Bella - Passion, Born out of Aggression: Bella, #4

Chapter One.

Preparation Day.

After securing the Ferret safely in the barn, Alex and Bella turned their attention to the impending journey to Scotland set for the following dawn. The anticipation had made it sound easy, but the reality was a puzzle of logistics that left them scratching their heads. What food should they pack? How much would be sufficient for the duration of their journey? Their major quandary revolved around the limited space within the armoured Ferret. They needed space to move, operate, and live, yet had to accommodate their essentials.

To keep their perishables fresh, they opted for two cool boxes. The armoured vehicle's interior, they discovered, could become quite stifling, and these boxes were crucial. However, this choice meant sacrificing space for other items on their list. Storing dry foods like rice and pasta wasn't much of a challenge; they could be kept in bags. But fresh produce and dried meats were another story. These had to be stored in cool conditions; otherwise, they'd spoil before they even had a chance to consume them.

Gearing up for any potential breakdowns, Alex felt the necessity of a basic tool kit. Willing to take a gamble, he decided to strap it to the Ferret's exterior. The space crunch forced them to leave behind even basic luxuries like an extra set of clothes and other miscellaneous items they had initially considered. Next on the checklist was their arsenal. Bows, the Bren gun, and the .22 pistols were a given. But if the need arose to use the bikes, they'd require lightweight rifles — one's compatible with the ammunition they were already carrying. Alex's choice fell on the 303 hunting rifle fitted with a silencer. It used the same ammunition as the Bren gun. Although its scope left a bit to be desired, it would suffice. For Bella, the .22 rifle seemed apt. Given its lightweight design and the fact that they were already carrying .22 ammunition for the pistols, it didn't pose any extra burden.

Finalising their preparations, Alex draped the jerrycans attached to the Ferret's exterior with a tarp. To further camouflage them, he cleverly disguised their form with a cargo net and stored the camping gear in sturdy plastic feed sacks. Left with little choice, he placed the two ten-litre fuel jerrycans directly into the saddlebags on his bike; there simply wasn’t any other feasible spot. Not wanting to miss out, Bella added the pair of catapults and a generous bag filled with thirteen-millimetre nuts, which her father had seized from Bobby just a week prior. It occupied minimal space and presented them with a non-lethal alternative.

Opting to steer clear of the house for the time being, Alex ignited the stove nestled within the barn's confines. Bella busied herself with preparing drinks, her hands deftly manoeuvring as steam wafted upwards. Meanwhile, Alex meticulously sorted the tools, selecting those he believed would be indispensable for their journey. He tucked them into a sports bag intended to be secured to the vehicle's exterior.

By the time Alex had everything in place, Bella was deeply engrossed in charting potential routes on one of her grandfather's Ordnance Survey maps. But there was a limitation: this particular map only detailed areas up to Bainbridge. They'd need additional maps to chart the regions further north. The ongoing fires in Skipton weighed heavily on Bella's mind. Any refugees fleeing Skipton could potentially head north, potentially causing delays for them. Bella's intent was clear: find a route bypassing both Airton and the A65. However, Alex was pragmatic. Their fuel supply had its limits, so the most direct route was the wisest choice.

Bella pondered aloud, Considering the weight we're already carrying, do we possess anything to siphon petrol from vehicles left behind?

Recognising the logic behind her thought, Alex replied, Solid point. But anything for that purpose can be fastened outside without adding much weight. Give me a moment; I'll fetch something from the garage.

When Alex returned, he held two segments of translucent hose and, curiously, a drain rod. Bella's brow furrowed in confusion. What's the purpose of the drain rod?

Explaining its utility, Alex said, In instances where a car is equipped with an anti-siphon mechanism, this rod can typically break through it.

Nodding, Bella acknowledged, Makes sense.

She then added with a touch of resignation, I don't think I have a choice; I'll have to inquire if my grandfather possesses additional maps.

Concern evident in his eyes, Alex offered, Should I accompany you?

Bella responded, No need. I'll return as swiftly as possible. Her tone carried an underlying note of trepidation, hinting that this task might not be as straightforward as it appeared.

While her determination was clear, there were still those who sought to deter her from her chosen path. They even resorted to employing Bobby in a tactic that reeked of emotional manipulation. Rachel, too, had voiced her concerns, particularly with Alex's decision to embark on this journey.

While Bella was in search of a map, she stumbled upon her grandfather. He was engrossed in feeding the pigs, with the boys assisting him. Without hesitating, Bella broached her main concern. Granddad, do you happen to have a map that covers the route to Scotland?

