"Ready?" Gresson asked.
"Yea," Michael replied, and the rest of his family nodded. They proceeded to the road.
They had only walked for thirty seconds when the back door of the department store burst open and Sean came running after them.
"Hey! Wait!" he called. He hadn't tied his shoes and nearly tripped on his way to catch up. When he reached the group, he said to Gresson, "Look, I think I want to come with you guys. Can't hurt to have another helping hand, right?"
"Thanks, Sean, but I think we'll be..." Gresson started.
Michael interrupted. "Hey, if you want me to come along, we aren't going to just leave him behind."
Gresson shook his head. "Michael, he will be fine. He has all the supplies he could ever need."
"And when everyone else starts running out of theirs, what's stopping them from storming the place?" Alice said.
"Look, I really don't want to spend another day in that goddamn place," Sean said. "I've wasted enough of my life there. Whatever you're doing, it's probably important. At least more important than whatever I'd end up doing."
Gresson sighed. "Fine. You owe me, Michael."
Michael scoffed. "I'd say we're even now, if that. You're the one forcing us to come along..."
"Just you. And let's face facts. I'm saving your lives," Gresson replied.
"But I get the feeling it isn't for charity," Michael said.
Gresson gave a long sigh. The last thing he wanted was to be an escort for even more people. Then again, helping these people is the point, right? he thought. "Go pack a bag, Sean. If you're not back in ten minutes, we're leaving."
Sean grinned and thanked him before running back inside. Eight minutes later, he returned, still trying to shove things in his bag. He had still forgotten to tie his shoes, and this time it caused him to land flat on his face. Immediately he picked himself up, brushed himself off, and joined the others.
"Can we leave now, please?" Gresson asked.
"Why not," Michael replied. Gresson shook his head and led the group south along the road.
As they began to walk, Sean went next to Michael and said, "Hey, thanks for that."
Michael gave a small smile and said, "Honestly, the more people with us that aren't Gresson, the safer I feel."
Sean chuckled. "Yeah, I feel ya. Not sure how I feel about our President Zombie."
Michael chuckled, then realized how ridiculously true that statement seemed. This can't really be happening, he thought.
"I gotta say, I don't think I've ever been this excited. My life's always been... uh... pretty dull, but this feels like an adventure," Sean said.
Michael gave him a odd look, then said, "You might want to keep that enthusiasm to yourself. You know, end of the world, people dying, my family forced from our home at gunpoint. All that."
"Oh, right. Yeah, sorry," Sean said as he scratched his forehead, embarrassed.
"And Sean?"
"Yeah?"
"Your shoes are still untied." Sean looked down and saw that Michael's observation was correct. He knelt down to tie them, then jogged a bit to catch up with the group.
They continued to walk in silence for a few minutes, before Sean and the Cases began to strike up conversation, getting to know one another. Gresson, having no interest in small talk, walked on a bit ahead with his eyes peeled for upcoming trouble.
"You were Operations Manager? That sounds important," Sean said.
"I suppose it is," Alice replied with a forced smile.
"Well, when I was manager, I was in charge of making sure people put shampoo bottles in order, kept the bathrooms clean, and didn't take money from the registers. I assume your job was a bit more involved?" Sean asked with a laugh. His use of past tense caught Alice's attention. She began to realize that her and her family's former lives were in past tense too.
"Eh, believe it or not, it wasn't all that complicated. I guess I'm just good at telling people what to do," she replied.
"Damn straight," Michael said. The group, besides Gresson, shared a much needed laugh.
"Well, if you want to hear about an interesting job, ask my husband. He was the Lead New Projects Researcher," Alice said.
Sean became curious. "Oh? What kind of cool stuff did you work on, Michael?"
"Sorry, it's classified," Michael said, then paused. He too had yet to adjust to the idea of having a new life, in a new world. "Then again, I guess getting fired isn't much of a concern anymore, huh?" Sean shook his head. "Well, I worked on... man, this is a bit weird. Never really got to talk about this stuff, usually not even with you guys." Michael said, looking over at his family. "Well, Adam and I have been working... oh, I mean had been working on a new clothing material. Supposed to be almost impenetrable..."
"Wait, Adam, you worked there too?" Sean interrupted.
"Just as an intern," Adam replied.
"Very cool. How old are you?"
"18."
"Ah. And Marie, what about you?"
"I'm 16," she said softly.
"Cool, cool. So, impenetrable clothing material. You mean, like bulletproof?"
"Uh huh. It was supposed to be virtually indestructible. No knives, bullets, chemicals, or fire were going to get through. Problem was, as soon as we got it at the lab, it started disintegrating on its own," Michael said.
Sean laughed heartily. "Well, ain't that a bitch," he said.
Michael chuckled. "Indeed."
"So, I assume you made some stuff that worked too, right? What else went on at Gimbal Systems Inc?" Sean asked.
"My last big project was on a new type of electro-magnetic pulse projector," Michael said. Gresson turned his head slightly, now interested in the conversation.
"Oh, right! You said something about that yesterday," Sean said excitedly.
