Self Apocalypse: The Beginning by John French Read Free Book Online

falling into a deep sleep.
     
    I woke up to a loud crashing sound outside.  I jumped out of bed and grabbed one of the flashlights.  The light beamed out through the door as I scanned the area.  I couldn’t help but laugh as I saw the large black form of a bear slinking into the tree line.  I guess my neighbor was coming by to say hi.  I took a look at my watch.  It was only four thirty in the morning, but I was wide awake now so I got dressed.  I went out and scanned the area once more before starting the morning fire.  I had cut a good supply of wood last year, but was using deadfall branches I collected in the woods as much as possible.  I figured my fires didn’t burn long, and I wanted to conserve as much wood as I could for any circumstances in which I couldn’t get out to get wood.  Soon the fire was crackling and its warmth felt good.  A pot of coffee came next followed by some eggs and toast.  I sat by the fire eating my breakfast and listening to the river.  The night’s sky was beginning to turn blue now.  This was going to be my first morning at camp, and I was lucky enough to be up in time to enjoy the sunrise.  I just sat back with my coffee after breakfast, and waited patiently for the sun to arrive.  I was determined to relax and enjoy this moment before I set out to finish the shed.
     
    The sky went through its color phases from blue to different shades of red, then back to blue as the sun climbed into the sky.  As I viewed the entire process, I realized how lucky I was to be alive and that there was still hope on the horizon.  I let the fire burn down, and then cleaned up around the pit.  I was staring at the river while finishing up my last cup of coffee, and fighting hard to push off the urge to fish.  After all this wasn’t a vacation.  This was my new home now, and I had too much work to do.  I chose to wait until the shed was done, then I’d celebrate with an hour of fishing. 
     
    The day was a long one and ended with the posts for the raised shed being set in place.  I crammed as much of the gear and provisions as humanly possible into main shed, and set out for a short hike before dusk.  I made it a point to carry the rifle around now, and a large can of bear spray.  I wasn’t too worried about anything actually happening, but if something did I was going to be sure I was prepared.  I walked up the road that led further into the mountains.  I was kind of surprised that no one else had set up camp along this road.  I guess it was too remote.  I liked it that way though, and enjoyed the solitude out here.  You could tell this part of the road hadn’t been maintained in a long time.  It was starting to look more like a trail, and the forest seemed to be taking back its former ground.  There use to be a bridge that crossed the river connecting this part, but it washed out the last year I had stayed here with my father.  Even then I don’t think people had traveled this part in years.  The road led up to a rocky hilltop before descending into another valley.  I walked out to a spot on the hill overlooking some nearby mountain peaks.  Something near the summit of one of the peaks caught my eye.  It looked like part of a structure hidden in the pines.  Too bad I didn’t have the binoculars with me.  Guess I should carry those for now on too when I leave the camp.  Knowing I had two or more years on my hands to come back, I turned around and headed back for the camp. 
     
    It was almost too dark to see when I got back to the river.  Crossing the river in the dark, I also decided to carry a flashlight as well when went for hikes.  I should have known better anyway.  I’ll just be carrying a day pack for now on.  I was in the mountains, and you never know when you might end up not making it back to camp.  I didn’t have a coffee that night or a fire.  I just laid down in the camper and listened to the radio.  It had only been two days and already I