Adventures in the Apocalypse: Post-Apocalyptic America: After The Flare Page 9

  We would spend the night here, and I would head out in the morning to find Ramos. I lay out on the deck with the cabin lights off, as usual, watching the night sky while Becca slept in my bed below. There were no clouds, and the stars pierced the night sky. I didn’t know what the southern “Northern Lights” were called, but they were very active tonight. I had gotten so used to them that I paid them no attention anymore. I fell asleep with the stars dancing through my mind as I tried to remember their names.

  I woke Becca up several hours before dawn, loaded some extra guns, ammunition, food and water into the small RIB, and then headed to a spot on the coast about a mile from the city. The water was smooth, and with only the light of a half moon, I was able to navigate my way to the shore. I could see a few lights from the village, and that helped me steer a bit east to find a spot on the beach to land.

  I saw the trees behind the shore before I saw the beach. I cut back on the throttle and killed the motor about a thousand yards from land. I then rowed into shore and quickly pulled the boat into the jungle and covered it with branches and leaves. Then I cut a small branch and used it to brush out my tracks, and the skid marks the boat left from me dragging it into the jungle. We walked on the edge of the jungle until we were at the edge of the town where I set my backpack down and rested until the sun had been up for an hour or so.

  “Matt, I know the area and have friends about two miles from here. Please come with me and at least meet my dad. He would like you and could be a big help to you.”

  “Becca, I know you mean well, but I don’t want to run into those pirates or thugs. I’ll check things out and proceed carefully.”

  She gave me a kiss and a hug and headed into the city.

  I watched people come and go as they went about their lives in this sleepy little town for two days. I found myself surprised that there were so many Caucasians and Asians in the city. I wondered if they were refugees from the north as I was. I decided to hide my backpack for my trip into town so to not tempt anyone to rob me. I circled the town and walked into the city from the jungle without anyone paying much attention.

  I walked along debating who to ask if they knew Oscar Ramos when I saw a small Catholic Church and a Priest in the side yard between the church and his quarters.

  “Father, perhaps you can help me,” I asked.

  “Son, what can I do for you on this beautiful morning?”

  I had spoken in English, and he answered in what I could best describe as a New York dialect.

  “Father, are you from the USA and are there a lot of northerners down here?”

  “Why yes I am, and I would guess you are from the south but not the deep south. It got too cold up north for me so here I am. To answer your other question, yes, there are many northerners down here. Most are good hard working people, but some are thugs that make our lives miserable.”

  “I’m from Tennessee, and I was separated from my best friend and a Nun with a group of children a few months back. I’m looking for Oscar Ramos because a mutual acquaintance told me that Mr. Ramos might be able to help me in my search.”

  “I know Oscar. He attends our church and is a fine man with a wife and three children; however, I also know that two Nuns and a group of children arrived in Arboletes a couple of weeks back.”

  “That must be them, but there was only one Nun and my friend Mary.”

  “Well, you know how information spreads and becomes twisted. I can take you over to Oscar’s shop now if you want. He’s just a few blocks from here.”

  “I would like that.”

  “Before we go, please hide that pistol under your shirt. Guns tend to make our Police nervous. You see only hunters and drug gang members carry guns.”

  I tucked my pistol into my waistband, and covered my holster with my shirt. We then walked the five blocks to Oscar’s Trading Post, which was a large building with outdoor tables filled with various trade goods. I saw food, knives, household supplies, and farming equipment. Oscar had just about everything one would need to survive down here.

  I walked up to him and said, “Captain Joeseph Ivanovich told me to find you and give you his best regards.”

  “That’s a name I haven’t heard in over 10 years. What’s the old son of a bitch doing these days? Is he still a dock hand?”

  “I’m sorry, but the man I know is the Captain of the Svetlana and is a good friend. He said he knew you from back in the day when you were soldiers.”

  “Soldiers my ass! We were KGB operatives working in America until we retired. I actually retired down here, and that bastard became a freighter captain. How can I help you?”

  “I am looking for my friend, a Nun, and some children that I became separated from a few months ago. A sailboat dropped them off in Arboletes a few weeks back. I think they are trying to get to Quito.”

  “That has to be the Nuns and children that arrived in Arboletes last week. Funny now I’m putting things together. Father John from Arboletes has put out feelers for either transportation or the purchase of a bus. That fits your story.”

  “Will you help me find them?”

  “Yes, but that is over in Gentleman Jack’s territory, and we don’t want to piss him off. Do you have anything to bribe the locals with and to purchase transportation?”

  I didn’t want to tell him about everything I had so I said, “I have a small amount of gold and jewels plus some weapons and ammunition.”

  “Do you plan to go with your friends to Quito?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Then what about the sailboat you have anchored a few miles off the coast?”

  “How did you know about my boat?”

