Shenandoah Read Online Free Page B

slowly ascended the stairs and reached the first level.  There was a small walkway that encircled the entire bottom level.  He walked around the walkway and surveyed his surroundings.  The first level was probably at least forty feet above the ground.  On the opposite side of the tree was another staircase that ascended to the upper level.  Before John went up to the second level, he decided to try the door on the first level. It was locked.  He tried several times. There was a keypad by the door. He tried several different combinations and still nothing worked. 
    He headed to the next level to try it.  He thought that maybe he could get in a window or maybe another door.  There were no windows on the bottom level.  Although covered in snow, the second level had what John would call an enclosed sun porch and a large deck that looked out over the small pond.   The door to the sun porch was locked also and John could see that the glass was reinforced glass.  It looked as if the walls would rise on the porch if you had access to the inside but it was locked down tight.  He looked inside the windows at the interior of the house.  It looked like a honeymoon cabin you would see in a brochure.  He could see that it had a fireplace, Jacuzzi, a bedroom with a king size bed, and kitchen, and everything looked intact.  He looked around everywhere on the second level and couldn’t find another way in. 
    The temperature was going down and John was starting to get colder.  The sun was already setting.  John needed to either find a way in or he needed to hurry back to his cave.  He stopped at the keypad on the door.  For some strange reason, he knew exactly what to do.  He took his knife out and undid the screws on the keypad.  Pulling the keypad out, he cut three of the wires and rewired it.  Using a combination he would remember, he reset the code and mounted the keypad back in place.  He punched in his numbers and the door popped open.  He walked into the house and shut the door. 
    John was wishing that his memory would come back. He didn’t know where he learned it but he was definitely skilled in electronics.  As he looked around, he could tell that everything was slightly dusty.  As well made as this house was, he could tell that no one had been in there for a few years.  The lower level was mostly storage and the inner workings of the house.  The solar generator, water conditioner, and climate control were all on the bottom level.
    He opened several of the cabinets and was shocked to find that they were fully stocked with preservation chambers full of food.  Pop-tarts.  His mouth was watering as he tore open the container and hungrily devoured two of them.  He grabbed a Dr. Pepper, popped it open, and began drinking it as he went up the steps to the upper level.   
    Although dusty, the place was immaculate.  He quickly found the wall unit and tried the climate control.  He heard the click of the solar conductors as the heat came online.  Those conductors were amazing.  In a matter of minutes, the temperature on the inside was a balmy seventy degrees.  John was able to strip down to his shirt and pants.  The place had everything:  gigantic television screen, exercise equipment, and a large computer setup. 
    He searched most of the house and realized just how tired he was.  He was tired but that Jacuzzi had been calling his name ever since he saw it.  His muscles ached and he thought a bath would do him good.  He tried the water faucet for the Jacuzzi and to John’s delight, hot, steaming water poured out of it. While the tub was filling, John undressed and found a preservation container for his rabbit.  He may have plenty of food now but he wasn’t going to waste what he already had. 
    Climbing in the Jacuzzi, John moaned and yelped until the gentle jets on the tub worked out the soreness.  It was totally dark outside when he finally left the tub.  Picking up his old clothes to