I was walking with the others when I smelt stale urine and dried blood. A conscripts was nearby. I quickly clapped my hands three times very hard. A sniff later I realised there were two. I clapped again. The defenders surrounded us. We formed a tight ball. The conscripts came out and they fought hard. The defenders were trained in hand to hand combat. They are very efficient with hand held weapons. So the conscripts had no chance. Once they were defeated we were heading home when the drone found us. Evasive maneuvers. We split up and it had to pick one. I made sure it followed me. I threw my bag towards the nearest person and ran fast. I reached the river and jumped. It followed me till Jim used a slingshot to damage it. Voss used the bank line to get me out. We had to get the other side of the river. There is a fallen tree which we can use as a bridge. It was a twenty minute walk. We had to hurry. Once the drone found us we have very little time before haulers showed up and dragged us away.
We crossed the bridge and ran till we found a tunnel. I went inside with a light to see if there was any sensor. I burned a herb bundle and saw a laser grid so we chose a different direction. As I tried different paths to go forward I realised that the soldiers have bottlenecked the path so we can only go one way where they would have laid traps. So we turned around and chose a different path. The open road which leads through a ghost town and a farm. Everyone walked till we reached the ghost town. To our surprise it wasn't a ghost town anymore. There were people living there but they were fewer in numbers. Maybe twelve of them. We stayed hidden since we weren't sure who they were. Some of us stayed in the most ransacked ones. Since no one in their right mind would go there. I found a box mounted on the wall filled saline solution. I also went downstairs to the supply closet and found patroleum wax. It is water proof and can burn even in the rain. I snagged the unopened ones.
I emptied my bag and rearranged everything. The wax and fire starters are placed in the front pockets. A foldable multi tool goes in the back pocket of my pants. Clothes on the bottom of the large section of my backpack. A small towel goes next followed by tarp and paracord. A small trauma kit. Next water filter and purification tablets. Head lamp along with a pocket chainsaw. It is a chainsaw chain with heavy duty handles. I can cut trees with a seesaw motion. A few flairs and lighter fluid. Next were packets of dehydrated meat, dried herbs and mushroom. A knife to defend myself in case I am separated. A small binoculars and a hat. Finally my bar of soap. The top is zipped so it is waterproof. On the side goes my stainless steel water bottle and an umbrella. Sleeping bag gets strapped on top. A small cast iron pan is clipped on the side. I got up and placed a saline bottle on the side of my bag. I went for a walk and fell asleep inside the asylum. When I woke up the others had left without me. I was by myself. I chose the path the others won't take. I went through the farm. The family there have always been nice to me.
I exchanged the dried fish for a shower. The old lady would watch me carefully. I would use the shears to cut my hair shoulder length before heading out. She would give me a carton of milk, a loaf of bread and some eggs. Her son in law on the other hand hates me. He thinks I shouldn't be a freeloader. He would report me the moment he sees me. But unfortunately him I am long gone before the haulers get here. I was about to leave when she invited me over for dinner. Her son in law had divorced her sweet daughter after a miscarriage. She was lonely since her daughter and her new husband has chosen life in the city. I told myself why not. I ate dinner and as I helped her wash the dishes I passed out. I woke up and all my stuff was on the floor. I watched she locked my stuff in her bedroom cupboard. She ushered me to her baby's room. I was given new clothes to wear. I watched her burn my old clothes in the fireplace. She was so happy. I have heard skip in their step but never imagined seeing it first hand.
I was taught how to pick locks so I knew exactly how to do it. The military sent someone to check in on her. I was introduced as her niece. I can't speak so I signed. They signed to tell me not to go out since they found a nest of fangs and they snagged a few hoppers. The farmer wanted answers. The soldiers explained that hoppers like to move from one place to the other. This was the hardest bunch to snag. His smile was super out when I felt a huge vibration. He was told by another that Patrik showed up and opened fire on them. The solder told the farmer and his wife to stay safe. They need to make sure the place is locked properly. It is possible the vampires are looking for a place to hide. Surprisingly their previous son in law was arrested for helping vampires. He was killed as he tried to escape them. The soldier took my fingerprints and it matched a mute girl named Janelle Abernathy. She was busted for shoplifting. I remembered having a fake ID when I stole the stuff. The police had called my cousin who came to collect me. They don't know my real name at all.
The farmer and his wife kindly asked me to apologise for inconvenience. I had to promise not to shoplift again. I was sent to milk the cows. I had no idea how to do that. So I asked permission to use the bathroom and she didn't think much of it. I went back inside to retrieve my stuff. I picked the lock in no time and grabbed my bag. I looked outside to see them talking to the soldier as he wasn't cleared to leave the premises. I quietly checked if everything was present. My clothes were removed but everything else was there. So all I had to do was get clothes my size and grab a towel. I quickly ran to the daughter's room and grabbed three of each and stuffed it into my bag. After I confirmed everything was in order. I clipped the multi tool on the side. Finally I looked outside to see to my dismay the soldier walking towards the hummer. The farmer and his wife were waiting till they leave so I had a short window of opportunity to get out of the house. I quickly ran downstairs and through the back door. I took a moment to catch my breath and ran towards the forest. I know a different path to take. I just had to reach the river. Once I was hidden behind the trees I looked back to see the farmer was far but he was heading in my direction. He was using his dog to sniff me out.
I had a head start so I chose a path the old man would have difficulty. I walked past hickory trees, beech trees and elms till I reached the river. I saw bald cypress trees nearby. They are rot resistant trees. I happily jumped into the water and let it take me on a ride. The dog can't sniff me as long as I am in the water. A few turns later I saw the paracord that Pete had left after he tied it on trees on either side of the river. I had to latch on to it so I pulled out my belt and hooked it to the multi tool. I managed to grab the paracord. I had to be extra careful otherwise I would cut it and go aimlessly. That is till I am discovered and sent back to the farmer. I grabbed it with my other hand and slowly pulled my body weight till I managed to wrap my leg as well. Once both legs were secured. I carefully separated the multi tool from my belt and shoved it into my pocket. The belt was wrapped as an insurance policy. I look up to see a patch of bark missing which means it is the side I shouldn't go to. A few tries later I reached the correct side of the river and quickly put my belt on. I kept walking till I found a tree I could climb for safety. I got up as high as possible before replacing my wet clothes with dry ones. I put the wet ones to dry before going to sleep.