Professional Documents
Culture Documents
brandon@7bowls.com
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
2
Chapter One
the downtown commute into Denver for those headed into the
normally.
second term, and yesterday signed her first new bill into law
fringe elements on both the right and the left, the bill was
immediate reversal.
Stay tuned for a weather update following the break, and Stone
room. Stone snorted a mucosal groan from deep within his sleep-
day.
4
bathtub had a ring as dark as coffee, the tissue box was empty,
white of the man’s left eye had turned plum beneath its surface.
sat just inside the door. Stone barely had the patience to
cover his feet as his nicotine itch crept under his fingernails,
up his arms, into his chest and behind his clambering lungs. A
into his routine morning indulgences, Stone looked out over the
5
the city limits. There were schools both for children and
thousand residents.
The town sat nestled between two mountains and at the axis of
elementary and high school schools, and the trailer park sat on
casually flicked the cigarette butt into the yard. Rufus popped
up from a squat in the bushes and kicked some grass over his
station manager.
into the basement and took off toward the garage. It felt like
bike – black with yellow trim. Twin exhaust pipes spewed grey
Stone flipped open his cell phone and hit the first speed-dial
single ring.
“Yeah, got some apple trees to plant in the front yard. You
call me tomorrow though – you know you can’t use a cell phone on
fun!”
girl in her first college internship. She grinned and hung the
“What have you got for me today, Boomer?” Stone asked his
rates.
Denver.”
quickly pulled down a few news wire stories and skimmed each
quickly.
the sound booth door, his large stomach dragging against the
doorframe. He wore a red and blue Hawaiian shirt and had poorly
got planned?”
“You should come out with me, I’m going lunker fishing up at
fish!”
“I’m good, thanks for the invite, though. Feel like just
to hide his disdain for Allen, but the man was just so goofily
company.
across the room to retrieve the copies. “Sorry man, two minutes
old, with little room for the chair, soundboard, phone, and
yellow sound absorbing foam pads running half the height of the
walls every few feet. The foam had peeled back near the ceiling
bail money from the Denver Police Department, and ordered off
the force. Torres was not immediately taken into custody, but
Sparks…”
“Gorgeous day out here, boys!” yelled Sunshine from the deck
He and his friends had graduated high school in May – and while
had opted to get day jobs at the local industrial park. On the
Jován was one of the few black kids on the east side of town.
family moved near the high school when his mother took a job
“My sword is ten times more expensive and a hundred times more
band, and stay afterward to clean up. With glasses, messy red
and hard work, he was somewhat of a nerd. He did not let that
his friends – who had fallen into some unsavory habits after
12
would at least show them the strength of his faith. They would
cigarette. With the little wind that day, the smoke rose slowly
from his nostrils and hung around his head of precisely groomed
face to try to blow a smoke ring. His hands ached from the
were needed to load the cans into boxes and pack the shipping
to see me at all for some reason. And I don’t even know. Won’t
“Maybe she needs some space. Maybe she’s stressed out over
Charlie laughed.
“Why don’t you wieners shut up and come make Internet video
“Hey poser, cut it out!” said Jován, ducking and swinging for
Charlie’s midsection.
14
Elliot stood and pulled his samurai mask over his face,
Church, nestled deep in the woods and off the beaten path. It
thousand square feet. It was old and plain, with white drywall
and deep red carpet. The pews were lacquered oak, with hymnals
The house was even smaller, though it had both an attic and a
storm shelter sat at the edge of the camp, in the odd event of a
the empty attic space. She had a laptop, stereo system, bed,
and vanity with drawers for clothing. It was not much for a
15
girl of her age, but being only eighteen she could not afford
much more. She finished braiding her dark auburn hair and bound
the end of the ponytail with a green band. After closing the
lid of her laptop, she peeked out the window at her father, who
wrinkled face and grayed hair sparkled with moisture in the warm
light of the sun. He had spent the afternoon splitting wood and
spanned nearly twenty feet in length, five feet wide, and five
feet tall. It was an impressive feat for a man of his age and
alight.
member that she knew, but she had grown nervous about his
governing over her life. But it did not feel like the same God
that her father spoke of during his messages to the flock. His
was vengeful. His God was different than the God she had read
had left roughly a foot of space between the first layer of wood
and the ground. After the empty cans were arranged neatly back
flame.
the window down and drew the blinds. It was a “walk of faith” –
a ritual that her father claimed God had given him one morning
expected to each walk across the pit with their bare feet. If
you incur injury, her father had said to his flock, then you
must have a problem with God. Allison had taken issue with the
“I don’t want to do it, Dad,” she admitted, “It’s not what God
“Don’t you doubt the will of God, Ally,” he said with an odd
“That’s just it, Dad, I’m not doubting God’s will. I’m
doubting yours.”
prophet.”
his face.
angrily into the church building. She grabbed her purse and
keys and snuck downstairs. Jacobs was still inside the church
building as she climbed into her old pickup truck and took off
down the red clay road. She pushed the pedal all the way to the
#
18
“Look, I believe you. I do. But if you didn’t take that bail
“Cynthia, damn it. If you believe me, then why would you ask
a question like that? Huh? What the hell – my own wife even
the Denver Police department. His own police chief had given
removed from the bail and citation vault and a mysterious wire
him.
It was not the first time that the young Hispanic couple’s
“Well this is just it. This is all I can take out of you,
“All you can take out of me? I’ve had about all I can take
out of you! Do you know how many times I’ve had to defend you
a grunt.
other. I put up with all the silly things that you latch onto
you try to shove this crap down my throat I get a little testy.
The room grew quiet as Cynthia and Marshall stood nearly nose-
and no longer saw the people they had married. They had aged.
They had new lines between their eyes when they would grimace,
inside as well. Marshall and Cynthia loved each other but often
promises.”
“We were naïve. And even more so for continuing this for so
Marshall.”
Bible in his left hand. His eyes were dark, the whites yellowed
with age. The shoes on his feet were tattered at the front
cracked.
21
“Now you may not care what I have to say about this,
“Bless you sir. And bless you ma’am. May you both find
happiness.”
popped open his organizer and checked off the last name on his
list. He had finished his weekly round a day early and was in a
mood to celebrate. The white collar slid out from under the
With a hook around the corner, he made his way into a back
alley.
knew that he needed help – that he needed a way out. But the
urges were strong, and too often he could not fight the hunger.
Rupert pulled a crisp one hundred dollar bill from his right
counting his roll just outside the back door of the Chinese
“Yeah… Yeah, I’ll cut you down thirty, ’cause I like your
business.”
The cocaine changed hands slyly and the men split with no
boarded the bus back uptown and waited anxiously for the hit.
felt guilty with every purchase, every puff, and every moment he
The bullet, once near his shoulder blade, had found a home in
shoot-out with an Asian gang from the far west side of Hooghan.
Both gangs had been courting a new arrival to the area – a young
rap artist of both Japanese and Jamaican descent. The young man
the only way to score a deal was to use the connections of other
rappers.
25
marketable group of young men was worth much more in gold than
dusk. Ketsueki, the Asian gang, had come to the conclusion that
the young man was worth more than taking a few lives. The thugs
had followed Eddie and his crew to the park, where the young men
would often go to smoke herb and enjoy the night sky. After an
Eddie took home his souvenir bullet and a new nickname – “Slug”.
The young man they had been fighting over left for Atlanta a day
later.
“Com’on, braa! It’s on da’ Perry Park ting mon. It’s on da’
defense.
amongst the majority white crowd. He had met Eddie and Damerae
dropped out of school with little care – the white kids treated
him more as a token oddity than a friend. These guys felt like
them closer than that which he had with his own family.
Rome pulled an aged Glock Model 22 from his belt and inspected
every inch of the polymer frame. It was the gun that he had
used to pick off the Asian boy that fateful night. He wondered
briefly why he had not sold it and purchased something with less
out o’ time on our advance n’ we don’ wanna blow ‘dis shit. Not
that route.”
was all in jest. His brother Jeff’s disdain for Allen was
Carl was out for a night of bow fishing with his brother Jeff,
his brother had done. The poor girl had done nothing to warrant
had been drinking that night but had no idea that he had become
such a violent drunk. Carl had been reborn while in prison, and
The men were out for a good hunt. Carp and catfish had been
tourist fishers. Both men packed wooden recurve bows with spin
the motor and the men cruised across the lake to a shallower
shoreline.
The sun had yet to set, and the men needed pure darkness so
feeding fish. Carl leaned back in his chair and pulled a large
bag of fresh cherries from his cooler. He slipped one into his
mouth and popped off the stem – chucking it into the water. The
grinned and pulled a cold can of beer from his own cooler.
Jeff smiled and sipped his beer. His expression grew relaxed,
“We’ve been out here four weekends straight now – you ’bout
live.”
“I know I don’t have to ask you what you were thinkin’… But,
“He killed a man that raped his little girls,” Carl muttered.
“Oh, damn.”
yard every day for a month. The guards let it fly because they
pissed on, and worse. People say I didn’t do fair time. They
“One day on the yard, I finally spoke up. He came over for
together, became friends. He won’t ever get out, but deep down
Chapter Two
near Hooghan and the surrounding area. Clear skies expected for
tomorrow.
charges.
new act signed into law this week, stating that the Key-Forest
This is Amy Van Dyke, with your KHOO AM 1200 primetime update.
33
Despite what she puts on for the air, he thought, she sure
stray from politics and religion. It also meant his motives for
the evening were all for naught. She had worn a full coverage
it was all Stone would see of her that evening. He knew from
for his notebook computer to boot up. The whiskey had a smoky
flavor and aroma that reminded him of his late father. It was a
“Ah, damned thing will never boot up. Let’s go, Rufus.”
Stone slid open the doors and stepped outside onto the patio.
The little Yorkshire pup made a beeline to the back of the yard
conservative date any further, he had not yet broken the seal on
breath would not have gone any further to woo his bible-thumping
dinner partner.
string from the package and popped a filter out of the box top.
skyward to watch the smoke disappear into the night sky. There
were no clouds directly above, but the sky was opaque black off
toward the west. There was the big dipper toward the north, and
the cloud line. The moon was a sliver, like a discarded toenail
or a dried macaroni.
actually be the sane one in the pair. The night sky was so
glance, but the more Stone stared into the heavens, the more
With a few more drags on the spent butt, he tossed it into the
Many were junk mail messages, as his email address was no secret
the trash bin – though one caught his eye. Apparently the local
make way for a new parking garage for the large local Assemblies
of God church. The church had been expanding farther into the
36
stubborn door locks. Out of her purse came a small zipper bag
of the coffee shop. The weed was fresh, ground up from a plant
her own personal blend. She stuffed a pinch into the end of her
pipe and held a small plastic lighter just at the end. She
She knew that her father would come down hard if he knew what
she was up to. But she felt like he drove her to her vice. His
Her belief in God had never waivered, but she refused to accept
She loved her father, but her affinity for him had weakened as
she grew and matured. Once the man she looked to as a model of
apparent. She knew that all people had flaws, but his were more
faces.
into her purse. The mega-church’s roof jutted out over the top
piercing high into the rolling clouds. The lights atop the
building beamed like lasers into the night sky. Before she knew
it, Allison had left her truck behind in the alley and was
the weed, but she could not shake her fascination with the
architecture.
After she crossed the road, she was approached by a pudgy man
shuffled over to meet her. He smelled like baby powder and Old
Spice.
“Just head through the front doors there, someone else with a
goofy get-up like mine will help you find a seat!” the man
Before long the church grew dark. Then, a pop of smoke and a
risers grew right out from behind the stage, with men and women
of all ages and colors dressed in royal blue robes. They were
dancing back and forth in place. The music was loud – her
church.
applause. His hair was slicked back with shiny grease. His
synchronicity.
40
are bad, bad times ahead of us. Soon the Lord will be back to
need to prepare our friends and loved ones! Look at the world’s
ourselves for what is to come – else we’ll miss it. You don’t
mess around when it comes to our Lord Jesus! You don’t mess
lions, men on flying horses, and war. She always felt that her
preached why one would not want to miss the rapturous events,
not why one would want to rejoice in being taken back to Heaven.
get an amen?”
“Open your notes tonight and you’ll find my list of the three
every pamphlet that had been handed out that night – along with
promotional material for the next few nights in the series. The
repent.
1. Rebuke the sinful deeds of your past and those around you.
She slipped out during the altar call to return to her truck.
It was far from an easy exit, though – she had to shake a dozen
It was very dark out, as the moon had begun to set in the
west. Allison wondered if her father had yet noticed that she
was gone. He would not be happy to know that she had been
smoking pot, but he would be even unhappier that she had visited
attend another church. She was declined even when she asked to
message. It was his message, and he did not want his daughter
employment applications.
“I don’t need church and God to feel good about myself. And I
know you don’t buy that crap. Why are you even watching it?”
the small one-bedroom home. There were souvenir cups from the
ceramic music boxes on the end table that Marshall had bought
Marshall was spread thin with the stress of losing his job,
losing his court battle, and losing his love for his wife. He
there’s no debate over who gets what, we can get it taken care
“Are you really ready to call it quits? Are you really sure
She wanted to keep trying. But his resistance had pushed her
away. Where she once felt guilty thinking of life without her
When the couple was first married Cynthia could not think of
life alone. That feeling had changed the more Marshall had
pushed back.
“It’s not like I ever planned for this to happen. It’s just…
We fight more than we get along. We’re in this more for the tax
breaks than for the love. When we were twenty, my life was all
about you. I’m older now – we both are. And we’ve become
“I know, you’ve always been stubborn… But I’m okay with that,
Cynthia. Can’t you see that? We’re not in love anymore, we’re
She had said some things in the last week that she would regret
until the end of her days, but she had never intended any of it
to ruin her marriage. Marshall might not love her, but she
still loved him. The thought of her marriage slipping away tore
her heart out. With no parents, few friends, and little family
– Marshall was the only one she ever had to turn to. Now he was
hear.”
Marshall may have lost his temper, but he would never lose his
sense of humor.
46
Rupert hurried down the street from the bus depot. He was
many of his own fumes. The man was verifiably insane – with the
locked up, since he had never been caught in his misdeeds. Nor
clothed.
“I’m looking for some dope, Brotha’. Want me some dope for
lower lip.
“Now Frank, what’d I tell you about that? God don’t want you
Told you that,” Rupert warned him. He bit his lip at the
“Alright, Frank, but you promise me you’ll stay away from the
As Rupert laid hands on the man and began to pray, his heart
his mind. The church had taken him in just a few years before,
home of his own, the church had surprised him by renovating the
His cocaine pipe was ornate, carved from an old piece of ivory
vine up the side of the pipe shaft, rolling it down and over the
Rupert’s deep black face looked like aged leather. He ran his
thumb across a mole that jutted out from his cheek. Should
he took a hit. It made him think about what he must look like
flush it down.
The room grew dark then bright – and then the walls
sailed across the sea skies below. Rupert made the birds
legs behind himself and flew forward into the Sun. It exploded
spiders crawled out from underneath the walls and bed. The
arachnids scrambled up his legs and into his mouth and ears. He
watched his stomach bloat and expand – until the bugs burst
forth from his insides and began consuming his flesh. Rupert
away. They ate his guts, his bones, and his flesh. When only
Rupert saw that his forearms and shins were carved up bad –
and refused the urge to look at his face. Rupert detested the
feeling in his gut when he would come down. It felt like shame.
tar. His hair hung in long dreadlocks to the small of his back
“Big bout yah! Boonoonoonous! ’Dat kali an’ dagga res’? Yaga
purified resin from the leaves and buds of the leonotis leonurus
“We ’to tief us ’da Pianeta from ’da Green’s shop lot tomorra’
“Shit bro,” moaned Eddie, “How we gonna get away with that?”
“Unu we take her after ’da dusk falls. Put her in ’da
Got a buyer lined up for ’da third. She flipp’d in less than a
week, braa.”
waning days of fossil fuel cars, ethanol and legume oil had been
more. Crosley had wanted one since he had read the press
incarceration.
before.”
agent. The risk was high, but the reward was worth the trouble.
