It's 9AM

Full Count and bases loaded

That’s baseball, he said.

Not an easy way to explain a loss.

Like it’s acceptable.

Especially to an AA team.

There are levels to travel ball based on win loss records and some elements that don’t bear explaining.

Sometimes the match up’s feel unfair.

AA versus Major teams.

We’re a Major team.

It was supposed to be a blow out.

That’s what happens when they play up.

It’s what happens to us when we go to Texas, or Georgia or Florida to play.

Too many teams just play better than we do.

We go there to learn.

We expected the AA team to learn from us.

Instead, they taught us a lesson.

It rained all night starting at midnight as a cold front shuffled in and knocked the temps down to the 40’s.

Spring baseball means learning to play in fickle weather.

But we’re not a cold weather team.

And we’re not an early morning team.

All good excuses except we’re playing other teams the same age in the same weather.

They find a way to win.

Which all comes down to little things.

Good swings, and limited errors during plays.

Because the one thing we have a hard time learning is not to make errors.

Runs on balls that are pitched past the catcher.

Bases gained on overthrown balls.

And not talking to each other in the field.

We don’t get beat that often, except when we beat ourselves.

We do that quite well.

It’s not just baseball where it happens.

Easier to say, that’s just life.

Times when we are our own worst enemy.

And a good reminder that we’ve got more at bats next week.

There’s almost always a next week.

Temporary Merc – Reprobate

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Chapter 1: Preparing for Survival

Wade was up before the sun, the soft glow of the moon still casting shadows across the land.

He knew he had to get a head start on the day if he wanted to finish his task before it got too hot.

With a sense of purpose, he pulled on his work boots and stepped out of his modest homestead.

The air was cool and crisp, and the grass beneath his feet was wet with dew.

He breathed in deeply, the fresh scent of the countryside filling his lungs.

As he made his way to his garden, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what he had accomplished.

Despite the world falling apart around him, he had managed to create a thriving oasis of life and hope in the midst of chaos.

The garden was a riot of colors and textures, with tall stalks of corn reaching for the sky, and plump tomatoes weighing down their branches.

There were rows of leafy greens, and herbs bursting with fragrance. He took a moment to appreciate the beauty around him, knowing that it was a fragile thing that could be destroyed at any moment.

But he didn't have time to linger.

He had work to do.

Wade walked over to a small wooden shed at the edge of the garden and unlocked the door.

Inside, there were stacks of cardboard boxes, rolls of duct tape, and a variety of tools and supplies.

He picked up a box cutter and began to slice through the tape holding one of the boxes together.

As he worked, he thought about the people who would be receiving these packages.

They were his neighbors, and in this new world, that meant everything.

There was no government to protect them, no law enforcement to keep the peace.

All they had was each other.

He carefully packed each box with a selection of vegetables and fruits from his garden, making sure to include a variety of items to keep their diets healthy and balanced.

He added a jar of honey and a small bag of homemade jerky for a bit of sweetness and protein.

The work was physical, and it was hard. His back ached, and his hands were rough and calloused. But it was also satisfying, in a way that nothing else in his life had been. He was doing something that mattered, something that could make a difference in the lives of those around him.

As he worked, he thought about the world before the apocalypse. He had been a computer programmer, working long hours in a sterile office. He had never felt truly alive, never felt like he was making a real contribution to the world. But now, everything had changed. The skills he had learned in his former life were of no use, but the skills he had acquired on his homestead were priceless.

Finally, he packed the last box, and stood back to survey his work. There were ten in total, one for each of his neighbors. He knew they would be grateful, but he also knew that it wasn't enough. They needed more than just vegetables and fruit to survive. They needed protection, and they needed information.

He closed the door to the shed, and made his way back to his house.

He could hear the chickens clucking softly, and he stopped to collect the eggs from the coop.

He knew that the eggs were a precious commodity, and he made sure to handle them gently as he placed them in a basket.

As he entered his house, he heard a faint buzzing noise.

He followed the sound to the corner of the room, where a small radio was sitting on a shelf.

He turned it on, and listened to the static sound as it tuned in to the local emergency broadcast.

The voice on the other end was frantic, warning of an outbreak of an unknown virus that was causing people to become violent and aggressive.

They were calling them zombies, but Wade didn't believe in the supernatural. He knew there had to be a scientific explanation.

But regardless of what they were called, the threat was real. He had seen enough in the past few weeks to know that something was wrong. People had started disappearing, and strange noises had been heard in the night. He had even caught a glimpse of one of the "zombies" himself, and it had been a terrifying experience.

He listened to the broadcast, taking notes on the information being given. They were advising people to stay indoors, and to avoid contact with anyone who had been bitten or scratched by one of the infected. They were also advising people to stock up on food and supplies, and to fortify their homes against any possible attack.

Wade knew that he was better off than most. He had already been living off the grid for several years, and he had a stockpile of food and weapons that would help him survive. But he also knew that he couldn't do it alone. He needed his neighbors, and they needed him.

He took a deep breath and made a decision. He would deliver the packages, but he would also warn them of the danger that was out there. He would offer to help them fortify their homes, and to teach them how to defend themselves. He would do whatever it took to ensure that they all survived.

He grabbed his rifle, and checked the ammo. He knew that he might need it. He picked up one of the boxes, and headed out the door.

SURVIVE