Divided We Fall_A Post-Apocalyptic Novel of America's Coming Civil War

by Mark Goodwin

  One of the guys smiled at Ava.

  Although he wasn’t hard to look at, she smiled back because she wanted information; not to flirt. “I guess you guys are Pro-fa.”

  It took the young man a second to catch the joke, but he eventually laughed. “No. Right Now.”

  Ava was the one in the dark on that answer. “I don’t get it.”

  “Right Now. That’s who we’re with. Basically, the right’s answer to Antifa. It just wouldn’t be American to let them have all the fun.”

  “Oh. Right as in . . . the Right.”

  “Yeah.” He smiled again. “And Now as in the time to stand up for ourselves. We’re counter-protestors.”

  “I like it. It’s got a good ring to it.” She continued looking over their armor.

  “Much better name than Antifa.” Charity held James’ hand and joined the conversation. “They call themselves Anti Fascists, but oddly enough, they wear the same style armband that the Nazis wore.”

  One of the other men from the SUV donned a bike helmet nearby. “Yeah, and try disagreeing with one of them. They’ll put their boot on your throat. If that ain’t fascist, then I don’t know what is.”

  “You guys be safe.” Ava waved at the young men and turned to follow James and Charity who were already walking toward the stairwell.

  The guy who’d been talking to Ava waved back. “You, too. Have a good night.”

  “I wonder if this is going to get too rowdy. Maybe we shouldn’t go.” Charity looked at James.

  Ava walked up to Charity. “No way. That guy is right. We have to start sticking up for ourselves. We can’t keep letting the left push us further and further back. If we do, we’ll eventually let them push us straight into a cattle car.”

  James listened, then turned to Charity. “She’s right. We can’t let them intimidate us out of our own country. Antifa’s bandanas have hammers and sickles. This is serious and we need to draw a line in the sand, even if it is only showing up to a rally.”

  Charity looked worried as they walked down the stairwell to the street. “I saw some other Antifa people with the anarchy symbol on their armband. Communism is total and absolute government control. Anarchy is no government whatsoever. How are those two ideologies even compatible?”

  Ava explained, “Just throw a little common-core magic pixie dust on them, bake for twelve years in a public school, and out comes fresh-baked lefty logic.”

  “Sounds like you had George Szabos for home economics,” James joked.

  Ava made a tisking sound. “George Szabos and his ilk gutted home ec from the public schools. You can’t have people cooking for themselves and living on a budget when you’re trying to poison them with processed foods and make them into debt slaves to build your evil banking empire.”

  “That’s her libertarian side,” Charity explained to James.

  “Conservatarian,” Ava corrected.

  Police were putting up barricades on each side of the street when they finally made it to the block where the Moody Theater was located. Cops were sending SJWs to one side of the street, and directing Right Now counter-protestors to the other side of the street.

  “I bet the cops wish they could stand beside Right Now and hold a flag themselves.” Ava watched the commotion as they got closer to the theater.

  “I don’t know,” James said. “You’ve got three basic types of people who want to be cops; patriots, paychecks, and bullies. Unfortunately, a mayor like Beset will implement policies to make sure that when patriots actually get hired, they never get promoted. She wants yes men and people that like breaking things; none of that Americana stuff. The oath to the Constitution is just a formality and an antiquated tradition in her view.”

  “I don’t know,” Ava countered. “The two guys who took the report for my robbery seemed pretty nice.”

  “Then they’ll never advance in the department while Beset is in office,” James stated very matter-of-factly. “If she issues a stand-down order and anyone fails to toe the line, they’ll be out of a job by Monday.”

  “What about the police union?” Charity asked.

  “Beset got a waiver to be able to hire outside of the union when the pension crisis hit,” James explained. “In fact, she laid off hundreds of union officers because of insufficient funds, then miraculously found money to hire non-union cops a week later.”

  “Don’t the Democrats run the unions? Sounds like political suicide,” Ava said.

  “They don’t run the police unions,” James led the way through the crowd to the front door where Secret Service agents were sending people through metal detectors and searching bags.

  Ava passed beneath the frame of the walk-through metal detector, then raised her arms as an agent made a sweep with a wand-style detector.

  “You’re clear ma’am. Enjoy the rally.” The agent directed Ava to keep moving.

  “Thanks.” Ava walked further into the foyer of the theater, then waited for Charity and James to be cleared.

  James and Charity soon caught up with Ava. The three of them entered the theater and found their seats on the lower-tier balcony.

  “This is pretty intimate for a campaign rally. Ross could have easily filled up the stadium where the Longhorns play.” Ava made her way into the row of seats.

  James sat on the end, with Charity between himself and Ava. He leaned over. “The stadium seats a hundred thousand. That creates a whole different level of challenges for Secret Service. Moody holds less than three thousand. Easy to control, but Ross gets to make a final appearance in Texas before election day.”

  “It would have been nice to get on the floor,” Charity said.