Eddie had been waiting for his opportunity for almost a decade.
Crosley’s lead.
The new gourmet coffee shop was bustling in its closing hour.
Since its grand opening a few weeks prior, the place had been
had been clambering for a hip new joint for months after the
midtown shop boarded up its doors. The line was long and the
baristas were tired, but to the pair’s luck, Erica Hoover and
that we’ll round the kiddos up and have them wait for their
parents.”
Lana had called Erica over to complete plans for an event that
was to take place at the school the next day. About twenty kids
trees along the fence of the recess yard. The ladies were
Lana had taken a fancy to Erica and wanted to spend time with
her away from her boyfriend, Sunshine. Though at one time she
had been married, Lana made the choice to leave her husband when
for her mate. Since that time she had only been with women.
through her trial period when she began training to work for the
same way, but she would soon have to find out. The wait for a
straw. She knew why Lana had brought her to the shop – it was
that I know?
Erica had been well aware of Lana’s attraction to her for some
time. There was something alluring about it, but what a huge
leap it would take for Erica to ever act on it. Sunshine had
been her only flame for nearly two years, and she had never
was never a consideration until she met Lana. The woman was
kind, casual, and interesting – traits that had been fading from
What would my family think? Any time the allure became strong
been indifferent, feeling that love can take on many forms. She
never could have predicted that she could be on the other side
of the issue from her family. If she were to leave Sunshine for
to her left.
Rick’s class down the hallway. She’s single – and she knows
“She ain’t as cute as us! Come on, let’s bounce before they
table.
messaged her five times in the last hour. It infuriated him not
to know what his distant girlfriend was thinking. She had shut
him off almost entirely. If Erica would just tell me that she
received none.
replied.
Charlie was bored to tears, “Jován, I’m out for a drag, you
in?”
“Hell yeah.”
The three youths went out to the porch while Elliot stayed
from earlier in the day. Elliot was bothered that his friends
the Holy Spirit. Why Charlie and Jován would clog their souls
with the filth that they inhaled he would never know – but his
Jován snatched the lighter from Charlie and turned the flame
tingles felt good again. But it had worn off after time as
well. The young man now smoked just because it was something to
rocked to and fro quickly – his heels tapped out his tension
“What’s wrong with you, man?” Jován asked, “Sounds like you’re
for like two years, and this is how she acts when she’s got a
“She don’t love you, man,” Jovan said with sincerity, “Not if
she treats you like this. You gotta let go, bro.”
“Come on, loser, let’s go play some Death Snyper so you can
think it’s stupid, but you might find out that you like it.
makes me feel, and maybe see if it rubs off on you guys. God is
good.”
It was pitch black out – aside from a beam light light aimed
into the shallow water. Carl pulled back the bow and held it
held the spotlight firm as he followed the fish in its lazy swim
toward the rear of the boat. The grass carp was just twenty
The fish tore out of the water – the arrow lodged cleanly in
its side.
“That’s what I’m talking about, right there!” Jeff yelled with
The fish squirmed as Carl pulled out the arrow. He tossed the
bleeding carp into the live well and reset his bow. Jeff
As the men cruised through the dark and onto the next fishing
hole, Carl bowed his head. Thank you Father, for this
of your forgiveness. May you work the same blessings for Jeff
61
and the rest of my family. And if it’s not too much to ask,
Nearby Allen Teeter sat in his small bass boat alone. He had
The overweight radio show host tried not to let the loneliness
worked with acted as though they could not stand him. His
coworkers should have been his best friends. They should have
Allen pulled his cell phone out of the tackle box and looked
his parents, the local newspaper sales office, several more from
dialed him by accident. I’ll give old Stone a call – maybe he’s
“Yeah, I know, it says your name on the phone when you call.
What’s up?”
62
“Just out here fishing. Catching lots of fish man, you should
“That’s great, glad you’re having fun out there. Why you
calling me when all them fish are biting?” Stone muttered with a
too. Yeah, lots of empty… Empty beer cans all over the boat.”
The fire still roared on the church lawn. Allison could see
came into view. It became tense and agitated. His left foot
Allison parked and shut off the vehicle. She was hesitant to
get out – knowing that she was seconds away from a lecture. Her
father rose from the chair and sauntered her way. Through the
Allison bit her lip as she checked to make sure that her purse
clasp was locked. To have her father find the marijuana pipe
parent.
she climbed into the truck with it tucked into her back pocket.
She cursed the man that had handed it to her. Why? Why did I
keep it? What was I thinking? That was the moment that the
brightly colored church flyer fell from the driver’s seat of the
pickup and down to rest atop Allison’s feet. Her father reached
“So this is where you found your fresh air? The TV church?”
ya?”
“You know very well that I don’t want you going to other
He grabbed her arm and dragged her into the house. She fussed
a bit on the way, but knew the drill. He always locked her in
spank or beat her. His fatherly instincts would not let him
throw her into her second-story bedroom and lock the door from
the outside.
Allison lit one of her own. Hers was smaller and danced atop
Chapter Three
traffic, and weather. This is Amy Van Dyke, and here’s what
“Rupert! Rupert!”
some water in his face. A glance at the alarm clock caused him
“Rupert, are you awake? Are you okay?” the pastor called as
Rupert apologized.
wafted from the nook where Rupert’s bed sat. Pastor Brown
surveyed the room and took stock of the situation. Clothes were
sink. The ivory crack pipe rested in a soup bowl next to the
“In the eyes of God you are strong. You are strong and wise.
While you still may relapse into your old ways, you must
continue to seek God’s guidance to see you all the way through,”
our congregation and let God speak through you. Let God feed
them what they need through you. You just let go and have a
“It’ll be good for ya,” said Pastor Brown on his way out the
door.
let him down like that? I let them all down. He felt pathetic
and shallow. Rupert pounded a fist against the sink and forced
capillaries in his eyes were inflamed and his skin flush. Wiry
black whiskers poked through the dark flesh of his cheeks and
Erica and Lana sat on a bench near the swing set to watch the
dig with the shovels. The kids were having a lot of fun
brought together a lot of children that did not have any other
the kids had been eager to join in, and each had been talking it
Lana made sure to give Erica her space when the ladies sat
down. Every action was calculated. The teacher did not want to
hints about her motives. The last thing she wanted was to
She was beautiful. Light blonde hair, deep blue eyes – she
was knockout. She was humble, too. She was not pretentious, or
friend and everyone mattered. She had a charisma and charm that
70
Erica smiled.
“Don’t go to church?”
the county line – has been for thirty years. She thinks the way
they tell her to think, gives the money they tell her to give,
pushing the rhetoric now that she’s in her second term,” Erica
“It would have been nice to have our first woman president be
spouts off puppet talk from the GOP about national security and
Erica offered.
“She’s got political smarts, I guess. But her book smarts are
than towns nearer to Denver. There was a lot the girl could
“I’ve got my mom and my cats. I was married once, but I don’t
Her name? Lana’s lip quivered a bit. Well that answers that
– she definitely knows. Lana was well aware that she had to
make Erica uncomfortable. But she had to parse her way through
73
the answer carefully. It was tricky – Lana did not want to lay
it on too heavy, but she also did not want to leave too much
“Her name was Jen. She was a pretty and quick-witted. She
ever expected.”
Elliot felt bad for his friend – but worse that he did not
brief. Perhaps he was too picky, but the young man simply
wanted the perfect girl. He wanted the one. No girl yet had
“Well let her go. Just let go. If she loves you, she’ll come
back.”
Jován flicked his ashes into a wet patch of soil. His cell
phone showed four missed calls from his father. They must be
their calls, but his disdain for sitting through the wild church
smoke.
“Yeah…”
you see on movies, with the hands waving, jerry curls and
you look past the novelty, it’s just a big show,” Jován sighed.
“Well I know one thing – you black folks have rhythm. Man I
Newpine. They don’t even play music when they sing. They’re
laughed.
moment about his friends. Jován was fed up with his church.
Elliot could not get enough of his. Sunshine had never been to
have one.
“What’s with you and church? You bounce back and forth,”
“Well at least you’re honest about it. Most people try to get
down-to-earth.”
shred of hope that she would come back around. Though there was
believe that her love for him would shine through. It’s a lot
“We gotta break Sunshine out of this mess at some point, man,”
mates. All through high school he had longed to find that one
girl that really made him glow. Somehow he had managed to muck
awoke – still interested in the tale that the next few sermons
The coals on the church lawn were still simmering and ready
for a fresh pile of pine wood. Smoke had permeated the small
was audibly excited about the day’s events – like a child that
lacked common sense. The Bible said that Jesus had been
that’s true, then why the heck do we need this spurious testing?
Allison wondered.
“You ready for today?” her father asked as he burst into the
the spare room and was shaking the dust into the air.
today.”
79
“I haven’t decided yet how I feel about this. Why should God
from the kitchen table. “Do you think I’m some sort of con man?
Is that it? I know that God speaks through me. I’ve tried to
convince you that I know that it’s true and you continue to show
that sounded sincere, but he was a man of the stage. She knew
told her not to. He was her father, but such a changed man
Jacobs stood and folded the baptismal robe over his arm. “Let
Allison cringed as she watched her dad walk out the back door
Eddie and Rome sat across from each other in the floor of the
using the master bedroom, Eddie and Rome sharing the second, and
cramped, but each only paid one hundred dollars a month for
to fame and fortune – and they were all counting on the Pianeta
“So I learned this morning that KHOO down south of town rents
producer.”
“Dam’s right ma’ bredda,” Crosley agreed with his nose still
penny. I’m gonna use the whole thing to cut two records. Even
picked out which rhymes I want to cut. I’m gonna make this
happen, finally.”
“I’m glad ta’ be a help, mon. We gonna score mad big on dis
mine got gon meet us deh. We just bring de’ muscle an’ da’
artillery.”
Eddie, “If we can clear Dam’s head long enough for him to crack
would make for a good set of lyrics for future albums once he
he could keep himself out of harm’s way. Eddie needed the gang
and their connections to worm his way into producer offices and
friends that the young man had – but Eddie doubted how long
business.
#
83
over his tackle box and began to sort his fishing lures. Maybe
he’s still in bed. Maybe his dog got loose and he has to chase
“Ah, Stone. I’ve never met him. Well I’m glad you’re gonna
“Yep, he’ll be here any second. Yep, we’re gonna have a great
time.”
Jeff started the motor and drove the small bass boat out of
morning.”
the garment had held creases where the folds had been. He shook
the jeans hard and threw them onto the bed. Rufus groaned at
“One more second, boy. Daddy’s almost got all his clothes
tongue to call the dog off the bed. Rufus ran quickly out of
anxiously.
Before Stone could even light his morning cigarette, his cell
“Oh, come on, she’s not sick. She’s always pulling this
crap.”
“Hey man, I’m just the messenger. Now come on, get in here,”
“Hey man, gonna have to postpone this thing for a few hours.
“Probably closer to three. I’m gonna come back here and let
What a life, thought Cynthia as she put the last of her family
She had been packing most of the morning. If she was to have to
Cynthia had never planned for a divorce, and after all of the
it out. Her only hope was in the meeting with the black
reverend. Maybe he’ll say something that can turn this around.
would be difficult since his name was plastered all over the
knew that he was innocent, and was determined to clear his name.
photo from a frame on the mantle. She looked like a train wreck
“You know that this is how it will end up anyways. What’s the
difference.”
box to fill.
that.”
“I don’t know how I feel about you anymore. That’s why I’m
doing this counseling thing. I’ve got one more try in me, but I
party had begun. People were hollering their hellos and singing
forearms. The wounds were not deep, but they were telling. He
his face had subsided. A fresh shave had awakened his pores and
his vices and beg for forgiveness, but he was not yet ready to
guide him, but winced at the thought of asking for counsel when
She had made up her mind after almost a half an hour of serious
made her sick, but she had nowhere to run and no one to tell.
smoky aroma and his hair was slicked down with sweat. He looked
his daughter in the eyes and tried to read her expression. She
90
looked unhappy and distressed. The room was silent, save for
sighed heavily.
“Why? Are you afraid that God won’t protect you?” he asked
with a sneer.
“No, I’m afraid that you’re not being sincere about it. If
you’re doing.”
“I think that while your heart’s in the right place, your mind
daughter to her feet and shoved her toward the pantry. His eyes
opinion…”
“Go. Now.”
a day this should be. The basement was mostly empty, save for a
Chapter Four
expected within the next two days. Just over eighty years after
peace is long overdue. Here’s what I don’t get – why the sudden
me.
and hear what you think. This is Stone Silvers filling in for
Amy Van Dyke, and we’ll be right back after a word from our
sponsors…
#
93
smile. He watched as the pastor made his way into the side
confident manner.
forgiveness that he had yet to ask for. The song was like a
thunderous boom rocked the building. There was a hiss and buzz
from the speakers. The choir fell silent. Sounds like the
94
whole darn sound system went out, Rupert thought. When the
Rupert pulled the side curtain open and swung casually onto
the stage. His eyes widened as he entered. His heart fell into
his stomach. The choir risers were empty and the pews deserted.
Sooty dust clouded in the air. The ushers were gone. Pastor
Brown was not in his reserved seat in the leftmost front pew
Rupert moved down into the central aisle. There was an ashy
the pews and floor. Rupert looked to the stained glass windows.
windows would have been blown clean out. What in God’s name
happened in here?
into the church sanctuary and rolled to a stop about ten feet
the driver had vanished. The same ash residue was embedded in
your divine forgiveness for all sins that I have committed. For
Jeff threw a cast out and over a tree limb. Damn, always
The lure popped up and over the hanging limb and plopped into
“What’s the matter back there, Carl? Haven’t heard a peep out
When his brother offered no reply, Jeff turned to see what was
right to voicemail.
“Carl buddy, funny joke man, but come on out. I’ll leave you
out there in the bushes! I’m the one driving the boat, you
Jeff set his rod in its holder and climbed to his feet. There
down the possibilities. Maybe it’s something from his old blue
jeans – axel grease or something. But it’s almost too thick for
little too creepy for me. Allen Teeter waved from a nearby
cove.
Jeff kicked the trolling motor into gear and rounded the
Jeff raced to the bobbing wreckage. The boat was run up and
onto its left side against the tree stump. Cola cans and an ice
boat and stopped at the row of seating along the side. Each
hung up on me.”
“Said people have been disappearing all over the place and
that I really should listen to the radio for more info. They
Jeff groaned.
anyhow?”
“I don’t know. One minute he was here, the next minute I’m
shit. But he left that same ashy grease – like what’s on those
seats in there.”
disappear.”
Allen pulled back on his hair and rubbed his eyes. He was
Allen grabbed a rope from inside his live well and looped it
“I’m gonna hop on over with you. If there’s already one crash
out here, there’s bound to be others. If the cops can’t get out
grabbed Allen’s hand and pulled him up into the larger boat.
pull a handkerchief out from his back pocket and wipe down the
grease from Carl’s seat. It was wet, like campfire ash after a
morning dew.
“Good call, I’ll give him a ring.” Allen flipped open his
phone and dialed the station. Both lines were in use, as a busy
but I’ve seen the evidence myself. You’re probably on-air right
now – so hit me back when you get this. Stay safe, buddy.”
Sunshine burst through the kitchen doors and sprinted down the
steps and across the yard. The fear on his face was true and
pronounced. The flesh of his face had lost all color – the boy
“Shut the hell up, I saw it with my own eyes. It was a bright
us.”
“Fine, whatever, believe what you want, but you can come
parents.”
arm.
best friends had vanished right before his eyes. He had no idea
what was happening, but hoped that his parents might be able to
offer some sort of support. Fright had overcome the young man
machine clicked on. Where the hell are they? My friend just
Jován and Charlie exited the house and came down the steps to
meet Sunshine.
Friggin’ gone.”
102
“We saw all that shit all over the chair in the kitchen. Is
kind of thing he’d joke around about anyhow. You know how
theorized.
“Well what the hell do you think happened?” Jován asked before
“She didn’t pick up. She always picks up. Always,” Jovan
“Kari, where are the kids?” Lana called back to the girl.
