Read Will of Man - Part Two for Free Online Page A

jugs, extra clothes, medicines, ammunition, etc.
     
    Before we set down the road, Dad handed everyone a backpack. He explained each bag was vital to our survival if ever we get separated and should never leave our side. He went on to explain that each bag had a pistol with ammunition, a knife, a first aid kit, two MRE’s (military Meals Ready to Eat), a thermal blanket (which looked like a roll of tin foil), a couple lighters placed inside zip lock bags to keep them dry, a whistle, a wetsuit from our triathlon days, and a water bottle with purification tablets.
     
    Then he got really serious and showed us the maps he placed inside each bag. He explained, “These maps are our only chance to find each other if ever we get separated. If you keep anything safe, it must be these maps. These maps show how to get to our destination. The destination is Grandpa’s farm up north. If we get separated, you must follow these maps to Grandpa’s. Otherwise we will never see each other again. Don’t lose them – ever! Do you understand boys? Do you understand how important these maps are? You can never lose them. Look me in the eyes and promise me you will not lose them.”
     
    Dad was very serious and was scaring me. I couldn’t imagine getting separated and having to find Grandpa’s on my own. But then a huge part of me was distracted by the fact that my dad had just GAVE ME A GUN! Who gives a couple kids guns? I have to admit, it was scary but also kind of cool. I felt pretty tough carrying that thing around.
     
    Dad made us put our packs on including Mom. He made sure they fit snug and clipped in the front around our chests. They were not falling off unless we took them off. Surprisingly, they weren’t very heavy, considering all the stuff in them.
     
    BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! The sky around town lit up. The attack had begun on the small town of Laingsburg. The shelling was loud and you could hear the faint sound of gun fire. It reminded me of fireworks, but without the fun.
     
    My mom hugged my little brother tight. My dad took a long look our house and said softly, “Say goodbye boys. Say goodbye for now. Someday we’ll come back. This can’t last forever. Someday we’ll come back home.” And with those few words, we left.
     
    I watched as our home got smaller and smaller - until it was finally too far away to see. It was sad. I had a very good life there and now we had to leave.
     
    With my backpack strapped on, I sprawled on the floor of the wagon. I kept thinking about the ROAMERS making their way towards my house. I thought of my friends in town and how much I hoped they got away. I wondered about Hailey and how she was doing.
     
    I wondered about Sam and his family. They chose to go west. Dad said we were heading east towards Owosso, then north towards Grandpa’s.
     
    I felt my backpack to see if I could feel the pistol inside. It was the only thing I could think of to fight the ROAMERS with. I began to wonder if I could shoot someone if I had to. I hoped I would never have to find out.
     
    Tyler’s Journal Entry: 352
    Date: May 14
    Day: Thursday
    Weather: Cloudy and cold
    Days Since the LAST DAY: 2yrs, 10 months, 13 days
     
    It was early this morning (still dark) when we finally reached the city of Owosso. Owosso was the neighboring town about 20 miles away. My parents talked in low voices, but I could hear them.
     
    Mom said, “It’s too dangerous to stay here long. We need to keep moving.”
     
    My dad agreed. “We’ll take turns steering the horses, but the horses will need rest after a few hours.”
     
    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! You could still hear the faint sounds of cannons. I tried to hear any gun fire, but we were too far away. The sky still lit up from the cannons and it was an eerie reminder of the monsters behind us.
     
    The news of the ROAMERS had reached Owosso and there was a gloom over the small city. The people of Owosso were much like the rest of us - surviving.
     
    However, Owosso was more