"Yea, well, we called it Project Blackout. Sort of like an EMP, but that's not entirely accurate. It was based on a very different kind of technology. Wasn't just a pulse, either. It was an electro-magnetic field. So, instead of just knocking out all the electronics, this would stop any new electronics built in the area from working. It was meant for small-scale, long-term population control."
"Whoa. That's kinda freaky," Sean said.
"Maybe," Michael said with a shrug. "Truth is, the tech has been around for a few years. We were only working on it to increase its longevity. The current models don't last... very... long." Michael paused and looked at Gresson. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together. "That's why we're going to Charleston. For Project Blackout."
Gresson looked back, but continued walking. "Yes," he replied.
"I hope we're getting it to stop whoever did this," Michael stated, though it sounded more like a question.
"Hope will not change much, Mr. Case. But if you must know, I assure you, we are doing what's best for us all, what's going to save all your lives," Gresson said solemnly.
Michael scoffed, but had no reply.
After a few minutes, Sean asked Michael, "So Project Blackout? It already sounds... ominous."
"All the names our researchers gave to projects did," Alice replied.
The group soon came to the Outerbridge Crossing. The bridge was lightly covered in collided cars and a few other people were crossing in both directions. The group began to cross, with Gresson still in the lead. They could see watercraft scattered in the water of the Staten Island Sound below. Most of the drivers had either paddled their boats to shore or abandoned them.
The group made their way across the bridge and began heading southwest into New Jersey. They entertained themselves with small talk and, within an hour, reached the Victory Bridge, which spanned Raritan River. They continued to walk and saw a similar scene as the last bridge.
Halfway across, Adam asked, "Hey, I'm getting a bit hungry. Can we stop and eat?"
The group looked at Gresson, who continued to walk. "Once we cross the bridge, we'll find a spot to eat."
Michael stopped walking and held out his arm. The
others stopped. Realizing no one was following, Gresson groaned and said, "Fine."
The Cases sat along the railing, Gresson leaned against a nearby light-post, and Sean hopped on top the roof of a green sports-car. "Always wanted..." he started to say, when the car began to move. "Whoa!" he yelled as he jumped off. The car slowly rolled into the car ahead of it, which also rolled forward causing a small domino effect with the next three cars.
"Cars must've fried before setting off the brakes," Michael said.
"Aren't there supposed to be manual brakes on them?" Sean asked while he composed himself.
"I think the brakes only activate once there's an error. The EMP, or whatever it was, would've completely killed the cars' computers before it knew anything was wrong. The cars are essentially still in drive, just without power," Michael replied.
"High quality crap, that is," Sean sarcastically growled.
"Can't imagine they planned on making them EMP proof, if that would've even helped," Alice said. Sean shrugged and chose to sit on the road, facing the Cases.
The group opened their bags and began to eat. Once they had finished, they stood up and began to follow Gresson again across the rest of the bridge.
Michael jogged up to Gresson and asked, "So, I know you're not keen on questions, but I don't understand something. You said this happened 'everywhere.' But that would take way too many Project Blackout models, which is my only guess for what caused this. If by 'everywhere' you meant 'global,' then there's nothing I can think of that would be capable of anything near that. At most, maybe... I don't know... a state, but the whole world?"
"Michael, there's a lot of things you won't understand," Gresson replied. "The truth is, I don't even understand it all. But I need you to trust me. I know it's an understatement to say we got off on the wrong foot..."
"You aimed a gun at my daughter's head."
Gresson ignored him. "You must understand, however, that I need you to help me. People's lives are counting on it. Your lives are counting on it"
"I don't understand..." Michael said.
"And you don't need too."
Frustrated, Michael returned to walking beside his family.
After the group completed their trek across the bridge, they began to walk southwest. Their surroundings were similar. People wandered without much purpose. Animals made noise in the distance. The occasional fire plagued random buildings. The group could only watch wide-eyed as they continued. After about thirty minutes, they passed a young couple on the road.
"Hey! You guys seem to know what you are doing," the young man said with a thick Spanish accent. "You know anything about... eh... what is going on?"
"Well, I can tell you not to bother with any electronics," Michael said.
"Yeah, we figured that out," the young woman said sharply. "What we want to know is why the hell..."
"Babe," the man interrupted, "It's okay. They are just trying to help us."
In a sudden change of emotion, the woman bit her lip, trying to hold back tears, as she asked, "Do you know why this is happening? We heard the city was bombed. Is that what caused this?"
The group looked at Gresson, but he showed no interest in giving an answer.
"It does look like it was bombed," Alice said as she looked at the giant smoke cloud on the horizon north of them.
"Well, what are you going to do? What should we do?" the man said.
"Head south. It's safer south," Gresson said, facing the couple for only a moment, then turning back and continuing his walk.
The couple was stunned, having just recognized who Gresson was. The authority with which he spoke denied them the ability to question, however. The young man only nodded and said, "Thank... thank you. We'll go south then." Uncomfortable with staying near the group, the couple left the road.
"So, what's south?" Sean asked.
"You will see soon enough," Gresson replied.