104
“What are you talking about where have they disappeared to?”
Lana asked as she stood from the recess yard bench. Erica rose
her explanation.
Lana and Erica surveyed the recess yard. All of the younger
Only a few of the girls and one boy remained. The boy was
hopping the fence to look along the tree line, but the girls
Erica and Kari caught up to the small group, puffing and out
of breath.
“Miss Lane,” one of the other girls spoke up, “I saw it too.
Lana’s cell phone rang in her hip pocket. She slid it out and
looked at the number. She did not recognize the caller but
there has been a slight — oh I see… Okay, I’ll see you soon…”
his son was still here. He rambled something about some sort of
“Miss Lane,” called the young man as he climbed back over the
there!”
106
families.”
Lana, Erica, and the others walked around the side of the main
purpose room. The door was still ajar from the earlier
Lana pulled the door closed, locked it, and pushed a lectern in
and let’s call all of these parents. Tell them nothing about
actually arrive.”
“What now?”
107
in Hooghan. All that was left of the people were ashes where
“Now you’re being more racist than me,” laughed Marshall, “You
lifted it from atop the coffee table and a cold chill ran down
her spine.
“Well, maybe it was this?” she asked as she handed her husband
heaven?”
seemed pretty sure about it. He was doing that series all week
“I still have his card, hold on,” Cynthia enthused. She dug
through her purse until she found the small slip. It was
ring.
“Oh yes, Marshall. Hey, have you seen what’s going on today?”
that it’s the second coming or something, but you’re still here,
proud and too embarrassed, and now I’ve paid the price. My
entire church was taken home today, and when they get to heaven,
do?”
here. Maybe I’ll see you there, but I have to go. I have a job
“Well?”
back.”
she spent her widower days knitting and watching courtroom shows
bell. Not a sound peeped from behind the door. Marshall pulled
a backup key from underneath her doormat and slid it into the
He scanned the room for clues. The refined senses from his
floor. Next to the sack was a black circle – two darker patches
Marshall burst through the door and ran the short length of
She’s gone…”
“Oh my god…” Cynthia trailed off. She could not process what
shut-in who only left her house for church on the occasional
“We need to get down there to that big church and see if
She did not have the will to argue anymore. The world as she
“What the hell is going on? Do you think it’s what they’re
concept entailed.
fucking missed it! We’re stuck here in limbo for three and a
That’s what the nuts who believe this crap always warn about.
lucky. If it turns out that these are the events of the Rapture
you’re never gonna get another story like this. So you should
savor the news value while you can. This is gonna be your 9/11,
difficult to know exactly how the end times events will unfold,”
hypothetical.”
115
felt at such a loss for words. I can see what’s happening out
film of ash left in their places, with planes dropping from the
studying all aspects of theism in the world, but not once did I
Gordon sighed.
Allison reclined her head back against the concrete wall of the
Allison emptied the cardboard box into the corner and flipped
it over. Seems sturdy enough. She scooted the box below the
“Well if the radio guy was right and this is really going down
– looks like dad’s way was wrong and so was I,” she muttered.
that point.
117
“Why God? Why do it this way? How were we to know what was
the right way? I have so many questions and I’ll never get
answers. Why would you punish someone like me, or people like
the ones out there at the coal pit? What have they done but
follow their pastor in what they thought was right? It’s not
fair, God. It’s not fair! How? How could you do this? Leave
never thought that you would think me any worse than a crackhead
Allison pulled her small pot pipe from her pocket. She
What’s the point now? I might as well toke the rest of this
back pocket. The crumpled church flyer was still tucked inside.
Tribulation! I can still get out of this… She knew what she
what the people who were raptured did right. I can help lead a
resistance and we can still make it. Those who hold onto the
pewter marijuana pipe under her foot. I’ll stand up and fight.
his perch blowing the first haze of the morning out into the
it. He leaned over the ledge to see what had piqued his
friend’s interest.
“Have you seen this woman? She’s my mother. She’s not in her
recognize her?”
news in there?”
Crosley jogged into the living room to join his friends. His
mind was pouring with ideas of how to exploit the chaos that
broadcast. People all over the planet had gone missing – and
major cities like Hong Kong and Sydney were already in complete
our break ova guy mon, Crosley grinned to himself. We gon tief
“List’n up, bredren. Get ’hold o’ Slug an’ we gon get to da’
Rome flipped open his cell phone to text message Eddie: Come
Chapter Five
As if the destruction and misery are not enough, there are now
Silvers, and I’ll be back with you after the jump on KHOO AM
1200.
“This is big news, man – big news. Not to say I’m not
terrified out of my wits here, but this will probably get us the
“You’re insane, old man. Do you not realize that we might not
even make it through the day? This epidemic – I was saving this
downed flights out there, and all the rescue workers who have no
idea what they might be exposed to… This thing could be very
serious.”
just hide from it. You’re a civil servant, man. People are
124
“The world’s tearing apart at the seams and I have to sit here
and talk about it like some schmuck,” moaned Stone with a turn
The men sat on the west edge of the lake staring into a
take their chances and wait out the incidents on the lake. Jeff
has assumed that if anything was headed the men’s way, the woods
felon and a rapist, how the hell would he get into heaven? If
“Look Jeff, I know you don’t like me,” Allen bit back, “It’s
hell coming our way – I don’t know. But if we’re going to make
defend himself. “I was just trying to tell you that you’ve got
Jeff pulled a spoon lure from his cap and checked his
complexion. Allen was right, but it was not just a rash – the
skin had begun to break open and crack. It was painful when he
“You don’t think,” Jeff paused for a second look, “You don’t
the box, “You should put some of this on it until we can get
there. I doubt we’d be able to even get into the hospital area
He pulled off his cap and covered his mouth. Allen leaned back,
inside of his forearm. The same had developed on his left arm
blood.
“It’s a plague, man. Like Stone was just saying. Man, it’s
“Don’t talk like that. We’ll stay out here until it gets too
much worse. You know there’s protocol for this kind of shit.
We go into town now and we’re screwed for help. Until they set
“Alright, we’ll keep KHOO on and wait,” Allen sighed, “But I’m
The boys sat atop the wooden fence of the horse pasture.
Sunshine had tried numerous times to phone his parents, but the
entirely.
parents’ church. His family and other loved ones were all
his past up to that point. He had been with several girls, none
never loved a girl – he had only used each one so he could feel
spiteful life. Sex was his drug – even more so than nicotine –
and it felt like the more of it that he had, the less happy he
became.
Man, the dude was right though. And ’cause we didn’t listen,
more than it was meant to tell what was really gonna go down. I
through teary eyes, “Guys all I can think about is all the
girls’ lives I’ve screwed up. Some of the crap I’ve done – man
I did my own. There might be girls out there right now, like
Jován said solemnly, “It’s like Janine – dude I treated her like
scum when I broke that off, and she was still head-over-heels
for me. I thought it was just tough love, you know. Thought it
was what I needed to do. And when she was in that car wreck, it
was the worst feeling knowing that I would never have the
calls and then… Boom! She’s gone and I’m stuck with the guilt,
you know? If only I had any idea, things could have been so
the wooden fence, “It’s just not right that a god of compassion
could be so cold. What about the people who’ve never had the
heard about Christianity yet, they’ll learn quick before the big
the real hell breaks loose. At least, that’s what I’ve heard
131
most often. It’s the final battle before everything gets wiped
out. Total jihad, guys. It’s like, the ultimate bad guys
had friends that had enlisted and been shipped out to Third Iraq
War. Many of those young men and women had died in the last
the final order was signed and the three Iraqi states had been
given borders, very few soldiers were left to return home. The
Jován hopped off of the fence, “She’s coming this way, looks
scared as hell.”
sores – her clothes soaked in blood and yellow fluid. She was
babbling incoherently and crying. The skin of her arms was open
– so far that the meat of her muscles could be seen through the
years old – but the skin and muscle were so eaten away that
The woman’s face froze and her eyes rolled back. Her legs
blood onto the ground. The boys rolled her over to prevent her
The woman’s seizures slowed. The boys rolled her onto her
back and tilted her head to relieve the stress on her throat.
Jován ripped off his shirt and nestled it underneath the woman’s
to continue, and filled her lungs with a full breath. Her chest
sank. Jován pushed another breath into her. “Pump now, thirty
compressions.”
Jován spit the blood from his mouth and wiped the mess onto
“Thirty! Go!”
several minutes.
Jován’s shoulder.
The boys sat back and looked at the woman. She looked like
she had been attacked with a steak knife. Blood was everywhere,
Charlie offered.
it is. We’ve got to go get help now. Let’s grab the first-aid
riskily chosen to lead his team to the lot in the middle of the
satchel. The young men had to cut a hole large enough to drive
aluminum links that cut easily with low heat. In minutes the
fence was opened and the men were inside the car lot.
model with a flashy spoiler. The color was nice and the risers
135
the car and plugged a universal fiber optic bus cable into the
compromised.
open, “Cros, hop in an’ put an eye near da’ scanna’ mon.”
Crosley climbed the riser and jumped into the driver’s seat.
speedily and the car chimed from the center console before
136
so simple.
The men jumped into the car after Crosley backed it off of the
“We gon go down ta’ town ta’ nab duns n’ loot braas! Carpe
seize the day – and as much bounty as he could pack into his
Cynthia motioned for her husband to drop his backpack and have
time, and have had the opportunity to consult with these men and
people. We have begun talks with the United Nations and the
every state, county, and city government to put into place the
world will unite to find cures and rebuild. These are just the
want all the people of America and the world to know – I will be
got re-elected is beyond me. She didn’t even mention the cause
Marshall felt his own face – his forehead felt like Braille.
infection you had. You never finished them like you were
supposed to.”
shelters…
afterword.”
Lana slammed her cell phone down onto the table, “This is
minutes.”
arm vigorously.
windbreaker.
Lana turned to the other kids. Each was faintly red – some
sweating. How the hell did it get in here? God, we’re not safe
anywhere.
“We’ve gotta get down to that shelter, Miss Lane,” offered the
in here.”
Lana could barely stand up, her heart was racing at a nervous
wonder about Sunshine. She wanted dearly to call him and make
going to be alright.”
embrace.
The feelings Erica had for Lana were unusual and unexpected.
stereo speakers, and that AM radio. Not much to work with here,
thought Allison.
rising death toll – she knew that she had to see it all for
whether or not it truly was the Biblical Second Coming. She had
been taught about the Rapture all of her life, but had never
With a few quick tugs, Allison snapped the aperture arm off of
the record player. The needle slid out easily, leaving a thin
plastic strip. She wedged the strip between the lock and the
and with a little more work, the strip had separated the locking
mechanism from the slot. Maybe I can bust the locks inside the
frame. She slammed her shoulder into the door, but it would not
pried apart. She took the metal panel in her left hand and the
box of batteries in her right. The middle hinge looked like the
easiest first target. Allison fit the panel under the head of
the pin and began hammering away with the box of batteries.
With every pound the pin would move up just a millimeter or two.
was always good at Tetris. She pushed the junk underneath the
building, the stack of junk stood about a foot high. With the
balance, Allison could raise her shoulders all the way to the
windowsill.
144
Allen agreed.
Jeff primed the motor and turned the key. The twenty
sputtered out. He turned the key again. The gears grinded with
The men stood and looked out across the lake. The water had
become a dark, thick, red soup. Allen dipped a finger over the
catch the odor before wiping the drop on his shirt. There was
the surface, and had been the cause of the fault in the boat’s
motor.
panic.
“No, it’ll just seize up the same, you’ve only got a fifteen
shore, let’s just head out on foot. We can get to Ferris Byway
before we would get to our cars. We’ll grab a ride and head
about that right now – we’ve got to think about survival, not
regret!”
fucked, man!”
“Just shut up and get out of the boat, you idiot! We’re gonna
all the whiny morons to get stuck with in a time like this, of
Chapter Six
changed form, making the recovery effort all the more difficult.
Just a few moments ago President Singh offered her first words
for the crisis at hand. She has already destroyed all hope of
the President does not have any concept of how to act on this
And now we’ll break for the emergency broadcast system with
shelters…
up the device, “It’s got a hand crank and a solar cell to power
their distance from the group. Sunshine had heard many weird
had turned him off from ever wanting to go near the place. But
sure she’s safe. He fought the urge to ditch his friends. They
all they had done to help him along with the toils of his
been a few years before, during his crooning high school days.
pretty flings – but the tone of the pastor had been memorable.
“So what’s the plan?” asked Jován, “Head up Battle Creek Road
Charlie.
chance.”
The boys piled their bags into Jován’s pickup truck and
climbed in. The key was turned and the starter chugged for a
few seconds before the engine roared like a lion after a kill.
red.
Sunshine leapt out of the vehicle and popped open the hood.
that?”
“Man, shut up. Why the hell would I put blood in my truck?
What kind of sick dumbass do you think I am?” Jován bit back.
Revelation.”
groaned.
Charlie had already hopped out to check his own car. It too
is this? Not only do we have the plague, but He takes away our
transportation too?!”
Church was not an easy walk. Most of the geography was hilly
grids of rusted barbed wire from when the land was used to
was younger, but had never made the trek from one side of the
Lana was already under the hood of her small SUV. She
the group, “It’s like that story in the Bible about the
The boy patted his sores with a paper towel, “It’s probably
get out of here and get down to the storm shelters.” She looked
not. Though Lana knew that it was crazy, she formulated a plan.
“Where are you going?” Erica asked as she watched her friend
all afternoon to walk it. We just need to shift the bus into
“That’s insane! You think you can carry the momentum all the
the yellow bus. In the driver’s seat, she pressed a foot down
off the brake pedal, the vehicle rolled slowly forward – though
pavement and pushing with their backs. Their feet slid and
but collectively the youths held firm. With just a few more
moments of work, they had helped scoot the rickety vehicle the
“Get in!” Erica yelled, running back to the bus door. The
youths all piled in behind her and took seats near the front.
edged over the crest of the hill. There was nothing but an open
stretch of road all the way down to Markham Hospital, which sat
154
right next to Perry Park and its storm shelters. “As long as we
The bus eased down and Lana rode the brakes to keep it under
spotted a young man vomiting blood into the storm drains. His
Kari screamed from the left side of the bus. Lana slowed down
She was holding the boy who had just seconds earlier helped to
push the bus. His body was lifeless – his chest motionless
without breath.
“Calm down,” said a cool Lana, “Just hold onto him and talk to
refugees pushed open the bus door. The weary travellers were
“No fair you’ve got a working vehicle while we’re out here
the bus.
“Okay, fine. Come on, but stay toward the front. We’re just
resigned.
She lifted her foot from the pedal and began coasting again.
What the—
Suddenly, the brakes gave out and the bus rapidly gained
struggle, but she pulled the bar backward. Smoke bellowed from
beneath the tire wells and with a snap, the emergency brakes
were in pieces.
“The fucking brakes just went out – you wanna come drive this
The bus careened down the hill – tagging parked cars and
mailboxes on the way. Lana cringed every time the bus blew
hour. The road curved just up ahead. The old vehicle became
unwieldy as Lana tried to edge along the wide bend of the road.
Just a little more! Come on, we’re almost out of this! Almost…
Yeah! The bus rocked back and forth as Lana pulled it into the
straightaway.
anticipation of disaster.
The road leveled out and the bus slowed to just over forty
right.
“You’re gonna have to crash it – just try and swing wide for a
passenger side tire splinter into pieces and flutter past her
The bus lurched to the left and leaned hard on the bare metal
in front of them. The bus toppled onto the passenger side and
and rims. Smoke streamed from beneath the hood. The windows
Allen slid down from the back of the boat into the thigh-deep
made his way along the boat toward shore. Jeff hung the pair of
fishing bows over his shoulder and hopped out to follow his new
The men removed their shoes and poured the thick ooze out onto
the rocks. It had already begun to coagulate and was thick and
hands down his pant legs to wring out as much of the thick soup
#
159
single day in his regular life could look so different with the
parched lips. The air tasted hard – mineral rich and thick on
circumstances.
people who had taken to the streets. Hooghan was small, though
well populated. But aside from the city fair and similar
tending to the ill, defiling the lame, and making good choices
pastored by Jimmy Lee Sanchez, and though Rupert did not think
would be his best bet at finding someone who might have a better
engulfing distress.
