Chapter 3

Cold wetness on my cheek wakes me up in the morning. Opening my eyes all I notice is a tail wagging and suddenly the memories of last night come back.

"Piper! Oh, girl, I'm so glad I wasn't dreaming." I can't control my smile as my beloved pet gives me some much-needed comfort.

Upon hearing her name, Piper wags her tail even faster which brings a lot of happiness to my weary soul. I can see Twitch perched on the back of the couch that I fell asleep on and I give his ears a couple rubs as I stretch and sit up. He meows at me and stretches before slinking off the couch and into the kitchen. Here comes the hard part. I need to finalize my game plan today and that includes making some changes to include my pets. I try turning on the tv and using our home phone but all that I hear and see is static. Figures.

I find some food for Piper and Twitch, getting them settled in the kitchen so that I can begin. The first thing that I do is grab a couple of mementos to bring with me. A few family photos, a birthday card my sister made me, and a rose gold bracelet that was given to me on my sixteenth birthday by my parents make up my collection. I don't want to leave without having a few sentimental items just in case I end up not coming back.

I make a mental list of things that I need to do before I can leave and come up with:

1. Find a car.

2. Check the gas gauge.

3. Make sure I have enough food, water, and gas to at least last the trip to Iowa.

4. Find somewhere to get pet supplies.

Making a list eases my nerves a little and helps me feel more prepared. I make sure the curtains are closed and everything is locked still before slipping out the back door to find some more supplies. I have my knife ready, but everything is quiet. The kind of quiet that surpasses being peaceful. I hop over the barbed wire fence separating my house from our closest neighbors, barely avoiding ripping my pants on one of the barbs.

I haven't hopped a fence like that since I was a kid. It makes me miss those days. Everything was simple back then. The worst thing to happen was a skinned knee or an argument with my sister.

The thought makes me a little happier, remembering all the times I helped my mom with the cows they used to have and when I would run around the fields all day with Elizabeth playing make-believe. She always wanted to go on adventures with me and somehow talked me into it even when I didn't want to but looking back now, I'm glad she did because I have those memories to keep me going.

I walk up to the small brick house belonging to the Davidson's. It used to anyway. Normally when they were home their black dodge truck would be in the driveway, but it's been missing since the broadcast. I can only assume they took off to get away from everything happening. I'm still careful as I sidle up to the side of the house, the only sound is the slight crunching of leaves and twigs beneath my feet and my shallow breathing.

At the back door, I lift a rock from the flower bed that Mrs. Davidson let me and Elizabeth help with one summer, and neatly stuck to the bottom with Velcro is the spare key. I used to make money sitting for them in the summer and I am so thankful for that now. I slip the key in and step inside the house. Their windows are average size and not much light is let in. I feel my way to the kitchen and open the curtains to their sliding door. Much better.

I've managed to find some canned food and a can opener in the upper cabinets. I also snag a dark chocolate candy bar to treat myself later. I toss the cans and opener in a basket I found under the sink and set it on the floor for now. Since I haven't seen their Maine Coon, Artemis, yet I think they may have taken him with them. Weird that they left his food here though.

I shake the thought away and jog to the garage door. I am hoping that they left their car here along with the keys. It must be my lucky day because it is still here, and the keys are in the ignition. A quick check shows that the gas tank is full and ready to go. That takes a lot of stress off my shoulders, my mind already feels so much clearer. That is two tasks off of my mental checklist. I move the cans of food that I gathered into the trunk of the car and pull it over to my house making sure to park around by the back door just in case.

By the time my stomach is growling to remind me I should eat, it's already late in the afternoon. I scarf another protein bar and toss the wrapper on the counter. After not eating full or regular meals for over a month I don't want my stomach to get used to it again because who knows how I'll find food when I run out.

Stifling a yawn, I stretch and then decide to run upstairs and grab an extra set of clothes. I want at least one more set because I don't see myself finding an easy way to wash my clothes anytime soon. I mentally remind myself to stop by Elizabeth's room on my way out because I am pretty sure that she borrowed my favorite hoodie and I would like to bring it.

I am upstairs in her room when I hear a truck pulling up the driveway. I crouch automatically and call for Piper. Twitch will more than likely hide but Piper I don't trust to stay out of sight unless told. I shut her away in my sister's closet, telling her to lay down, and rush across the hall to my parent's bedroom. Their bedroom faces the driveway so if I crouch down at the side of the window, I can make out what's happening on the road.

A camouflaged military truck is pulling up the driveway. My heart begins to skip again, and I feel like throwing up. I have a feeling they aren't here to help from the way two men jump out of the back with full military get-ups and assault rifles in their hands. Both have buzz cuts and the only thing distinguishing them from each other at this distance were their weights. One was very slender, and the other was of average weight and tall. They looked dangerous as they stalked over to the house, alert and ready for action. I quickly turn around and slide to the floor, I could've sworn one of them had looked up.

I scramble to hide before they reach the front door. I run to the bathroom and climb into the laundry chute above the toilet. The only reason I know I can hide in here is because Liz and I used to do it all the time playing hide and seek when we were kids. I spread my limbs in a way to keep me from sliding down and shut the door behind me just as the men kick in the front door. I struggle to hear them over the pounding in my ears. I can't fully make out what they are saying but I hear the words recent, bag, and wrapper. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. My protein bar wrapper is sitting on the counter in the kitchen and I must have set my bug out bag by the door last night. I'm so stupid. In my defense, I wasn't expecting any visitors. These men being in my house and the implications of that fact had me scared enough I could wet my pants, but I was fighting it. I had to survive until I found my parents and sister. No matter what.