Dear Diary, It’s Me, Jessica: Part 2

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Pricey Diary,

It’s me, Jessica.

It has been a loopy, thrilling week, however not in a very good form of manner.

The day after Christmas, two issues occurred:  1)  It snowed.  Not a lot, a ‘dusting’ as Dad put it.  It was principally passed by midday, besides within the deep shadows.  Snow round right here is uncommon.  2) The ‘HAM’ man stated there have been stories of a ‘gang’ going round in vans attacking distant houses and farms.  

The subsequent day two males on a dust bike got here rushing down our avenue.  That they had these massive black rifles.  Nobody has heard a automotive not to mention a dust bike in months.  Everybody got here out of their houses to see what was happening, many with their very own weapons.  The blokes on the filth bike circled and sped again the best way they got here.  

Many within the neighborhood gathered in teams to speak about what they noticed and what it meant.  Jack confirmed up a couple of minutes later from his avenue and requested what occurred.  As soon as he heard what folks have been saying, he appeared to assume for a second.  Jack then stated whereas he was out buying and selling with others in surrounding neighborhoods and manner down on the town, a couple of stated they noticed two vans pulling RVs with one other half dozen or so vans, one with two filth bikes within the beds happening Outdated River Street.  Jack went and talked with the HAM man to ask the native HAMs in the event that they heard of something uncommon.  The HAM man stated the web was ‘chattering’ about working vans and the assaults.  An outdated fisherman went to his favourite fishing gap off Outdated River Street, a distant boat launch and picnic website, to seek out it was occupied by two RVs, a bunch of vans, and a few mean-looking guys in ‘tactical’ gear.  The fisherman high-tailed it out of there earlier than they noticed him.  Jack didn’t assume they’d assault our neighborhood.  He pointed to all of the folks with weapons.  If the 2 guys on the filth bike have been out scouting the realm, the Miller farm, then again, they’d assault them.  

Jack, who’s the chief of the militia, cut up the militia into two.  One group he referred to as ‘residence guard’ would keep within the neighborhood and hold watch.  The opposite group, he referred to as the ‘assault staff’, made up of principally fight veterans, would arrange an ambush on the Miller’s farm.  

It was early morning the following day, I used to be serving to Mother turning over the compost pile within the again yard once we heard uninteresting explosions after which gun hearth within the distance within the course of the Miller farm.  Mother and I stood silently, listening to the fast hearth of many weapons.  Then it stopped.   Diary, I’m not going to lie, I felt somewhat responsible, however the first individual I considered was Billy.  It was not until a lot later that I came upon he and his complete household and the farm have been protected.  

Jack and his assault staff arrange an ambush, utilizing what he referred to as ‘a couple of family chemical substances within the correct proportions’ to make one thing Jack referred to as ‘HMEs,’ no matter these are, and ‘interlocking fields of fireplace’ to take out the gang.  To Mother and me, the firefight seemed like endlessly. 

However Jack stated, “It was all carried out and over with in lower than 5 minutes.”

There have been no survivors.  

Jack and his assault staff took the 2 remaining functioning gang vans and went to the location off Outdated River Street, the place the fisherman noticed the RVs and vans on the boat launch.  They acquired inside a mile after which ‘humped’ it in.  There have been two vans with RVs behind them, three ladies with rifles, and an outdated man with a shotgun sitting round a campfire speaking with one another.  Jack gave the sign, and the ‘assault staff’ quietly overtook them and not using a shot. 

The bigger RV was empty.  Jack stated it was ‘nicer’ than his own residence, only a bit smaller and on wheels.  The smaller one was filthy inside, smelled badly of human sweat and had ten ladies and a small boy tied up in it.  Jack stated the opposite ladies, the outdated man, and the others used them as ‘slave’ labor and ‘leisure.’  When somebody requested what Jack did with the ‘different’ armed ladies and the outdated man, Jack simply stated he gave these ladies they freed a size of firewood and allow them to have at it.

Justice was served, he stated.

Diary, I’m not positive how I felt about that.  

