Free When the Power Is Gone: A Powerless World - Book 1 by P. A. Glaspy Page B

was weird to think that I wouldn’t be grocery shopping again for a while.
    I wondered what things were like outside of our little corner of the world. None of us had left the house since it happened, except Brian. It had been over 48 hours since everything went down, and I was sure a lot had changed. When I broached the subject at breakfast, Brian spoke up.
    “If you want, I can ride my bike out to the main street and take a look around. I’m kind of curious myself.”
    Russ looked at Brian and started shaking his head. “I don’t know Brian. It could be getting dicey out there. I also wouldn’t want you to go straight out of here, or come straight back, in case anyone was watching. We don’t want anyone to know we’re here, for as long as possible.” Brian nodded.
    “I agree, and I actually had a route in mind that would take me through the woods out back. I’ve ridden there quite a bit, and know my way around. What do you think?”
    Russ considered it and stood up. “Yep, I think that might not be such a bad idea, and I think I’ll join you. I can ride Rusty’s bike. Let me get the boys busy with some chores, and we can head out. Do you have a bug out bag, Brian?”
    Brian looked confused. “I might, if I knew what it was.” Russ laughed, along with the rest of us. Next lesson, Brian: prepping 101. Always have a BOB.
    “It’s a backpack that is filled with items you can use to survive if you have to leave home in an emergency situation. You put items in that you think you would need – energy bars, water filter, spare underwear and socks, a way to start a fire, an emergency blanket, a mini first aid kit – the list is long and adaptable to the person. So, you got one?”
    Brian looked thoughtful. “No, but I think I can come up with one. Give me a few minutes.” Brian disappeared into the den.
    While he was gone, Russ called the boys to him. “Okay, fellas, there’s chores to do. I want you to check with your moms to see if they need anything done, then go to the preps room and start reorganizing everything we brought over from Bob and Janet’s, as well as Brian’s stuff. We need to get everything sorted together that is the same, so when we have to start loading the trailers we can keep it all in some kind of order. I also want you to stack the wood you split yesterday. You left a mess out there. Any questions?”
    Ben and Rusty looked kind of disappointed. “But Dad, it’s not a school day. We have to work all day?”
    Russ looked at Rusty with a smirk. “Son, the world you knew before is pretty much gone. There is no screwing around all day on non-school days anymore. Everything is about food and water, heating and cooking, the act of surviving. No it will not be work all the time, but right now, it is. We have a lot to do to get everything ready to go to the farm. We all have to work on that. Understand?” Rusty and Ben both nodded and headed for the back door.
    I stepped in front of them. “Forgetting something? Brushing? Flossing?” They looked heavenward, which I think they did in an attempt to not roll their eyes in my presence. Good thing, because that would have gotten them a smack. They turned around and headed to the bathroom.
    Brian came out of the den with a nice backpack, not one of those cheapies from the dollar store. He showed it to Russ. “This is what I could come up with. Maybe you can help me finish it.” Russ looked inside. He saw a couple of bottles of water, granola bars, protein bars, gum, hard candy, socks, underwear, a hoodie, a flashlight, a lighter, a box of ammo for his pistol, a hunting knife (he hunts?), a toothbrush and travel toothpaste, and hand sanitizer. Not bad at all for a beginner.
    Russ grinned. “Really, really good start. Let me give you a few more items. Follow me. Bring your bag.” They went to the preps room. “Sorry about the mess. The boys are going to be working on straightening this up today.”
    I chimed in. “Janet and I will be