No one else had reacted nearly as quickly or decisively as Blake had. He honestly had nothing to be sorry about. But what else could he say? It was the ultimate conflictive moment. None of us could have simultaneously felt any better or worse than we did. Mom had been so close to making it all the way.
Kate was now mostly recovered and was kneeling, with Hayley, beside Dad. Dad had developed a tight bond over the years with both of them, and no one knew more about what Mom meant to him than those two did.
The Coast Guard captain checked to make sure we were ready to go, and I looked at him like he was crazy. “No sir. We need to get the other boat.”
“Other boat?” he replied, turning to look at the radar. “There is no other boat.”
EIGHTY-FIVE: “Fox and the Hound”
“Yes, there…” I began to object while also looking at the screen. Danny had to be out there! But he was right. There was no other boat. “Do you have any idea where the plane went down?” I asked, knowing the wreckage had long since sunk.
The captain turned to his maps and tried to determine exactly where they were in regards to where the signal had been lost by the airplane. “Has to be about ten miles that way.”
“Two hundred sixty miles from land,” another officer added.
“Have you been over there yet?” I asked.
“No, sir,” he replied. “Nothing came up on our screens.”
“Let’s go,” I cut in. “Can we please at least check?”
“We don’t have security clearance,” the captain replied. “We’re well beyond our safety zone out here.”
As I started to object, Blake grabbed my arm. “Are you Coast Guard?” Blake asked the captain.
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
“Well you’ve got a US Marine out there,” Blake continued, pointing towards where the plane had gone down. “And he’d never leave you if the roles were reversed.”
That’s all it took. The captain turned and gave the order to his man on the radio to have the other Cutter follow us. We raced off in the direction of the flight’s path towards the islands. We saw nothing until we were almost right on top of them. Then one of the captain’s men yelled, “Man in the water!”
One man? I scrambled to see who it was, as a voice shouted out again. “Correction…two men in the water!”
We hurried to the side of the boat, and as we approached we could see Danny treading water, holding Lazzo around the neck. The crew tossed out a line to Danny, who grabbed ahold of it. He pulled Lazzo over to the boat, and the crew helped the two of them up. It appeared as if Lazzo was either dead or unconscious, but fortunately he was neither. He merely didn’t know how to swim, and Danny had been forced to give him a quick lesson on the back-float. As soon as he was able to grab the boat ladder, he pulled himself out of the water. He was fine. But as soon as they helped him up on the deck, and he said, “Thank you,” there was a commotion. The captain started shouting orders, and several men came running towards us with guns.
We stepped out of their way, but Danny lunged up and shoved Lazzo towards the back corner of the boat. He put himself directly between the African and the guns. “Move out of the way, sir!” The captain shouted. “I’m not going to tell you again!”
“Like hell,” Danny said. This was Todd and Copper from Fox and the Hound all over again.
“Sir, he can’t come to the island,” the captain replied. “We can’t even let him live.”
“Then you’re going to have to kill me, too,” Danny replied with an icy glare.
“Danny,” Lazzo whispered.
“Shut up!” Danny ordered.
“Danny. They’re right,” Lazzo said.
“No. They’re not,” Danny replied. “We don’t just kill people. You have to have a reason. This man has done nothing but help us. He lives, or we both die.”
It was a stare down that didn’t look like it was going to end well, until Reagan stepped in. “Captain. May I have a word?” she said quietly.
“Ma’am. Step back, please,” the captain ordered her.
“Sir. I’m Reagan Moore. The acting President of the United States was my father.” The captain was listening but not backing off from his impasse with Danny. “The man you’re pointing a gun at,” she continued. “He’s the man who saved me and my sister and went to talk to Daddy before he died.”
We watched as the captain’s stance began to soften. “That man,” she went on, “was not only shot by the man he’s protecting now, but he is the man who gave the President of the United States, under imminent threat to his own life, the pill he used to end his own life, so no one could ever get into Hawaii from the outside.” She paused to collect herself, but only for a second. “The man you are about to shoot is the reason you are still alive. He kept the enemy from bringing down the shield. He’s the reason every person in Hawaii is still alive. So…maybe…you might want to reconsider your position.”
The clarity and accuracy of her words hit us pretty hard. The captain was looking at Reagan now, and then he finally glanced at Danny. “That true?”
“It is,” Blake replied, stepping up beside Danny, also in front of Lazzo. I joined him a second later, and gradually the rest of the group moved in front of him, too.
“Stand down,” the captain ordered his men. He handed his weapon to one of his crewmen and approached Danny, hand out. Danny shook it. “Sorry, sir,” the captain said humbly. “It is an honor to have you on board, sir.”
Danny looked him in the eye. “Do I have your word you won’t harm this man?”
“He will have to be interrogated on land. There’s nothing I can do about that. But…” The captain paused, extending his hand past Danny to Lazzo. “While I can’t let you in to Hawaii as an African, if you’re interested in becoming an American, I can make that happen right now.”