His response was tinged with regret. I’m afraid I only have maps detailing our immediate area, he admitted.

However, Daz chimed in with a glimmer of hope, I recall seeing a map book in that yellow van we emptied. I might know where it is. Just give me a moment.

Bella's grandfather, ever concerned, sought clarity on their intentions. So, you're still set on this journey?

Bella's answer was resolute, albeit touched with a hint of sadness. Yes, we are. However, it won't be a lengthy trip. Alex wants to see if he can find common ground with Rachel, she explained. He just needs closure regarding his uncle's well-being.

Daz made a timely return, possibly preventing further probing questions from Bella's grandfather. He held a substantial blue book, embossed with the words Railway Property. A quick glance was enough to ascertain its invaluable nature. The map not only detailed routes but also vividly displayed the rail network, varying terrains, and a plethora of other useful information.

Alex was particularly impressed by the intricate details on the map. Using a yellow highlighter, likely left behind by the children, they began to trace their intended route, making it a point to circumvent densely populated areas. However, with every scan, more obstacles emerged, making their journey appear increasingly challenging. Bella momentarily entertained the idea of another horse easing their passage, but quickly dismissed it. The security afforded by the armoured vehicle was unparalleled. Once content with their primary route, they marked it out. Subsequently, with a red felt pen, they identified points where the railway lines could serve as potential escape routes if circumstances demanded. The map, accompanied by a handful of pens, was then securely stored in the Ferret. Bella also added a personal touch, placing two of Bobby's cherished drawings and stowing her treasured Samurai sword in a concealed compartment.

The atmosphere during dinner was thick with unspoken emotions. An underlying tension pervaded, with no one willing to address the imminent departure in the morning. Hoping to find solace in sleep, Bella headed to bed early, with Alex following suit not long after.

Once the stillness of night settled, Bella, thinking everyone was in deep slumber, slipped out of her room. She wanted a few private moments to bid farewell to Sheba and Jet. However, she hadn't anticipated encountering Vincent. There he was, reclining on the porch in her grandmother's familiar rocking chair.

A touch of surprise evident in her voice, she inquired, What brings you out here at this hour?

Vincent's gaze remained fixed on the night sky. On nights like these, sleep eludes me, he began, a hint of wistfulness in his tone. Gazing at the vast expanse of stars... it's humbling. It reminds me of how minuscule our existence truly is. The contrast between the vast universe and our tiny presence can be quite grounding. What about you?

She hesitated momentarily before admitting, I wanted a moment to say my goodbyes to Jet. And Sheba... I fear she won't comprehend my sudden absence.

Vincent's reassuring tone cut through the quiet of the night. Fear not. I'll ensure they're well taken care of during your absence. And as for your father and Jet... I doubt he'd have the heart to harm a soul.

Bella chuckled softly, That's an undeniable truth.

Vincent, reaching into his pocket, produced an old compass. Before I forget, I intended to give this to you earlier, but our paths seldom crossed today. My father handed this compass to me when I joined the army. It was his way of ensuring I'd always find my way back. Now, it's your turn. Let it guide you home.

Overwhelmed, Bella whispered, Thank you. I'm at a loss for words.

Vincent smiled gently. No need for words. Go bid your farewells. And gets some rest. You will need to be alert out there.

Chapter Two.

Slow going.

The early morning was imbued with a sombre undertone. Bella and Alex had intended to make a discreet departure at dawn, but her perceptive grandfather was already steps ahead. Before the first light had fully emerged, he was bustling in the kitchen, having prepared a warm breakfast and steaming beverages for their journey.

While Bella yearned to bid farewell to her young brother Bobby, she chose not to disturb his peaceful slumber. The muted rumbling of the Ferret coming to life outside the barn signalled that it was time. As it did, her father emerged, evidently coming to an end of his watch alongside Sandra. Approaching Bella, he wrapped her in a brief but tender embrace.

Return safely, he whispered, his voice quivering with suppressed emotion. Without lingering, he retreated to the attic, but not before Bella caught a glimpse of the unshed tears glistening in his eyes. His brief interaction and hasty exit left Bella a tad perplexed.

Sensing her confusion, her grandfather ambled over, offering an explanation. Your father wanted to avoid a prolonged goodbye. The mere thought of possibly never seeing you again weighs heavily on his heart. He didn’t want the lasting memory to be a heated debate. He paused, collecting his thoughts. When I left for war, my own parents mirrored his sentiments. But I digress... I, too, shall deeply miss you and will constantly worry about your well-being.

