Page 17 of My Apocalypse Mountain Man
"Fine. We plan it properly. Time it right, minimize exposure."
"Have I ever suggested we do anything stupid?"
"There was that time you wanted to investigate the smoke signals—"
"That was recon!"
"In the middle of a blizzard."
"It was strategic!"
Before I can defend myself further, we both freeze. Engines. Multiple vehicles, approaching fast.
We're at defensive positions immediately, weapons ready. Through the trees come two vehicles, moving quickly but cautiously. The lead truck looks familiar.
"It's Tom," Kole says, lowering his rifle slightly. "From Old Pines."
Tom climbs out, grinning, followed by three others I don't recognize. There's tension in his shoulders despite the smile.
"Sierra! Kole! Good to see you both alive and well."
"Tom." I embrace him briefly, genuinely glad to see a friendly face. "What brings you all the way up here?"
"Honestly? Gratitude. And maybe a little bit of self-interest." He gestures to his companions. "This is Dr. Kim, Jim, and Janet. We wanted to thank you both in person."
Over the next hour, they explain. The communication network I helped coordinate during the herd attack saved dozens of lives. People who would have been trapped or separated made it to safety because someone was coordinating information.
"It made us realize how vulnerable we've been," Tom says. "All these settlements, trying to survive alone. No real way to warn each other, coordinate, help each other out."
"What are you suggesting?" Kole asks carefully.
"Nothing formal. Nothing complicated." Tom leans forward. "Just... what if we kept the morning check-ins going? Old Pines, your mountain station, maybe a few other settlements. Just to stay in touch. Share information. Coordinate supply runs when it makes sense."
"Like a neighborhood watch," Sarah adds. "But bigger."
"We're not asking you to commit to anything," Jim says quickly. "Just... stay connected. That's all. We'll bring supplies when we can, you keep us posted on what you're seeing from up here. Everyone benefits."
Kole looks at me, and I can see the internal debate. This is everything he avoided for three years—connection,responsibility to others, the risk of caring about people he might not be able to protect.
"Can we think about it?" I ask.
"Of course," Tom says. "We'll camp tonight, head back in the morning. No pressure either way."
That evening, after Tom's group has settled in the expanded clearing, Kole and I walk the perimeter together.
"What are you thinking?" I ask.
He's quiet for a long moment. "Tactically, it makes sense. Better information, shared resources, backup if something goes wrong."
"But?"
"But it changes things. No more just the two of us figuring things out on our own."
I stop walking, turn to face him. "Is that what you want? Just the two of us, isolated up here forever?"
"A month ago, I would have said yes immediately." He stares out at the forest. "Now I'm not sure isolation was the strategy. Maybe it was just fear."
"What are you afraid of?"