  James replied, “We were lucky to get these seats. My friend from work shot me a text as soon as the rally was announced. Tickets were gone within an hour. Everything on the floor is reserved for party officials and campaign volunteers.”

  Ava looked down at the floor below. It was teeming with energy; supporters were chanting and waving signs. “They’re some true believers, that’s for sure.”

  “We’ve never had an election this polarizing.” Charity also watched the activity on the ground level.

  After several more minutes of the crowd chanting the Ross’ campaign slogan, take America back, Louis Owen, Ross’ campaign manager walked out onto the stage. He held his hand in the air as the crowd cheered wildly. “Thank you!” Owen signaled for the crowd to calm down so he could speak. “Thank you very much.” He continued to wait for the cheers, applause, and whistling to subside. “Thank you all for coming out today to show your support; support for President Ross, and support for America.”

  More resounding applause drowned out the words of Owen. He held up his hands again and the audience eventually quieted down. “I know you’ve all come here tonight to hear President Ross, and I promise, that’s going to happen. But first, we have another distinguished guest who wants to address you before we bring the president out.”

  Charity leaned over to speak to Ava. “Who do you think it is?”

  “Ross’ VP pick, Idaho Governor Turner Blackwell, who else could it be?” Ava had already begun clapping.

  “He was your guy in the primaries, right?” Charity asked.

  “Yep, and a very good choice for Ross. He’s so radically conservative, Congress would never think of impeaching Ross. Blackwell isn’t a politician, which is why he didn’t do very well in the debates, but he’s a fighter and a patriot.”

  James held his phone to show Ava what he’d just pulled up. “Blackwell is campaigning in South Carolina right now. It’s not him.”

  While they’d been chatting, Louis Owen had finished his introduction. “Please welcome, President Richard Higgins!”

  Ava’s eyes lit up with surprise as she joined the rest of the audience in thunderous applause.

  Higgins took the stage and clapped, pausing only to point at the crowd from time to time, signaling that he was clapping for the people in attendance. When the noise level final
ly subsided, Higgins began to speak. “There was a very popular series of movies that I’ve always been fond of. I don’t know, some of you may have even seen some or maybe even all of them. It was the Star Wars franchise.”

  Most of the crowd, including Ava, cheered and clapped for the mention.

  Higgins nodded while he waited for the applause to die back down. “In the very first film that was released from that particular storyline, Obi-Wan Kenobi says to Darth Vader, ‘You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.’ Well, let me say to those . . .”

  Higgins was drowned out by the audience who went wild with cheering, clapping, and whistles that eventually morphed into a prolonged chant of take America back. Higgins joined in the chant, which lasted for several minutes.

  After the crowd got the energy out of their system, Higgins continued. “Let me say to those who thought they could strike me down through trumped-up impeachment charges, take the power of the Oval Office away from me, and take away the position that you fine people so bestowed upon me with great honor and trust. They have made the American people, especially the conservatives who love this country, they have made you more powerful than they ever could have imagined!”

  Once more, the crowd erupted. Higgins held his hand up to calm the riotous audience, but they refused to settle down. He waited patiently, alternating between clapping along, and holding up his palms to temper their exhilaration. Nearly five minutes passed by the time he could speak again. “You’re right to be so energized. Not only has Congress tried to tell you that your vote doesn’t matter, they’ve said you don’t matter, and if Marxovich is elected . . .”

  The crowd caught the implication. Some laughed, a few whistled.

  Higgins continued, “Oh, I’m sorry, it’s pronounced Markovich. If he’s elected, God help us all. In fact,” Higgins held up his index finger and leaned forward on the podium. “Karl Marx was probably to the right of Markovich. Never in the history of our great country have we had a candidate that threatens to destroy everything our forefathers died for, everything we’ve worked for, and everything that we believe in like Max Markovich.

  “The media spent years trying to smear me and my administration for being in bed with foreign governments, which by the way, it turned out that it was my opponent who’d actually paid money to foreign heads of state to take me down. But they never talked about that. The media in this country is full of some very dishonest people who can’t be bothered by the facts, but that’s another subject that I don’t have time for. You all know that already.

  “But Markovich, if he’s elected, Russia—with all of its civil rights violations, economic problems, political corruption, and even though it is led by an ex-KGB agent; Russia will look like a utopian dreamland compared to what this country will become under the rule of comrade Markovich.

  “His vision for America is so extreme, so far left, so oppressive, and so un-American, this will not be a fit homeland for you nor your children. Some people will say that I’m being too extreme when I warn that a communist revolution is underfoot. But I say that such a description of what is happening does not go far enough.

  “It was right here in Austin where a church was assaulted, and people were killed by violent communist revolutionaries. The perpetrators of this act are the prototypes that Markovich wants to recreate all through our society.

  “Some commentators have compared what happened at Faith Chapel here in Austin to what happened at Fort Sumter back in 1861. They’re calling it the first skirmish of the second American Civil War. I hope they are wrong.

