We waited at the drop point for 2 days before climbing back up the mountain. Hungry, discouraged, but mostly worried. Where was our Dad? He would have never left us up here without a word. We only were able to communicate via letters he left with our supplies, to lessen the chances of being caught. Each exchange were of his warnings to stay hidden and how he misses and loves us both. We would reciprocate with optimism leading him to believe we were kicking back and enjoying nature. We didn't want to worry him too much. It was bad enough he was forced to leave us. Being vaccinated himself it was too dangerous for him, but if he thought we weren't doing well, he would risk it.
I used to love it up here. I would spend summers with Grandpa learning to hunt, forage, and survive in the elements out in these hills. Something about roughing it was always an adventure to me.
Of course my love for nature didn't end there. It followed me into adulthood. Driving me to shape my career around botany. I was in my 3rd year of college when the pandemic broke. Everything coming to a screeching hault.
My sister Ashley chose another path. She was always the book smart and socially introverted type. She was working on an ambulance as an EMT when shit hit the fan. She's seen the worst of it. Even more so after the vaccine began taking it's toll.
Both of our past occupations and hobbies have certainty come in handy this last year.
"What will we do about food?"
I jumped at her sudden break in the silence that has lasted most of our hike back up to the cabin.
"We try to make what's left last. Then hunt, forage, and fish. We'll figure it out."
She shot me a dry unamused look. None of those activities were her strong suits.
"And when winter comes? What then?"
"Look, something must have held Dad up. He may still come. We'll check back in a couple of days. But for now, let's just take it day by day, okay?".
Ashley clenched her fist at her sides and turned back from a few paces up the trail to face me fully.
"It's the 10th! We've made 4 trips up and down this God forsaken mountain." she spoke as if I were to have all the answers. The downside to being the big sister.
"I know...I hope he's okay."
"HIM?! YOU HOPE HE'S OKAY?! WE'RE GOING TO FUCKING DIE UP HERE!"
I straightened and glared at her.
"I won't let that happen.."
She stared at me intensely for a minute, then her expression sofened.
"Okay, I know, I'm sorry...this is just too much. Too hungry, too tired. But I do trust you." She turned and started upward again.
I watched her from down the hill a moment before continuing after her. God, I hope I don't let her down.
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We arrived at the little hidden cabin late in the afternoon. This place has definitely seen better days. I spent most of my time on the front covered porch. Keeping an eye out for predators or any sign of intruders. Though, no vaccinated person dare venture out here with their newly developed, and very fragile immune systems. Strong immune system or not, we needed to find food, and fast, or we would meet our own end out here.
"I'm going hunting tonight. Finish chopping the wood and have a fire ready. I'll return by dawn."
She dropped her bag on the ground by the first step to the cabin.
"Should I come with you?"
I smiled at the thought of her sitting in a tree stand.
"Nah, you never know when to shut up. You'll scare everything away."
She rolled her eyes and flipped me off before striding into the cabin.
I washed up and dressed in warmer wear. Then ate a few bites of one of the last cans of vegetables we had remaining. Leaving the other half of the can for Ashley I ventured out to find Grandpas old tree stand.
I walked down the now barely visible trail that led to a small opening in the woods. The sun was begining to set and the breeze began to chill the sweat coating my exposed skin. The long bow began to feel heavy over my shoulder as exhaustion started to set in.
A large boulder marked the tree I spent many early mornings in with Grandpa. Looking up, I smiled, the platform held after years of abandonment. I forced myself to climb up to the stand. I brushed off the fallen foliage with my free hand and tested it's durability with one foot.
Satisfied, I slowly sat on the ledge hoping my luck wouldn't run out and end up on my ass at the base of the large oak.