  “Jack runs everything between here and Panama. I run everything between here and 50 miles west of Cartagena. Jack is a pirate, while I am an entrepreneur. My men are on your boat now getting it ready to sail to my dock. Since you know my old friend Joeseph, I will trade you for your boat and contents instead of commandeering them. You see I am a bit of a pirate myself. The difference is that I share my goods with my subjects and town’s people. I give to the needy and sell the rest at a reasonable price. The people love me.”

  “Well, then I guess my sailboat is up for trade for a vehicle and supplies to take the Nuns and children to Quito.”

  “Good, Jack will want your boat, and I can get a small fortune for it. I have several surplus US Army five-ton trucks. I will trade you a truck, fuel, and a trailer to pull behind it for your gear. It won’t be like a Greyhound, but I promise it will get you to Quito. I will also make sure you have enough guns, ammo and, supplies to have a safe trip.”

  I shook his hand and said, “That’s a deal. I do want to keep some of my weapons and gear from the boat. Hey, do you need some military grade drones?”

  “Damn right I could use some drones and someone to train my men how to use them.”

  “I will be glad to help train your men if you trade something to me for the training.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “I need help in getting to Arboletes and later help to get my people on the way to Quito in my new truck.”

  “Deal. Since you are taking a Nun and children, I’ll send four of my best men with you for protection. They will turn back at the Ecuador border.”

  We walked down to the dock and sat for a while watching the ocean and feeling the cool breeze on our faces waiting for my boat to arrive. We talked about many things, and I learned that Oscar was a much nicer pirate than the others were. He took from the rich and gave to the poor while skimming a bit off for himself.

  “Matt have you heard much about the Americans, Canadians, Brits, and Israelis displacing the South Americans and taking their land?”

  “Only what our friend Joeseph told me during our voyage, and he didn’t have much detail.”

  “Well, the short story is that after the USA took over Brazil, there has been constant fighting against guerillas trying to run the USA out of their country. The USA is using a scor
ched earth strategy to root them out of the jungles. The Brits and Canadians aren’t much better; however, the Israelis have collaborated with Ecuador to start rebuilding the country and make it better for all. I would stay there if I were you.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Look, Matt, there’s your sailboat, and it is a beauty. I’m going back to my shop and get back to work. You go ahead and get your personal gear, some guns, and ammo, and we’ll get you quietly moved over to Arboletes after lunch.

  One of his men brought a pickup truck out on the dock, and I loaded all of my personal gear, guns, RPG and rockets, ammo and two bags full of gold and jewels without drawing suspicion from Oscar’s man. He helped me load it into the back of the truck and took me back to Oscar’s store. When we arrived, Oscar took me across the street to an outdoor café to have lunch. Oscar owned it, and there was a big sign that said Oscar’s above the front door.

  We shook hands after lunch and Oscar said, “If you see that old bastard, tell him to drop by Oscar’s.”

  I replied, “Thanks for helping me get back to my friends and if there is anything I can ever do for you just ask.”

  Oscar’s man drove me over to Arboletes and helped me find the church.

  ✼

  Chapter 10

  Mary

  Arboletes, Colombia

  Mary and Sister Angela were not happy with the slow progress finding transportation to Quito. Father John had feelers out but turned down the first three offers from some rather shady people.

  “Ladies, I know that you are in a hurry to get on to Quito and your friends at the Orphanage; however, we must make sure that you arrive safely there. Many bad people would take your money and dump you in the jungle to die, so we must be choosy and take our time to find honest people.”

  “Why can’t we just buy a bus and head over to Quito on our own? We’ve made it the 3,000 miles down to this place on our own.”

  “A bus that runs would cost a fortune, but if you are dead set on going it alone, I could put out feelers saying the church needs a bus.”

  “Please do that, and perhaps we will finally find a way to the Orphanage?”

  Mary wanted to help Sister Angela take the children to Quito, but felt that this had become a never-ending mission. She knew if she wasn’t careful, it could take over her life. She was adamant that she would help them get to Quito safely, and then find Matt. Down deep, she hoped to see Patty again but gave up hope on ever finding Patty.

  Her life had become rather boring for the past few days as she settled down into helping care for the children and assisting around the Orphanage. She hated every minute that took her away from finding her friends, and she knew the real reason was that she could never admit to herself that they were probably dead or could never be found.

  ***

  I saw a Nun walking towards the church when she turned to pat a small boy on the head. The woman looked familiar, and suddenly I knew it was Mary. My heart skipped a beat, and I wanted to run to her when I realized that she might want to stay hidden. Oscar’s man pointed at a side entrance to the church, and we walked over to it and entered.

  We walked down the hall and encountered a Priest, named Father John, who asked, “Can I help you.”

  I turned to Oscar’s man and asked him to wait outside so I could speak to the priest in private.

  “Sir, Oscar told me to be here at 6:00 am tomorrow to take you back to the store to start training some of our men. I’ll be waiting behind the church,” Oscar’s man said as he left.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Father, I am Matt Jones, and I believe some friends of mine are staying with you. Mary Williamson and Sister Angela arrived here last week, and I need to see them. I want to help them go on to Quito.”

