Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse by William H. Weber Read Free Book Online

month. We also have the cabin about ten miles east of Oneida where we could survive for a year or longer. The bunker, however, was really designed for short-term emergencies. The problem we’re facing is the longer we remain in Knoxville, the more dangerous the situation may become. Most of the government agencies that have wargamed a possible EMP attack suggest that within ninety-six hours the shock will begin wearing off as folks begin to get hungry. As we’ve talked about before, the average household only has enough provisions for a couple of days.”
    Emma shrugged. “I don’t like the idea of abandoning all our things. What if they get things working again, but we’re not here to protect the house? Someone could just come in and take all our stuff. Besides, what was the point of that submarine thingy you built in the basement if we’re not going to use it?”
    “She may have a point,” Diane echoed.
    The cabin wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the house. John knew that as well as any of them, but he hoped it wasn’t secretly factoring into their decision. He turned to Gregory who looked like he had something on his mind.
    “What happens after those ninety-six hours you talked about?” Gregory asked. “Will it be too dangerous to leave?”
    “ It shouldn’t be. We have Betsy.”
    “I’ll go with whatever you say,” his son said.
    “Doesn’t it make more sense to stay a few days,” Diane said, “and keep an eye on the situation outside? Besides, maybe the community could use our help.”
    That did make sense. “Okay, for now we’ll stay a day or two and see how things progress. I’ll keep Betsy fueled up and ready for an immediate evac in case things get hairy. That means there’s an incredible amount of work to do. Gregory, run upstairs and begin filling the bathtubs in the master bedroom and the one next to your bedroom with water. Make sure the tub itself is scrubbed before you do so.” He turned to Emma. “I need you and your mom to bring the water and canned food I bought down to the pod and place it in the pantry.”
    “Shouldn’t we board up all the windows?” Diane asked.
    “Not all of them. That’ll be a dead giveaway that we’re in here and have stuff worth taking. For now we want to blend in and look like any other house on the block. We’ll also need to create a stash with some food and weapons and bury it in the backyard in case we’re overrun.”
    “Overrun?” Emma was giving him a strange look, like he was being too paranoid.
    “You wanted to stay in Knoxville, well, this is the price. There’s a chance roving bands might form to loot and plunder. We have to be ready in case that happens.”
    “Your father’s right .” Diane turned to Emma. “Let me get out of this skirt and throw some jeans on before we get started.”
    John headed into his basement office for the gun safe he kept in the corner. From there he took out one of his two Ruger SR22 pistols and a box of Winchester .22 bullets.
    He was heading back upstairs when Diane intercepted him.
    “I thought you were getting changed?”
    “I will,” she said. “But first I’d like to know where you’re going with that gun.”
    “Next door to have a friendly conversation with Al.”

Chapter 10
    J ohn went out the back sliding door and hopped the fence into Al’s backyard. He didn’t want anyone in the neighborhood seeing him going back and forth. He’d already been less than pleased at having to parade Betsy around the whole community.
    John knocked on Al’s back door and his elderly neighbor peered out at him from the blinds. A second later he opened up.
    “You had me frightened to death, John,” Al said, holding a baseball bat.
    “Bad guys don’t knock,” John told him as he entered. “I wanted to check in quickly with you and Missy. See how you’re holding up.”
    “ ’Bout as good as one could expect under the circumstances.” Al closed the door. “Did you find Diane and the kids?”
    “T