Following the Night
Chapter I Weather
"I know what your wondering, How did I survive? Its the first question everyone wants to ask. Don't worry, I'm not like the others, I'm a story teller at heart. Sit down there and I'll tell you and your friend my story. Two more children came running from behind a medical table. He began "It was may 25." He could see the recognition on the children's faces.
On June 1, 2004, Brian Young was working on his computer when the phone rang. "I'll get it" yelled Hope as she put the dish towel on the back of the chair. "Hello" she said and immediately regretted answering the phone. She spoke softly "It's him again dear" Brian took the phone from his wife and was ready to have words with Mr. Lindsay. "Hello Mr. Lindsey I told you... What's that?, oh, ok I'll be over as soon as I can. Ok Mr. Lindsey. Why? Oh, whatever, I'll bring them. What? The dog too. Ok, if you are really going through with this."
Brain stared for a second then looked up at his wife "Sorry dear but I need to get over to the Lindsey's house, seems his youngest tripped while going in the bomb shelter and broke a leg. He wants me to set the bone before they lock themselves in the shelter." Hope's face twisted a little as she exclaimed "That's just the kind of trick I would expect from that backwoods..." Brian interrupted her "Engineer. Now dear, he sounded very sincere, and besides he asked me to bring the whole family." She gave him a half smile "Why didn't you say so, I'll get Nicole".
Brian was a doctor that truly put his patients before himself. And though his real job was in Nashville, he spent a large amount of time in his own community believing fully in the "Help they neighbor" mentality. This day was just one more example of the doctor's generosity. Only one thing was different, the sky. A strange phenomenon had developed in the world, the whole sky had darkened. The scientists of the world were doing everything they could to determine a cure for the earth's skies. But Brian and his family had refused to let it effect their lives. Yet, as they left their house they couldn't help but feel anxiety, knowing that it should be daylight at that time of day.
It hadn't rained since the sky darkened. The temperatures continued to drop each day. The news continually gave statistics using words like "at this rate", "what if" and "worst case scenario". People around the word hated the news as it discussed there fate. The correspondents words beat at them and quickened their hearts. Yet the people were drawn to their telecasts wishing to find a glimmer of hope from somewhere in the world. So when it was announced that it was snowing in the Alps, they all listened. Then places all over the world began to experience the strange snow too. People rejoiced, others sat quietly, still others ran outside to see when their part of the world would be receiving this gift.
As the Young family drove the last mile (1.6 kilometers) toward the Lindsey family's residence, Brian noticed large gray flakes hitting the windshield of their Land Rover. In the darkness they seemed very much like snow but blew off the window as soon as they hit. He hoped the pattering sound wouldn't scare his seven year old daughter. But at the moment it seemed to be having the opposite effect. She laughed and could only talk about how great it was that the sky would soon be back to normal. "Wow, that snow stuff is really building up fast out there. Brian, Brian did you hear me?" Brian looked up at his wife "Sorry dear, it's just, I don't like this snow. It's not really snow you know and it's really piling up like you say. Maybe we should stay with the Lindsey's." His wife gave him her classic look and said "Like we have a choice with the roads in this shape."
The next two minutes seemed like twenty as they finally came to a stop under Mr. Lindsey's car port. They quickly jumped out of the Rover and headed to the house. Brian noticed the something was making his throat very dry as he knock very loudly on the door. "They must already be in the shelter dear. We'll never find it with the ground covered like this." They spent five anxious minutes before Mr. Lindsey came trotting through the now over a foot high snow stuff. "Hello Mr. Young, if you will kindly follow me." Said Ted Lindsey in a "Ha, I told you" manor. Yelps, the Young's Yellow Labrador had to be carried and was putting up a great deal of fuss the whole time. It was only after they reached the heavy door which led inside the shelter, that he could be put down.
The family and Ted entered the the first small room. Ted quickly locked a small dead bolt and lowered a hugh steel beam into place. Ted smiled as he pushed the keys down a small chute. He pointed at the door and mumbled something about it being everything but tank proof.