I allowed my mind to wander back, to before we were simply surviving. Not as much to the sorely missed creature comforts, but more so to my family. My Mother. She was so beautiful. Such a brilliant mind. A radiant soul. She saved countless lives as a Doctor before she herself became ill with the very virus that she fought relentlessly. Tears stung my eyes as I recalled the last images of her through the hospital viewing glass, clingling to life. Unable to touch her. To tell her I was sorry for all of the stupid childish arguments. Virus be damned, I wanted to kick down that door and hold her and tell her she wasn't alone. Just as my thoughts became unbearably dark, I heard a small crack from across the meadow from where I was perched. I froze as I saw a doe cautiously step into the clearing. Silently, with shaking hands, I raised my bow. I took slow deep breaths and narrowed my eyes towards the grazing doe. Clearing my mind I drew back the arrow. I exhaled with a small prayer to my mother and released. The doe lifted it's head a second too late. The arrow found it's target and the doe fell to the ground. My body almost went limp and I braced myself against the tree behind me. I climbed down and made my way toward the ever still animal laying on the ground. A perfect shot.
I knelt before the doe and pulled the arrow. I began to unsheath the knife at my waist when a small sound came from the tree line. I lept to my feet before I saw the sorce of the sound. Two small fawns walked cautiously around the trees into the meadow and stopped as the saw me. My heart dropped and I nearly wept. I looked away quickly and decided I would drag the doe off and dress her elsewhere before taking her back to the cabin.
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I felt numb as I ambled my way back up the hill with our dinner in tow. Ashley had done what I asked for once. The wood was chopped and placed neatly by the front door.
"You did it! Holy shit Layla, you did it!"
I scoffed, and hoisted the doe onto the outdoor picnic table.
"You have so little faith. Did you get the fire going?"
"No shit."
She pointed to the smoke rising out of the chimney.
"We can eat a portion tonight, but we have to smoke the rest and save it for later."
I began to carve the deer on the table. Ashley watched making the occasional disgusted noise but her face was plastered with fascination.
I wrapped most of the cuts in a bag and placed it by the door and went straight to cooking tonights portion of venison on a spit over the fire inside.
We ate in silence, eating at the small kitchen table for the first time in what seemed like forever. Determined to savor every bite until we were so full we could hardly move from our chairs.
I woke up with my head cradled in my arms on the kitchen table. My sister asleep on the floor sprawled out in front of the fire place, still in her day clothes. I went to pick her up and carry her to her bed, but was interrupted by a large noise just outside the door of the cabin. Ashley jerked awake as I nearly dropped her. She was just about to cuss me when I clasped my hand over her mouth and pointed to the door. She silently took her footing and stepped back slowly behind me. The old cabin door shuddered and a loud huffing sound came through the seal of the doorway. Loud clashing sounds and gutteral noises sounded from the window behind us, causing Ashley to let out a small shriek as she grabbed my hand. I turned to her and put a finger over my lips. I whispered to her.
"Stay low, go to the closet and close the door."
Surprisingly, she didn't argue, and made her way to the closet as I crept up to the window.
Bears. A family of Black Bears. I cursed myself as I watched the bears lapping the deer carcass I left on the picnic table. The bagged saved venison now torn to pieces and splayed across the front porch. Stupid, how could I have been so careless. I knew better.
Anger washed over me. I glanced around to find my bow. Then remembered that I had left it propped against the tree next to the picnic table. Helpless. We were helpless. The door thudded once more. Not trusting the structural integrity of the only obstacle seperating us from the bears, I swallowed my pride and quietly slid into the closet with my sister. Hunting knife in hand, I pressed her back behind me once more.
Hours passed. We woke to the sunlight creeping through the cracks of the closet door. I listened for any signs that our unwelcomed guests still lingered. We emerged after hearing nothing but birdsong. The bears had not made it inside. But the damage dealt outside was enough to make me curse and throw the nearest rock into the the thick of the woods.
"What do we do now?"
Ashley muttered almost under her breath.
"We go back to the cache and pray dad made a drop."
I almost collapsed when I caught sight of my now broken bow.
"And what if he hasn't come? We can't make the trip back with empty stomachs Layla".
I closed my eyes and tilted my head back to feel the warmth of the sun on my face. After a deep breath and let out a large sigh, I turned to her.
"Then we descend to the town for supplies."