World War III

by Heath Jannusch

  The Shooting Star, Pacific Ocean

  The Shooting Star glided up the coast of California, within sight of the Redwood Forest. The dense tree line extended to jagged cliffs, which dropped to the ocean below. Having never seen the Redwoods, Cleo was awe struck by their enormous size. Using binoculars, she could see roots from the massive trees protruding from the face of the cliff, and dangling hundreds of feet above the crashing waves below. The forest was covered in a thick layer of fog, with gigantic treetops rising out of the mist. It was beyond majestic.

  After leaving San Francisco behind, the Shooting Star had been caught in another storm and carried out to sea. This was the first time any of them had seen land for a couple of days and relief washed over them.

  “Isn’t it amazing?” asked Lex, standing at the helm of the sailboat.

  “It’s so beautiful,” said Cleo. “I’ve never seen anything like it, have you?”

  “My parents brought me here once when I was young,” he replied. “Of course it was during the summer, I’ve never seen it like this. Those trees are some of the oldest in existence. I remember my folks driving our station wagon straight through one of the larger trees. The trunk of the tree had a hole cut out the size of a car, with a road paved through its center.”

  Cleo scanned the forest of gargantuan trees, standing hundreds of feet tall. Even from this distance she could tell that some of the trees were so large it would take more than thirty men holding hands to form a circle around their trunks.

  The sheer cliffs continued to the south, but to the north dropped drastically to a sandy beach. She could see dozens of sea lions lying on the rocks a hundred yards from the shore, barking with delight and basking in the sun. A part of her wanted to swim out and join them, but the temperature had been slowly dropping the farther north they sailed and the water was frigid cold. So instead she stood watching, as mist rolled over the vertical cliff and dropped to the jagged rocks below.

  “That’s odd,” observed Lex.

  “What is?” she asked.

  “The way the mist is rolling over the edge like a waterfall. It looks like it’s headed this way, as if some unseen force is blowing it out to sea.”

  “You’re right,” agreed Cleo. “It’s kind of eerie.”

  “It reminds me of the movie, Return of the Jedi,” said Lex.

  “Which part?” Cleo asked, lowering the binoculars and gazing into Lex’s blue eyes.

  “The part with the Forest Moon of Endore, where the Ewoks lived in their village,” replied Lex, taking a deep breath of the fresh, salty air. “In fact, I believe this is where they filmed part of the movie.”

  “It’s so majestic and beautiful,” said Cleo. “I wish I could see more of it!”

  “I’d like to show you,” said Lex.

  “Good morning,” greeted Jesse, emerging from the cabin below. “I see you’ve found land.”

  “Yeah,” replied Lex, “but I was gonna let you guide us in if that’s alright? Seeing as how you have more experience.”

  “Of course,” agreed Jesse, taking Lex’s place at the helm.

  “How’s my mom doing?”

  “Much better,” replied Jesse. “The medicine seems to be helping and her fever is almost entirely gone.”

  “That’s bloody brilliant,” cheered Cleo.

  “Yep,” agreed Jesse. “She’s even got her appetite back. Jillian is making her some soup right now.”

  “Oh good,” said Lex, relieved that his mother was finally on the mend.

  “Keep a close eye out,” advised Jesse, as he steered the sailboat into a dense cloud of fog.

  Lex glanced behind them and for a brief moment thought he saw another ship following, but as they disappeared into the fog he lost sight of the vessel.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Cleo.

  “I thought I saw something,” replied Lex. “It must have been my imagination.”

  Cleo turned and peered into the mist behind them. “I don’t see anything. What did it look like?”

  “I thought I saw another ship following us,” said Lex, “but then it disappeared. Now I can’t see anything. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

  “Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” said Jesse.

  “And just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t after you,” added Cleo.

  “If there is something back there it can’t hide in the mist forever,” pointed out Lex, his gaze still fixated on the water behind them.

  “Are you guys’ hungry?” Cleo asked.

  “Yes,” said Jesse. “I can smell Jillian’s soup from here.”