The situation was dire, so many people were inflicted with the
horrible disease, but many did not complain. Those who chose a
advantageousness.
could not be said for those miscreants who had chosen to abuse
thought.
pastor from up the road! What the hell are you still doing
“You’re a pastor and you didn’t get the free ride? Whew, your
god must strict,” the woman laughed, “I’m Sandy – it’s nice to
meet you…”
Sandy was tall, slender, and had caramel skin. She was wore
Her black belt hung to her left side – weighted by the thick
“What was it? Dip into the tithing bucket?” Sandy joked.
had to stop, but… It was too hard, and I was too weak.”
“Aw, now Honey, you’re just making excuses. You knew what you
Rupert rubbed his forehead with a firm grip, “Yeah. But I had
The man was in turmoil, and her joking did not seem to lift his
spirits.
Sandy cocked her head to the side and tried to read Rupert’s
“And what do you plan to find down there, Mr. Rupert?” asked
“I can only hope that I can find some sort of help. Maybe
smiled, “Tell you what – I’ll go along and keep you company.
Not like I’m going to be getting any business today – people are
not have prepared Marshall for. The severity had not been clear
Cars were wrecked into buildings – many with flames pouring out
tucked under her arm. She could see the yearning in his eyes as
deteriorate into what looked like a war zone. Cynthia knew that
164
It pained her to see him struggling with his dismissal from the
force, but she was secretly joyous to have her husband stuck
beside her during the crisis. Maybe this will help us in an odd
the lot. It was obviously stolen, and the men’s hoots and
police easily – the officers were too preoccupied aiding the ill
fair.”
care of ourselves and help others along the way. Enforcing the
reasoned.
totally useless.”
165
Let’s go. There might be folks we can help along the way,
anyhow.”
The pair took down the street and rounded the corner to
simple walk.
Marshall could only see for a few blocks, but an elderly man
immediately caught his eye. The man was bleeding profusely from
several large boils on his face. His hair was caked down with
the point of near uselessness. His tongue hung loosely from his
define him as human. His skin was nearly entirely eaten away by
the mysterious virus – bits of bone and muscle peeking out from
the sores as well, though not with the same severity. Tears
streamed in bloody flows down her cheeks – her eyes nearly glued
only eleven years old! Still a child, God!” she called to the
#
167
before the end of the day once the remainder of his intentions
jewelry and cash advance shops on the east side of Hooghan. The
the affliction. His arms were swollen and oozing a bloody pus
face!”
Rome peered into the blank LCD screen in the headrest before
under his cheeks. After seeing Eddie’s arms, Rome too removed
torso. His lesions were less inflamed, but still alarming when
something.
“Pull over, Cros!” Rome hollered, “We got some kind of leprosy
small convenience store. The men climbed out and ran to the
door. It was locked and deadbolted. Rome pulled his Glock and
jogged to the back door. Three shots and the doorknob was on
wash his sores. The faucet bubbled and gurgled before spitting
bottle into the floor. They were all sealed with the vibrant
red liquid – even the expensive glass bottles. What the hell
is disgusting!
“It’s da’ Armageddon, mon,” said Crosley from the hallway near
significantly more advanced than those Eddie and Rome had yet
endured.
of his eyebrow.
“We gon’ta take da’ Pianetta down ta’ Riser Street an’ pull
shops, check cashing outlets, and other brokers for the less
was rated highest for crime in the area. Crosley and Damerae
diem!”
by-one, over and over across the smoldering pit nearly a half an
open sores. In a typical fire walk, one only walks the pit once
face and arms had broken out with sores like those Allison had
heard about on the radio. The woman brought the young man over
171
to Pastor Jacobs for inspection, but he waved the pair off with
the gazebo. They were then led into the small church building
escape.
She pulled a torn scrap of her t-shirt from her pocket and
fist, she rapped hard against the aged glass window. It was not
as brittle as she had hoped. She hopped down from her perch
atop the shaky cardboard box and reached around the back of the
snapped the antenna free from the radio and gripped it between
her ring finger and middle finger. The butt of the antenna
window. Even with the soft padding on her palm, each pound
drove the sharp aluminum rod painfully into her flesh. With a
drug the antenna around the frame to remove any remaining shards
172
window frame.
Her center of gravity had made it past the window and onto the
minutes, the girl ran around to the back door and was inside the
house. She began to hurredly throw her valuables and cash into a
small backpack.
ran over to get a close look. The top layer of skin had begun
She pulled a towel from her hamper and draped it over her
drained the pus into the cloth. The sores did not yet hurt, but
believe you’re gonna pay to fix that,” her father said angrily.
173
back.” She turned to look at him, only to see his face turn
on?”
“We have that guy from DenvAero ready yet?” Stone groaned.
iron.
this up and we’re gonna be getting calls from all over offering
“Yeah, but we’ll get through it. Humans always get through
haven’t ever had a hit like you. I’ve been in this business
longer than I can remember, and you are pure talent. It’s just
that we’ve never had exposure. But Denver’s stations are all
thought that we’d get a chance at this kind of success, but this
now!”
“You look at it your way and I’ll look at it mine – but don’t
judge.”
there helping.”
175
you’re best at,” Boomer turned to greet the incoming guest, “Mr.
Chapter Seven
Incorporated.
“Mr. Wyndham, thank you for spending a few moments away from
your green room, and I assure you that we are headed directly to
there right now, what with the looters and rioting. One might
them?”
was one of our own that fell early on – just before noon.
could be made with the pilots, and the cockpits are, of course,
pilots near the plane were contacted and made aware of the
simply ran out of fuel. It fell near a truck stop just east of
had vanished just like so many others have today. One of the
rapidly that the air inside escapes faster than air can from a
there have been a few survivors found. With many of our planes
occur.”
eye toward the skies today, but mostly, just get yourself and
“Thank you, Mr. Wyndham. I’ll let you and your family head
“Thank you for having me, Mr. Silvers,” Steve said before
jumping from his seat and hurrying off to his wife and children.
179
listeners, and hope for the best for each and every one of you.
scattered campsites that had been used and reused by some of the
limbs that littered the area. The walk would not be easy or
fish cannery. The blood stains ran all the way up his legs and
nearly to his waist. The pants clung to his bony little legs,
beltline had begun to darken into a nasty brown color, and dusty
idea that his brother had gone to a better place. Jeff had
“I only weigh about two hundred pounds more than you!” Allen
thought of him.
of the day, huh? Lucky guy, sitting there in his sound booth.
“I don’t know about that – he’s pretty fond of his mother, and
“Well I don’t give a damn about my family. Carl was the only
one I was ever close to. Less so after his little prison
mournfully.
and grow past their emotional distress. He did some really good
things.”
Jeff shook his head, disgusted with himself, “Yeah, and you
know what? I never forgave him for it. He wanted so bad for me
could let it go. But look at me now! I’m the one fighting to
I’m just thankful I’m not alone out here. Hey – maybe you got
left for a reason – to help a fat old radio show host out of the
woods.”
182
The men shared a laugh as they hopped over a downed oak tree.
steamy blood from its radiator and bellowing smoke from the
driver’s side tire finally gave out, which caused the vehicle to
settle down onto the rim. For its age, the bus had held up
relatively well.
window and plucked a large shard of glass from the window frame.
The piece fell to the pavement outside and shattered. The hand
grabbed the window panel and pulled hard until a battered face
were stuck into her forehead, and scraps of hair pulled easily
She scanned her body up and down. She did not feel any pain,
but knew that the adrenaline flowing through her was likely
preventing her nerves from reacting properly. Her left arm felt
been pushed through the outer side of her arm. It was bleeding,
though only slightly. The arm hung limp and unable to move.
She could breathe fine and see straight – for that she was
thankful.
Erica pulled herself up from the seat and began checking the
Oh, God, I hope she’s alright! Erica rushed over the bodies to
the driver’s seat. Lana was pinned under the dash, but appeared
to have not suffered any serious injury. She had been the only
eyes opened slowly. Her pupils widened and shrank as the light
rushed in.
for us – ’cause no one else made it. I don’t know if it’s the
“Shit…”
“Yeah, but we made it. We’re here. Perry Park shelters are
just over past the hospital courtyard and across the Frisbee
“Yeah, it’s nothing. I don’t even feel it yet. Now hold onto
my good arm,” Erica said as she gripped Lana and pulled. The
teacher slid slowly out of the seat and onto her feet.
The ladies exited through the space where the bus door had
once been and climbed over the heap of crumbled concrete. The
doors was covered in people of all sizes and types – all with
evacuee was covered with the plague of sores. Many could not be
their outer dermal layer was eaten away. It was a death march.
“Shut up, man. Don’t even joke like that!” Sunshine jabbed
his friend in the arm, “I don’t even want to think about that.
Jeez…”
Jován rolled his eyes, “Ah, man, I’m kidding. Lighten up, if
her…”
“Dude, since there’s no better time than now, I’m just gonna
say this,” Charlie began, “She treats you like shit and you can
cut you off. There’s no excuse for that. Man up and move on.”
you and you’re still defending her. What kind of little pansy
“He’s right, Sunny,” Jován piped up, “You gotta move on. Even
from her again. Just buck it up and worry about yourself. Not
I mean, she did basically just drop me like a rock. But I love
her – and I know she loves me. She’s just stressed out, that’s
Sunshine put a hand on his brow to block out the sun, “Looks
out.”
running down the hill to investigate. The black bear did not so
same skin sores that we do. Totally almost dead. There’s a cub
their friend. The animal smelled terrible and had flies eating
away at its nose and mouth. Though the beast had stopped
uncaring that she had even offered to walk with him. She
shredded any personal privacy she might have felt, Sandy left
home to live with a man twice her age. The relationship ended
189
in just months and put Sandy out on the streets. It was only a
herself. She relied only on herself and her johns – not family
or friends.
abortion that nearly took her life. With some black market
pulled from inside her was haunting. Almost losing her life in
the process added a level of trauma that had pushed her near her
of onlookers.
190
face. Wraps of thick gauze covered his arms beneath the shirt –
the mouthpiece of Satan will take over this planet and unite our
conquering the trials that lay before us! The Lord sayeth:
keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be
medical effort.
count the times we’ve treated you after a bad acid trip. Get
lost!”
Rupert turned away and pulled his travel Bible from his rear
“That dude’s just crazy – you heard the nurse guy. Dude’s
first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly
and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of
the beast and worshiped his image. The second angel poured out
192
his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a
“Yeah, if that joker’s right, we’ve got a lot worse coming up,
too.”
red color that muted the appearance of the blood within. With
their bodies losing water from the bleeding sores – the drink
nutrients every second – at least this will have some sugar and
held her nostrils tightly as she poured the vile slurry down her
taste one might pick up from the air of a butcher shop, but with
Marshall took the bottle from his wife and tipped it back. It
strained grimaces may have helped better prepare him for the
book.”
you were trained for disaster situations, but how can you stay
Cynthia shook her head in awe of the man she had married.
loved her – more than ever she was witnessing all the qualities
contorted a bit.
Rupert grabbed Sandy by the arm and rushed to meet the couple,
“Yeah, looks like we’ve all got a bit of the rash, huh?” asked
talk.”
‘Tribulation’?”
“A seven year period, split into a good half and a bad half.
like we never thought possible for about three years – and then
God? We’ve just experienced that fairy tale bullcrap we’ve been
fed for the last century about how Revelation should be taken as
196
we’ve got to get to that church quick before the next plague
Road. The KHOO radio station sat only a block farther south at
ammunition shop for their first hit. Crosley rifled through the
smashed accessory counter and loaded his pants pockets down with
carrying vessel for his new bounty. In total, the gang leader
himself.
hasp and small sprays of steel sparks indicated that success was
197
He was hunting for bank account and credit card numbers, safe
There was a small computer atop the desk – likely filled with
ample records that would be useful later on. Eddie ripped open
the side of the case, tore out the information drive, and
for this.
“The world is fallin’ to shit and you losers think you can
automatic nine millimeter Smith & Wesson from his belt and
“I’m gonna blow each and every one of your dreadlocked nigger
heads clean off. Teach you assholes and your whole damned
before he could pull the trigger, Eddie rounded the corner and
put three bullets into the old racist’s spine. His lifeless
body fell slowly to the floor and his legs twitched as the
199
“Big bout yah! I knew ya’ be da’ hero mon!” Damerae yelled in
relief.
Rome threw his head back as a tightly held breath erupted past
his slack mouth, “You’re the man, Slug! You’re the man!”
It was the first time Eddie had been forced to kill – and the
ever know – I won’t ever forget. Jesus, why did it have to come
to this?
church, but only after Allison’s mother had passed away from an
was like the man had no care or concern for the people he led.
It was more like he cared about retention than reaching out for
Bible would have devastated his wife, but without her around to
ministry.
200
sincerity.
“It’s the friggin’ plague, Dad,” she whispered, “If you paid
coming down sick with this skin rash, and water has turned to
blood. It’s over, Dad. The rapture happened and we missed it.”
you even say something like that? I know I’ve been tough on you
“You don’t have to believe me – but you will soon enough. You
can’t keep these people here forever. Once they see what’s
certainty, “Go into town and find help for yourself. Get out of
here now. I have to take care of these people here, but you
need to go.” He rushed out the door and down the small
staircase.
while the phones are up. The lines are still finicky.”
202
“This is Stone…”
“I’ve got a touch of this thing that’s going around, but I’m
doing okay…”
“I’ve been sitting up here worried sick about you. Have you
situation.”
“Are you able to get out of the house, Mama? Do you have any
“No, I haven’t heard from anyone today. I’m just going to sit
here and wait it all out. Maybe when you get out of the station
you can come help me get down there. It’s a ghost town down
here, but I just don’t think that I can make it all that way on
my own, Stoney.”
my mother. She’s playing like she’s fine but I can hear in her
voice that she isn’t well. She’s alone, scared, and wouldn’t
story. He had not heard from Allen or Amy since the cell phone
networks had gone down – and he had not been on air in decades.
updates. If that were the case, Boomer could kiss his Marconi
hold of Amy and Teeter. Might be able to get Robyn Jones from
KDNV 1490 up here, even. I’ll keep you posted. Just hang in
“Don’t dick around, man. Find someone quick. I’m not losing
stared Boomer down until the man closed the door. While the
out the puff of strong, tar-heavy smoke and shook off his
Chapter Eight
heels, and we’re just in the first few hours. Could this be a
The shelter was packed with both paramedics and the deathly
ill. Dug deep into the ground and lined with rebar-reinforced
walls, blankets sat in piles, and supplies were stacked near the
nodded her head toward the line for her ailment, and tugged
followed.
208
rosary beads between her fingers and babbling broken Hail Marys
the boney bridge where her nose once sat. Her legs had been
blood was an indication that the life was slowing pouring out of
her as well.
you hear?”
virus,” the woman whispered. She returned to her Hail Marys and
and fixed her eyes with Erica’s, “It’s a transfusion. From the
water blood.”
Without pulling her empty gaze from the confused Erica, the
Erica turned to her friend, “So one plague is a cure for the
other?”
“That’s the first good news I’ve heard all day,” Lana replied.
“Excuse me! Thank you for your attention,” the man began,
Lana agreed.
majesty still shone in her eyes. Lana wrapped an arm around her
something I’ve chosen. Why have I been punished for what feels
so natural?
emotional state. With it having been weeks since she had last
spoken to her boyfriend – the guilt had grabbed her tighter than
Lana ever could. She missed Sunshine – worried about him and
cared for his safety. She wondered if the guilt would be overly
heart as well.
#
211
The sun hung just past the middle of the sky – its scorching
all around the youths as thick blood ran gingerly from open
terrain.
“It’s alright man, we’ve got your back,” Jován replied, “You
let me know if you need help and I’ll walk with ya.”
“Yeah dude – don’t give up. We got this, it’s literally just
yards.”
