Waiting Out Winter Read Online Free PDF

Scott well enough to know there was at least a touch of government paranoia behind his hurried exit, but they let their friend go without voicing it. Mike called from a three-day leave in Turkey to check on them. He wouldn’t be home anytime soon and only knew there was massive troop recall for support and the National Guard had been called to arms. Mike was surprised the Army would send troops from other states to his own. Nick’s imagination wondered if the Army believed it was easier to quarantine, and kill if necessary, your own countrymen as long as they weren’t your own neighbors and family members. He kept that thought to himself as well, concentrating instead on keeping everyone’s spirits up.
    Jerry and Nick made several trips covered in industrial strength repellant that permanently burned flesh where their skin was exposed at the edges of their clothing. While they were out, the women busied themselves rearranging the house to keep necessities at hand and put away those things that were no longer needed for every day life. They all tried to make life as normal as possible for the kids.
    Normal meant lying for the most part. Playing videos so the kids didn’t ask questions about why the television didn’t work. Removing the radios from sight so Hunter and Tyler wouldn’t request they be turned on. Even snagging playroom equipment and games while out for real supplies was done in the name of making things look and feel normal. Nick knew it wouldn’t last, but he didn’t know how much the children comprehended until he stumbled upon them coloring.
    “No they don’t.”
    “Yes. Mom said.” Tyler, the younger of the two, sniffled as his brother argued with him.
    “Well if it worked then we’d be outside and we’re not, so just shut up.”
    “Hey, hey. We don’t talk like that, Hunter.” Nick squatted down to talk to the boys, careful not to block the television and it’s fiftieth airing of Toy Story. “What’s going on here?”
    “Nothing.” Hunter stabbed at his paper with the dark crayon and added to the marks already scattered about the page.
    “Well, if there’s a problem you know you can come to us if you can’t work it out.”
    “Won’t do any good.” Hunter traded the dark crayon for a brick red.
    “Hunter?” Nick studied the drawing his son was working on for a few moments. It looked like a giant Popsicle dripping blood and concern knit Nick’s brows together. “So, what are you drawing?”
    “Stupid flies.”
    “Ahhh…” The Popsicle was in fact a crude flyswatter. “So these are the flies?” Nick pointed to the black dots.
    “No, these are.” Hunters finger circled the collection of red speckles between the swatter and the black spots. “Those are the dead people.”
    Nick swallowed and looked at Tyler. The boy had stopped coloring and pulled his legs up tight to his chest. His eyes welled with tears and Nick felt the lump form in his throat. “Is this what you guys were arguing about?”
    “Yes.”
    “No.” Hunter crumbled his drawing and threw it at his younger brother.
    “Hunter…”
    “Will we ever be able to go outside again?” Tyler interrupted, a tear run down his cheek and his fear caused his voice to tremble. “Mommy says we will. She says the flies will die.”
    “They will. Or at least they’ll hibernate.”
    Nick knew Tyler understood the word from all the hunting shows he’d watched with the boys, but clarified for the confused expression his younger son’s snarled lip projected. “They’ll go to sleep when it gets cold.”
    “But it’s already cold and we’re still stuck in here. I don’t want to be in here any more!” Hunter jumped up and ran to the front door. Nick stood and moved to stop him but Sarah intercepted him.
    “Honey… what’s going on?” She grabbed Hunter and pulled him to her as she gave her brother a questioning nod.
    “I don’t want to die!” Tyler wailed and ran down the hall toward the bedrooms.
    “Go…