  “I could eat,” agreed Lex, a chill running down his spine. “Some hot soup would be perfect to combat this cold weather.”

  “I’ll be right back then,” said Cleo, casting a wink at Lex.

  Cleo opened the hatch and descended the stairs, the smell of potato soup wafting up from the cabin below. “Yummy, something smells good.”

  “I made potato soup topped with bits of bacon, chives and cheddar cheese,” said Jillian. “Would you like a bowl?”

  “Yes please,” replied Cleo, her stomach grumbling from the aroma. “And so would the fellas up top.”

  “It’s positively delicious!” Said Beth, in between spoonful’s of soup.

  “It smells like it,” agreed Cleo. “How are you feeling today? You’ve had a bad fever and given us quite a scare.”

  “I feel much better,” said Beth, ladling another spoonful of soup. “Although I do have a headache and I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.”

  “That’s because you haven’t,” observed Cleo. “You’ve been asleep for a couple of days now. We stopped in San Francisco and found some antibiotics, based on your appetite I’d say they’re helping.”

  “They must be,” agreed Beth. “I feel so much better!”

  “Here,” said Jillian, handing Beth an aspirin and a bottle of water, “take this for your headache.”

  “Thank you dear,” replied Beth, graciously accepting the pill.

  “Sure,” said Jillian, turning back to the stove and the steaming pot. She filled three bowls with soup and placed them on a tray, along with a plate full of crackers, before handing the tray to Cleo.

  “Thanks,” said Cleo, accepting the tray and sniffing the delicious aroma.

  “My pleasure,” smiled Jillian. She then opened a small bottle and handed Beth another pill. “Here honey, you should take your antibiotic with your food.”

  “Thank you,” giggled Beth. “I feel so special, with both of you doting on me.”

  “You’re worth it love,” said Cleo.

  “Where’s my son?”

  “He’s up top with Jesse,” answered Cleo. “I was just about to bring him something to eat. Would you like me to send him down?”

  “Let him eat first,” said Beth. “He needs his strength. You love him, don’t you?” she asked, gazing deep into Cleo’s eyes.

  “Um, well, yes, yes I do,” she said, a little taken off guard by the question. She felt strange telling Beth how she felt about her son, especially when she hadn’t even told Lex yet.

  “Does he know?”

  “I haven’t told him,” replied Cleo, the feeling of awkwardness growing by the second.

  “You should,” said Beth, “and the sooner the better. It’s not one of those things you want to take to your grave.”

  “That’s good advice,” observed Cleo, “although I don’t intend to die anytime soon.”

  “Intentions have got nothing to do with it my darling,” replied Beth. “God alone knows the hour of our departure.” She paused for a moment, “Does Lex love you?”

  Cleo hesitated before answering. “Yes, I believe he does.”

  “He hasn’t told you?”

  “Well, not exactly,” said Cleo. “He said the words when he discovered that I had a satellite phone, but I think he was just relieved we could call back home and get help regarding your illness.
At the time it seemed as though the words just slipped out. I’m not sure he actually meant it.”

  “If Alexander told you he loves you, he meant it,” said Beth, stirring the soup with her spoon. “Regardless of whether or not he was excited at the time, I assure you he meant every word,” she added matter of fact. “To my knowledge he’s never told anyone he loves them.”

  “But he seemed so nervous after saying it,” pointed out Cleo. “Almost as though the words slipped out before he realized what he was saying.”

  “Of that I’ve no doubt,” laughed Beth. “As I said, he’s never felt that way about anyone, until now. The realization of how he felt probably surprised him more than you.”

  “But he hasn’t said it again,” said Cleo.

  “Perhaps he’s waiting for you to say something in return? It’s hard for a man to put himself out there, especially when he doesn’t know if you feel the same way. If I were in your shoes, I’d tell him how I feel. Life’s too short for leaving things unsaid.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” agreed Cleo.

  “Of course I’m right honey, with age comes wisdom. And remember, I raised the boy and probably now him better than anyone. Sometimes I think I may know him better than he knows himself.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” said Cleo, casting a smile at Beth. “Well, I’d better bring the boys their soup before it gets cold.” Carrying the tray with both hands, Cleo carefully climbed the steps to the deck. She found Lex and Jesse standing at the helm, discussing the best place to go ashore.