Then a truck pulling a RV pushed by one of many ‘assault staff’ members rolled as much as a cease in entrance of us.  The RV door opened, and slowly, the ladies got here out.  They have been skinny.  Mother stated ‘gaunt.’  Their hair was messy and greasy.  Some had bruises on their faces.  A number of limped, and one wanted assist as a result of she limped so badly.  The boy was not significantly better.  One younger, skinny lady, youthful than me, appeared round fearfully at us.

I don’t know why, however I walked as much as her and informed her it was ‘okay’ and she or he was ‘protected’ now.  She all of a sudden hugged me and began sobbing, ‘It’s over,’ time and again.

A tall, massive ‘boned’ girl with lengthy auburn hair stepped down from the RV, noticed me hugging the younger lady, and walked over.  She put her hand on the lady’s shoulder.  The younger lady appeared up on the girl.  The girl informed her, 

“Sure.  It’s over.  We’re protected now.”

She then checked out me.  Her face was a multitude of black, blue, and yellow bruises.  Her nostril was crooked.  However she had stunning blue eyes with a fierce dedication behind them.  She winced barely when she smiled at me as a lot as she may smile along with her swollen face.

Diary, now I’m not positive what to assume.

Entry 2

Pricey Diary,

Extra thrilling information:  I’ve a gun.  

Nope.  Not a gun.  A rifle, as Jack would appropriate me.

After the gang firefight, Jack and the assault staff recovered a bunch of rifles, ammo, and different ‘tactical’ gear.  They discovered much more within the massive RV.  Jack guessed it was plunder from the gang’s victims.  

A lot to my and Dad’s shock, after seeing the situation of the freed ladies and listening to in regards to the rifles and ammo, Mother walked proper as much as Jack and stated, “Give me one.”

Diary, the factor is, now we have by no means had any rifles.  So far as I do know, Mother and Dad by no means had one, not to mention shot one.  

Jack requested Mother if she or Dad knew easy methods to use one.  Jack appeared like he was about to say ‘no’ when Mother stated they didn’t, however then the auburn girl interjected, “The world was harmful earlier than the lights went out.  It’s extra so now.” 

She appeared proper at me with these fierce blue eyes.  “They’ll want it.”

After I first heard her discuss, I assumed the accent was from her swollen face.  Nope, she simply had a deep Southern accent.  Her identify was Celia-Rae, however everybody referred to as her ‘Rae.’

Jack checked out Rae, checked out me, appeared to assume for a second, then merely stated, “Okay.”

Jack and the remainder of the militia spent a whole week coaching these within the neighborhood who have been bodily ready easy methods to shoot.  Even those that knew went via ‘remedial’ coaching.  The primary day, I used to be stunned to see how many individuals had firearms.  I didn’t know the distinction between all of the firearms.  What I did know was from what I noticed on TV and within the motion pictures.  

Now, I do know the distinction between a bolt-rifle, a lever-action rifle, a semi-auto rifle, a shotgun a rimfire, revolvers and semi-auto pistols.  

For these of us who’ve by no means fired a firearm, our group contains me, Mother and Dad, a couple of youngsters youthful than me, and a couple of dozen different adults.  We practiced primary marksmanship with air rifles.  

Dad was simply ‘okay.’

Mother was higher than him.

I used to be higher than each of them.  Jack even gave me a uncommon smile and stated I used to be a ‘pure,’ no matter that meant.

Then, it was time for us to ‘attempt’ out totally different rifles to see which we have been most snug with. 

Mother and Dad have been most snug with the black rifle.  Surprisingly, Mother was enthusiastic about capturing it.  

Me, nope.  Don’t know why.  For no matter cause, it simply didn’t really feel proper.

Jack was wanting on the folding desk of rifles for one thing else for me to attempt when Rae walked as much as me, handed me a lever-action rifle with a black artificial inventory, and stated, “Give this one a attempt, honey,” in her heavy Southern accent.

I aimed on the goal taped to a tree 100 yards away and squeezed the set off identical to Jack taught me.  I appeared over my shoulder at Rae and Jack and couldn’t assist however smile.  Rae laughed, and Jack gave one other uncommon smile.  He then informed me to take one other shot.  I did.  Then I stated to them, “I like this!”

