“Yeah, fine. Thanks. That was a jolt.”
“Tell me about it.” He undid her chute.
“Thanks. Hey. Look.” She showed the diaper bag. “I still have it. Boy, I’ll tell you I held onto it for dear life.”
Darius chuckled. “I would think you would have held on to your chute. The diaper bag was not that important.”
“You don’t think? I’ll have you know I have my toothbrush, tampons and ibuprofen in here. It is God.”
Darius couldn’t help but laugh, then he sighed out. “Wow.” He looked about. “We’re lucky.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, a fifty foot patch of clearing surrounded by trees.” He whistled. “We could have easily landed in the trees.”
“I guess.” Bret stared around. “But it looks like we’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“Nah, we’re in Texas. That’s somewhere.” He chuckled. “I need you to start folding your parachute. We may need it for the elements if we’re stranded.” He headed back to where his parachute lay on the ground.
“Stranded? You mean there won’t be a rescue chopper?”
“You’re kidding, right?” Darius asked. “You’re not. Bret? How? Pretty much everyone thinks we’re dead. Planes fell from the sky. If that EMP extended into the metropolis, phones are down, cars won’t run if they were running when it hit. No electricity.”
“For how long?”
“Forever, or until they replace the components killed by the EMP.”
“Oh man.” Bret swiped down and grabbed the chute. “What now?”
“Now, first we get the chutes folded and put in our packs. Easier to carry. Then . . . ” he lifted the cell phone, “Try to get a signal so we can at least let someone know we’re alive. Where we are, I haven’t a clue.”
“Then there’s no way for someone to send help.”
“Not right now, unless they have an idea where we went down.” Darius explained. “Our best bet is to try to find our way to civilization and get help.”
“How long will that take?” Bret asked.
“Who knows. But.…” Darius smiled brightly. “All is not lost. I was ready. Each of our parachute bags has a parachute survival pack in there.”
“How did you know?”
“I didn’t. But knowing we were going to be hit with EMPs and knowing we hadn’t yet, I figured, if it was gonna happen, it would happen while I was in a plane. Because I have a fear of flying.”
“You didn’t prove that by me. So what’s in the packs?”
“First aid. Matches. Meals Ready to Eat pack. Which you and I can extend over days.”
“Days!” Bret blasted. “We can be out for days?”
“We’re in the woods, Bret.” Darius said.
“You’re like the outdoors guy. That’s your work. Can’t you get us out?”
“I’ll try. I figure we stay one direction, we’re bound to emerge. Right?”
“Right.”
“And.…” he reached into his bag. “We have a compass…shit.”
“What?” She stepped closer.
“Look.” He held it up. The needle spun.
“It won’t stay put long enough to get direction.”
“I know. Shit.” He smacked it off his hand.
“Did the EMP do that?’
“No, the magnetic reversals. Oh, well. We just follow the sun.”
Bret raised her eyes to the sky then gave a ‘you think?’ look to Darius.
The clouds were obvious. “Maybe not. Well, we always have the North Star, right? So.…” He raised his voice. “Let’s get our gear, pretend we’re on a hike, and get out of here.”
“Can we? Do you think we can?”
“Oh.” Darius scoffed. “Absolutely. Without a doubt. But first, before anything.” He slipped the battery into his phone. “I know we have a bunch of people worried about us. If we can only reach one.”
“That’s if we get a signal.”
Darius turned on the phone. It beeped and he smiled. “We have one.”
THE BLAIN REPORT
“What . . . (sniffle) has happened today isn’t only an American tragedy, but a world tragedy. At three twenty-two Eastern Standard time today, forty-three planes fell out of the sky. Countless cities are without power and communication. The mid to south west are in scattered disarray . . . forgive my emotions, but this reporter witnessed it firsthand. Being at the center for solar investigation, we had first view of the flare that caused an Electromagnetic Pulse that struck without more than a seven minute warning. I . . . was and still am shocked. More so, I am saddened. Two dear friends of mine were aboard flight 425B. God be with them. More later. This is Blain Davis.”
16. Relieved
Colin mumbled, “We had it a minute ago. What happened?” As he and Chuck worked across the room on a printer.
Blain closed off his one ear while he spoke on his phone. Between the arguing of Colin and Chuck, along with the steady beeping of Darius’ station, Blain was not getting the reception he needed, or able to hear.
“What? What do you mean it didn’t show?” he blasted. “I did the segment. I thought my report aired live. We . . . .”
Do-da-beep-beep.
Crinkled brow, Blain’s head cocked. “What was that? I’m sorry, go on.” He nodded. “Responsible journalism?” he chuckled. “You’re kid . . . .”
