Free Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse by William H. Weber Page A

now, I’m happy to act as an advisor to the committee until we secure the area.”
    That seemed to satisfy people.
    “Willow Creek is a cul-de-sac,” John went on. “There’s one way in by car and one way in by foot from the park at the other end of the street. I suggest while we’re assembling the committee and having our first meeting, the rest of you push stalled cars and trucks in the way to create a roadblock where Willow Creek meets Pine Grove and a barricade and checkpoint at the cul-de-sac by the park.” He looked to Peter. “Would you mind overseeing that?”
    Peter nodded. “I’m on it.”
    John turned to Al. “Now we gotta figure out who’s on this committee.”

Chapter 16
    T here had been talk of voting people onto what was quickly becoming known as the Willow Creek committee, but with everyone scrambling to create the barricades and gather what water they could, it was left to John to decide.
    Gregory had joined the group at the corner of Willow Creek and Pine Grove while Emma had disappeared into the house. News of the attack on Brandon and his family had been hard on her.
    “I don’t like having this much power,” John told Al and Diane, who had followed him back to the house.
    “I know , honey, but it won’t be for long.”
    John wasn’t convinced of that.
    “You tried to back out and they wouldn’t let you,” Al told him. “It’s not like you were vying for it.”
    “That’s the problem. When people are frightened, they have a tendency to hand over all their power to the first person who stands up.”
    Al put his hands on his hips. “Well, we better get to work figuring out who’s on this committee before they elect you king.”
    All three of them laughed uneasily.
    “ I don’t want anyone with a political background,” John said.
    “Is that why you didn’t want me talking to Dan Foster when I mentioned him during the block party?”
    “That was one reason. I know he worked in the mayor’s office once, but the last thing we need is anyone who’ll be inclined to game the system for their own advantage.”
    “Well, that’s rather cynical,” Diane said.
    “I’m not saying Dan’s corrupt,” John clarified. “Let’s face it, whether we like it or not, politics nowadays has become a game. Doesn’t really matter if you’re working for the local mayor or the president. I simply want to avoid anyone who’ll be inclined to play politics when what we really need in the next few days is solid action.”
    “I see your point,” Al said and Diane nodded too. “We also don’t want people who’ve never had to make a hard decision in their entire lives.”
    “Good point,” John said. “Opinionated is all right too, so long as they can provide a solution to the problem they bring up. I don’t want a dysfunctional group of people complaining to one another. I think we need to break this down into sectors and recommend someone who has experience in that given area.”
    Diane seemed to think that was a great idea. “Food management, clean water.”
    “Those are two big ones,” John said. “We also need security, health.”
    “What about someone to liais e with other communities and local authorities?” Al added.
    “And information,” Diane said. “People want to know what’s going on in other parts of the city, maybe even the country. We should have a group dedicated to gathering info and keeping the rest of us updated.”
    John nodded. “Yeah, and I hate to say it, but that information they collect will need to be vetted first.”
    “Real ly, John?” Al said, recoiling. “That sounds an awful lot like censorship to me.”
    “I think the First Amendment’s important, believe me, but with so many rumors flying about, it doesn’t do us any good to spread anything that we can’t substantiate. I don’t want these people believing the National Guard’s about to swoop in and save us if most of the troops have gone home to protect their own