Brian suddenly realized that he could no longer exit the shelter. Ted got everyone's attention in order to explain the entrance procedure "Now I've been thinking about this for the past hour and I guess the best way to do it is for everyone to face a different direction." everyone's puzzled looks prompted him to explain the entire decontamination process. It took another ten minutes to convince Hope that it was necessary. Then they all put their clothes down the small chute and showered with soap. Finishing, the women were allowed to enter first. Linda Lindsey waited inside with towels. "Sorry about that dears, lets get you two dried off and in some clean clothes".
The men entered already discussing their situation. "what is that stuff Ted?" asked Brian. " The older man shook his head and raised his hands " I don't know Brain, maybe snow and dust, maybe something never seen before. Who knows, maybe it's what killed the dinosaurs." Brian refocused from drying himself to his new abode. " What about this shelter Ted, how long can we stay here? ". Ted lowered his head and picked up his thin wire framed glasses. Cleaning them he said " Look Brian, this shelter was designed for me and my family to last for months. If this...uuuh... problem doesn't stick around to long we should be able to last through it just fine. I am worried about my air intake though. The filters could become quickly clogged if this stuff keeps snowing down at the rate it's going. Don't tell the women. We'll deal with that problem if it becomes a problem."
The men finished dressing and everyone sat in the central room. This fourteen by twenty living space had a small kitchen and enough couches and chairs for everyone. The television had cable, satellite and standard VHF hookup. A rather expensive looking computer sat on a desk at the north side of the room. It also had cable hookup as well as dial up. A gas stove sat on the south side of the room next to the large and small generators. The stove, oven, water heater and generators received their fuel from a large tank buried some distance from the shelter. The ceiling was ten feet high and two large columns ran from floor to ceiling on the middle east and middle west sides of the room. The walls appeared to be normal sheet rock. The floor was tongue and groove over hardened concrete.
Ted explained that there were four main rooms. This main living room, a bedroom with a wash and change area, a machine/storage room and a pantry/storage room. He went on to explain how the shelter sat in a natural depression on the side of a hill and other technical features which would have insured the families survival in the event of a nuclear war.
Only Brian listened as Ted proudly stated the facts about this specialized shelter. Brian was starting to become disinterested in all the structural jargon when Ted began explaining about the communication systems and outside spy cameras. Brian had to interrupt him " Ted, lets get online and see if we can find any news. Also I would like to take a look outside if we can." The women were already monitoring the television. Satellites hadn't functioned well lately and most other stations displayed Emergency broadcasts. So much information and yet no answers.
Ted managed to get spy cam two up and running. "Look how deep it already is Brian" The concern in Ted's voice alarmed the children. "Calm down Te.. My goodness. Where is this camera stationed?" asked Brain in a drained voice. "On top of the telephone pole, this stuff has already reached the roof line of my house." The women were now standing behind them with looks of astonishment. Hope kept telling herself not to cry. She always hated that stereotype about women being weak, but right now she could only barely hold back the tears. Mrs. Lindsey was doing better, it was evident that the years with Mr. Lindsey had prepared her somewhat for disaster. Still, the anxiety in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
The air system that Ted had designed was intended to raise the air intake above any ash generated during a nuclear attack. Also Since the hill dropped sharply more than 100 (39.5 meters) to a creek, he was afraid that byproducts might collect in the valley.
The intake could be raised an additional ten feet by a pipe that attached to the bottom of the intake raiser. The raiser ran into an ingenious filtration system designed by Ted for NASA. In other words, NASA unwittingly funded Ted's shelter filtration system. From the surface the intake could not be seen as it ran up the side of a pole that carried power to Ted's back field. Should it be extended the pole would become visible but who would be around to see it.
Ted looked at Brian "We need to elevate the air intake, it's still above the stuff for the time being, but I'm afraid it won't be for long". They hadn't more than opened the machine room door when the strange noises began coming from the filtering machine. It felt like a race against time as they pulled the large jack out. Ted put the clamp on the upper part of the pipe and pulled out a cutting torch. He then cut it all the way around and cooled it with some ice that the women brought. Ted pulled the pipe apart and Brian quickly capped both open ends. Brain raised the pipe as much as he could with the high lift jack, while ted took up slack on the cable that led to the clamp.
They raised and welded on the three extensions and even managed to come up with two more sections from plumbing supplies. The total was fifteen feet (4.5 meters). Ted told them all to cross their fingers and hope that the storm abated soon.