Do-da-beep-beep.
He lowered the phone. “Hey, there’s a phone ringing.”
Do-da-beep-beep.
“Someone. Doesn’t anyone hear it?” He shook his head. “I was exercising responsible journalism by reporting about the EMP. It’s not responsible to . . . .”
Do-da-beep-beep.
“The phone some one!” he shouted then continued. “It’s not responsible to withhold the truth from the public.”
Do-da-beep-beep.
He huffed. “Colin! Anyhow, what? Wait for what?”
Do-da-beep-beep.
Blain turned to the phone that lay on the counter. “Waiting for conf . . . .” his eyes widened when he saw the digital display on the cell phone.
Do-da-beep-beep.
“Shit. Hold on.” Dropping his phone, he snatched up Colin’s. “Hello? Shit! Missed it! Redial. Redial.” he hurried and pressed the button. “Nothing. Son of a bitch.” he reached down and picked up his phone. “You still there?” Pause. “Fuck!”
“Good Lord.” Colin walked to him. “What’s going on?”
“Bout time I got your attention. I was on the phone with my producer.” He handed Colin the cell. “By the time I saw who called . . . it was too late.”
Colin peered. “Oh my God. We’ve got to try to call back.”
“I tried. No luck.”
“Who?” Chuck asked. “Who was it?”
Colin smiled. “Darius.”
***
A pin could have been heard dropping; it was that quiet in Bret’s home. Casper and Andi sat on the couch, Luke—head down—in a chair, even Perry, Bret’s oldest, was there pacing.
Every once and a while, they’d all raise eyes to the ceiling at the sound of a bang or two from Jesse.
Casper huffed. “Who called him anyhow?”
Luke shook his head. “Not me.”
“Me either,” said Perry.
The three of them looked at Andi.
“Okay. God! I called him; the airlines needed an adult next of kin.”
Casper pointed to Perry. “What is he? He’s an adult, next of kin.”
“He’s . . .” Andi pointed up, “her husband.”
Casper rolled her eyes. “Debatable. Someone get him out of here. He doesn’t have a right.”
“And,” Luke added, “he won’t let anyone up there.”
“I don’t want him to go with us to the airport,” Casper said. “Perry can drive us.”
Jesse called down the steps. “Do we know where your mother’s hair brush is?”
After a sniffle, Andi answered. “She probably took it.”
It took a moment for Jesse to respond, and he did with a muttered ‘thanks’.
They waded through a few moments of silence until Jesse’s thunderous footsteps came down the stairs. “Let’s go.”
Luke stood up. “Why do they need a hair band of Mom’s?”
“They need her hair,” Jesse answered. “For DNA.”
As if programmed, all of Bret’s kids lowered their heads.
“Let’s go.” Jesse reached for the door and opened it.
Luke paused before leaving. “Dr. Reye. Chuck?”
Jesse had a look of shock on his face, but it was nothing to the expression of surprise Chuck had when he saw Jesse in the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” Chuck asked.
“Not you, too,” Jesse said. “The airline needs the families of those on the planes. I’m still her family. I’m her husband.”
Colin choked as he held back a snicker. “Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure your Asian tinker toy loves hearing you boast that.”
Chuck winced. “Colin.”
Luke stepped forward, intercepting their glances between Colin and Jesse. “Chuck, Dr. Reye, are you guys here about my mom?”
“As a matter of fact,” Colin replied. “We are.”
Jesse said, “We’re on our way to the airport. If you’ll excuse us.”
Colin held up his hand. “Then I’m glad I caught you. You don’t need to go. They are requesting the families of those killed.” Colin said as he and Chuck just made their way into the house. “So . . . Jesse . . . the spending fairy that is dancing in your head. That little kimono you have your buying sights on . . . .” he winked. “Drop it. Hate to put a damper on the insurance policy collecting day, but, sorry. I got a call.” He held up his phone. “Bret is alive.”
***
Child dragging behind her, Virginia flew into the Darius’ world of computers. “Tell me nothing’s happened, and you screwed it up,” she said to Blain who stared at a screen, his hands to the side of his face.
“No,” Blain answered.
Virginia exhaled. “Good.” She turned and instructed her daughter to have a seat and not touch anything.
“Why are you here?” he asked. “I have it under control.”
Virginia stared.
“No, seriously, I do.”
“OK, if you do, then why the face?” She pulled out a chair and took a seat next to him.
“Oh,” Blain grunted. “Life sucks.”
Virginia blinked in surprise.
