Microfiction – Looters

“Lisa! Get our bug-out-bags; we have to leave. I’m going to run the livestock into the woods; meet me there.”

It’s been a year and a half since the eruptions, and the volcanic winter that ensued has turned the world gray leaving survivors to fend for themselves.

At the gate, Lisa found her husband shooing the last of their chickens into the woods, hoping the thieves would not get them all. “Let’s go,” she said, “I don’t want to reach Maidie’s after dark.”

And with that, Jeff and Lisa Wilson left everything behind to seek shelter on the other side of the mountain. Would anything be left upon their return?

“Too many to fight.”
“I know, replied Jeff as he watched looters kick in their front door. Five years earlier, he had carried her across the threshold, and it was all he could do to keep from killing the man in his crosshairs.

This piece of microfiction is a character story from my apocalyptic novella Every Yard Is A Grave. Character stories are small glimpses into a character’s life before, during, and after the book.

Bugging out to where

Many preppers plan to bug-out to the mountains when the SHTF, but I have news for them, our civilized world has left very little wilderness to bug-out to. If not for our national and state parks, there would be none.

So, where will you go?

If you don’t own property, your choices are limited.

Bugging-out, how do you know when its time to go

Leaving your home or bugging-out during a disaster should be a last resort, but you may have to if things become life-threatening.

So when should you go?

Obviously, you should go when a disaster is about to wipe out your home; after all, the number one way to survive a disaster is by moving out of its way. But what about a tragedy that leaves your home intact?

What then?

Here are a few signs to go by.

Power is out

The disaster is local; crews are working to restore power, and neighbors are working together.

This is not the time to leave. Work with your neighbors to protect your street.

Power is out

The disaster is widespread, crews are not working in your area to restore power, but neighbors are working together. And relief agencies have set up supply stations for food and water.

A situation like this is a toss-up. If you have a retreat location, you could go. Or you could stay and work with your neighbors.

Power is out

The disaster is widespread; crews are not working in your area to restore power, neighbors are not working together, and relief agencies have not set up supply stations for food and water.

This is the time to leave if you have a retreat location. But it may be better to stay home if you do not. Moving to a hidden safe room will be your best bet if you have one.