Cable went dead an hour later. Linda quickly switched over to the broadcast channels only to find that chaos was ensuing at each station. People could be seen at times, mostly panicking, some praying and some were still trying to organize the people and read messages. All the messages were the same, the gray stuff falling from the sky irritates the lungs and has caused many deaths. It was also at this time that Ted's last camera was covered over. Everyone felt very alone and wondered if it was the end of all things.
Two hours later with no transmissions coming in from anywhere. "Try to get some sleep honey" said Hope, not really wanting him to but thinking it was the right thing to say. "I just can't dear" began Brian, "I couldn't if I tried. I have been such an optimist up until now, but all I keep thinking about is how little chance we have. No, I will stay up and Nicole can too if she wants. I love you two so much, I won't be apart from you now." So the the three of them sat on the floor, in front of the couch, deep underground. And Over the next five hours, they each drifted to sleep.
Chapter II Sheltered
Three days later Brian began to reflect back on their dilemma. While he had some security in the thought that the stuff must have stopped falling by now, he found that he had many unanswered questions. What is the stuff?, where did it come from?, will it go away?, and how long would it take?. But something else was bothering him. Why was he alive?, he and his family that is. Why of all Ted's neighbors did they get a chance for survival. Brian was just about to ask that very question when Ted yelled "Come look Brian".
Ted was sitting in front of the computer looking at a fuzzy image outside. "Camera Two" was all Ted said. They were witnessing what looked like a fog on top of a gray snow. The air was filled with the a gray dust like fog. The wind appeared to blowing and causing the gray snow stuff to swirl around the camera uncovering it even more.
Ted looked up at the clock and pointed. Brian watched him walk away knowing that Ted would now run though his check list. Everyone was used to the ritual by now. Nicole even ran over to him to help, follow shortly by Teddy jr. Brian had to smile thinking how easy this had been on the kids. Teddy, who was seven and a half, had become very fond of Nicole and spent most of the day following her around. Freddi, the youngest, four, laughed and played much of the time, he also had become best pals with Yelps the dog. Finally there was Christopher, who liked to be called Chris, he probably had the hardest time. He was fourteen and was just finding out about girls and parents and other teen problems when this happened. He had been very quiet and spent much of his time alone. Still, you could tell he was very grateful to be alive and he loved his family very much.
Life that first week was spent just trying to get used to living with each other. But as the week wore on the eight people and one dog began to get into a rhythm. Responsibilities were handed out and accepted. Small emergencies presented themselves and the two families worked together to solve each one. The food was great since only the parable goods were eaten. All the freeze dried and nonperishable goods would be needed later.
"Sixteen days and counting" said Chris as he made a mark on the calendar. Calendar time thought Brian, it means it's camera time too. Watching the Gray on camera two had become almost unbearable. The new routine was to check it every day at 12 o'clock. Brian double clicked on the camera program and waited. He was not surprised to see the gray, he was surprised to see what looked like a trail running though it. Calling the others over they began to question what this new feature could mean. After about an hour without change they gave it up and sat down for lunch.
Chris asked what everyone had been wondering "How long can we stay here dad, until we start running out of stuff". Ted's eyes darted to the three small children and smiled "Oh, a long time son, a very long time." The conversations during meal times stayed pretty low key as nobody wanted to talk about their past lives. Instead they would discuss things such as what the children did today and the trail they saw on the outside camera. But Brian had been noticing a change, nerves were a little more on edge. Conversation was very dry and the whole structure seem somehow smaller. It was time for a change he decided.
It just so happened that Teddy's birthday was coming up. So after dinner Brian got the adults together to plan for the big day. As he described what he had in mind, he could tell that it was the right thing. Smiles grew on the others faces and for the next three days it remained the topic of conversation. Only chris was let in on the secret, and it was his job to keep the children busy while the parents planned and prepared. The shelter had new life, the attitudes were transformed and even though the children didn't know why, they were happier too.
"Twenty five days, did you here me dad, twenty five!. Oh, and tonight is bingo night." The mood was still pretty good. The birthday party had been a great success. The whole shelter and everyone in it felt closer that day than at any other point. More importantly the families had learned a hugh lesson. Now they kept a calendar of events with few days between each.
