Chapter Twenty-Four
The snow continued to fall for what seemed an eternity, leaving us once again buried. We dug tunnels through the snow, connecting each of our homes, the barn, the greenhouse and fort. The winter passed slowly, although Jax and the Higgs girls eased the time greatly as their playfulness was always a source of delight. Buzz also added to our entertainment as he played and pounced in the snow, keeping us all entertained.
We met in the greenhouse each morning, gathered eggs for breakfast and searched for ways to pass the time. The greenhouse worked wonderfully during the winter. It was still much too cold for most crops, but the chickens and fish remained warm enough to survive and we utilized the space for most of our socializing. The A-frame style construction also limited the weight load of the snow, from which we had no problems. The pigs and horses stayed within the confines of their barn, offering little fuss.
Rae and I enjoyed the company, yet as always, enjoyed each other’s a bit more. We played with Jax, amazed at how quickly he was growing. He had been crawling for a short time and although awkward, was quickly mastering the art, becoming nearly too fast for us to catch him. It had been a busy summer and we enjoyed the days of solitude together.
We decided to take a trip in the spring and return to our home in Ohio to gather whatever supplies remained in our warehouse. We feared however, the significant risks of travelling, especially with Jax. The country was in turmoil and it would likely be a treacherous journey. I considered taking the journey alone, or bringing Ethan, Kev or Billy. The winter was far from over and we had plenty of time to discuss it, as we remained buried deep under the snow.
Angie’s belly grew larger and before long, Mary Jane’s did as well, an obvious side effect of seclusion. Spring eventually came and slowly began to whittle away the snow. Our tunnels soon revealed the bright sun, which formed a thick ice shell over the snow with its burning glare. They battled for weeks before the snow finally gave way to the sunlight, which once again took over the mountains.
The coming of spring also brought a baby girl. Erica Boone was an adorable lil’ poo pumper and her daddy would certainly be proud. We saw his eyes in the baby girl and she joined us as we finally took him to Frosted Nipple and laid him to rest. As we remembered him, we found peace in the knowledge that he would remain here. He would forever look down upon us from the mountaintop, watching over ‘Stronghold’, watching over ‘This Land We Call Home’.
~The End~
Other Titles from Backwoods:
Off Grid Series
Written by Backwoods
Unremembered
Written by Backwoods
Prequel to Off Grid
After a fatal crash, Ethan Wolfe must survive the wilderness to evade capture. He flees to Colorado to seek asylum with friends, only to find them facing an evil beyond imagination. A twisted dream and a shocking premonition leave him wondering if they face the evil or are the cause of it.
Off Grid
Written by Backwoods
Johnny & Rae Lynn Tapper find safety in solitude, hidden deep within the shelter of the Rocky Mountains. Terrorists have taken away the country they once knew and they survive, secluded and alone, by living off the land. They live wild new lives in a wild new world, living among the wild animals of the vast Colorado wilderness. There are no phones. There is no power. There are few people. They are completely 'Off Grid'.
Stronghold
Written by Backwoods
Book #2 of the Off Grid Series
A year and a half after terrorist attacks decimate the country, Johnny and Rae Lynn Tapper live ‘Off Grid’, secluded in the vast Colorado wilderness. They are joined by a small group of survivors, who seek refuge and bring news of hostile militias and chaos beyond the mountains. Together, they build and fortify a new town, a Stronghold, as they prepare for eminent danger. Unaware that a sadistic serial killer is secretly living among them, the deadliest threat they face does not come from beyond, but from within. Will they discover the killer before it is too late?
This Land We Call Home
Written by Backwoods
Book #3 of the Off Grid Series
Coming Soon!
Tales from the Backwoods
A Series of Short Thrillers
Written by Backwoods
Seven Years
Written by Backwoods
Tales from the Backwoods, Story #1
Seven Years is the first story of the Tales from the Backwoods. It is a short paranormal thriller about a man sentenced to seven years in prison. The harsh realities of prison are a source of fear for many reasons, although the worst fears are likely not the realities, but the unknown. This story certainly tops my list of fears.
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~Backwoods~