After only a few more steps Charlie fell face-first onto the
ground. His body convulsed a few times and lay limp. Guessing
212
on his belt and quickly cut Charlie’s pants off at the knees and
fluttered open.
moaned through short breaths, “We don’t know if our families are
last five years – and acted like a jerk to his parents for
making him go. It was torture knowing that he might never again
see his family or give them the apology that they deserved.
What is the point? These two bums are all that I’ve got left.
We could disappear out here and no one would ever know or care.
213
Sunshine lay on the warm ground and closed his eyes to try and
perhaps too much. But he loved her. She made him feel
“I must have been too delirious to notice, but did you know
The group rose to their feet and stumbled to the street, just
yards away and past a small hill. An aged and disheveled wooden
Jacobs in a bold blue font. The church was in full view at the
end of the lane. Cars were parked in neat rows on either side
Only a few hundred yards up that small dusty road, Allison was
tugging hard on the zipper of her duffle bag. She had packed it
and she could see a mucky reddish mess in the water reservoir.
The water inside the pot was brownish in color, but transparent
the pot into a large thermos and reset it for another go.
the church building and toward the storage shed. He’s supposed
better look. She raced out of the kitchen and up the attic
stretch of the arm, she held a small compact mirror out of the
carts that the church used to move food down to the campgrounds
campgrounds instead.”
215
He wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and paused
Allison darted out of her room, through the kitchen door, and
across the church lawn. The tarp covering the contents of the
small vehicle was tied down tight, but she managed to lift a
She opened the first one and peered within – it was filled with
some sort of reddish metallic dust. The second one was filled
with the same dust. Allison moved down the side of cart and
the frosted glass windows. She heard the crowd finish a hymn
Nuclear missiles from around the world have entered the country,
and many of our own have left in counterattack. World War III
has begun and we are the primary target of a unified attack from
all corners of the planet. They hate us and they hate our God.
Jacobs was met with gasps of terror from the congregation, but
the house as soon as she heard feet begin to shuffle within the
sanctuary.
find out.
the church members would pose greater risk. She could not
imagine the guilt that she would be riddled with were she to
recent years as Allison stood idly by – but this time she could
protection from the searing heat. The men could easily see the
brown and floated to the forest bed below. The abrupt climate
change had sapped the life out of the forest, as well as the
weary travelers.
release button and drew back. The thin white arrow soared just
feet above the ground and connected easily with its target.
already got,” Jeff muttered while gutting the hare, “Grab some
“With what?”
wood needed little more than a spark to take light and burned
of the nearby sun-baked rocks into the fire pile to help give
up in just minutes.
pondered aloud.
here – just think of how what animals people are probably being
bones between his teeth and sucked out the marrow. For a one-
Jeff picked his teeth with a small rib bone, “Can you picture
percent more?”
joked Allen. The humor fell flat. “Oh come on, it won’t be all
that bad.”
of places that suffer, but I think our town will stay pretty
strong.”
don’t have anything else. My job and my apartment are all I’ve
got.”
“Well you’ll always have me, man. I’ve always wanted to learn
usually detested even the sight of the man. But in the woods,
huddled under a rock and dodging the crippling sauna, there was
thought it was possible, but I think that just might work out.
replacement. The man had barely moved from the mixer board –
only leaving the room twice. His face was hard to read. His
did not seem to effect his attitude at all. His eyes smiled as
inverted arch.
on that.”
“Why don’t you get on the phone while it’s still working and get
“Look Stone, I’ll get to it. But this shit’s important and
mom.”
in all the hours the men had worked together. The situation was
“I care about those people out there – don’t throw that at me.
I care about your mom and all the other moms struggling to make
“You keep saying that – but you know you’re not convincing
shelter. She told me that she’s alright – but I can hear in her
followed your lead and usually you’ve been right. But this
“I’m leaving. You can find someone else – maybe the new
Stone stared his producer down with a cold glare. The men
read the intensity in each other’s faces. The air in the room
stood up to speak.
“Look, I know it’s rough out there, but you can’t shirk your
from the cost cuts this year. We can work out a nice bonus for
you by the end of the month and get you a salary raise for the
here.”
“You wouldn’t shoot me, Boomer. Don’t think for a second that
“Do you have any clue what’s going on out there? People are
crazy, even. I could blow your legs off and throw you in the
lake and no one would ever know or care. The world is changing
But if we pull this off right, if we’re the last damned station
on the air – we’ll be the ones with the book deals and the
glory. So sit your ass in that chair and report like you mean
Stone hunched into his chair and placed his headphones around
work into this station – and into you – to risk losing it all on
This is how it’s gonna go down, and I’ve made peace with that.
Eddie sat hunched against the door looking out at the trees
and road signs as they blew by. He had killed – and for nothing
saints.
When he joined the Blackheart Men, Eddie had been well aware
few dozen members down to the four remaining, Eddie knew that
gain and maintain his credibility with both his peers and with
The notion of having taken a life bothered him less and less
still loomed. The man was a brute and a racist and had no plans
like the right thing to have done. I mean, he was gonna kill
“Dat aces how ya smok’d dat bhuttu back der’ Slug,” Crosley
“You did a good thing back there, bro,” agreed Rome, “Don’t
piss yourself about it. It was him or us, and I’m a lot happier
forget he woulda blown ya’ brains out too, Slug mon. Self
“Yeah, just sucks that it went down that way,” Eddie sighed,
“Let’s just try to stay out of trouble the rest of the day.
Eddie agreed, “Yeah, let’s just smash and grab and get out.”
in his element.
The heat of the pavement was so intense that the cheap plastic
sighed Marshall.
228
which had been left unlocked and propped open with a hymnal.
The large wooden doors leading into the sanctuary were also
the place. As soon as the group pulled a door open a man could
jacket was draped cleanly over the pulpit and his shirt sleeves
rolled up to the elbows. His jet black hair was frazzled in the
large mega-church – this man would have been last on the list.
How could it be? What sin could keep this man from tap-dancing
shoes?
229
in it all, Rupert…”
Rupert would have blushed if his dark skin would have allowed
it, “I’m honored, I guess… But how could a man like you end up…
Like this?”
“As time went on, my salary just didn’t seem like enough… I
felt like I was doing more than what I was being paid…” Jimmy
year. New clothes, new jewelry – I felt like I had to look the
Ecclesiastes.
Rupert shook his head her way and recited from Romans chapter
will not ask you of your own sins, but only for your hand in
from the back of the group, “Anywhere else we could maybe move
this discussion?”
231
be much cooler than here under the glass ceiling.” Jimmy grabbed
a few hymnals to prop open doors along the way and motioned for
door in the tile floor lead down a set of stainless steel stairs
and down to a poured cement floor. Jars and cans of all types
room was cramped, but offered ample relief from the scorching
sun.
prayer?”
your wondrous power. May we not take for granted the divine
ask for your blessing on this day in whatever may come of these
will to fight for your honor and glory as we await the return of
your Son to defeat the great evil that will dominate in the
years to come. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit – amen.”
233
234
Chapter Nine
books for the highest recorded heat wave in Colorado since the
Hooghan, and Fort Collins just broke one hundred thirty. With
producer.
largest solar flares we’ve seen in the last few decades. One
and it’s doing a number on our ozone layer. More and more of
hitting the land and seas and dispersing into the air. Our
flares firing from the top and sides of the sun seem to be
gravitational mass.”
“So from your description this sounds a lot like the global
hesitantly.
236
“In a sense, yes,” she replied, “But not in any natural sense.
“Oh, heavens no. Not by man, anyhow. And our sun is nowhere
every expert brought on the show that day, “You think it’s God’s
that. Our sun is acting unnaturally for its age, and somehow
some force greater than any other in our solar system. It’s
had been checking his cell phone every few minutes since the
boys left the house, but all the towers in the area seemed to be
down. Is she with that woman? Did she make it to the shelter?
Does she still care about me or how I’m doing? The questions
and his friends had even chosen to make the trip to Newpine when
The young men scaled the steps of the small home. The
loudly for anyone within. Jován peered into the windows, but
service.
238
boys quickly introduced themselves – and the girl could see that
each was inflicted with the same plague of lesions that she had
reverend.”
enthusiastic Sunshine.
“No – and why should they have? They were just as guilty of
“So that’s it then? We came all this way for a cult leader
father – and I don’t know what he’s planning, but I don’t think
here?”
“My dad loaded up one of his carts with a bunch of weird stuff
know…”
She broke down – the stress and frustration had finally become
too intense for her to fight off her emotions. She blubbered
and moaned into his arm, weeping for several minutes as Jován
shelter in town. The sores, the heat, the pain – it’s just
“Yeah Charlie, come on. Allison you can come with if you
in teardrops.
“Yeah man, don’t bounce on us. You need to come with us.
would not be able to stop her father on her own. The company
would be nice too – Allison had so few friends and figured that
man. She noticed the congregation moving from the church into
the yard.
“Go!” she whispered to Jován and Sunshine, “Get into the woods
before they see you! I don’t want you guys getting caught up in
it.”
“I’m sure man – we’ll see you at Perry Park in no time. Don’t
The arm was so swollen that it began to stretch the gauze wrap
Erica rubbed it lightly with her good hand. The puncture wound
fill the gap and seal it off from the outside. The bump
sense that the girl was in pain, but wondered if there was more
straighten out the mess. The girl was so weathered but still so
beautiful. Her eyes told a sad story – a story that Lana longed
wrong?”
“I’m here if you need to let it out. Know that, okay? I’m
Erica looked into the teacher’s eyes and saw nothing but a
Lana’s heartache for her was genuine – her motives sincere. The
woman loved her and cared about her wellbeing – something that
she had only experienced with one other before. Not knowing
about Sunshine is killing me. How can I just sit around here
Lana placed her fingertips against Erica’s jaw and turned the
you’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met. You’re funny,
this. But I just have to let you know that I love you.”
243
“Yes?”
“Lana I care about you – a lot. I’ve had my feelings for you,
warned.
Lana piled onto Erica with a hug, “Please be safe. You may
not feel the same about me as I feel about you, but just know
that I care about you. I want what is best for you – even if it
#
244
“How long are we gonna sit here like this, Boomer? Seriously
– how long are you willing to sit here holding me hostage for a
silly radio show while the world is falling apart out there?”
mouth, “How long you gonna sit there and bitch about it?”
be a good friend, but the ravaged heap before him was no longer
the man he had grown so fond of. This person was different –
even his eyes shone with a new anguished fire. Boomer had moved
watched the cigarette burn slowly between the man’s lips – the
“How many bullets are in that gun?” Stone asked to break the
silence.
thousand people with very few diehard fans. I live with a dog
245
who only cares about pooping and eating and then pooping again.
you’ve got. You’ve got a wife and two beautiful daughters. You
own a house and a boat. I’ve never even come close to being
able to own a boat! Boomer, man, you’ve got so much going on!
Why would you risk it all for this? It just doesn’t make any
cigarette from his lips, “Hazel left me two weeks ago and took
the girls with her. She’s gonna take me for everything I’ve
got. This station is all I have and I’m not gonna let anyone –
not even you – talk me down. You’ll see when this is all over.
The accolades from this coverage are going to make Hazel wish
she hadn’t skipped out on me. I’ll shove it right in her damned
face!”
like this isn’t going to change how she feels about you – nor is
“He was your best friend and you dumped his ass in a heartbeat
when the offer for the morning show came along. You were all he
had – just like you’re all that your mother has. You dumped him
like a dog on the side of the road when you get bad news from
the vet.”
Stone grew cold, “Are you blaming me for his suicide? You
“To what?” laughed Boomer, “That put him over the edge! You
even made it into the goodbye note! You dropped Chaz for an
extra two grand a year – why the hell are you so concerned about
today and I don’t plan to let any of that get in my way any
more.”
#
247
“The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun
was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by
the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had
glorify him,” Jimmy Lee read from his large leather-bound Bible,
the FNP.”
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will
and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers,
against this evil – or our entire lives and careers have been
for naught.”
the radio. We all dearly need help, and we aren’t going to get
“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the
beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness,” quoted Rupert
effortlessly.
“Verse ten – precisely. When the sky goes dark the heat
Jimmy Lee.
Cynthia and Marshall sat across the room from the two
latest updates across the news wire. There had been an airline
– they’re dropping like flies. They need every warm body they
can get!”
going to die!”
thing.”
love me. I know that our marriage has fallen completely apart.
isn’t about you or us, Cynthia. It’s about doing my job and
answering my calling.”
cracked the door and turned back, “Cynthia… This may not be the
right time… But I felt it too. Just know that – I love you.”
do love him.
Jacobs kept his emotions within. The scraggly man was guarded
and careful – both in his actions and his words. Every move was
come from his God rather than the law enforcement or Department
cans at the rear of the house, “We need to get into the woods
“What’s the plan when we get there? How are we gonna stop him
possible… No offense.”
Allison.
Allison bit her lip for a moment, “You know – I have no idea.
or zinc?”
“I’m starting to think that myself. The sun’s too high in the
The men had been trudging through the scorched forest growth
“No, of course not, but it’s better than doing the same thing
#
255
“Get da’ safe phreaka’ on dis ting an’ let’s do some damage!”
annoyance.
They had broken into Kash’s Cash Advance and busted down the
off the gang to the security fault. Damerae had been waiting
Damerae inserted a probe into a small hole near the safe’s door
handle. The other probe was inserted into the small gap between
the door and the frame. Damerae watched a meter on his laptop
probe up and down, left and right, until he finally found the
“How long dis’ gon take mon?” Crosley hurried his friend.
only had thirty hashes made fa’ dis’ model. All were broken a
decade ago!”
bingo!”
Suddenly the safe door swung open. The metal box was filled
guessed that there was probably well over five thousand dollars
Rome followed Eddie out and into the street. The sky had
the disc shape the young men watched seemed significantly larger
sunlight darting around the sky. The heat in the air began to
down, too.”
“Yeah, and check out the thunderheads rolling in from the west
Chapter Ten
municipal wi-fi signals. The death toll has reached one billion
the new phenomenon taking place over our heads. Here’s a clip
Thank you for joining me. As I speak you will see images from
entered the space between Earth and the Sun. As we can tell,
the object does not pose any immediate danger to our planet.
discern, and there was no sign of the its presence until just
moments ago. In a few hours, the Earth will move out of the
Okay, stop the clip right there! Doesn’t this blow your
minds? A planet larger than our own has somehow appeared from
God bless you all out there, and if you have not yet left your
slowly drew his gaze upward to where the wall and ceiling met.
down the wall toward his hand. Rupert drug his finger through
the white powder and watched it melt into a drop of water that
“When?”
ago.”
“We should find her – make sure she’s alright,” Rupert replied
Rupert burst through the kitchen doors and down the main
restroom while he went into the men’s. Both came out with
room, and even the nursery. Each room was empty and untouched.
“Do you think she went out on her own?” Jimmy Lee asked.
seen it many times on the streets before. Are there any more
Cynthia. The look on her face was bleak as she handed a small
signed on the front by Rupert along with his cell phone number.
Rupert,
thought to call. I never thought to come in. And maybe now I’m
glad that I didn’t. It seems that you and the Mexican man don’t
even buy what you’re selling. Why should I? Why would I want
didn’t even get the chance to hear about him? It’s fucked up
and I want out. Call it the coward’s way, but I’ve had enough.
and will be even more useless after. It’s my time, and I’ve put
that off long enough. Maybe I’ll see you again in another life.
see through the large glass windows was darkness. The fifth
There was a rustling hum growing from down the road. A row of
blue and red lights flickered over the horizon and sped toward
Marshall wanted on it. He ran out in the road and waved his
his eyes.
Marshall climbed in the rear of the truck and sat between the
nook next to a large hose. His dirty blond hair blew in the
the light of each lamp post that they passed. He was young and
like he was staring, but the cold air had nearly frozen him
stiff.
“You’re that cop from the trial in Denver, huh?” the young man
asked.
that Marshall had not yet been asked in such a direct way. He
had been questioned about the crime by his fellow officers, the
266
district attorney, the court, and his wife – but he had never
underneath the limit to get jail time. I was set up, but I have
no idea why.”
