We got up and walked in the opposite direction. We met with the next gypsy group called London. We waved as we went the other way. They were going to hide in an abandoned building. I chose to stay in the front as I followed the river. I found a path where fallen logs were all over. I made a raised bed and make rock soup. I took a pot and boiled rocks with the water straight from the stream. Then I used a pair of sticks like they were chopsticks and pulled out the rocks. I placed them under the raised beds. I also put them in old shirts so I placed them in sleeping bags. I put a few in a pair of the unused socks so it can be used as hand warmers. I made sure which ones I am using since there are those that pop with heat. If it gets too hot then it will destroy everything. I poured the water into plastic water bottles and wrapped them in socks. The birdies grabbed those and stuffed them in their jackets. The kids placed the bottles so they keep their legs warm. The adults keep it on their laps so it would warm their femural artery. That would warm the rest of their body.
I dug a dakota fireplace to start the process of making soap. First I got wood ash. I got five cups so I added ten cups of water. I let it sit for about six hours. I went to sleep. After I woke up I strained it and boiled it down till it was half the volume. It should look yellowish and has to thicken as well. I pulled out the stuff I stole from the car. 5 tablespoons of milk, 5 tablespoons of butter, ten tablespoons of oil. I slowly heated it and gradually added the yellow liquid. I made sure to add it very slowly. The liquid thicken into a foaming mixture which I kept stirring till it was gelatinous. Then I poured it into a mold to set. Once it is set it can be used as a bar of soap for bathing and laundry. I sprinkled cayenne pepper powder into a few water bottles so the ones staying awake during the night will feel warmer. I cooked stones and put them inside boots so it can warm them up. Also dry them if they were wet. The general rule everyone lived by was no alcohol. It removes heat from the vital organs and raises it to the skin. Which means it will be snuffed out and the person would be dead. Anyone who was going to sleep since it helped increase their body heat.
Once everyone had rested properly we went in a different direction. I asked everyone to collect twigs and branches as we go along since the weather was getting worse. I had to make fifteen firepits and used the thinner branches to make a frame around the fire. I placed the tarp over the frame and secured it. Then covered the bottom edges with dirt so no cold air could seep in. The kids stayed with the defenders while we went looking for burnables. There are those who support our lifestyle and travel to bring us stuff so we would survive. As always they brought us canned goods, fire starters, teas, spices, camping gear, cutting tools and water purifiers. We would give them dried fish and herbal plants in return. Sometimes they will bring their kids so they won't be forced to join the army. It takes a few months for them to adjust. We would meet others and sometimes the new ones would join them instead. We would exchange goods and warned each other of troubles we would face on the path we were heading. We explained the safest spots and what new techs used in the hopes to get us.
As the snow grew we dug a tunnel into the snow and made a cave. The sock covered water bottles were refilled with warm water. The rocks reheated and hand warmers were stuffed inside the socks. A few stayed awake while the rest slept. We cooked the food beforehand so we won't be out when the weather gets worse. Paths were made for ventilation and I went went to sleep. I am getting used to the no alarm clock. I am grateful someone wakes me up to get away from the rading parties. We ate canned soup and freshly grilled fish. Then we would clean up the place so no one believe we were here to begin with before we left. The snow tunnels were amazing since it helped us hide from the drones. The vampire weren't immune to the cold. They had a tolerance level but when it gets colder even they run for shelter. The soldiers were seen guarding the gates. They had a four hour shift duty. They try to be unpredictable in the hopes to catch us. So far only a few have been caught and dragged back to society.
We had to be equally unpredictable to stay ten paces ahead. We met a few helpers who explained how Maverick had a shootout which injured several soldiers. So we were told to go east instead. Days turned to night and then spring arrived. I walked till I reached the stream and grabbed a few ramps and a few stinging nettles. I grabbed the inner bark of the willow tree since chewing on it releases salicin. Which acts as a natural pain relieve and fever reducer. I avoided getting mushrooms since the poisonous ones pop out during this season. I collected as much pine needles as I possibly could and came back. I cooked the needles to make tea and everyone drank it before they ate. I grilled dandelion roots on hot coals. I got some sleep after doing the laundry. Pete woke me up asking if I could give his daughter some of the willow bark. He believes she has a fever. I gave him the recommended dose and packed up my stuff.
We chose a secluded beach where we gathered kelp, sea lettuce which we rinsed in fresh water before eating it raw. We moved along the rocks to get some mussels. We dug the surf for clams. We feasted like kings and some enjoyed swimming and how long they can hold their breaths. We made sure the kids were safe otherwise coming to the beach would trigger us. We got back to the safety of the trees. We used fallen logs to make a tent which we drapped the tarp amd covered with branches so we won't stick out. If I find a new plant I would seperate the parts. Roots, stem, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruit. I would throw it away if it smells like almonds, peaches or rotten garbage. I usually stick to the ones I know so I am less likely to kill someone. We boiled sea water to get salt which is packed into tins. We dried up the sea lettuce as we sliced the kelp into thin strips. We sun-dried them so we can eat them as snacks. The trick was to make sure it was very brittle so it snapped like a cracker. If it was bendy and rubbery then it is holding moisture which means it will grow toxic mould instead of being shelf stable.
Fitz made traps and got us rabbits so our meals won't be boring. We had to be extra careful when hunting deer. They are not easy to catch. We found the place where their favourite food grows. Tim set a trap. I only saw him tie a knife to a stick as though he was making a spear. Once it stepped on it. A spear pierced it in the chest. We stayed hidden so it just walked a short distance. I watched as it laid to die. Once we were sure it was dead Gray quickly dissected the deer into parts which was cut into fillets for the grill. After everyone the leftovers were smoked for later. This was the longest we have ever stayed in one place. There was a sinking feeling that we were being watched. So I signaled the birdie with hand gestures. They found a Maverick. Since Patrik's group just shoots first and ask questions later. They have the gun and ammunition. But they don't have food or anything that helps them survive this tough weather. He was here to spy on us to figure out our specialties. He ran to get away but didn't get very far since a group of seven vampires grabbed him and killed him. The defenders made quick work of them and we had taken the meat elsewhere to cure it.