1-7 (remastered) The Sick

[00:00:00] She started her day at home in the mountains just like any other. There was nothing unusual about making the familiar drive down to Sacramento to go to work. Then, in a flash, Mother Nature decided it was time to create a new landscape. Follow the journey of a dynamic young woman, mother and wife, Erica, as she is thrust into a world turned upside down by a series of natural disasters.

[00:00:30] Embark on a gripping journey with Erica in Sarah F. Hathaway's Day After Disaster. You better start talking, sweetheart. If I tell you what I know, how do I know you'll help me safely cross the river? You shouldn't ask so many questions with a gun pointed at you with nowhere to go. Oh, Sam, don't act like one of those jerks out there. Show her the crossing and let her go if that's what she needs. She's not asking for food or water.

[00:01:00] She's offering to help, so shut up. My name's Jack. We aren't going to harm you, the girl, or your horses. My name is Erica. Please, follow me. I'll show you the river crossing and a place for your horses while we talk. This is quite a community you built here. We've been trying. At least we're clean. Wow, this isn't a crossing. It's a brick.

[00:01:29] I held up my end with the bargain. You can tie your horses up there by the river so they can drink. Thank you. Please, stay here. I came to tell you all about an impending attack. When? Tonight. How do you know? What else do you know?

[00:01:55] I traveled all the way from Newcastle, keeping to the edge of the forest. I saw those men, and I heard what they said. They said they were attacking tonight with grapplers. How can we believe this girl? I mean, she's waltzing down the mountain with two horses. How'd she ever get past that patrol? I think she's a plant. You can believe what you want, Sam, but I'm telling you the truth. I have no reason to lie to you. Steve, will it work?

[00:02:24] I don't think a grappler would be able to penetrate the walls, but if they could get up and over, yeah, they could pull it down. I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you mind if I see to my horses and the girl? We have a long way to go still. I'm leaving too. Jacqueline, we talked about this. I need to see to the horses. Now I feel kind of bad for telling them.

[00:02:53] I don't like being here, knowing those men are coming. We're leaving as soon as the horses have some water.

[00:03:50] Sorry, TJ. I just love watching you. Come on over here. Really? Yeah, you want to try? Yes, sir, I do. Well then, move your feet, boy. Thank you, sir. Be careful, she bites. Dang! I told you she bites. I think I'll just watch you if that's okay, TJ.

[00:04:19] When did you get that win? It was the best birthday ever. My father just got ownership of the hotel. I cleaned it from top to bottom that day, but I got my own bedroom for the first time, and Javier and I found Sheila and Maria. Why do you call her that? That's a story for another day. Don't you have some place you need to be? Yes, sir, TJ. Then get there. Yes, sir, TJ. Okay.

[00:04:49] Okay. Burning wild, a freight train you can't stop. Like a nightmare, but this time you don't want to push you in. It takes over. You just can't let go of the worst, best thing that's ever happened to you. Where do you think they all went? It's like a damn ghost town. They're probably sheltering a place, hoping help comes before a looter does. I don't know, Major.

[00:05:19] Seems really quiet. It's creepy. What was that? Running from the grocery store? Yeah. I think it was a kid. Let's check it out. Stay frosty. In here. Chappy, Monroe, you're on point. Yes, sir. Bottom level clear, sir.

[00:05:49] Let's clear upstairs. In here, sir. Please don't hurt us. We're here to help you. Are you okay? My mom, she's really sick. Higgs, what do you think? Major signs of dehydration. Has your mom been throwing up? Yes, when she wakes up. Burgess, there's a group of refugees at the other end of town.

[00:06:17] We have to keep moving. Do you want to come with us? Yes. Get the woman ready to move. We'll take her to the med center in Fargo. Yes, sir.

[00:06:28] This is Jane Austen, otherwise known as Survivor Jane, and the voice of Dolores Chapman.

[00:07:19] I'd like to invite you to my website, SurvivorJane.com, where I write in a conversational tone on topics of how better to prepare yourself and family. You can also find links to my books, What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Emergency Survival Hygiene. And my game book, Puzzling Over Preparedness. You can also find information on Prepper Camp, the largest three-day preparedness event in the country every fall. Hosted by myself and my husband, Rick Austin.

[00:07:55] We've decided to leave as well. Really? Where will you go? I don't know, but those men are just gonna keep coming until they have accomplished their goal and were dead or captured. Once the winter comes, this place is gonna be a mud hole anyway. I'm headed up the mountain. My horses could help carry your stuff. We sure would appreciate that. They're coming soon. We need to move fast. We aren't leaving quietly. We have defensive water cannons.

[00:08:25] And we're going to rig the generator to blow the bridge. That should slow them down. It's going to be a challenge for Kit to pull a cart in this mud. And we better get them headed out as soon as possible. Who's going with the cart? We're sending Richard and Joan. They survive with their four-year-old and they're taking care of another child they found lost in the neighborhood. We don't need them in battle. Taylor, Rainey and Kim will go with you to make sure they're safe.