“That sucks, bro,” the young man replied, “After today you can
I’ve never even been in a real fight before – what if the guy is
“We’ll cut him off and confront him before he goes inside.
Just stay behind me when we get down there and let me do the
talking, okay?”
his walk. The boy figured that he would use it protection later
if necessary, as well. I’m not going through all this mess and
The cool air had been a welcomed relief from the heat that had
caused Charlie to pass out just an hour before. The chill had
become more intense, though, causing the liquid that had once
pooled and dripped from his sores to freeze solid on his skin.
It pained him as his muscles flexed with each step – the shards
268
Allison shrugged and stopped to let the caravan down the hill
move around the bend, “If he gets violent or crazy, just hit him
with your little stick there. Jeez, it’s not like I begged you
here.”
entered one by one and lights could be seen through the door as
the generator was fired up. Jacobs began handing the jugs to
the men to carry inside, giving the last man orders to stack
Jován ranted as he and Sunshine worked their way toward the aged
Highway 191.
it’s not like I’m not in the same shoes. I’ve got to find Erica
She never did anything but steal you away from us guys. She was
clingy and arrogant and her leaving you was the best thing that
here without your head off your shoulders and dreaming about
some magical reunion with your girlfriend. Life don’t work that
“Wow… You just cut right to the bone, huh? Not pulling any
“I’d be just fine with that – but you have to be aware of how
she treats you – and us. You have to realize that she’s gonna
anymore.”
The boys crested a hill and saw before them the most
took a sip from one the water bottles given to him by Allison
and surveyed the dark landscape for a way across. Where the
creek bent toward Highway 191 was its widest point. It pooled
271
river.”
Jován.
tightly around his fist, “Grab the other end and hold on tight.”
The boys moved slowly through the weak current. The deepest
experienced.
272
The blood tingled and fizzed as it moved past the boys’ open
exited, they each noticed that the sores had subsided on their
“We’ve got to stop and warm up,” mumbled Allen, “I can’t feel
my toes anymore.”
“Buenos Acres should be just ahead, don’t give up, man,” Jeff
lied. He had no idea where the men were and knew only that they
should have cleared the forest’s edge more than an hour before.
We’re way lost, he thought, but surely we’ll make it out soon
“You keep saying that, man. You keep saying it over and over.
it. The farther we walk, the less likely it seems we’re going
lead to the interstate and Green’s Auto Emporium. Any way that
reasoned.
resigned.
grasp, making it tough for the men to carry loads larger than
piled up, all it took was a spark from Jeff’s lighter to set the
pile ablaze. The flames climbed high into the canopy before
constantly while Allen sat with his back to the flames weaving a
pair of torches.
274
Allen had torn scraps of cloth from his shirt sleeves and tied
slathered it in lip balm for fuel. A short dip into the blaze
lit the tinder inside the torches and start a slow rolling,
off.
relief on the rest of the family. They had always put so much
it was like we were all free from that and my parents, aunts,
“I was Episcopalian,” Jeff chuckled, “We had all the robes and
stuff too. All the traditions, the rituals – I never got into
The men sat in thought for a few minutes. Each wondered how
with Carl right now sipping wine and walking the golden streets,
“What good do you suppose that will do?” Jeff asked with a
just seems like the time for prayer has sort of passed us. But
Allen closed his eyes and folded his hands awkwardly, “Dear
God…”
grace in sparing our lives thus far. In the name of the Father,
“Great, now let’s stomp out this inferno and get moving.”
I’m thirsty, and I’m freezing my ass off!” Rome hollered back.
argument braa. All dem people are downtown and we’s up here
takin’ dey shit. When we done, we go down an’ we get some meds,
calmly.
277
man! People are dying out there – the bodies are all up and
down the streets! We’re gonna be next if we don’t get our asses
want out and I’m getting out. Keep your cash, your gold –
whatever. I’m out!” Rome roared every word. A vein in his neck
flesh. The whites in his eyes glowed blue in the dim florescent
light. He reached around his back for his Glock. His hand
patted around the beltline in a mad search for the weapon – but
it was missing.
Crosley pulled the confiscated gun from within his shirt and
raised the weapon and fired. A full clip tore through Rome’s
jaw and cheeks – tearing the flesh from the meat and the meat
blood high into the air. The tiny droplets speckled the ceiling
ordered.
“He was not ya friend, bredda. Was just usin’ ya da’ same way
ya usin’ us,” Crosley grinned, “We all jus’ tryin’ ta’ make
like dat in ya – ya not afraid ta’ get ya hands dirty ta’ get
ahead.”
He knew Crosley was serious and would blow his brains out in a
this shit’s over – I’m out. I’ll just book it to Atlanta and
disappear where Cros can never find me. He’ll forget about me
and then I can turn myself around. Why – why did I ever think
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this was a good idea? The gang, the thug life – it’s not me.
It never was me. I just wanted a chance. Now I may never get
one…
Erica had made good time on her journey to find the boyfriend
she had neglected for weeks. She was moving at a steady pace
south with the interstate. From there she would be able to take
the service road down to the street where Sunshine and his
store nestled between two gold buying outlets that would have
door slowly open. There was no one behind the counter – and no
near the cooler. Several of the snacks found their way into her
purse, but one was opened on the spot for instant gratification.
A rustling from across the store and around the corner caught
faint hushed laugh could be heard from the back office. Crap!
the linoleum floor toward the door until – she backed right into
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Three large black figures emerged from the office and hovered
over her. Their skin nearly matched the hooded sweatshirts that
Erica’s face. His breath tickled the tiny hairs of her neck as
he let out a slow eerie chuckle. Erica felt disgusted and tried
to pull away, but the man’s right hand had already grabbed her
Eddie and Damerae grabbed Erica by the wrists and ankles and
drug her across the grimy floor to the office where they had
the top of the desk with the sweep of an arm to make way for the
struggling girl. Erica was slammed onto her back and held with
Damerae pulled his weapon and held the shaft to her temple,
shut.”
service…”
283
284
Chapter Eleven
shelter.
will continue to press on with the good faith that we will pull
upper lip twitched twice and his bouncing right knee slowed and
between the chair and his leg – the barrel hanging just an inch
With a swing of his saddle shoe, Stone connected with the tip of
the gun and sent it clanging against the rear wall. The
shock. Stone thrust a fist into the man’s jaw before reaching
Boomer’s head bounced off the thin carpet with a muffled crack.
Stone leapt across the room and landed on the gun. Boomer was
on his feet and carrying the office chair above his bleeding
head. Stone spun around, his back against the wall, and fired a
slug into Boomer’s left kneecap. The man released the chair and
collapsed onto his right side. Blood spurted from the wound
“What the hell, man?” Boomer roared, “What the hell are you
“I’m leaving, you son of a bitch!” Stone growled, “Do your own
man and threw the gun to the corner. Boomer’s eyes glowed in an
rise onto his good leg. Stone pulled the sound booth door
closed and kicked the stainless steel handle to bend it past the
Stone rushed up the stairwell and stormed past the few interns
atop the water cooler. He knew it was bitingly cold outside and
was prepared to run full stride across the mile expanse between
disappointment.
Erica closed her eyes and tried to black out everything in the
room. She knew what the large Rastafarian thug was about to do
287
to her and all she wanted was not to remember it. Her body
through every vein and capillary with her racing pulse. Every
about the tension hanging in the room. With the events of the
day, his doubt in his path to success had been magnified. His
decisions so far had all been in the name of the Blackheart Men.
For a decade he had fought for their survival. But this was not
snap decision to tip the scale in her odds. Like the crack of a
Eddie’s pistol.
He pulled the knife from the seam of the girl’s pants and laid
beef with her, and there’s no point to this. Let her go.”
288
“Put da’ damn gun down or I blow ya’ fuckin’ head off, mon.”
from the front of Crosley’s skull. His knees bent forward – his
pants still clinging around his lower thighs. His jaw smashed
Eddie had shot his long-time best friend, Damerae pulled the
Erica hunched up as bullets tore past her right knee and into
Lana’s chest cavity. Damerae held his gun extended toward the
woman until she fell back against the hallway wall. It was at
that moment that he exhaled his final breath and went limp in a
Erica jumped from her place atop the desk and rushed to the
Her eyes had already become glazed as she began to let go of her
existence and come to terms with the reality that she was
slipping from one world and off into another. A forced smile
palms told another story. She was resigned and near delirious
acceptance.
thinking?”
“But I told you that there was nothing between us, Lana. I
make sure that you made it. I wanted to see you happy.”
“But why?”
love you, E… And I just needed to… Needed to know that you
Erica sighed and embraced the teacher. She could feel the
forget but would never dwell upon. It was painful for Erica to
witness, but she could only appreciate and cherish the gesture
someone who had been deprived of the solitary treasure that she
wanted what was best for you… In the end, it’s best for us
both.”
Lana relaxed against the hallway wall. Her shirt clung to the
with a tap of the toe of her shoe. She was dead – but not
Erica was so thankful for the gesture and wondered if ever she
prepare for what might come. Allison was graceful in her stride
youthful – but not childlike. She was smart and peppy – just
the type of girl that Charlie lusted for and dreamed of. She
was full of zest, life, and adventure – and was not afraid of
proving her devotion to her decisions. This was a girl that was
292
“Ally, what in God’s name are you doing here?” Jacobs yelled
at his daughter.
them out of there! Don’t you dare hurt them. They trust you!”
“I’m not leaving until you tell those people the truth!”
Allison growled.
“Young lady, you have no idea what fate you have been spared
from. Go to town now. You will not enter this shelter under
“Do you really believe the garbage you’re spewing? You are
for them!”
“You’ve gone too far, girl,” Jacobs sighed, “Take that back.”
293
taking moral lessons from you. You aren’t a role model for
self-govern.”
Jacobs grew furious. His anger boiled over and pulsed through
no longer his daughter – she was the enemy. She was just like
could and could not say to his congregation. She was like an
feeling for her – he was numb to the familial relation that the
two shared. Jacobs had never laid a single hand on his kin,
but as his fist rose into the air – the man lost all control.
His fist smashed Allison’s jaw with a force not unlike a freight
train with spent brakes. His swing continued past her head and
through the air with such velocity that he nearly lost his
balance.
It was far too much for Charlie to bear. He rushed the man
from the shadows and pummeled him into the side of the storm
bunker. Jacobs kicked the boy with a low blow to the groin and
294
raised to his feet. The confusion and anger painted across his
face was menacing. He did not know the young man – nor did he
need to. As far as Jacobs was concerned – the boy was nothing
“How dare you come in here thinking that you can interrupt me,
stomach. Charlie rolled and bit the man in the calf. Jacobs
took a handful of the boy’s hair and received a firm grip to the
neck.
father off of the boy but was unsuccessful. Jacobs tossed her
the man’s lower torso. Jacobs grabbed Charlie and rolled him
devoid darkness.
295
what you deserve for what you’ve done to these people! To your
Jacobs ran toward Charlie – but the boy ducked. The aged
minister spun around and caught a crack to the jaw with a tree
limb that the young man had held behind his back. His jaw
unhinged – but it did not dissuade him from attacking the youth.
Jacobs pulled a ball peen hammer from the back of his belt and
fell numb, blackness crept in from all sides, and his legs felt
Sunshine and Jován had cleared the forest and come upon the
they crested the hill and stumbled onto the shoulder of the
road. Cars were wrecked and their radiators steamed high into
the early night sky. The drivers and passengers hung from the
A man noticed the approach of the two boys and pulled himself
from the wreckage of his pickup truck. A few cars down a woman
saw the emergence of the man and threw her legs around the
face. With pale scarred skin and tattered clothing she looked
like horror film zombie. Her gait was wide and slow. Others
emerged from their vehicles and rose from their seats in the
median.
“No, you are the cure!” an elderly man called from the
after. Down the hill and toward the small business section
north of the road the group ran in panicked fury. The highway
that his legs could move just a bit faster. The crazed victims
were gaining on the boys – and in their insanity they were out
for blood. The victims had resigned to death, but with the new
they were searching for they did not know – some secret the boys
The boys’ legs and muscles were strong. The swim through the
creek had relieved their ailments and infused their bodies with
puffing, the young men stopped for rest beneath a dried-up oak
tree.
Hook left for about a mile and a half and we’re at the storm
shelters.”
#
298
swing sets, tricycles, yard sale signs, and picket fences sat
the academy, but the rich scent of charred flesh and burning
back his nausea and grabbed an officer by the shoulder. The man
looks like you need every man you can get out here, huh?”
been exchanged.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. There are still some people in
house, “They’ve been pulling them out, but there probably aren’t
any survivors.”
Marshall navigated the heavy foot traffic with all the grace
attacks, and the suitcase nuke massacre of the Third Iraq War –
The fuselage had been severed both from the plane’s tail and
small two bedroom home. Flames climbed from the sides of the
craft and sent billowing smoke high into the clouds. Crash
rear had been cleared. The situation was triaged in his mind
passenger toward the front for signs of life. One, two, three,
his back. The walk down the center aisle was difficult – there
Without fail, Marshall reached the end of the plane and met the
counted the passengers from the front and jumped to the next
body that he saw. Dead. Damnit! Then the next. Dead too. He
his composure.
nearby ambulance.
It was the woman that Marshall had pulled from the plane just
“Clear!”
The paddles hit the woman’s chest and her body leapt from the
Marshall watched for a few more minutes until the sheet had
been pulled over the woman’s face. Just as he threw his head
302
In this mess?
uncovered a newborn baby – not more than a few hours old. She
was nude save for her diaper, and laying in a cool puddle of
water – residual from a bag of ice that she had been laying
atop.
“Where are your parents?” Marshall asked the child, “How could
you be left all alone?” He pulled his outer shirt off and
wrapped the child tight. I’ll save at least one life tonight.
Jeff rolled his eyes, “I know, man. Believe me, I know. But
damned thing.”
303
glow of street lamps, each step was risky. The forest was not
and peaks. The reduced traction caused the men’s feet to slip
destination.
“I’m too damned fat for this,” Allen huffed as he nearly lost
control of his left foot. His torch bobbled with his wavering
steps.
“The hell is that?” pondered Jeff as the men came upon a void
beneath the fog before them, “Looks like a ravine or some shit.”
Jeff lowered his torch and nodded, “True – and that’s the only
had not felt since his phone moment with Stone earlier that day.
“Be careful now,” Jeff cautioned, “It’s been quite some time
since I’ve been down in these parts – since Cub Scouts, I’d
304
possible, unless you think you can run down this stuff.”
better walk!”
their path. The ground became more barren and sparsely grassy
the path. Trees faded behind as the men cleared below the
underbelly of the thick fog and across the steep, loose ground
of the ravine.
Allen’s feet slip from beneath him and he slid a meter and a
half down the slope. He had caught himself with the soles of
feet with a firm grip, “Don’t wanna break your ass out here!”
begin to catch flame. Allen rushed for it but the dry brush
Jeff took off down the crevasse with all the speed he could
fresh light into the valley – the fog burning visibly above the
site of the man, “Hurry your ass up, you’re in the thick of it!”
Jeff turned and caught his foot in a vine that extended from
beneath one rock and around a small stump. His right shoulder
hit the ground first – then his head. He spun onto his back
noticed that his velocity was not on the decrease, he dug his
fingers into the soil in attempt to find a hold. Each time his
fingers caught the rock, the force of the slide would jar away
breath – the others spit far into the night sky in a burgundy
Chapter Twelve
Good evening to those out there who are still with us, my name
the Middle East when the gunman – an executive assistant who has
worked closely with Mrs. Singh for several months now – shot the
year old Thomas Allen Brown was himself shot by Secret Service
felt like the whole radio station shifted to one side as the
doorway began to shift until the side struts were diagonal. The
on the air.
recompose himself.
cabinet. His leg was still bleeding from the gunshot wound and
the wood frame behind the foam boards. With a few tugs he
cleared the larger pieces from the path. His leg burped a
this hurts!
Once cleared, Boomer took his first peek at the busted wood
The cabinet had smashed through the midsection of the door and
in turn bent the hinges to the side. The two were melded
together as one lump of steel and wood. I’m gonna friggin’ die
in here.
