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Post by solo on Feb 23, 2022 10:31:31 GMT -6
Wow. She’s a home wrecker and I still like her better. Yeah, that could prove problematic in the future...
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Post by texican on Feb 23, 2022 12:55:00 GMT -6
Wow. She’s a home wrecker and I still like her better. Yeah, that could prove problematic in the future... Words of wisdom from Solo. Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Feb 23, 2022 21:09:03 GMT -6
I'm pretty sure she's met her match. Of course, she may not know it... yet.
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Post by CountryGuy on Feb 24, 2022 8:30:26 GMT -6
Who knows, maybe she'll see the error in her ways and being intrigued want to mentor from him in ways of the land and turn from the life of shameless, home wrecking hussy... hey it could happen... LOL
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Post by solo on Feb 24, 2022 9:40:20 GMT -6
CHAPTER 6
“I would strongly advise you to stop, turn around and get back into your puny little tent.” The old man growled.
Veronica stopped in her tracks, but did not move. It was dark. It was cold. And the snow was piling up, mostly outside the makeshift wall. She could have sworn he was sound asleep. Curling up next to him, while appealing in some ways, was the best way to get and stay warm. her.
“Whatever you are thinking, you need to rethink it.” He said.
She did not even protest. She eventually turned around and went back into the tent. Soon there were tell-tale sounds of an adult nature coming from the tent. The old man silently shook his head to himself, I guess when the need is great, forgiveness is easy.
The next morning, he peeked out from his poncho. It was still dark, but it was starting to get light. As per usual, he slept very well. It got somewhat chilly later into the predawn. One glance at the fire told him what he already knew. The fire was out. That was his final straw. He quietly packed up, getting his tarp last.
He had set aside some saplings yesterday and this morning he took them and with some bending and lashing, he fashioned some crude but functional snowshoes. The snow had drifted in certain areas to the just above the level of the wall. He walked over to the tent. The door was open and the couple was cuddled up against the cold.
He kicked Joseph’s foot. While he stirred a bit, Veronica raised her head. “It’s cold.”
“It could be colder, the wind is mostly being blocked. But Sh$t for brains here let the fire go out. I suggest he get his A$$ up and get it started again.”
She sat up. She forgot she was naked. He raised his eyebrows and then gruffed, “You’d be a lot warmer if you had more layers on.” Unfazed, he turned to put his snow shoes on. He heard rustling behind him.
He turned back and said, “I made you both some snowshoes.” He stopped. She had stood up and was about to put on her long underwear. But she was now fully exposed to him, the cold and the world. She dropped her eyes on him and she could see that her generous assets had zero effect on him. “Karen? I am too old. I’ve seen way too much and have gotten burned too many times. You have nothing I haven’t already seen, touched, smell, heard or even tasted, so please put your clothes on before you freeze to death.”
He paused, while she blushed, “I am heading out. If you want to leave now, I would advise you two to get the lead out and get packed up. Or, I can just go and you can wait for all this to melt, you will not make out the trail until then.” With that he left the structure and went a few dozen yards and took care of some morning business.
Thinking back on it now, they did jump to and got packed up haphazardly and he led them out silently in the general direction they needed to go. After a good portion of the day, much of it spent hearing protests from the two, mostly Joseph, about lunch, breaks, water and just about everything else you could imagine. Eventually, he got them to the trail head, which turned out to be at a vacant summer camp that was closed for the winter. The couple went into one of the cabins and that was the last he saw of this couple. This time.
Thinking back on it from time to time, he was amazed at the current state of man-ness if Joseph was any indication of the current species. He remembered the stories his grandfather would tell him from his time in the South Pacific during WWII. He would always get misty eyed talking about the battle of Midway and especially the men who flew into the teeth of the Japanese. Especially the torpedo squadrons. They would line up and fly into Hell trying to get to a carrier, each one in turn getting shot down. But still, the guys in the later positions keep flying the course in the hope that they would get through and the damn torpedoes would work. Sadly on one of them, Ensign Gay, would know that their sacrifice cleared the pathway somewhat for the Dive Bombers and on that day they sunk three of the four Japanese carriers and damaged the fourth, finishing it off the next day. Those were men! They did what they had to do and went and did it. Iwo Jima, Normandy, Guadalcanal, the Battle of Aschaffenburg; all the battles where the outcome was uncertain and people were falling left and right, that generations man just kept going.