  “Actually, if we were to have another internal conflict, it would be very different. In 1861, the geographical lines were very clear, but the moral lines were somewhat muddied. In the War Between the States, a wrong was righted, and a right was wronged.

  Of course, I’m talking about slavery as the wrong that was righted. Much like their view of the unborn today, Democrats in 1861 did not see people of color as being fully human. But thank God for Republican abolitionists who would not sit idly by while their fellow human beings were enslaved.

  “But what do I mean when I say a right was wronged? Well, many of you are students of history and know that while slavery was an issue, it was not the initial cause of the conflict. Rather, it was state sovereignty that was the direct catalyst. And when the smoke cleared, that Constitutional right of the States to be independent from an overpowering Federal bureaucracy was gone.

  “A second such disagreement, should it devolve into further acts of physical violence, would be quite different. Geographically, we exist side by side with intolerant people whose worldviews are polar opposite of our own. Even in the most conservative areas, 35 percent of the population holds some variant of the radical-communist views espoused by our opponents. And in the more liberal counties, the opposite is also true.

  “But make no mistake. The moral lines couldn’t be more clear. The division between left and right, good and evil, right and wrong is as plain as the hammer and sickle on the bandanas worn by Antifa.

  “Most of you know that President Ross was criticized for taking on Turner Blackwell as his running mate. That was because of the radical rhetoric Turner used during the primaries. He talked about conservatives arming themselves, getting trained in small unit tactics, and forming constitutional militias. Turner has restrained himself since joining the Ross campaign, but when I look at what is going on around our country, the Antifa riots in Seattle, Berkeley, Oakland, New York City, Portland, and Chicago, I have to wonder if he may be right.

  “The media is going to label me a domestic terrorist for even talking like this, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not tied to the Ross campaign any longer, I’m not even president now. I’m just an average American like all of you. I’m just some guy who sees what’s going on in America, a regular citizen who sees this election for what it is, your last chance to hold on to this country by non-violent means.

  “If we lose in November, the only way you’ll be able to do what these signs, hats, and tee-shirts declare. . .” Higgins pointed at the campaign slogan banner hanging over his head. “The only way you’ll be able to take America back will be by doing exactly what Governor Blackwell has suggested. You’ll need to team up, stock up, and train up, because Markovich will be coming after your guns, your religious freedom, and what’s left of the tattered, torn, abused, and neglected United States Constitution.

  “Thank you so much for letting me speak and please join me in welcoming your president and mine, Michael Ross!”

  The crowd exploded with applause, whistles, chants, and shouts.

  CHAPTER 18

  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

  Mark 3:25

  President Michael Ross fervently tried to silence the crowd, speaking aggressively into his microphone. “Please. Thank you very much, I really appreciate your support, but I must ask that you hold your applause.” He paused for a moment while the crowd continued in their exuberance. His face showed a sense of urgency, and after he repeated a similar plea for them to quell their enthusiasm, the audience began to subdue the elongated show of encouragement.

  “Thank you, thank you all very much. Listen, I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I’ve been arguing with the lead agent of my Secret Service detail for the last ten minutes so I could come out here and at least say hello. It seems the natives are getting restless outside, and we’ve been asked by the city of Austin to wrap things up. The men and women who risk their lives to keep me safe are also asking that I accompany them in leaving right away.

  “But, I couldn’t leave without at least coming out to thank you all so much for being here this evening.

  “As you all know, former President Higgins is not officially part of this campaign. He’s never been one to conform to political correctness. His candor has got him in trouble with the media and I’m sure his words here tonight will be picked apar
t by his fine friends at the major media outlets. I do have to say very quickly, that his words do not necessarily reflect the views of this campaign, mine, nor Governor Blackwell’s.

  “However, I don’t have to tell any of you what you already know to be true. I have never seen the animosity in our country at a higher level. It’s hard for me to imagine that tensions between the two sides were any higher at the outset of the first American Civil War. And Jesus himself told us that an organization with this level of division cannot continue to be a going concern.

  “The left is certainly acting out in some very extreme and violent ways. Under the Constitution, you currently have the right to protect yourself and your property. Please don’t misconstrue what I’m saying to you, but I share Richard Higgins’ deep concerns about what may happen to America if I’m unable to prevail in this contest. We will see a very sharp decline in religious freedom, firearm rights, and I also fear one of our most sacred liberties, the freedom of speech will be curtailed in a manner no one would have ever thought. So, for now, let’s stick to the high road and show the left that we don’t need violence and intimidation to win. Let’s show them that the American Spirit is all that is necessary to take America back!”

  The theater once again burst into deafening applause as President Ross waved goodbye to the crowd.

  James motioned for the girls to follow him out. He had to yell for them to be able to hear him over the crowd. “I think we should get out of here. If they’re yanking Ross out after a two-minute speech, things must be getting pretty bad outside.”

  Ava nodded. She followed James and Charity as they hurried to get out before the rest of the crowd began dismissing.