  “Your mum is awake and eating,” she Cleo, offering Lex a bowl of soup. “She seems to be feeling much, much better,” she added.

  “Thank God,” replied Lex, accepting the bowl. “I’ve been so worried.” He stirred the soup in silence, watching as steam rose from its surface and disappeared into the mist, before ladling a spoonful and scooping it into his mouth. “Thanks,” he said, dipping a saltine cracker into the soup, “it’s delicious!”

  “No worries mate,” smiled Cleo, as she sat down beside Lex and gently blew on her soup. The three of them sat there quietly, eating their soup and enjoying the stunning view provided by God.

  When they’d finished eating, Cleo stood up and began collecting the empty bowls, when Jesse stopped her.

  “Here, allow me,” he offered, taking the tray of empty bowls from Cleo. “I’ll clean up, you two relax.”

  With Jesse gone, Cleo considered what Beth had told her about love and leaving nothing unsaid. She began to silently rehearse what she’d say and how she’d say it. Timing was everything, what if she told Lex that she loved him and he didn’t say it back? She’d never been in love before and wasn’t sure if she could handle his rejection. She finally decided the best policy was to just come out and say it.

  Cleo closed her eyes and counted to three, “Lex?”

  “Yes Cleo,” he said, smiling down at her.

  “I, I love…” Before she could finish the words, Lex jumped to his feet.

  “Look!” he shouted, pointing in the direction from which they’d come. “There they are!”

  Cleo quickly followed Lex’s gaze, squinting into the heavy fog that had enveloped them. It took her eyes a minute to focus, when all of a sudden she saw it. From out of the mist a Russian destroyer was approaching from the south. She could see the white, foamy wake left in the vessel’s path, as it headed straight for them at full speed.

  “We can’t outrun them,” said Cleo. “What are we gonna do?”

  “We’re gonna abandon ship,” answered Lex.

  “What?”

  The canvas sail of the Shooting Star was already up and blowing in the wind. Lex quickly started the engine to increase their speed, even if only by a little. “Get below deck and warn everyone!” Lex ordered, as he guided the sailboat toward the shore and the jagged rocks covered with sea lions.

  “The water is ice cold and full of sharks!” said Cleo. “And even if it wasn’t, we’re too far from the shore for an open water swim. We’ll never make it!”

  “You aren’t swimming,” replied Lex, gripping the helm with both hands. “I’m gonna get in as close as I can. I need you to get everyone into the dinghy, along with all of our supplies.”

  “But what about you?” asked Cleo, her eyes heavy with worry.

  “Once you’re in the dinghy and cloaked by the fog, I’ll lead the destroyer out to sea and away from the rest of you,” replied Lex.

  “But they’ll catch you! Or even worse, blow you out of the water,” complained Cleo. “It’ll never work!”

  “It’s our only chance,” said Lex. “Now go!”

  “I’m not leaving you alone!”

  “He won’t be alone,” said Jesse, emerging from the cabin below. “I’m staying too.”

  “But…”

  “Go!” Lex shouted, as he and Jesse quickly deployed the dinghy.

  “Do you think they’ll blow us out of the water?” Lex asked Jesse, after Cleo had disappeared below deck.

  “I don’t think so,” replied Jesse, as the two men lowered the dinghy into the water, “but there’s no telling. If they wanted to destroy us they could have already done so, we’re well within range. No, I think they mean to board us.”

  “To hell with that!” Lex had heard stories of the Russian prison camps and had no desire of visiting. To be perfectly honest, he’d rather die than be sent to one of the Gulags.

  “My sentiments exactly,” agreed Jesse, as he scrambled back to the helm.

  “We’re ready,” announced Cleo, as she emerged from the lower cabin holding onto Beth’s hand. In her other hand she carried an assault rifle. Jillian followed close behind with the remainder of their supplies, her eyes full of fear and doubt.