Now a days, it was all safety timeouts, safe cities, political correctness and political corruption. It didn’t matter the party, they were all corrupt and continuously looking for ways to feed their hunger for power, using the Constitution as a poop tray liner along the way. Even the Family Values folks and Evangelicals chose to back a candidate who openly cheated on his next wife while still married to his current wife, twice, had well established corrupt business practices and openly employed illegal immigrants, while openly manufactured goods with slave labor from poor third world countries. Yet, because of the apparent alternatives and limited options, the power corrupt in DC welcomed him with open arms, winning on a platform of closed borders and a trade war that emphasized everything American Made. Do as I say, never mind doing what I did and am doing. He shook his head. Now it was all riots, finger pointing, shouting to be heard and the insurrection on his capitol. That had been the final tumbler in the keyhole, when he decided to retreat and regroup. And it hadn't come a moment too soon.
International Pandemic that isn't going away, but attacking in mutated waves, tossing about supply and demand like a ragdoll which has lead currently to a wildly unstable economy sparked by a shaky stock and commodities market that our fiat based market infrastructure was not build to handle. There is no "New Deal" right around the corner. Hopefully, the super powers will stay temperate while the Sine Wave Cycle evens out over the next few waves. But he doubted it. It was time to get ready and hunker down.
He had then eased back down the way he had come and soon made sure his trail was erased.
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Post by CountryGuy on Feb 24, 2022 10:05:53 GMT -6
Great piece! Thanks
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Post by iamnobody on Feb 24, 2022 10:55:32 GMT -6
sadly, you have written the truth of the current state of things and it is going farther downwards with each passing minute.
Hitting my refresh button.
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Post by solo on Feb 28, 2022 9:01:57 GMT -6
CHAPTER 7
But that was then and this is now. The snow was constant. There was no melting now, but the times in between snow fall could be days, or weeks. The cold rarely got above zero, no matter what scale was used, though in his mind, it was Fahrenheit.
As he got settled into this, his new environment over the last few months, it did take some time to get used to the flow of things. That helped tune his senses, learning to filter out the noise and look at each situation as a whole. So, therefore, if he wasn’t hearing or seeing anything of note, he would still be able to attend to sub threshold stimulation.
Looking out on the brilliant white landscape, it was very cold, and the wind was making it almost unbearable. The man had remained still for a few minutes more. Developing this pattern when he first learned to hunt as a youngster, he found that he was able to better dial in his surroundings. It was kind of like when a submarine clears it baffles. Still, when he was still, his knees would eventually start protesting and his hands would act up.
On this stop, he held his position. He was listening. He was seeing. He was smelling. He was urging his being, projecting into the next five, ten or fifteen minutes, trying to see what was going on. If anything.
There was something there. He was near where he had built the expedient shelter. It was down the draw and to his left slightly. The screaming from his senses as he push them to their limits made it near impossible to actually make sense of any data he was receiving.
Then, there it was. It was faint, and it was felt on the wind more than actually being heard, but there was a haphazard rhythm. After he knew what to attend to, he was able to gradually make out the direction. Then it stopped.
What was it? He thought. Still, having the general direction he looked for possible approaches that would keep him away from unsuspected snow drifts and from being exposed.
After a moment or two more deliberating with himself, he determined that it was an artificial sound, manmade, and not made by any animal in the woods. That took a good portion of the food chain out of play, when he was the hunter or the hunted. He maneuvered over by a section of the woods where the snow was not as thick and led in the general direction that he wanted to go.
He moved slowly, but soon he picked up the tale tell sign of smoke. It was light at first but gradually it picked up. The picture came together. He had heard the work associated with making a fire. The wood chopping was the first stimuli he collected and the second was the fire. It was all coming from the make do camping site he had shared with the fated couple. With that realization came some memories of that wild night.
He soon came to the camp and kneeled where he could watch and see what was going on. There was a lone figure moving around inside the makeshift walls. He had left them up because it was a good location on this side of his territory and he thought to use it again. Now someone else was there.
He could not make how any characteristics of the person. They had a large white parka that lent itself well to maintain anonymity while the worked, now, to clear snow out of the inside again. There was a hammock; Bill smiled. It was almost like they were like minded on this. Though, at a little over 50 years of age, and living as hard as he had, it was almost a necessity for his tired, often protesting body.
As he watched, his mind wondering, the figure stopped what they were doing, turned and looked right at him, “I was hoping you would show up.”
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Feb 28, 2022 11:31:21 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by 9idrr on Feb 28, 2022 20:44:17 GMT -6
What a great start.
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Post by texican on Mar 1, 2022 2:32:02 GMT -6
As he watched, his mind wondering, the figure stopped what they were doing, turned and looked right at him, “I was hoping you would show up.”
Is it the girl or the guy
Solo knows.
Texican....