  “Son, I can’t confirm or deny that anyone has sought sanctuary here in the church. Give me a message and ….”

  “Matt is it you,” a voice yelled from behind the priest.

  Suddenly a Nun ran up to me, took me in her arms, and kissed me. Mary pulled the head covering down and said, “It’s me, Mary.

  I hugged and kissed her several times before I said, “Mary I was afraid you were dead. I missed you so much. Thank God we are back together.”

  “Father John, this is the person that I told you about so much. He saved our lives countless times during our stay in Wyoming and the trip across the USA.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Matt.”

  There was a commotion in the hallway behind me, and suddenly another Nun came up behind me and hugged me.

  “Matt, you are alive. I prayed every day for our Savior to bring you to us safely. Praise God.”

  “Sister Angela I am so glad to see you. Brett Starnes told me about the pirate attack and the loss of Sister Nan. I am so sorry for your loss.”

  “She is in a better place and serving at the right hand of God in heaven. Are you here to help us on our journey to Quito?”

  “Yes, I may have been delayed, but I guess God got me back to you in time to get you safely to Quito.”

  “God works in mysterious ways. Father John and I need to leave you two alone, so you can catch up on everything.”

  Mary took me to her room and changed into her regular clothes while I stared at the wall. I caught a peek in a mirror, and she was still the same shapely women in my dreams.

  We sat on the edge of the bed holding hands like two teenagers on a date exchanging our recent histories, trials, and successes. I took her in my arms and gave her a long slow kiss, and then said, “Mary, I missed you so much and never want to be away from you again. I lost my memory for several weeks, and ever since you popped back in my head, I have been trying to find you.”

  “Matt, I thought you were in love with Patty. Are you sure that your memory isn’t playing tricks on you.”

  “Mary, I don’t know what I felt for Patty in the past, but I do know that I felt strongly about you, and her name just means she was close as a friend. I love you.”

  Mary kissed me, and we held each other for a few minutes. My hand wandered a bit, and she said, “I want you too but not in a convent dear.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll behave until we can be alone.”

  I pulled away from her and looked at her for a minute.

  She watched me, and said, “Matt, you know that I am older than you.”

  “Only a few years and you are still the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Thinking about you snuggled up to me on that sleeping bag kept me going during the past months.”

  Mary blushed and said, “I have also thought about that night and have often wished we had more time alone. I am so sorry we left you for dead. I tried to go back, but Brett assured me that you were dead. It was then that I knew I loved you.”

  “I hate to move away from that topic, but I need a cold shower now, and I have some good news. I have found transportation to Quito. We need to discuss this immediately and get Sister Angela on board with my plan.”

  “Wow, we have been looking for transportation for weeks.”

  “I traded my new sailboat and all of my gear for a truck, trailer, supplies and some fuel to get us to Quito. I will keep most of my gold and Jewels to help us settle in when we get to Ecuador.”

  “Matt, I thought you wanted to go to Brazil and join the New USA.”

  “I did, but I have heard some bad things about what was happening there and good things about the Israelis and Ecuador. Mary, I don’t think we would like the new USA. They are slaughtering the Indians in Brazil to make room for Americans. Survival is one thing; however, genocide is not needed to make room for our countrymen. They could all live together in that vast country.”

  “I agree. There couldn’t be over 10-20 million survivors for the USA and Canada. There is no need to kill people for dirt.”

  “We need to rent a room in the house next door for the rest of our stay here,” Mary said as she giggled.

  I’m slow, but I caught on qui
ckly and said, “Yep, you handle that, and I’ll work with my contact and the Father to gather and supplies that Ramos can’t supply.

  I found Father John and asked him about the city and surrounding area.

  “Father, do you know Gentleman Jack and Oscar Ramos?”

  “Yes, they are both pirates and will answer to God for their sins. Ramos steals but fancies himself as a modern-day Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.”

  “Can he be trusted?”

  “I believe that if he gives you his word, he will do what he says. I wouldn’t leave any cash or gold lying around. It will disappear.”

  “What about this Gentleman Jack.”

  “He is a cutthroat criminal who acts like a businessman until he doesn’t get his way. Don’t let him know you exist.”

  “I’ll steer clear of him. I have traded my sailboat for a truck and supplies for our trip. I’m also training his men how to use some drones I traded him.”

  “Oh, my son, don’t let Jack hear that you are helping Ramos. He hates Ramos.”

  ✼

  Chapter 11

  New Friends

  Arboletes, Colombia

  I returned an hour later to the convent and Sister Angela told me that Mary was next door in her new room. I caught the “Her room” drift of Sister Angela’s voice. I walked over to the house and knocked on the front door. An older lady told me to go to the side of the house facing the convent and knock on the only door on that side of the house. I did, and Mary opened the door and asked me to come into our room.