take care of business and when he came out, he was geared up and ready. He looked and felt incredible. Joe and Bill followed suit, each picking out clothing that matched their individual styles.
Kat took the three newly outfitted men aside and gave them a special mission to accomplish. Now that they were armed appropriately, she felt it safe to send them on their own. Upon hearing their task, Sean chose to also take a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun and loaded his vest pockets with shells. Lisa and Kat told the men they would start building go-bags for them and let them put the finishing touches on them when they got back.
The women pushed the babies around and filled carts with things they needed. Kat also began a pile of bigger items, such as sleeping bags, mattresses, gas stoves and a couple of six-person tents. They also collected the dehydrated foods and jerky that they found, making sure each go-bag had a selection. A food dehydrator, vacuum sealer, and meat grinder were added as well.
The students were enjoying themselves. None of them came from money, so being able to pick out what they wanted was a novelty. Nevaeh and Bella seemed stuck in the shoe section. They got to pick an extra pair each just to get them moving again. Ray asked for permission to get a hunting bow set which Kat said would be fine, but he had to promise not to open it until they were in a place where they could practice safely. He happily agreed and trotted off to add his treasure to the pile.
Ryan was interested in a fancy grip slingshot and brought a load of glass and metal ammo for it. He showed Kat a youth slingshot and looked down at Martin who was holding on to the belt loop of Ryan’s jeans, gazing at her with wide brown eyes. Kat smiled and nodded at the boys saying they would need instructions on how to safely use the tools before they opened the packages. This satisfied the pair who deposited their loot before disappearing around the corner to find more things they might need.
Kat and Lisa helped each student pick out cold weather gear, including gloves, hats, socks and thermals. Their pile was growing very large and Lisa finally had a chance to ask the questions she had been keeping inside. She was also wondering how they were going to haul the stuff they were collecting.
“Kat, can you tell me where we are going? I mean, from what we are collecting, I can see it is going to be cold weather. So, I am guessing north? And can you tell me how you know where we need to go? And I have been wondering how we are going to carry all this stuff,” she asked in a rush. “It’s okay if you can’t say right now… things have been crazy and…”, Lisa hesitated. She had seen her beloved sister-in-law go through so many changes in the last 24 hours that she was afraid to push her for answers. The unexplainable things that happened to Kat were quite intimidating.
Kat eased her nerves by pulling her close with an arm around the waist. She began by telling her how glad she was that Lisa joined them on the field trip. The thought of losing her was too much to bear. Then she said, “As far as ‘how’…the guys will be bringing us some transportation that should really make a difference. As for ‘where’… I had a visit from your sister last night.” Lisa raised an eyebrow in question, but before she could make a sound, Kat added, “She came to me in a dream and told me to go to my happy place. It was incredibly real.” For now, Kat decided she would leave out the rest of the dream which still had her feeling disconcerted.
“Liz told you to go to your happy place. Do I know what that means?” Lisa asked.
“Remember the ranch in Wyoming that Liz and I visited for a couple of weeks?”
“Yes! You both came back loaded with stories and incredible photos. Is that where we are going?” Lisa warmed quickly to the idea.
“For a variety of reasons, yes. Lisa, I am still not sure how I know things that I know and how I can do things that I am suddenly able to do, but I feel we need to get there as soon as we can. We have some more supplies to gather and then we can hit the road, hopefully this afternoon,” Kat’s eyes were serious and determined. “I’ll be able to explain more soon, like what the hell happened to cause all of this in the first place. I feel the information is there, just out of my reach. Like some sort of amnesia.” The tall woman sighed and looked down at the floor in frustration.