Ted had been spending more time with his fancy filtering device and had even went into the sealed room with it. He wore what appeared to be an expensive looking painters mask. "So Ted what's the prognosis." Brian watched but Ted looked down, lost in thought. "Something wrong with the filter?". Ted looked up "No, not really. Here look at this." Ted raised a gloved hand, on it was what appeared to be fluff surrounding a seed. As Ted started taking his glove off he said "Ow, that stung". Looking at his hand ted could see three little pin holes. The holes were in the part on his hand that was under the fluff seed. Ted started shaking as if afraid of his new find. Brian grabbed the glove and placed it on a table in the sleep quarters.
"First let me see your hand Ted." Ted gave him his hand. Brian pulled the large articulating magnifying glass over Ted's hand. "I can't see any problems Ted, I don't think there was any harm done." Ted took his hand back and scratched it. "Well it sure itches. Lets get rid of that thing." Brian was busy adjusting his magnifying glass over the fluff. He Said " No way, we must find out as much as we can about these things." Ted walked away and came back with a small lock box from which he removed several expensive looking items. "Here, use this when your not watching the thing. I don't want it floating about." Ted walked off again. He spent the next hour checking his clothes and the shelter for any rough fluff balls.
"Twenty eight days, did you hear me. Sheesh, nobody even listens anymore" said Chris smiling. Ted went to check his machines, his hand had healed without complications. Brian went to check the camera. It was Linda's turn to make dinner. Hope was schooling the young children. Brian couldn't wait to share the good news but decided to tell everyone at lunch. Good conversation was a great commodity. So after the blessing and plate filling he asked the leading question. "Well, isn't anyone going to ask if there was anything new on the camera?" His wife looked up and smiled "Ok, I'll bite, was there anything new today dear?" Brian shrugged his shoulders and in a disinterested way and said "No". Hope gave him a mean look. "Unless you consider the fluff level has dropped."
The adults picked up there plates and headed to the computer desk. Brian brought up the image though it was hard to see any difference. "How do you know it's dropping dear" asked Hope. "Because, your looking through camera three, not camera two." The women gasp as one and then cheered as Ted smiled. The kids came running over, jumping and laughing. They didn't care why, they were just joining in the fun. "How fast is it dropping?" asked Linda trying not to let the jumping kids hurt her. " Seems to be dropping a few feet a day. I'll know more by tomorrow, I've marked the image so we can check for differences.
Spirits were high, higher than they had been in two weeks. The air seemed less stuffy, the food tasted better. They allotted half again as much food as before, believing the end of their captivity would soon be over. The adults spent much of their time brain storming what precautions they needed to take when the stuff dissipated. It was a very serious and yet hopeful time.
Brian updated everyone on his experiments. " First I just watched it day to day. It appeared to be having a chemical reaction with the leather in the glove. I even saw it move once. Almost jumped out of my skin. And the box stays warm, so it must be generating heat. With Ted's permission I collected several more samples from the filter room with Linda's tongs." Linda just rolled her eyes as Ted and Brian laughed a little. Taking these new samples, I placed them on other materials. Materials such as food, cloth, rubber, plastic and metal." Brian's face became very grim at this point. " What I discovered, as I've already told Hope, is that it has a chemical reaction with any organic substance."
Brian let this information sink in as he reached down and picked up the lock box. He opened it saying " But what's more disturbing is this, look". There, amid the discolored Broccoli, wood and gloves, stood a small dark brown ovalish creature moving slowly back and forth.
Wearing Linda's rubber kitchen gloves, Brian lifted the creature out of the box. "What is it?" Asked Linda and Hope at the same time. "This was once three small potatoes." The creature seemed to react to Brian's touch but did nothing more than tap against the side of his finger. " What the Hey" said Ted in a strong voice. "Do you realize what this means?". "Yes" Brian had to admit "We don't know what kind of strange mutations may have taken place outside, We are going to have to use every precaution before leaving. Also, I suggest we continue living in the shelter as we explore." Brian had no more than finished when Ted voiced "Here here".
"Ok, the stuff will be gone in about two days, I say we give it another three days after that before we step foot outside. Agreed?". Everyone agreed with Brian's plan. And so for the next five days the families spent their time making preparations for the first scouting mission.