Marshall pulled the man from beneath the dish and surveyed his
“We’ll take him down to the hub, it’s only a half a block from
With a thankful nod, the EMTs hoisted the man up and trudged
away.
311
The men walked to the carriage and Marshall pulled the baby
ceremony.”
“I’m sorry…”
you or hear you. I want to forget I even knew you. You have no
idea the impact this has had on my life! I’m unemployed and un-
my brothers as well.”
Marshall sighed, held the child close, and continued his walk
toward downtown.
unhauman, and detestable. The dead lay cold and isolated with
crying out like lambs at the slaughter. Those with any mobility
imagine.
314
A shock ran up his leg and through his spine. He looked down
pant leg. Her face was nothing more than exposed meat. Her
arms were bare of flesh save for the skin of her hands that
please…”
I promise – it’s right up the road! The EMTs will take care of
Stone turned from her and broke into a jog toward the next
block.
car window had been smashed and the center console and glove
of the house key amongst all the mess attached to his key ring.
The key slid in effortlessly and the door swung open freely on
its well-greased hinges. The house was like a vacuum for sound.
316
The reality of the moment hit Stone like a wrecking ball that
met with pure silence – silence of the sort that stings the ears
without breath. Her face was scabbed, but not severely. She
from his sobbing eyes. “Why God?!” He yelled the question into
his mother’s still shoulder, “Why would you do this?! How dare
you! You call yourself a compassionate God? Why the hell would
you do this?!”
Stone wailed hard into the blanket. The pain was severe –
worse than any wound he had taken that day. He was not quick
enough. Regrets burst through his mind more rapidly than the
317
his mother was smiling a faint grin. Perhaps it was the final
sense of pride she felt as she weathered the storm on her own.
Stone kissed her lightly on the forehead and pulled the afghan
“I love you, Mama. I’ll see you again. I pray that I’ll see
you again.”
into the darkness of the streets. He, Jimmy Lee, Cynthia, and a
few other survivors had been plotting their journey to the Perry
Park shelters from the stoop of the grand church building. The
rocking quake had torn a scar diagonally through the church and
Jimmy Lee stood at the edge of the fault and whistled down
peer several dozen yards down. Water pipes spewed onto sparking
“Any guesses to how long this fault is?” Jimmy Lee wondered
aloud.
“No idea,” Cynthia groaned, “But it’s gonna cut us off from
to ignite conversation.
that?”
“You tell me. They went to your church,” the kid popped back.
mistakes and learning not to make them again – or make them into
to overcome them.”
pointed out Jimmy Lee, “He’s ministered his church for a decade
“And now we are going to have to die for God aren’t we?” Asked
the girl.
is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his
image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This
calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey
hope, then, that providing our devotion and servitude during our
suppose.”
backward, the boot wedged beneath the smaller rock, and his
tibia and fibia burst through his flesh with a loud crack. The
bones had snapped clean in the middle over the sharp edge of the
fire – which was quickly closing in on the man and his friend.
totally do this.
gonna screw with me. I’ve just about had my fill today! The
steps were slow and painful with barely any weight forced onto
Snap!
The walking stick broke under the force of Allen’s heavy frame
– just beneath his firm grip. His good leg slipped down the
slope and the broken end of the stick pummeled his forehead with
322
ground.
teeth were gone – the molars in back split from the force of the
Fire! How the hell? The torches… Fuck… Why does my head hurt
so damn bad? Jeff reached up to the left side of his scalp and
felt the interior of the deep gash that had been carved into it.
Holy crap… God, where is Teeter? We’ve got to get the hell out
of here.
least a tinge thankful. His eyes moved from his torso and limbs
the brush.
Jeff scrambled up the hillside and fell atop the man. Shaking
Allen’s face wildly and slapping him full force, Jeff yelled at
the top of his lungs for his walking mate to wake up. The calls
slumber. Allen’s eyes fired open and his pupils bounced from
damned leg!”
for me!”
rolling this way mighty fast and we don’t want to meet up with
it!”
Clinging to each other made the journey down to the creek bed
incredibly slow and arduous. They could nearly feel the flames
A tree trunk had burned through behind the pair and sent it
falling loftily toward them. The leafy embers from its branches
his friend aside, sending Allen into a slow tumble and halt
Jeff, pinning the man to the ground. The glowing sticks burned
them away. The hair around the gash in his head burned quickly
off, and his clothes began to catch fire. The smoke from the
inferno pained his lungs with near the intensity that the heat
Allen crawled on his two hands and good knee to where Jeff
lay. He reached his hand – despite what his nervous system was
the wrist and received a firm grip in return. With all of his
might, Allen pulled the man free from the main trunk and away
from the flames. Jeff rushed to his feet and pulled Allen back
“Cripes, man, you saved my life!” Jeff laughed, “Even with the
bum leg.”
replied.
calf. Jeff doubled over in shock – the snake struck him a last
time in the neck before he could remove his foot from its tail.
felt heavy and full of sand. She was so charmingly cute – her
golden hair almost reached out for his touch. What was that
conscious young man. His head cleared its daze and he quickly
Allison groaned, “My dad knocked you the heck out and ran
uncharacteristic of today.”
attempt to focus.
“Yes, really.”
Allison scanned the area for options. There was a rusty old
to the highway!
“We can take the cart back to the house, grab some water, and
think?”
327
“Yeah, that could work,” said Charlie, rising to his feet and
“Do you see that, bro?” asked Jován with a slight excitement
in his inflection.
The boys felt strong. They had escaped the plague of sores
after the dip in the bloody creek and outrun the maniacs at the
despite the shared feeling that they were already the best of
respect.
A shape appeared in the darkness near the edge of the back lot
saying?”
his head.
each side as she moved. Her matted, dirty hair blew in clumps
briefly to inspect the damage the day had taken on them both.
Erica’s face was still clear of sores, and other than some
Sunshine smiled, “We went through the creek. The blood healed
us somehow!”
“You’ve been to the shelters?” Jován piped up, “Why did you
leave?”
“Where the heck did you get a gun?” Sunshine wondered aloud.
but she intervened before it was too late. They all died,
including her.”
beckoned.
330
with a grin.
Chapter Thirteen
to have any word with the staff here at the station. I can only
your safety and get yourself and loved ones to a safe place
immediately.
safety advisories.
inflection.
seconds.”
The trio had made it back to Jewelry Row unscathed and were
follow the road to the edge of Perry Park and hop the fence.
From there the group would have a straight sprint across the
park grounds and to the storm shelters – if only they could make
It felt like the cold had intensified after the quake. The
air was filled with a dense, blowing fog that swirled like
clouds that swept across the ground. As she walked behind her
fell toward the ground in a shimmery dust, but was caught by the
winds and carried off into the night. Her eyes followed it up
334
guessed.
distinct. One red light sat static on the nose and one white on
tips. The kids could see specs of light dancing across the
The plane bobbed lower – so low that Sunshine could see the
starboard wing smashed into a light pole, sending the plane into
side of Highway 25. The fuel erupted into flames and the
the aircraft.
astonishment.
#
336
sky. Though he was nearly two miles away from the airplane as
the sky, fluttered upward, and nosedived into the eastern side
heart.
frequency.
Freedom. There has been a code one thousand at the Hooghan Rec
baby girl, “Emily, I’ve got to get you to the shelters so I can
do my job better.”
337
The baby yawned and briefly opened its eyes. Marshall had not
made much time to examine the child – but in that short moment
“She was a poet. A fine poet in fact. She wrote a whole slew
of poems about rough times, struggles, bad days, crap like that.
Emily, there’s one I’ve been thinking about all day. It’s about
poked her lightly on her tiny nose and made kissy noises with
“Anyhow, I’m gonna get you down to that storm shelter so I can
stay busy out here. This is no climate for a kid your size.”
“So this is what the house of a cult leader looks like?” asked
framed photographs.
clenched her eyelids, “If only I knew then what I know now.”
Allison opened her eyes and moved to the mantle, “Yeah. Pink
was blue shirts and French braids. That camp was so fun. We
swam every day in a creek near the campgrounds, spent the nights
story.”
sleeve. The memories of what had been were painful – even when
“She died not too long after that summer camp happened – brain
something she had worked every day to make peace with. She
would now have to do the same with the likely demise of her
goods.
there.”
Charlie grabbed a bag of trail mix and shut the pantry door.
Allison stuck out her tongue, “Trail mix? Bleh – I’ll eat at
bag. He’s not so bad, she thought, And sorta cute, too…
#
341
had started off the day had left much of the younger demographic
flipped in the roads, and nearly every window that could be seen
was broken. The people of the quiet, low-crime city had changed
in which he had sat for the majority of the day he had not
recognized him.
exhale.
342
“This is The Stone Silvers Newstalk Hour with your host Stone
Stone looked the two men over. The black man was dressed up
pack of Morleys from his back pocket and fumbled with his
cigarette lighter. Ten flicks later and the butt was ignited.
Stone blew a firm, thick stream of tarry smoke from his flared
just burned up. Black. Crisp. Burned. He’s gone. Dead. I’m
alone out here. Jesus, he just burned up. Just like that.
Shit. That could have been me. Shit that coulda been me. He
saved me. I saved him. He just burned up. Gone. My God, why
had overcome him after having watched his only friend within
miles burn alive in the forest fire that he had helped to start.
the creek – and out of harm’s way. The scourge down the
hillside had not been easy, but hand over hand, he had made it
over in a lame man’s crawl. Though his leg was still badly
injured, Allen had noticed that his sores had subsided after
I should kill myself. I’m out of the fire but not out of the
busted ass out of these woods. How does a poor bastard in the
felt like several minutes. Come on, sky, you’ve been angry all
Allen dug his elbows into the soil and dragged himself along
the creek shore. A hundred yards. Let’s see, I get about eight
inches per stride of each arm. That’s uh… Four hundred fifty
ridiculous.
the door. Inside were a desk, chair, cot, wood stove, and an
and pulled himself onto the cot. Wonder what’s going down next…
“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man
of the room. The boys began to empty the brown dust from the
Jacobs took in a deep breath, “These are the words of the Lord
Eve took the fruit from that tree. They ate it. They ate the
thing – think about this now – they had all of this food out
there and they ate this thing that they were told not to eat.
tempted them? No! It was because these two people – these two
in peace with Him. These people needed more. They were envious
The boys poured the shiny silver dust into the pits.
thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the
field,” Jacobs again quoted the Bible, “God made life rough for
crowd. The boys began mixing the dusts together with long
wooden rods.
“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you
return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you
are and to dust you will return, sayeth the Lord!” roared
Chapter Fourteen
With our God – the God this country was founded on – proving
You will see and hear a lot of me in the coming weeks and
Good night, good luck, and God Bless America… And the world.
We’ll see how much luck he has with that. Though perhaps he can
ride the high of today all the way through the re-election
cycle. Perhaps that’s what he’s counting on. Whatever the case
serious about this – the line between the two is about to become
atop the gunshot wound. The blood had clotted into a thick
out of its resting place. The meat around the injury looked
maimed.
the only loser who probably still gives a crap about this place.
“My revolver…”
the old county road, and were headed west on Highway 25 on the
the vehicle, the pair had traversed a distance that would have
“With all the parked cars on this road – looks like we’re
“I wonder how your friends are doing. Coming all this way on
foot must have been a real pain in the ass. I’m assuming they
cut corners by heading through the woods – but still! Can you
where we would only eat what we could kill. It was rough, but
out!”
Allison climbed out of the cart and walked around the back to
ran down his face in thick oozing rivers. His eyes glowed
cart to get to my ex-wife and kids. So don’t you move and we’ll
all be fine.”
kids. Did I get that opportunity? Hell no! Now back the fuck
off!”
Charlie and Allison moved to the left, backing away from the
“Hahaha!” the man laughed hard, “I don’t have any fucking kids –
you morons! I’m just screwing with ya! I’m gonna take this
cart and get myself down there to get me some help. You
damned cart?
The man’s left elbow became a flow of dark red fluid – his
“Hi, I’d Eddie,” came a soft voice from the darkened roadside
ditch.
hoping I could join you on the way to town. I was looking for
355
someone, but I think she’s made her way a hell of a lot quicker
serious injury – several holes could be seen in his left arm and
shoulder.
trip of it.
Allen finished off the last wheat cracker and began shuffling
through the supply box. The sound of the growing rain echoed
off of the interior walls of the thin cabin. The memo pad
Thank God for this cabin! The storms were so bad we lost our
loud. Thunder roared above him and he heard the wind change
My wife Cynthia and I are hiking for the weekend! It’s such
Marshall Torres
Mom says we’ll have our home back some day soon. I hope so.
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you
go.
Allen scanned the lines over and over again. He had grown up
grandparents had died the rest of the family had all given up on
The Bible was tattered and worn – probably left in the shelter
where some of the finish had rubbed off. There were several
keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be
stories on him…”
snarl.
Cynthia smiled proudly, “He’s out helping with the relief and
want him out there, but I know he’s doing what he loves.”
Cynthia cocked her head to the side, “What are you saying?”
accommodates it?”
Cynthia smiled, “That’s not his way – he’s honest. Always has
been.”
The group had been walking for nearly a half an hour over the
southern-most tip of Perry Park. Jimmy Lee and Rupert had been
partner.
lying – faking – would God not strike them down? The rain
flesh. The tips of her ears felt as if they might break off as
she brushed the frozen ice crystals across the side of her face
Worse than someone like me. I’m just trying to survive, damnit.
Park – I’ve been hearing about it all day from the emergency
the fold. I’m not at all a religious guy, but it seems like
the barrier onto the unlandscaped slopes that led to Perry Park.
The ragtag group was less than a mile from the shelters – so
minutes away.”
feel that his or her journey was close to completion. The long
day, the painful plagues, the worry and guilt – the rain was
“It’s the fence that runs along the perimeter of the park,”
replied Erica.
“No worries, man, I got this shit down ace,” Jován roared with
a renewed vigor. He took three steps back and ran hard to move
fence, Jován was blown back and slid across the grassy field.
loop. He shook his head, rose to his feet, and grabbed Sunshine
by the collar.
guys…”
gonna make it! Just shut the hell up and think for the team –
Jován cocked his head sideways with a snide roll of his eyes,
“The whole friggin’ time we’ve been out here you’ve been in this
for yourself. You’ve been out here trying to find her – I’ve
knows what and you haven’t given two shits about him!”
“No! Fuck you, man! I’m not folding to your shit. Not now.
You need to grow the hell up and learn to focus on what you’re
doing when she’s not around. When we’re making videos in the
It’s all Erica all the time for you – like you’re friggin’
married! What about us, Sunshine? What about the ones who have
Jován was soaked head to toe. Water poured from the tip of
subtle but distinct – his pupils shrank minutely and turned just
especially with Erica present – but at the same time the rush of
shelter I will hear you out. I love you guys – all of you – and
ignorance.”
in the center of the street. The window slowly receded into the
“What the hell are you doing here? Can you not just leave me
“Fine. We’ll take the kid down to the shelter. But we gotta
into the vehicle and climbed in, “In no way does this make up
between us. I can only hope that I can show you that I am
different now.”
your men and women on the force – about the civilians in the
field – about helping others. But now when I look at you – all
Chapter Fifteen
For those of you just joining us, I will again reiterate that
there is now word leaking out via the pirate channels of the
second World War, the lawless Guantanamo prison camp after the
Constitutional rights!
standing by all day and to have served you personally these last
369
ones in these final hours of the night – we wish you all the
best. May God be with you and yours. Good night, Colorado.
knew that the disease that had been feasting on his flesh had
His only contact with the outside world had been mostly one-
trapped? I did my job until the end. No one could ask for much
more. Now I can sit here and wait for help – or sit here and
wait to die.
Boomer slid onto the floor and backed against a wall. The
pain in the ass for everyone. One damned thing after another.
