Surviving the Apocalypse with my Multiplier System novel Chapter 243

At Fred's Ranch.

While most of the residents somewhat recovered, they were eating through the supplies that Liam previously brought. It had been less than a week since his last visit and Fred was already starting to ration their remaining water supply.

"Fred! Bad news! Another cow died, this time it was a young one", a short stubby woman said. She was part of the cattle herding crew and came over to report that they lost yet another cow.

Fred shook. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to keep it together before a full-blown-out panic would spread through their settlement.

He took a deep breath, "Do the same as the other cows. Butcher it and take it to the smoker."

Unless the cow died from disease they wouldn't let it go to waste. These days the kitchen crew was working overtime, processing the meat into jerky, sausages, and other smoked meats. They tried to use as much as they could, even using the bones to make broth.

The woman nodded and ran off to deliver the instructions. Fred took a seat on the steps of the front porch, trying to find a solution to this problem.

-

His family had lived on these lands for generations and they never had an instance where all of the wells dried out.

While they were situated near the mountains, all of the streams were located on the opposite side. He had also tried to ask the Ice Tigers for a water trade but they came to him first asking the same thing.

All of the water supply ran out in the city, causing the chaos to begin to spread outside. While the Ranch was still somewhat safe due to its deal with the leader of the Ice Tiger gang, he wasn't sure how long that would last if they got desperate.

-

"I wish I knew what to do. Without water we won't survive", he said.

He was doing his best to keep himself together because he knew that the rest of them were relying on him. If he began to panic then everyone else would follow.

As he sat there contemplating different solutions Rita came home to deliver even more bad news.

"Molly is still in very bad condition. I'm not sure if she will make it", she said somberly.

Fred stood up abruptly. He felt his hands shake as tears welled in his eyes.

"I'll go see her. Maybe we have something that will help? Let's bring more water."

His words were shaky as he desperately tried to offer any suggestion.

Rita watched him shake as he walked forward. She placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping him from moving forward.

"Fred. This isn't your fault. You've done everything you possibly could for all of us."

Her words caused him to break, releasing all of the worries and fears he's been holding back since the disaster started.

"Everyone is looking up to me. They voted for me to be the leader. They placed all of their trust in me! Now look at us. We're barely holding on! If it wasn't for Liam's timely arrival I don't even know where we would all be right now!"

He broke down crying. He wasn't sure if he would be able to live with himself if someone died.

Rita shook her head, "Fred. Listen to me. No one's expects you to wave your hand and summon rain out of the sky. We all already feel like you've done so much. You work harder than any of us, and we see that. Don't blame anything but this new and unpredictable world we're trying to survive in".

Rita's eyes widened! She hadn't thought of that! While their root cellar was on the smaller side, fitting a person inside wouldn't be an issue! _{freeweɓnøvel.com}