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Post by solo on Mar 1, 2022 10:09:17 GMT -6
CHAPTER 8
He fought hard to keep his expression neutral. It took all of his control, but for the lack of his years of experience and his training, he would have totally lost it.
He chose to remain silent. Let her make the first move.
She stood up and lowered the hood of her parka. He smiled a bit as the parka itself was a spitting image of the parka Luke Skywalker wore on Hoth before being shoved into a TanTan… for a moment he let a smile fly across his lips at the thought. It never reached his eyes.
She noticed the slight variation and wondered what it meant. “Still the strong, silent type, I see. Well no matter. I wanted to see you again so I figured if I played the damsel in distress you would come to my rescue.”
He still remained silent, realizing that he probably knew her from before she had camped with her “boyfriend” before.
“I know what you were thinking, not that convincing of a performance. Joseph had his uses, but like most men from this generation, he is soft in places where he shouldn’t be. And don’t worry, his little wifey was none the wiser.”
He tilted his head a bit to the right. She continued. “You are a difficult man to track down. Hard to find when you decided to leave the life and move off-grid.”
He finally broke his silence. “So your name isn’t Veronica?”
“Oh heavens no! And you never even bothered with your name. Though I don’t think that would matter, you have dozens of passports with dozens of names. My only question is Why Here? Why pick this place to run?”
“I know what’s coming. This is the best chance to see the other side.” He simple stated.
“Oh? What is coming?” She asked.
“I believe you know, or else you wouldn’t be here.” He countered.
“Maybe.” She said in a noncommittal way. She walked out of the structure.
“That’s close enough.” He said.
“What are you packing? What were you packing that day?”
He didn’t reply.
“Okay, so we have that out of the way.” She started to continue, but he interrupted.
“You perfected “Karen” by the way. Though I still think you have a healthy dose of that in you.” He paused. “Who sent you?”
“I wasn’t sent to kill you.” She certainly liked to change topics on a dime.
“I know. You had your chance to try a time or two, you didn’t, why?” He asked.
“Try? Oh please, there were more than a couple opportunities to finish the job, if given to me and I didn’t. I chose not to.” She snorted.
“But you didn’t. So why didn’t you?”
She sigh, “You are beginning to bore me.” She waited, watching his expressionless face. Finally, “Because there is something about you. And I know the economy is about to implode, so you are probably right about the rest.”
“You think? I know I am right. Where do you go from here? I work better alone, so what is your plan? What is your contingency?” He asked.
“Why is this place special? Why not on an island somewhere?” She countered.
He looked at her. Closely this time. “We’ve never worked together, so I have to assume you were not friendly with me when we encountered each other. And you can’t be a day over 32, so it had to be more recent.”
“Please. You never knew I was there. I was in and out before you realized it.”
His face set into a grim expression. For the life of him he could not imagine their lives intersecting. He began to think that this was all a ploy. He turned to walk away.
She waited a heartbeat or two then said, “Please, help me.” The emotion that should have been behind that plea was simply not there. It was void.
“That’s what I figured. Couldn’t you get your man toy to do something for you?
“That is a bit harsh. Are you just going to leave me alone out here all by myself?” She asked.
“You are not a damsel in distress. I am beginning to wonder if there isn’t an end to what you are capable of doing.”
“I am very capable. I was taught by the best.”
“Oh? And who was that?”
“My mother and my father. All my life lessons came from my mother. All my disappointment came from my father.” She said.
“I find that hard to believe on both counts. It is too easy and trite to lay it at the door step of Daddy Issues.” He followed.
“I know. I believed so too.”
He turned again and took a couple of steps.
“No, Please wait!” She was earnest this time.
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Post by CountryGuy on Mar 1, 2022 11:04:42 GMT -6
Hmmm him 50, her 32'ish... long lost daddy/ daughter?
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Post by iamnobody on Mar 1, 2022 12:46:57 GMT -6
A woman's life is in danger and she is still trying to play stupid games.... SMH
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Post by solo on Mar 1, 2022 13:03:40 GMT -6
Hmmm him 50, her 32'ish... long lost daddy/ daughter? Stop. Reading. Ahead..... ROFL!!!
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 1, 2022 13:47:51 GMT -6
Hmmm him 50, her 32'ish... long lost daddy/ daughter? Stop. Reading. Ahead..... ROFL!!! Solo, You need to write things in code and only decrypt them for the upload to the forum ;-) Or maybe check your computer for viruses and Trojan horses...
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Post by iamnobody on Mar 1, 2022 13:59:13 GMT -6
I hope he is not her dad. She exposed her full grown naked body to him, trying to entice him. YUCK!