Lazzo was clearly shocked, both by Danny’s defense of his life and by what he’d just heard. He couldn’t help but think of his brother, and of all Eddie had ever wanted. He accepted the offer with tears in his eyes. “Thank you. Yes.” He was sworn in on the Bible and then turned to Danny. Danny hugged him. Lazzo whispered in his ear, “For Eddie…thank you.”
“You got it, man,” Danny whispered back. “You’re welcome.”
--------------------
The jets and other Cutter served as our sentries for the remaining miles to Hawaii. We never honestly thought we could make it—not against those odds, not given the incredible lengths we had to go to survive each day. We’d made new friends, but lost loved ones. As I stood on the back of the boat and looked back in the general direction of the former United States, I couldn’t help but shake my head. As emotions coursed through me I whispered, “I’m gonna miss you, Mom. We almost got you here. We’ll take care of Dad. I promise. Give our best to Cameron, Nathan, and Wes, will you? I hope you’re all up there with God right now, looking down at us and happy. We made it. But we couldn’t have made it without any of you!”
Tara walked up beside me and put her arm around my waist. “Talking to yourself again?” she asked, with a slight nudge to my ribs. I glanced over at her and put my arm around her shoulders. “Hey…you okay?” she asked, having noticed my tears.
I nodded. “Just talking to God…to Mom…to whomever.” She leaned her head against mine. I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent. They must have a shower on the boat somewhere. She smelled amazingly clean.
“Wow,” I said.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. Just wow!” The word meant so many different things to me right now.
She was quiet for a couple minutes, and then finally she spoke. “We made it, Ryan,” she said with a beautiful sigh and ensuing smile. “I can’t believe we made it.”
“I know, babe,” I replied, smiling back. I looked her up and down. Plain white T-shirt and tight denim. Bare feet. A perfect ten. My perfect ten.
I looked back out to sea and let my heart drift off for a minute to the love of my l
ife. Sophie, wherever you are, I miss you so, so much…and I will always love you. I wish I had you here with me more than anything…and I know you know that…but I hope, since I can’t have you, you’re okay with this too.
“Tara,” I whispered, choking up a little.
“Yes?” she glanced up at me.
I squared up with her to better look her in the eyes. “I love you.”
“I know, Ryan,” she said back. “I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
Thanksgiving Day (six months later), November 25, 2021.
Hawaii.
Danny…
There’s something to be said about standing on a beautiful sandy beach, waves breaking in the distance, as you watch a beautiful girl walk across a makeshift aisle of flower petals towards you. There’s music in the background, but you don’t really hear it. There are friends and family beside you, more friends and family standing up in front of you, all turning their heads to watch her too. She’s everything you need. She’s everything you want. When you lost what you loved most, she was with you. When you needed someone to just be there, she always was. You’re marrying the only girl you’ve ever loved…and repeating the words the preacher says before you… “I, Danny, take thee, Kate…”
Me…
There’s something to be said for starting over. Standing in the front row, watching my son marry the perfect girl. It’s hard to explain the pride I have in my beautiful daughter, Hayley, standing up there by my son and the preacher—alive and happy with her boyfriend Sam on the other side, behind Danny. I see the look Hayley and Sam share. I know that look. It’s the look of love Sophie always gave me, the look of love I no longer have to miss because of the angel, Tara, at my side. This angel in a white dress, barely concealing the results of the first night we spent alone in Hawaii. That growing bump, a little boy whose name my future wife has already picked—he’s going to change my life. Again.
Dad…
There’s something to be said about letting go. About living a fulfilling life for almost half a century with the only woman you have ever loved. There’s a comfort in knowing she’s with God, that she’s safer now than ever. She’s watching the same special occasion from above that you’re seeing front and center. A crystal clear, blue-sky day on an island beach. Your adorable soon-to-be step-granddaughter, Emily, throwing petals in the makeshift aisle and laughing at her new best friend, Abbey. You did all you could to save Mom—Grandma Ollie...she knew that. She couldn’t let you do it. And now you couldn’t be a bigger hero to your future granddaughter. Now, you move on. You made it. You’re alive. This is the most important day thus far in the life of your grandson, and an extremely proud one for me, your son, and my pregnant soon-to-be wife. There’s a new generation on the way, Dad, and the name of your future grandchild, Oliver, will always make you love and miss Mom a little more.
Blake…
There’s something to be said for family, and reunions a year in the making with someone you feared you’d never see again. There’s got to be incredible relief in knowing your little sister, Kaci, is alive and in the audience before you. As you ran and picked her up that first day, giving her a ferocious hug, her laugh and smile made the whole journey instantly worthwhile. I can’t imagine you could be happier. And yet there’s another reward waiting for you after the ceremony, just off the stage. There’s another girl here you really care for, Jenna, who could someday be much more. You both miss Cameron, the only man she ever loved, the only man she ever wanted…but I can see that changing. Jenna trusts you. I definitely can see her falling for you. And I know you’d have Danny’s blessing, as close as the two of you have gotten. Jenna deserves someone like you, the quality of man you’ve proven to be. You get to take care of her for Cameron now, but someday she could be yours.