Chapter III Environment
"Ok Ted, I'm opening the inner door." Said Brian as he looked back at his concerned family. Ted stopped, checking his 9 mm Glock 17 and moved up to the door. Picking up an Ak-47 off the table he let Brian know he was ready. Brian carried another of Ted's Ak-47s, fully automatic. Ted owned three in all as well as a Remington 270 hunting rifle, twelve and twenty gauge shotguns, a container holding ten sticks of dynamite and twelve assorted hand guns.
Ted was saying "I wish I had went ahead and ordered that sniper rifle when I had the chance." while Brian opened the inner door. Brian aimed his weapon at the outer door and released the safety. "We have all the firepower we need right here Ted. Good choice of weapons, I hear this is the most rugged gun in the world." Ted looked up " It's a matter of taste, I fired one of these once and fell in love with them.". Brian would have chosen the hunting rifle but Ted quickly corrected his poor judgment. Ted closed the inner door and turned around. "Ok, here we go." Ted almost whispered, as if something outside might be listening.
The door opened with a creak, they could immediately taste the fresh air. The sky was dark and the color of the world just didn't seem right. The air was warm and moist and a slight breeze could be felt. Brian began to get goose bumps, "Something just doesn't feel right Ted." Ted looked up " I know, it's the noise, there's no noise, None." The whole scene was giving Brian the creeps. " Lets check out the house and property and call it a day." Ted gave him a surprised look, then gave him a nod of approval. " Remind me to get some canned food from the pantry".
From then on they walked in silence. First they checked out the shed then the small field around the shelter entrance. Finally the men followed the path to the top of the hill. Ted took out his two-way "Can you see us Linda?". "Yes, we have you on camera one" it was Hope's voice. "Great, keep watch over us." The two-way system was good for about five miles, the base station in the shelter received signals from an above ground antenna. Ted also had a Ham radio system, but it had stopped functioning about the time they entered the shelter.
The men walked to the corner of the yard. "Look Brian, what's that?". Brian Walked around Ted to get into view. On the ground lay a mass of what could only be called flesh. Brain bent over and began studying it. He prodded it with a stick, the meat was hard and dry. "By the size of its teeth the shape of this one foot, I think it used to be a squirrel." "What the, what's happened to it?" said Ted with a look of disgust on his face. "I won't know anything until I have the proper equipment" answered Brian flipping the carcass over. "Lets move on". Brian got up wishing he had brought the digital camera.
They made a circle around the house and didn't see any sign of life, only a few dead piles of flesh. Brian stopped at each one and made some notes. As they headed for the door Brian thought he saw something. Stopping he raised his weapon. "What did you see?" Asked Ted quietly. "I don't know. Maybe nothing.". After an hour of being outside, they had come to realize that this strange atmosphere was very conducive to mistaken sightings. " They worked their way closer to the house. "There, I know I saw it that time" Brian advanced quickly to the side of the house. On the wall was what could only be described as a twenty legged spider. Brian captured it in a sealable freezer bag.
Ted's home was a large two story house covered with white siding. He had always been proud of his large front porch which had four rocking chairs and a swing. Ted walked up to the front door and unlocked it. Entering they found everything inside to be covered with a light dust. They proceeded to check each room. Finally they made their way to the kitchen and put some of the canned goods in a plastic bag. "Lets leave through the side door" said Ted walking in that direction. As Ted exited the doorway all he could see was claws.
Brian saw a strange object drop down on Ted's head. First he raised his gun, then thought better of it. He lowered the weapon and moved forward smacking it as hard as he could with his hand. The small attacker was sent flying into the woodpile. It bounced off the wood and seemed dazed. Then it charged again. Ted was ready for it this time and somehow managed to catch it under his boot. Claws scraped on leather to no effect. Before it could work itself loose the 9 mm unleashed it fury. Ted shot it until it stopped moving, his face completely flushed.
Brian studied the clawed creature closely. But after a while Ted put a hand on Brian's shoulder. Brian understood and got up. They headed straight for the shelter. As they neared the shelter the sound of sticks breaking could be heard. How far off they couldn't tell. They stopped "Probably just the wind." Said Ted. Then the men marched double time back to the shelter. Only after the door was closed behind them did they allow themselves to relax.
