Darkness Falls (Book 1): Rise of the Fallen by Martin W. Francis Page A

sure we can come to some kind of fair arrangement by bartering perhaps. Getting supplies without having to deal with those things up close would be a definite plus for me.”
    “Actually sir I have another idea.”
    “Sounds like you’re the one wearing the hat,” he laughed momentarily. “Go on I’m listening.”
    “I own a cabin not far from here. Last couple days I cleared and somewhat secured a neighborhood about a quarter mile from my place. I’m sure you likely have your own dwelling somewhere about town. However, I am proposing that you transfer yourself and things to one of the eight cabins in the neighborhood I cleared. They are prime real estate which you would have first pick from. Let’s just say I have a feeling it is going to be a lively neighborhood.”
    “That does sound like an equivalent exchange of goods, but like you say I do have my own place. Of course it might be nice to have a friendly neighbor. I have been truthfully considering relocating. It’s a little difficult seeing all the reminders of my son at home since I moved in with him a couple years ago. I have actually been sleeping here on a sofa in the office since he passed away.”
    “Sorry about your son Jerod. We’ve all lost loved ones recently. As far as friendly neighbors I’m hoping that a few people I ran across will be joining up soon. If you would like we can go check out the cabins just to see what you think. Might get your mind off things for a while.”
    “Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt. Providing your friends show up I suppose the massive collection of guns, knives, crossbows, and other weapons would definitely make preparations a little easier for a group of people. Glad to hear that there are still others out there. Are they here in Ruidoso also?”
    “Not sure if there are others survivors here but hope to find more. The individuals I met were back in Texas where my main residence is. I decided this would be a perfect place to settle in even before my wife came down with the Black Death.”
    “Now it’s my turn to say sorry. That had to be harder to deal with than I can imagine. Perhaps we were meant to cross paths in this screwed up world since I was finding it difficult to go on living thinking I might be the last person on Earth not among the Fallen .”
    I nodded my head not quite sure what to say in response. “There were three brothers who I became pretty close to even though we only spent an entire day together if you can imagine that. They helped me get meds for my wife. They lost a fourth brother from a serial killer while we were getting supplies at a hardware store. Both my wife and their brother are buried near each other on my property. Anyway, they had to make a trip to Colorado to see if any of their other family made it or not. I feel really bad about not doing the same for my siblings who all live in different states but to be honest I lost contact with most of them after it all began and I presumed the worst. Dan and his brothers sounded pretty sincere about coming this way after they made the trip to Colorado. Their good folks who hopefully should be here within a week I’m guessing if they didn’t run across any problems.”
    “You know what? I think you alleviated any uncertainties I may have had. You realize that it is going to be a lot of work loading up the entire shop and a few things at my son’s house right? Between your RV and my old pickup we might still have to make a few trips.”
    We talked a little more up on the rooftop. Afterwards we descended down an access hatch into the store. Unlocking the overhead door to the entrance we began loading up t he RV with everything we could.
     
    -5-
    Jessie and Kurt returned to the campsite to gather Amy’s belongings. While they were away Sam refueled the van. Dan suggested that Jessie drive once they had returned. Dan told Amy that she should try not to talk for at least a day while she got needed fluids and rested. After drinking