His voice grew stern yet caring. Always be cautious. Think things through, avoid unnecessary risks, steer clear of strangers, and, above all, stay safe. Turning his gaze to Alex, he added, And you, young man, ensure she remains protected at all times. With that, he opened the gates, permitting their departure.

The initial part of their journey was rather unremarkable. Opting for the lesser-travelled path, they anticipated the farmer's field and ford to be their primary obstacles, but to their surprise, the bridge was free from any blockage. As they neared Airton, the sight of multiple groups, presumably displaced residents from Skipton, greeted them. Anticipating such a scenario was the reason they had chosen this roundabout route. With caution and patience, they manoeuvred through the throngs of people, bypassing the main part of the village to head in the direction of Settle instead of Melham.

While most of their encounters with scattered groups were relatively straightforward - a wary glance at the formidable Ferret was usually enough to persuade any would-be blockers to step aside. But they still faced frequent pleas. Desperation painted on faces of those who begged for essentials or a place onboard. Bella's decisive action, firing warning shots into the sky, served as a clear signal for most to clear the way.

However, not everyone heeded the warning. A particular group, composed of five individuals - three men and two women - posed a significant delay. Their initial passive resistance, merely standing as obstacles, gradually escalated to a more aggressive stance. Stones were hurled and the Ferret's sturdy exterior endured pounding fists. A brazen teenager even attempted to scale its front. Alex toyed with the idea of deploying a tear gas grenade to disperse them, but the proximity made it impractical.

The tipping point came when one especially audacious individual set sights on their bikes. Bella's patience wore thin. Swiftly and assertively, she unlatched the turret hatch, preparing to confront them.

You are pissing me off! she shouted at the man. We have a long way to go. If you think I am going to let you get away with stealing from us, just try me. You have three seconds to get off the vehicle.

Yeh right, you are not going to do anything, he said.

The confrontation escalated when the presumptuous man continued his efforts to steal their bikes. Bella, exasperated and firm in her intent, issued a final warning to the man, giving him a brief countdown to relinquish his misguided pursuit. Ignoring her threat and visibly doubting her resolve, the man persisted. True to her word, at the end of her count, Bella took aim and fired, hitting him in the arm. The shot sent him tumbling from the Ferret, shock etched on his face. The remaining members of his group, now keenly aware of Bella's determination to defend her property, wisely retreated, allowing them passage.

Continuing on, they neared Settle. Having witnessed the formidable armoured car, many of the town's residents preemptively cleared the path for the Ferret. However, two audacious teenagers saw an opportunity for mischief and attempted to hitch a ride. Bella's initial warning, firing shots close but not at them, proved ineffective. Thinking on her feet, she grabbed a catapult and ammunition in the form of nuts. While her initial shots missed, the third found its target, striking one of the youths in the cheek. He lost his grip, falling away from their vehicle, while his companion, recognising the gravity of the situation, halted his pursuit.

Despite their armoured mode of transport, their progress was painstakingly slow. Covering a mere twenty miles took them more than four hours. Bella ruefully considered the possibility that travelling on foot might have been just as quick, if not quicker.

Navigating through Settle proved to be a challenge as their first choice, Duke Street, was obstructed by a large van. Reversing, Alex sought an alternate route but found the next street barricaded as well. In the midst of this predicament, Bella referenced their map book and directed Alex to a road that led straight past the train station. Reaching the end of the route, Alex was momentarily puzzled until Bella indicated their escape route: the railway tracks.

Following her guidance, Alex steered the armoured car onto the tracks and turned north. The tracks posed their own challenges; either they had one wheel on the track and one off or, with a bit of careful manoeuvring, they could straddle both the north and south lines with the wheels of the Ferret. The latter option, while more stable, required Alex's full attention to avoid getting the wheels caught.

The advantage of this unconventional path was evident: they didn't encounter people. In the waning hours of the afternoon, they found a secluded, raised area past Selside, prompting Alex to suggest a halt to check the vehicle and stretch their limbs. Agreeing with him, Bella fetched some provisions while Alex inspected the Ferret to ensure everything was intact and in place.

As they progressed, their journey on the railway line paralleled the road they aimed to rejoin. From their vantage, they spotted several pedestrians, but none appeared physically fit enough to pose a threat. Despite the uncomfortable bumps on the railway that tested Bella's patience, the relative peace from the absence of desperate people was a reprieve.

Contemplating their next move, Alex inquired where they should transition back to the road. Bella presented two options: They could either rejoin the road at Ribblehead or continue on the railway tracks, which would involve navigating a lengthy tunnel. This tunnel, she pointed out, could potentially offer a secure place to shelter for the night.