They discussed there whole adventure with the family as they took off their gear. Brian was upset to find that his spider had somehow made a hole in the bag and escaped. He looked around a bit but decided not the worry the others. He was sure it had escaped outside. Ted had been recounting his confrontation with the clawed creature. "What kind of creature was it?" asked Chris. "I'm not sure" said Brian "maybe a cat or... something small as a cat". "Now dear" began Hope, "I think the children have heard quite enough for one day. I see you brought us some goodies from the kitchen, why don't we have a early supper tonight." The worry she felt was hidden well. She always could put on a good front.
The next day the adults woke early. Guns in hand, the men walked up to the inner door. As Brian opened the door he gasped. The entire entry chamber was criss-crossed with spider webs. he couldn't even see the exit door. "Watch for that spider everyone. Don't let it get in the shelter." "What spider?" asked Linda. "No time, there is a twenty legged spider, step on it if you see it." Using the broom Brian began carefully peeling back the layers. A loud whoosh noise made him jump back. Chris had the CO2 extinguisher in his hand and was spraying the webbing high to the right. Something fell to the floor. Someone stepped on it.
The men spent the better part of the day hauling supplies from the house to the shelter and checking the vehicles. All three vehicles were strangely misfiring. It made a lot of noise and attracted several varieties of mutants.
The mole creatures dug holes around the vehicles but did little else. The tiny winged bat creatures caused more of a stir as several of them smashed in the vehicle windows and left quite a mess. By far the worst was an obviously mutated dog. The poor thing could barely walk with only two misshapen legs, its jaw was massive which gave it a fearsome appearance. Ted had pity on the beast and shot it once through the head.
Later that day the men began work on the HAM radio problem while Hope and chris stood watch on top of the hill. They had been watching for some time when they struck up a conversation. Hope was very pretty and had a very positive attitude. She really brightened a otherwise dreadful experience. Chris talked to her about his fears and future. He even asked a few questions about love and girls. Hope assured him that they would find others and not to ever lose hope. chris said " Well I'm sure we won't lose you." But before Hope could understand his little joke a strange scene appeared walking two fields over.
Hope quickly notified Ted. The men came running over. The huge beast was hard to view well in the setting sun. One thing was for sure, it was heading straight at them. " I say we make a tactical withdrawal." Said Ted nervously holding his weapon. "Ted's right, that thing could be dangerous." Said Hope leaving for the shelter door. But Brian decided to stay a while. " Lets go Brian" said Ted. Brian shook his head "I just want to get a better look at it, I'll be down in a second." Ted gave him a wise look "Brian, how fast is it? Can it jump? Can it sneak? Is there more than one? It's dark, chances are better taken in the light.". With that Brian followed Ted.
As they entered the safety of the shelter, Brian stopped Ted. "I was just thinking about that dog creature today. And what..." "Yes Brian go on" " Well, if the mutations happen to all organic life, I can't help but fear the outcome of any human mutations". Ted had no words for him, he just patted him on the shoulder and turned to enter the shelter.
That night the men sat and talked with the wives. Ted started " I need to tell you some things that are very important. Number one, Linda is as beautiful as the day I met her. Number two, the Ham is out of commission but I think it can be repaired. We'll need to make a trip to D&R's Electrical Supply House. It's on the corner of Main and Hwy 52. The way I see it, me and Brain can leave early in the morning before the children wake." Hope just had to stop him there "Wait a minute there Ted. We are not waiting behind while you two run around town. Have you ever watched the horror movies, Never split up." Linda quickly jumped in, "She's right, where would we be without you two, I say we all go or nobody goes."
After a two hour deliberation the women won. Even the children would be along, though they would stay in the vehicle. Everyone got up to leave the table but Linda, she said to Ted "Now we need to discuss that first important subject". Ted was a bit puzzled at first but quickly understood when she pulled him close. "Oh that subject, yes that is an important subject". Hope and brian gathered the children for a game of Uno.
That next day the family packed up the two most reliable vehicles. The doctor's Land Rover and Ted's 1999 F-250 Power Stroke Diesel with crew cab. He had used it for hauling his fifth wheel trailer for their summer vacations. The diesel seemed to be having less trouble than the gas powered engine but After cleaning as much of the engines as was practical they were both running well. It seemed that the fine powder had clogged up everything and reached every nook and cranny.
After a final check of vehicles, equipment and personal ( bathroom visits ) They drove down Ted's long driveway and away from their harbor of safety.
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