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Post by CountryGuy on Mar 1, 2022 14:16:33 GMT -6
Hmmm him 50, her 32'ish... long lost daddy/ daughter? Stop. Reading. Ahead..... ROFL!!! Sorry... yes teacher I'll go to the corner now...
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Post by texican on Mar 1, 2022 19:40:21 GMT -6
Stop. Reading. Ahead..... ROFL!!! Solo, You need to write things in code and only decrypt them for the upload to the forum ;-) Or maybe check your computer for viruses and Trojan horses... Texican....
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Post by bluefox2 on Mar 1, 2022 19:59:12 GMT -6
Stop. Reading. Ahead..... ROFL!!! Solo, You need to write things in code and only decrypt them for the upload to the forum ;-) Or maybe check your computer for viruses and Trojan horses... Or at least pull your shades so we can't read your screen.
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 2, 2022 18:51:37 GMT -6
Sad when children go bad
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Post by solo on Mar 2, 2022 21:29:01 GMT -6
I hope he is not her dad. She exposed her full grown naked body to him, trying to entice him. YUCK! Yes, that and had noticable relations in the camp.... I had already gone back and rerouted that train, because that is sick and I am not going to study the electra complex now. Good thing it is just as interesting to be left with a fake karen who has an obvious interest in our protagonist for some reason who may or may not have know him in his prior profession (one which you never truly retire from) while he is trying to get ready while looking over his shoulder at the same time. Between us, I'd wish her luck and avoid her like the plague.... she has already exhibited erratic behavior with a deeper hidden motive. No one's got time for that!
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Post by solo on Mar 3, 2022 10:37:03 GMT -6
CHAPTER 9
He stopped and turned to face her. There was still about 30 yards between them. “I am going to set up here. Make this more permanent.” She was more asking than telling.
“Suit yourself. I don’t own any of this land.” He countered.
“I thought maybe you’d like to visit from time to time, or maybe I could visit you at your permanent base.”
He stood there and looked at her for a few moments. Actually, he looked through her. “Miss, you don’t have anything to offer that I desire. As I told you before, you do not have anything I need or definitely anything that I want.”
She stood looking at him. “It is nothing like that. And my dalliances with Joseph? That was just convenience. I am single and a girl has needs just like men.” She stopped, obviously gauging his reaction. His face was blank, he was hard core, she thought. Continuing, “It is just that I see what you are doing as a good thing for personal sanity and as these woods are large enough, I just thought I would do the same. I just thought from time to time, you’d like a little company.”
“Let me reassure you, I don’t need company or anything else you are offering. Still, you are your own person, you can do what you want with whom you want. And if you want to hunker down out here, that will be totally on you. I do not have the ability to fully support two people.
But let me tell you. The woods are a harsh teacher. Especially to those who don’t really know or respect them. Precision isn’t an option, it is a necessity because one small misstep in action, deed or decision could be the last you ever make. This is also one of the few places you can go and do everything exactly right and still not have a favorable outcome.”
“Then why do it. I know why I am here, but why did you.” “I am hunkering down and like this feeling of being alive. I don’t have to worry about bills, taxes or the stupidity of other people making my life harder both directly and indirectly. That is why I am anonymous. That is why I do not interact with people if I can help it. That is why as nice as you are or aren’t now, I have seen you manipulate to get what you want. You have done vile things to meet your needs. You are definitely not the Karen I took you to be at the beginning, but I do feel that personality is not too far removed from who you are.”
“Mr. You don’t know me.”
“I am afraid I do. I saw dozens of you in many different parts of this world. And this little cloak and dagger shit you are trying to carry off is just an act. Like having $3CKs with Joseph was just an act. I don’t know your end game and I really don’t need to know it. It is no factor for me.
She looked at him for moment. For a fleeting moment, she allowed the hurt at what he said filter through before she was able to hide it. “I will make us some dinner.” She turned and went into the structure and got a cast iron dutch out and some of the accessories out. She checked on her fire and it had burned down to a good bed of coals. Then she reached into the little cooler she had and pulled out a packet that held two ribeyes, and from her pack pulled out some potatoes and onions.
Suddenly, she stood up sharply and without looking in his direction she let slip an expletive and just shook her head. Just like that, he was gone.
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 3, 2022 10:49:13 GMT -6
She is certainly persistent.
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Mar 3, 2022 13:21:13 GMT -6
I like a strong Woman with a backbone, I despise a overbearing Woman that thinks beyond her right, to control others, She is hitting all around my despise button, I eagerly await to see if she pushes it, or surprises me with a valid reason to be so insistence. That's a mark of a good Writer SOLO ya keep me coming back for more.
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