Friendship…
There’s something to be said about the kind of friends who stand beside you through it all, through agony and despair, through lost hopes, lost dreams, lost families, and just plain loss. The ones who shed tears with you as you bury a brother, Isaac, a wife and mother, Olivia, and set memorial stones for others like Wes, Nathan, Cameron, Eddie, President Moore and all your family members who didn’t make it. These new friends here, mixed with old friends, now lifelong friends—they go the extra mile. These are the people you’d die for, the same ones helping you live another day. They stand here and celebrate with you, celebrating many new beginnings.
Hope…
There’s something to be said for hope, for being safe somewhere the forces of evil can’t touch us. There’s a long-awaited security and serenity in this former state, offering peace and redemption to the 645 Americans who made it to the islands, and the 2,218 who survived the attacks here. There’s honor in a flag for the country that is no longer the United States, but remains ‘America.’ The banner’s stars and stripes have been preserved, but the colors have been inverted, as we now look at our home from the outside in.
We are still the same Americans. We are fighters, survivors, and reminders of what we can hopefully be again…we are still one nation under God. We may have been evicted, but we are not defeated. We have not conceded. One day we will take our country back. Old Glory will fly again.
Until then, however, we fly our new flag at half-mast, and keep in our hearts those we lost, those who still may be out there, and everyone here today committed to the very same things—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Finally…
There’s something to be said about the “Elephant Box,” a large brown safe the governor kept locked in an even larger vault. Few know of its existence. Only two know of its contents—Danny and the VP’s daughter, Reagan Moore (at her father’s request).
Danny was awarded the Medal of Honor by the governor, and promoted to Captain. He was also given an envelope. The envelope contained the key to the Elephant Box and pages of instructions for its contents. There’s something to be said about what those contents could do for this new country, and how damaging it could be if that information fell into the wrong hands. There’s an urgency in guarding that box and in never letting anyone else know it exists.
But, most of all, there’s something to be said for ending on a happy note, on a beautiful sunny day, on a beautiful sunny shore, with a beautiful family and incredible friends. There’s something to be said for sealing it all with a kiss and calling the man who saved your family your son.
ABOUT the AUTHOR
Ever N. Hayes lives in the Upper Midwest with his beautiful wife, Stacy, and four incredible children: Dylan, Brooklyn, Kasey and Avery. In his 8th year as a travel journalist for multiple national and regional magazines/newspapers, he is thrilled that his 9 years as a stay-at-home Dad have allowed him to do what he loves most with those he loves most—everyday.
Ever N. Hayes can be reached via email @ [email protected]
Twitter: @EverNHayes
Instagram: MobileGolfer
Facebook: Ever N Hayes
ABOUT the 2020 SERIES
The first draft of Book 1 of the “2020 Series” – Emergency Exit – was finished in mid-November 2013. After three professional copy edits, two professional content edits, and 19 additional drafts it was officially completed on April 5, 2014.
The first draft of Book 2 of the “2020 Series” – (Current title) Redemption Island—set in 2022—is already half-complete and slated for release this Fall.
The last two books of the series, 3 and 4, are slated to be released in early and late 2015.
“DREAM” CAST
Author Note: Every writer who has envisioned their story as a movie has probably done this—imagining specific Hollywood stars filling the roles of their characters. Keep in mind, this is “just a dream”… However, if—as a reader—you wondered how I saw my Main Characters, I figured—for fun—I would let you see inside my head. Enjoy!
Danny: Chace Crawford
Ryan: Ryan Reynolds
Cameron: Alex Pettyfer
Tara: Lauren Conrad
Hayley: Emma Watson
Kate: Shailene Woodley
Jenna: Kate Mara
Sam: Tristan Wilds
Blake: Lance Gross
Lazzo: Chadwick Boseman
Eddie: Idris Elba
Reagan: Emma Stone
A man can dream, right? Thank you for reading Emergency Exit! - ENH
Table of Contents
Praise for Emergency Exit
EDITORIAL REVIEW
COPYRIGHT PAGE
CREDITS
TABLE of CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
ONE: (Danny) “No Answer”
TWO: (Ryan) “Over and Over”
THREE: “Last Supper”
FOUR: “The Kids”
FIVE: “How It Went Down”
SIX: “America’s Response”
SEVEN: “The Third Wave”
EIGHT: “Captain Eddie”
NINE: (Ryan) “On The Road Again”
TEN: “Hitting the Fan”
ELEVEN: “Go Wes”
TWELVE: (Ryan) “Off the Mark”
THIRTEEN: “On The Same Side”
FOURTEEN: “Burn It Down”
FIFTEEN: “Blowing Smoke”
SIXTEEN: “Take It and Leave It”
SEVENTEEN: “Bully Pulpit”
EIGHTEEN: (Eddie) “Catching Up”
NINETEEN: (Ryan) “Like Minds”
TWENTY: “Check”
2020: Emergency Exit Page 38