I’m never getting out of here – don’t know why I would even
pulled the revolver up from the floor and checked the carriage –
a man to hell for ending his own suffering? Is that the kind of
toward the lamp and pulled the trigger. The bullet ripped
across the room and the last remaining light bulb erupted in a
feel the sharp metal sight scraping against the backs of his
again. He coughed and forced the barrel upward into the soft
Flashes of memories and loved ones ran through his mind: his
rain had begun to fall and line the windowsill with an icy
the cot. The small bed was low – requiring a bit of exertion
for Allen to lower down onto it. He sat with his back against
the chilly brick wall and stared out around his shelter. A lot
372
had been less than an hour before when he had tussled with ideas
nature of the thoughts scrawled in the memo pad had fired up his
too many wrongs over too many years. Please know that I
“So you’re from some kind of church,” asked Eddie from the
blood from the gunshot wounds had soaked the entire front of his
clothing – Allison and Charlie were surprised that the man still
lot…”
374
“Hey – hey this little ice shit hurts!” Eddie groaned under
that!”
Eddie pulled the plastic and mesh blanket atop himself and
curled underneath it. He had been searching for the girl – the
in the firefight and nearly lost his life for it. After the
girl had escaped, he made sure to check for life from the
intruding woman – she was dead – and to put one last bullet in
role and clear his name. But he had become lost in a fleeting
Allison shot the young man a glare, “He killed that gunner up
Charlie sighed and lifted his eyes back to the road, “Wait!
Look!”
dead!”
there!”
exclaimed.
of a walk, though…”
Near the southern tip of the Perry Park fence line, where the
long and three feet wide – had fallen separate and stuck into
the ground. It was leaning just slightly against the tall chain
fence.
back. The girl’s legs were tired and trembling. Her boyfriend
rubble.
grown in size over the last several minutes and it stung like
He knew that his family would not be there – they were all gone.
It was all but certain that they had gone in the disappearance.
his spiritual life, and fighting to see his parents and family
Sunshine knew that he was all that Erica had left. Unless his
parents had made it into the shelter – she would be all that he
that she was still that wonderful friend – but the love seemed
with her but had begun to doubt the solidarity of the intimate
attraction.
through!”
down onto her feet and stretched out a hand to feel the cement
378
the fence?”
The group turned and looked up. They could see two heads
tossed it around their necks. They made quick time down the
merge ramp and through the tall weeds that lined the sides of
covered face to display the shiner that Pastor Jacobs had given
shelters.”
“I’m surprised you found her – found each other – you know…
Eddie tilted his tired head up from the ground to look at the
Assholes!”
“I know. I saw. You shot your friend for me. But how many
you stand by and watch something like that? How could you be a
something to drink and this douchebag and his buddies corner me,
hold me down, and one of them tries to rape me. This unhuman
Dime-sized hail stones began raining down from the sky and
Thunder roared, rain poured, and lighting lit the sky with
varying irregularity.
“How dare you think you could get away with simply
and your faith. There is no fate bad enough for someone like
you. I have to believe that no just God would forgive the sins
Erica had opened a window for Eddie that he had thought he had
already peered through – but the view was now clear. Repentance
could never make right by what the young man had done. Only
The hail had grown to near-golf ball size and nearly doubled
hoping that the earthquake that had kicked-off the foul weather
“We’ve got to find out if any of our brothers and sisters in the
quick or easy.”
this planet in the near future. They must understand that this
us who remain are to join Him and our loved ones in the
afterlife.”
even under the barrage of pelting ice, “If we are going to unite
384
are going to fight for our God – we must do it quickly and with
“I just thought—“
“Looks like they’re trying to crush the fence to get into the
left by the tremor. Jimmy Lee and Stone took the hand of each
Rupert and Cynthia assisted the refugees down at the other end.
“We need to move this block!” yelled Sunshine, “Can you folks
give us a hand?!”
385
“We certainly can!” Stone responded, “Come on, men! Let’s get
A half dozen men – young and old – broke the fray and joined
The group took their footholds and began to rock the hunk of
the freezing precipitation ran down the face of the barrier and
left icy trails beneath their grips. It tipped – nearly too far
– toward the road, but rocked back with a firm shove and fell
tucked the notes neatly on the pulpit next to the holy book.
The stage was set, his props prepared, and his people ready to
listen.
386
the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not
of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you,
persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept
my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will
they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him
scanned the families. An aged father sat with his wife and two
warmth as her teen twin girls held her from each side. A young
elderly man – frozen and alone – sat in the back row whispering
prayers in tongues.
“These were the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. These words
the world would call them crazy. They would despise the
Christ used the word ‘hate’! Can you see how this is pertinent
this world and they have struck – like the proverbial thief in
logic had begun to fail them all. The ridiculous claims made by
spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put
you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these
things will they do unto you, because they have not known the
Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the
time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And
these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was
with you.”
Jacobs snarled and slammed the Bible shut. Without moving his
eyes from their glare out across the flock, he slid the good
book back into its storage place. His notes shuffled into place
388
Jacobs’s eyes darted down to the first card in his deck – then
unadulterated word of God! They bend it, taint it, break it,
and twist it! They use it how they want to trick others into
doing what they want. What do we do? What have we always done?
We have taken the word literally for what it is, taken its
meaning into our hearts, and used it to better our lives for
motives and be prepared to die as martyrs for the Lord our God!”
389
390
Chapter Sixteen
amassed group was anxious to get out of the elements and into
the safety of the shelter, the entire group paused to take hands
park.
“Lord,” Rupert began, “Today we have seen your works and your
power. We can see your might in every rain drop and every
storm shelters, that Your hand will protect and guide us. That
our steps will be Your steps and our path Your path. In the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – amen… Now
The north side of the park – where the storm shelter entrance
The land was primarily open fields with few obstacles – aside
from the playgrounds and statues. The hills rolled up and down
The travelers divided into teams and left the safety of the
refugees took off in full stride across the crushed fence and
into the park. Suddenly a massive object streaked into view and
Jován darted to the impact crater and peered in, “My God!
hailstone had caused to his own body. Shock was all that could
room. He placed a small tea candle every few inches along the
concrete worship slabs and lit it with a red stick lighter. The
into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a small handful of
children dropped from the concrete slabs and onto the uncarpeted
and gracious. You are the creator of life, the universe, and
everything. You are the Father of both the real, the unreal,
to the events taking place above our heads at this very moment.
fight that is to come – the fight for our fates and the fight
for our lives – I ask your for your grace and mercy.”
the vessel and lifted it from the ground. The container was
the pew area of the bunker. The large perimeter trench filled
The stones fell like boulders all around the young couple. The
teens could hear metal breaking and bones crushing all around
Charlie knew that the carnage all around would only frighten him
Sunshine and Erica okay? What about Jován? What the hell is
face-down into the muck. Her arms suctioned hard into the muddy
grabbed the girl by her armpits and yanked her up onto box’s
In the scramble to pair up, Jován and Eddie had been joined
Having to look out for the wounded man was making Jován quite
Of all the groups, Eddie and Jován had covered the least
Eddie directly in the left calf. He toppled end over end and
turned for a glance at the ice hunk that had hit him. It was
395
Jován roared at the young man, “That thing could have killed
Eddie struggled to his feet and wrapped an arm around the boy,
“You can do it! Don’t worry! Look, Erica and Sunshine are
immense winds. Allen could hear what sounded like the thud of
cinder blocks hitting soft earth. It was all around the cabin –
and loud. The man pulled himself up from the cot. Rain was
leaking under the door and running in thin streams across the
cold stone floor. Allen groaned and tried to hike his legs up
floor, bounced off the wall, and spun to a stop in the center of
the shack.
Allen looked to the doorway. It was wide open – the door was
Allen shuffled over to the doorway. His broken leg caused him
agony – but he simply had to look outside. And the view was
haunting.
crumble, but Allen tipped the cot to its side and rolled himself
beneath it. His portly legs poked out as the thin bed rested
mesh.
Allison replied.
397
all around the couple. The impacts would spit mud and grit onto
hazards. The youths had made it nearly a third the way across
the park and were still at near sprint speed. Both knew it was
alright?!”
hair when her neck became jelly as the ice shattered every
became dislodged from its socket deep within her spine. Her face
watched her skull implode and her gray folds of brain matter
398
become fused to the frosty outside of the orb that crushed her
a fleeting second. She was dead. It was his fault – and she
was dead.
refugees ran to the flanks and just behind as the youths made
good time dodging the massive amounts of heavy debris that burst
break off from his running mate. The kid darted beneath a large
“That girl – she’s not turning back for him!” Erica yelled to
her boyfriend.
“Come on!” she yelled, grabbing the boy by the arm, “We have
The kid shook his head, “It’s too much! I don’t want to try
anymore!”
authority that she could only guess came from her experience in
Suddenly, one was felled by a hail stone nearly two feet wide
that impacted squarely with his pelvis. The force of the weight
drove his abdomen into the ground and pinned him with no way
out. Sunshine bolted from beneath the slide and ran to the
there!
shirt had ripped past the middle of his back. With the force of
the impact, the ice had sheared flesh away from bone. Ribs and
It was clear to both Eddie and Sunshine that there was no hope
for Jován to walk – much less run – to the shelters. His fate
mouth full of mucus and blood. He spit a wad of the fluid onto
“Man, I am so sorry…”
fell away from life. His vision was cloudy and focused toward
fu— fu—“
Jacobs paced up and down the aisles as his flock called out
loudly in wailing prayers. Men begged the Lord for mercy for
Many of the teens and kids shouted the Lord’s Prayer in unison
tension.
Jacobs knew that it was time. He had done all that he could
the same torturous fate. He knew that he had led them wrong –
but he had led them to the best of his ability. Jacobs had
done with his parishioners what he thought was the way. Maybe
now, Jacobs thought, Maybe God will see that these people are
confess their sins and give up their lives for God one last
time. It was the only way – in his mind – to make certain the
Jacobs pulled a small torch from within the podium and flashed
and dipped the flame into it. The dust ignited into a sparky
the edge of the trench in the floor. The gasoline fumes ignited
With all the noise, the heat, and the impending disaster – not a
slide out from under her. The grass in the fields had begun to
403
between her toes – and made her question her choice of open-toed
barefoot.
She ran alongside the young bearded man that had been standing
next to Stone during his sudden demise. The young man’s hair
She spun quickly to scan for him. There – about ten feet
arm poking out from beneath. Cynthia threw her hands to her
mouth – but could not hold it back. Vomit spewed between her
fingers and ran down her arms. She cried and spit and shook her
A hand grabbed her upper arm and pulled her hard. It was
Eddie. He looked deep into the horrified woman’s eyes and shook
“No shit!” Eddie growled, “You will too if you don’t move your
ass!”
the hail storm. There were dents as large as bowling balls all
vehicle was not only that it did not use water-based lubricants
and coolants – but that it also contained the entire drive and
was sturdy and unwavering. She slept through the loud downpour
Her closed eyes barely twitched even as the sky fell and
slammed a foot on the brake pedal – throwing the car onto its
405
café. Marshall tucked Emily tight into his abdomen and held
and the baby. Everyone had survived the impact without fail.
over until – smack! It broke free from its rubbery seal and
“You okay?”
You?”
luck, they were headed south – the large balls of ice were
“Tell me about it! Take cover wherever you can find it!”
frozen into a sheet of solid ice that had accumulated more than
406
one hundred miles per hour. He slipped onto his rear – but
dead? I’ll have to come looking for him once I get Emily to
Marshall broke off from the sidewalk and into the street. He
frozen water. It knocked him flat – and his legs fell numb and
the ground. Her cries were blood-curdling – but she had been
Marshall tented his body over the child and crawled with all
strength, Marshall thrust his left arm outward to shove the baby
deeper beneath the makeshift shelter. He had saved his one life
Sunshine and Erica ran hand-in-hand – the young man that Erica
had coaxed from beneath the slide now paired up with an older
“I can’t! I—“
out of its socket. Erica’s legs had been pinned and crushed
into pieces. Underneath the ice, she could feel the shards of
solid matter within her legs shatter and diffuse into the meat
of her muscles.
He grabbed firmly around her wrists and tugged with all the
force that he could muster. His feet slipped and slid in the
his feet in the ground. With his back he shoved hard against
too much for him. He knew that there would be no removing her
legs. It mixed with the icy rainwater and tinted the mud with a
pain, “I just want to tell you that I love you. I was never
He looked into her eyes. They shone with more hurt than hope.
confused about his own – but having spoken throughout the day
in the way that she thought she loved him. The look on her face
can’t…”
“What?” the pain nearly drew the breath right out of her,
“Erica, I’m not in love with you. I thought I was – but now I
can see it clearly. And I know this isn’t at all the time to
How? I’ve been chasing after you all day! Sunshine, I love
you!”
“And I’ve been chasing after you too – but it was a memory I
anymore.”
“Then why are you staying?” Erica spit the words at his face.
friends lately.”
it is in Heaven…”
did I disobey you, God? Why did I lead the life of a hypocrite?
Why did I put myself in this situation? I can only hope that I
to come.
and debris slammed into Rupert’s left arm. It was sheared clean
off at the elbow – leaving only the exposed joint and a flapping
Jimmy Lee dropped his pendant into the grass and grabbed the
had befriended just hours before. The look of shock was frozen
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she’s really gone. Why God? Why would you do something like
this to such a kind and good person? Why? I thought you were a
he began to stumble away from her body. He had fallen for the
girl – felt something for her – he wanted her to live to see the
witnessed that night. The murky white blob of frozen water and
his direction. It collided with his head before the boy could
even consider which direction to move. Its force met with his
ice chunk fell to rest atop his torso – nailing the remnants of
there was still life in the girl – despite the extent of her
mouth and nose above the rising torrent of water that washed
around the large stone of ice. The view astonished and refueled
flattened in seconds.
Sunshine fell back to his seat on the ground. The orbs poured
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notice of the ice wall headed their direction – each person took
refuge that waited within. A tall, slender man opened the door
The nurse grabbed Rupert’s severed arm from Jimmy Lee and tossed
“Hey you! Ma’am!” yelled a man close by, “My God, you’re
Cynthia Torres!”
life.”
“He was a good man, and I was proud to serve with him today.
I hope you can give this girl the glimmer of hope that your
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Cynthia held the baby close to her bosom and fell into
begin a new life without him. But with the gift of a child –
comfort that she had experienced that day. She only wished it
Reverend Jimmy Lee. The man’s white shirt was freshly starched
we move forward?”
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maintain his reign and pray every day that he spares our souls
about making certain that every soul is pure for what is next to
is that we cannot get inside the mind of God – we can only fight
Epilogue
be with you here at the top of the ten o’clock hour. This is
more about that in the next hour. We have a slew of Day One
news to talk about – but before we jump into the news, I thought
– a man named Jeff Walton. Jeff and I heard the updates on this
make the trek from Reeve Lake all the way down to the shelters
scattered about the woods up there. I rode out the entire hail
A few hours after the storm stopped and the skies cleared, I
came by to survey the fire’s damage. They had seen the flames
so lucky.
girls Jesse and Spirit. His son, Brock, vanished in the global
disappearance.
his girlfriend Joni Marquand and his parents Philip and Jeane.
Lastly – and this one might perk some ears – anybody remember
theft charges and booted from the Hooghan police force? This
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old.
for this station for more than a decade. He left the station
Perry Park when he was struck by one of the large balls of ice
miss you.
Then there was that freak planetary mass that passed between
Earth and the Sun – blocking out the sun for nearly eight hours
Lynn Adams put out a statement on the White House’s official web
A man taken in by the Perry Park medical team last night has
tragic and detestable – but you have to respect him for coming
Blackheart Men for quite some time, and it’s good to know that
additional survivors that had not made the trip to Perry Park.
There was an apparent last rush across the Perry Park lawn
boyfriend. The young man covered Erica with his body as the
Ms. Hoover has not yet spoken publicly about her experience, but
the temporary fence that must be built around the massive scar
contract bids at eight o’clock this morning and had made the
weeks.
stones that are left over from the storm. McGrath plans to
traffic and weather updates – I just want to say one last thing.
Hug your family members tight. Be thankful for all that you
need that life is brief, fleeting, and fragile. Pray with your
loved ones. Pray with your church. Find God now – before it’s
too late.