The next three hours were rather uneventful. The group passed many others asking questions, but the only person with answers wasn't sharing.
They arrived at Interstate 95 and took a ramp onto the highway. The group looked down the endless road as Gresson explained that they would be following this for nearly the rest of their journey. They all looked at each other, not knowing what lay ahead. They would face it together, at least, and that would have to be enough.
Part Two
“Journey”
Chapter 7
Trenton - August 4, 2072
They were outside Trenton when the sun began to set.
"Let's find some shelter," Gresson said.
There was a small hotel not far from the highway. They made their way to it and walked through the front doors. Inside, the building was already trashed. Gresson pulled out a lighter and guided the group to a dark hallway of rooms. He kicked down a door, causing a violent smash that made Marie cry out. Michael put an arm around her to calm her nerves. Inside the room were two queen-sized beds and a couch.
"Okay. Cases, you'll take the beds and couch. Sean and I will use the floor."
Silently, they all found their places. Sean and Gresson rolled out their sleeping bags on the floor as the others used blankets on the furniture. Soon, they were all settled in.
For a few minutes, the room was silent. Alice cuddled against her husband and whispered, "Hey. You still awake?"
Groggily, Michael replied, "Yeah. You okay?"
"I think so. I just wanted to make sure you were."
"I'm alright. I'm just worried about the kids."
Alice nodded her head and said, "Me too. I just want us all to get somewhere safe... and soon, especially for Marie's sake. She's so scared."
"As scary as it seems, I think our best bet for now is to stay with Gresson and do what he wants. There's just no where else to go."
"I can't even imagine what's happening to everyone else. I'm sure others haven't even left home. But John? Sally? Malcolm? What are they doing? Are they... are they even alive?" Alice shuddered at the thought of her friends braving the world outside alone.
"We can't think like that. I'm sure they've found places to hold up. Heck, I'm sure Malcolm's already at work rebuilding the whole damn city."
They both laughed quietly. Alice said, "I'll bet he's made himself the new mayor, promising to have the lights back on by the end of his term." They laughed again.
Michael put his hand on the side Alice's face and said, "I love you." He gave her a peck on the forehead.
She smiled and said, "I love you too."
The couple pulled each other close and fell asleep.
In the other bed beside them lay Marie. Her eyes were still wide open, staring into the darkness. She couldn't hear what her parents had been saying beside her, but their voices gave her some comfort.
She thought about her friends. They were her world. For her, there could be nothing without them. And yet, she was sure she would never see any of them again. The thought brought tears to her eyes. I hate this! I just want to go home! she shouted in her head.
Her thoughts switched to her current companions. The last people she wanted to spend the end of the world with was her family. At least, that's what she had always thought. But as much as she was inclined to hate being with them, it was obvious to her that they were the only ones who would be looking out for her now. This new world was a frightening place. It had begun with explosions, darkness, and a gun barrel aimed at her head. But the scenes she had witnessed later that night were what haunted her the most. Death had never been so real for Marie, and it seemed to be everywhere. Even as they had traveled rather peacefully today, death and despair seemed to stalk them and echo across the eerily silent new world. There was no safe place, it seemed. No security except by her family's side.
She contemplated the other two men who were in their group. Gresson, who had first greeted her family with his gun and demanded that they leave their home, still scared her. He had only helped them since the events of that night, but she still
could not trust him. Sean, however, seemed pleasant enough. There was something about his naive optimism that calmed her.
As she considered these things, her eyes began to close from exhaustion and her mind exchanged frightened conscious thoughts for dark dreams.
On the couch nearby lay her brother. Adam was sitting up, his back against an arm of the couch. He was awake, contemplating the events of the last two days.
Though part of him longed to be back home with his friends and his exhilarating work at Gimbal, Adam had already accepted the new world around him. He was determined to find out what was happening and to help those he knew were in need. He was content with this new role for his life, in fact he embraced it. There was little excitement for what lay ahead, but he was prepared to accept it.
He began to think of what might be necessary to protect his family at the end of this journey. No part of him trusted Gresson and Adam fully expected for them all to be discarded once the man had what he wanted. We'll need something for protection, he thought. He needed an practical objective for survival, and for now, securing a weapon was that objective. He would make sure his family would survive at all costs.
Content with his current purpose, Adam laid down on the couch and attempted to fall asleep.
In front of the couch and at the foot of Marie's bed lay Sean. His sleep schedule had yet to adjust to early mornings and nights. Being alone in his room in front of his computer long past midnight had been his routine for years.
Sean had never been one with many friends. His social skills had only developed enough for him to get by. He was awkward, shy, and a bit clumsy, all characteristics not valued in the society that had surrounded him. His life's aspirations were lacking. Working at the supermarket had only served to pay his bills. The management position had only become his due to a lack of other applicants. While he had always been a fairly happy man, he did not miss his previous life in the slightest. This journey with others, whom he already considered friends, was to him an opportunity to become someone better. It was a long-awaited chance at a fresh start. He drifted to sleep with a smile on his face and began to dream about his upcoming adventures.
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