[00:08:55] We have two more groups pulling hand carts. We're gonna send them in different directions. We'll all meet up at the top. That way, if any team has followed, only one falls. I'm out of here. I can't wait to see my kids again. Thank you for giving me the motivation, Erica. Y'all packed in? I'm all set. I'm gonna miss you. But I understand.

[00:09:41] Cuny inside. Jacqueline, run!

[00:09:52] Are you hungry yet? Yes, sir.

[00:10:22] Teresa? Yes, TJ? Take him a small cup of water. Anytime you like. All you have to do is make a choice. What are you going to do with the woman you brought in last night?

[00:10:52] Whatever I want. She tried to kill me. Your choice doesn't just indicate your pain anymore. But I could be benevolent as well. You've seen the loyalty of my community.

[00:11:23] Teresa? Yes, TJ? Who made you serve me? No one. You saved our town. I serve you because I want to. You see? I'm trying to save these communities. We need to reserve supplies to save as many people as we can. I don't want to fight. Your leader in Henderson chose to attack me. Tell me his name, and you and your sister can stay here, be fed,

[00:11:53] and fight for me. Choose wisely. You'll kill me if I tell you. Teresa, please go to your room. Yes, TJ.

[00:12:31] Please don't do this. Please, sir. Don't touch her. You can end it all right now. Arnold, don't you tell a thing.

[00:13:03] I don't know. Your sister just told me you know. So don't freaking lie to me. Man that likes pain. Let's see how you like this.

[00:13:34] Touch her. Arnold, I don't give second chances. But if you tell me right now, I'll give your sister one. It's Kelly Doyle. His name is Kelly Doyle. I'm an arrow. Can you stop me? I can go with...

[00:14:18] This is L. Douglas Hogan, voice of TJ Swinson. You can follow me at Amazon or go to facebook.com slash honor your oath. I look forward to seeing you there. But she's sick and needs help. Is she a landowner? What does it matter? She needs help. I understand. But as you can see, our beds are full. We can make room, but we have to reserve the spots for landowners. Take her to the FEMA camp. That's where we're shipping all the sick refugees.

[00:14:48] These are people, doctor. National triage, Major. This flu is kicking our butts. If you have supplies, I'll take them, but I can't take more refugees. If I bring you more supplies, will you take her? I'm sorry, Major Virgis. I can't. Good luck getting supplies then. Should we take her inside? No. We have to take her to Minneapolis.

[00:15:20] This medical facility is full. You're not looking too good, Virgis. I'm fine. Let's move out. Why don't we take her to Earl? You know he'll help. I like the way you think, Chappy. Major, I'm not feeling so good.

[00:15:49] No, Star. Stay here. No, Erica. Don't leave me. But you hold tight. Don't let go. You're right. We have to get back. They're going to blow the bridge. And we're on the wrong side. Doug, there it is. The horse. Those girls are riding it.

[00:16:19] Hang on. We'll be safe once we're past the cammys. Cross it before it blows. Riding. Do you understand?

[00:16:46] Do you need to keep riding? I'm not losing.

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[00:17:49] Yes, TJ. Go get Yuri. I'll be back in a moment. You asked for it to me? Looks like I won the bet. You always win the bets.

[00:18:19] That's because I'm the best. Take Carl here and put him in the pit. Let the fighters beat him until he's dead. He told you what you wanted. You said we could have a second chance. No, darling. I told him I would give you a second chance. You reconsider. You got what you needed then? I did.

[00:18:47] And she's going to tell me the rest or she'll share his fate. Once I'm done, she's yours.

[00:19:24] How you feeling? A little better today. You're looking better, but you'll have to spend two more weeks in there. I understand. How many have we lost, Doc? Too many. You're lucky to have recovered so quickly. I'm going to put water in the doorway. Do you think you have enough energy to take it around? I can do that. Thanks. I only have so many hazmat suits. And I'd like to wait until tomorrow to use another one.

[00:20:07] Here you go, Sharon. Thank you for caring for us. Is my son okay? He was quarantined for two weeks and didn't show any symptoms. He's staying at the orphanage until you recover. Monroe, wake up, buddy. Burgess? Here, drink this. I feel like I was hit by a truck.

[00:20:37] You're going to make it, brother. What about Chappie and Higgs? We lost Higgs, but Chappie is right over there. He'll recover as well. Oh, man. That's some gnarly stuff. It's not easy to beat. We were lucky. You rest, buddy. Chappie? Chappie? Wake up. Here, drink this.

[00:21:08] Thanks, Burgess. Just rest, Chappie. You'll be better before you know it. I hope so.

[00:22:03] Thank you for listening to the Changing Earth audio drama. Based off of the novel series, The Changing Earth by author Sarah F. Hathaway. Available at Amazon or get your signed copies at www.changingearthseries.com. This content is copywritten in 2021 by author Sarah F. Hathaway.

[00:22:25] For a list of performers, music, and noise attributes, head on over to www.changingearthseries.com. Become a subscriber and help the Changing Earth world go around. Pick up your Changing Earth gear at www.changingearthseries.com. Don't forget to leave a review or like and subscribe. Stay tuned for the next episode of the Changing Earth audio drama.