Jack gave me a glance.  He then nodded, informed me to ‘make protected,’ walked down and changed the goal with a distinct one.  He got here again and topped off the rifle’s journal. 

“After I say, ‘go,’ I would like you to shoulder the rifle, take off the security, and shoot 5 rounds on the paper plate as quick as you’ll be able to.”

Diary, I shot and hit the paper plate with all 5 rounds in six seconds.  The paper plate was eight inches.  All my photographs have been nicely inside six inches.  Jack stated he had by no means seen a girl shoot a lever-action so nicely on her first attempt. 

Rae stated, “You by no means met me.”

Jack truly chuckled.

“I knew she may do it,” Rae stated.  “She has it in her.”

So, Diary, now I’ve a rifle.

Entry 3

Pricey Diary,

Dad and I hiked it to the Miller farm for work, him together with his ‘black’ rifle, me with mine.  

As we walked up, Mr. Miller got here out, checked out us each with our rifles, and stated, “Good.”

Billy stated, “Appears good on you,” and smiled.  I couldn’t assist however smile again.

Diary, New Yr’s Eve, I feel, was higher than Christmas.  However then there was a complete lot extra ingesting happening for the adults.  And a few unhealthy however enjoyable singing.

Everybody did what they may for dinner: turkey, hen, rabbit, venison, a couple of hams, and the HAM man made hamburgers with selfmade potato buns, onions, bacon, and mushrooms.  Diary, I by no means appreciated mushrooms until now.  Now I like them.  A number of desserts.  Dinner was an out of doors touring feast.  Mother and Dad stayed at residence, handing out plates of turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes.  After I had my fill, I went again residence and handed out the final of the turkey whereas they made a spherical sampling others’ choices.  

Throughout the first and second weeks after the ability went out, some folks within the neighborhood loaded up their vehicles and tried to make it to household in different elements of the state and even in different states. None returned.  

The neighborhood decided to let the freed ladies and the boy use these deserted houses as their very own.  Rae and two different ladies and the younger lady took a house two doorways down.  Rae and among the others have been adjusting nicely to their new houses and the neighborhood.  Others nonetheless have been fearful, principally of the boys.  The little boy, once I did see him, simply sat and rocked backwards and forwards, not saying something and even wanting up once I tried to speak to him.  There are two ladies who had labored as social staff and one girl who had labored as a psychiatrist, making an attempt to work with them to assist them.  I overheard Mother speaking with one who stated a couple of of the ladies and the little boy could also be ‘misplaced endlessly’ because of the harm carried out to them.

Diary, I assume I’ve lived a fairly sheltered life.  Again within the outdated neighborhood, I noticed some issues that weren’t good and I knew unhealthy issues occurred to good folks.  Unhealthy folks did unhealthy issues.  However I had by no means seen it up shut like this.  

Bodily, all the ladies are therapeutic.  Even Rae.  The bruises on her face have light away, her face is now not swollen.  She is definitely very fairly.  However she has a presence, a energy about her that the opposite ladies look as much as.  I’ve even seen Jack taking a look at her otherwise.  Someday, whereas she was coaching me easy methods to dry hearth the snap shot, she stated one thing I don’t assume she meant to say, at the least out loud.  Her energy and dedication might have been why she was abused a lot.  One of many gang members discovered her energy and dedication as a problem and relished the chance to abuse her.  However she by no means let him win.  Even when he was violating her, she stated her solely remorse was she was not the one who ‘squeezed’ the set off on the ambush on the Miller farm to ‘finish’ him.  

Diary, I’m not positive how I really feel about that.

You’ll be able to learn Half 1 of this sequence right here.

About 1stMarineJarHead

1stMarineJarHead will not be solely a former Marine, but in addition a former EMT-B, Wilderness EMT (courtesy of NOLS), and volunteer firefighter.

He at the moment resides within the nice white (i.e. snowy) Northeast together with his spouse and canine. He raises chickens, rabbits, goats, often hogs, cows and typically geese. He grows numerous veggies and has a bizarre fondness for rutabagas. He enjoys studying, writing, cooking from scratch, making charcuterie, goal capturing, and is at the moment increasing his woodworking expertise.