  Lex helped Jillian into the dinghy and handed her the supplies, before lowering Duke down. The dog licked his face and let out a small yep. “Quiet boy,” said Lex, patting the dog on the head. He then turned and wrapped his arms around his mother. “I need you to go with Cleo and do what she says.”

  “But what about you?” Beth asked, holding tight to the blanket that Cleo had wrapped around her shivering body.

  “Don’t worry about me,” assured Lex. “I’ll be following right behind you.”

  “Nonsense,” said Beth, “come with us now.”

  “I can’t mom,” argued Lex. “We’re being followed by a Russian Destroyer. Jesse and I are gonna stay behind and provide them with a decoy to chase after, otherwise we’ll all be captured. We don’t have much time. I need you to listen to me and do whatever Cleo tells you to, okay?”

  “But…” Before Beth could finish the sentence, Lex scooped her into his arms and lowered her into the boat.

  With his mother safe in the boat, he spun around and grasped Cleo in his arms. “I love you too,” he whispered, holding her tight.

  “How did you know?” she asked.

  “I’ve always known,” said Lex, pressing his lips passionately to hers, before pulling away and lowering her into the dinghy.

  “Try to get lost in the fog,” he instructed, before shoving the dinghy away from the Shooting Star. Lex watched in silence, as the small boat drifted away into the mist, carrying the two most cherished women in his life. Within seconds they were gone from sight.

  “They’re gaining on us!” Jesse shouted, gripping the helm with both hands.

  “Do you have any ideas?” Lex asked, as the destroyer closed the distance between them.

  “What do you mean?” asked Jesse. “I assumed you had a plan!”

  “Nope,” admitted Lex. “The only plan I had was getting the women to safety. I’m open to suggestions.”

  “Well we can’t outrun them, and they’re too close for us to try and lose them in the fog. Here,” said Jesse, “take the helm!”

  Lex grabbed hold of the helm, while Jesse disappeared below deck. Less than a minute later he emerged from the cabin, carrying a couple of wetsuits and two tanks of oxygen. “Here,” he said, tossing Lex a we
tsuit, “put that on.”

  They were both sliding into their wetsuits, when the Russian destroyer suddenly opened fire. The shell landed on the portside, rocking the sailboat and showering the men in icy water.

  “I guess they want us to stop,” suggested Jesse, as the shrill scream of another shell flew overhead.

  “So is the plan to jump overboard and swim for the shore?” Lex asked, staring at the two tanks of oxygen.

  “That’s all I could come up with,” said Jesse, as he scrambled into a BCD.

  “I like it!”

  With his wetsuit on, Lex stood up and prepared himself for the frigid swim. He reached down to grab a tank of oxygen, when he noticed the backpack full of medicine lying on the floor of the cabin below. The bag had somehow been missed when Cleo and Jillian were grabbing their supplies, yet he knew his mother would need it. Without a word, Lex hurried down the steps and grabbed the bag.

  “Where are you going?” He heard Jesse shout from above deck.

  Lex snatched the bag and turned to climb the steps. When he reached the deck, he found Jesse standing near the edge of the boat with both tanks lying at his feet.

  “Come on!” Jesse shouted. “I think they’re trying to sink us. That last shot was far too close.”

  Jesse reached down to grab one of the tanks, as another shell landed on the starboard side. The boat pitched violently and he fell backward over the railing and into the sea, along with both tanks of oxygen.

  A wave from the exploding shell washed over the side of the boat, knocking the bag of medicine from Lex’s hand and sending him rolling across the deck. He climbed to his feet and hurried toward the bag, as it slid across the deck. The bag was about to fall overboard when he lunged headfirst, grabbing hold of the strap just before it disappeared over the edge.

  He crawled to a sitting position and scanned the ocean around him, searching for Jesse and the tanks of oxygen, but there was no sign of either. Lex stood up and glanced back at the Russian Destroyer looming closer and closer. He saw a flash from one of its cannons and heard the shrill whistle of the shell, as it flew through the air. The shell landed on the bow of the Shooting Star and tore through the deck, causing a thunderous explosion.