Intrigued, Alex sought more information about the state of the road. Bella explained that it was a 'B' road. While there was a possibility of encountering deserted cars, the road meandered through the picturesque hills of the countryside. She expressed confidence in their ability to locate a safe spot to rest along that route.

Chapter Three.

Rachel threatens to shoot.

Bobby was disheartened that Bella departed without a farewell. His grandfather, in an effort to console him, reassured Bobby that Bella's absence would only be temporary. To distract the young boy, the grandfather proposed a shared activity.

Why not assist me with milking the goats? the old man gently suggested.

Eagerly, Bobby asked if Tina could join in the task. With his grandfather's agreement, Bobby proposed they gather some carrots beforehand. He reasoned that as they made their way to the goats, they could treat the donkey and the rabbits, which would be a delightful gesture.

Following the mention of animals, Tina's interest shifted to Jet, the horse. Eagerly, she inquired if they could pay a visit after their goat milking chore. Bobby’s grandfather nodded, mentioning they could fetch an apple from the orchard for Jet, but prioritised milking the goats first.

Elsewhere, Rachel and Brenda, having pulled a late shift on guard duty, had only risen late in the morning. As they settled down for breakfast, Bernard approached with freshly collected milk. Handing it over, he checked if the quantity sufficed.

It should be adequate for two batches of cheese. This is a trial run. If successful, we'll expand our production, responded Rachel.

Suddenly, the dogs' heightened barks disturbed their conversation. Vincent, after inspecting the scene from the living room window, hastily entered the kitchen.

We have a group approaching the property, he alerted them, referring to the strangers trekking down the track.

Bernard and Vincent, equipped with shotguns, went outside to address the newcomers. A group of eight - five women and three men - stood at their gate, looking desperate.

Leave this place, Bernard commanded sternly.

A pleading woman from the group voiced their plight. We are famished. Could you provide some food?

Bernard, with unwavering resolution, responded, Regrettably, I can't. If we share our limited supplies, we too will be left hungry.

The woman persisted, hoping to evoke sympathy. We've been journeying on foot for several days.

Standing his ground, Bernard reiterated, The answer remains unchanged. I prioritise the welfare of my family. Offering you our provisions equates to depriving my grandchildren of food. Kindly leave; there's nothing for you here.

The dogs added to the tense ambiance with their incessant barking. Rachel, showcasing a more aggressive stance, suggested a dire solution. Approaching Vincent, she said, Let's shoot a few; that should send a clear message. Subsequently, she took possession of his shotgun.

The threat posed by Rachel with the shotgun was enough to startle the group. As she pointed it directly at the pleading woman, the gravity of the situation became clear. Rachel's stern expression gave even Vincent pause, questioning if she might genuinely pull the trigger. The intimidated woman began to retreat, and the rest of her group hurriedly followed her lead.

Returning to their previous state of calm, Bernard inquired, What was that all about?

Adopting a cheeky tone, Rachel responded, I channelled my inner Bella. She handed the shotgun back to Vincent and made her way indoors.

Both Vincent and Bernard exchanged glances of astonishment, and amidst the gravity of the situation, found themselves chuckling.

Back inside the kitchen, Rachel's action elicited a tinge of remorse. Brenda, surprised by her audacious act, inquired, Why that sudden display of bravado? It's unlike you. What prompted it?

Rachel recalled Bella's advice about projecting confidence to command respect and belief. I reflected on Bella's insights regarding confidence, and it resonated with me in that situation, she shared.

She further elaborated on a daunting food calculation Bella had made, explaining the necessary calorie intake required for survival. Breaking down the figures, Rachel said, Before the CME event, a standard daily caloric intake per person was 2,000 calories, while a starvation diet equates to 1,200 calories. Annually, that sums up to 438,000 calories for each individual. On a minimum, we would need half a million calories per person to live. This translates to 2.6Kg per day making almost 1 tons of food for a single vegetarian every year. Considering there are twelve of us, we need around 12 tons of food annually. Meat, eggs and cheese will reduce this, but not by much.

Recognising Brenda's disbelief, Rachel continued, The numbers are staggering, aren't they? I was sceptical when Alex shared Bella's computations. But after doing my research, it was clear Bella was spot on.

Brenda, taken aback, inquired, Given these astounding figures, is it even feasible for us to produce such vast quantities?

Rachel was optimistic. It's achievable. The calculations Bella made are based predominantly on potatoes and mixed veggies. But, we have additional resources like eggs, cheese, flour, milk, meat, and fruit. While it seems we have plenty, it doesn’t mean we can be generous. If word got out that we were sharing food, we'd soon be overwhelmed.