“My piece I did on the planes dropping. Dumped. The FAA or something has capped all stories regarding this.”
“Are you more concerned with the fact that they capped the story or someone else is going to end up breaking it?”
Blain stood up. “Planes dropped from the sky, Virginia. Dropped. What are they waiting for? To see maybe if a few more drop?”
Virginia lifted her handheld unit. “If they’re waiting for that, they’ll wait a while. Things look calm right now.”
Blain peeked at the unit. “Where did you get that?”
“Darius.”
Blain shook his head. “His spending alone should tip people off.” With a chuckle he sat back down. “Planes dropped. How can they keep covering up the natural disaster phenomena that are occurring?”
“They can’t for long. And really , , , ,” She snickered. “Think about it. How can they even remotely cover up this? This will get out. Planes dropping from the sky? No,” She said. “There’s no way around that one. Trust me.”
***
“In what has been called ‘one of the worst aviation terrorist strikes in history’, President Greene is vowing to find who is behind….”
Colin shut off the news, and shook his head. “Terrorist attack. High altitude nuclear burst.” He grumbled. “They did it. They found an out.” He was more engrossed in watching the news than anything else. Chuck had left to drive Perry back to his place. Jesse was gone, and Colin was hanging out with Bret’s kids until Chuck returned to get him.
“Play it again, Dr. Reye,” Casper asked enthused. “Please play it again. I want to hear my mom’s voice without Jesse around.”
“With pleasure. He did kind of crowd the moment.” He held up the phone for Bret’s family to hear the speaker. It played, “First message. Today, 2:45 p.m.” Static. “Goddamn it! I got the voice mail.”
Bret’s voice spoke out, “Maybe they’re busy, just leave a message.”
“Fine,” Darius said. “Hey! We weren’t killed. We’re alive. Fine. But lost. Right now we’re headed south . . . .”
The message stopped.
Colin hit save.
“Can I hear it again?” Casper asked. “I was crying so hard.”
“Absolutely.” Colin handed her the phone. “I can imagine the torment you went through. I know what I felt when I believed Darius was killed. But they’re both fine. Lost in the woods somewhere, but fine.”
Luke asked. “So what now?”
Colin shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t gather they’ll be home tomorrow like planned. In fact . . . they’re going to more than likely have to find their own way from where they are to civilization.”
Luke nodded.
“I have an idea,” Colin said. “You guys may or may not want to do it. We don’t know how long your mother will be gone now. She’s fine,” he reiterated. “But with things they way they are, I certainly would feel better and I know your mother would if you guys stayed with me until she returned.”
“Is your house big?” Andi asked.
“Very.”
“Do you have kids?” Andi asked again.
“Darius, but he’s with your mother.”
Casper questioned. “Pets?”
“Not with Darius around. He tends to kill them.”
Both girls cocked back in shock.
“Sad truth.” Colin slowly shook his head. “What do you guys say?”
Luke shrugged. “I’ll go.”
Casper asked. “Can we swim in your pool?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Oh, then I’m in, too,” she said.
Colin chuckled, reached out, and rubbed her head. “Then let’s pack our bags.”
With apprehension, Luke spoke, “Dr. Reye, our mom, she’s gonna be okay, right?”
Colin paused before answering. “She’s with Darius. So very assuredly I can say . . . absolutely.” He produced an affirmative look. “If he doesn’t drive her insane first.”
***
The air was stifling and carried a choking smoke that tickled Darius’ throat as he walked. It was becoming bothersome, but not as much as the beeping behind him. “Will you . . . .” He turned and took the phone from Bret. “Stop. Please.”
“I was playing the game.”
“You’re wasting battery power.”
“It passes time as we walk.”
“How about trying something else.”
“Like?”
“Talking,” Darius suggested.
Bret shrugged. “Sure.” She took a few steps to catch up to him. “Can you not walk so fast?”
“I’m not walking fast. You’re walking slow.”
“Is that a dig because I’m small?”
“No,” Darius defended.
“Oh, so it’s because I’m a woman.”
“Bret.” He stopped, looked back. “No.”
“All men are alike. They only . . . .”
“Bret,” he cut her off.
“What?”
“Is this going to be a rant about your soon to be ex-husband.”
“It . . . it might be.”
“Save it.” Darius said then saw the dejected glance she gave. “We . . . we may need conversation later.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll stew it.”
“Stew it?”
“Yeah,
you know, hold it inside, think about it, get really pissed and then build up a good rant.”
“You do that.”
“I hate him,” Bret declared.
“I understand.” Darius kept walking.
“It’s hot.”
“I know.”
“Do you think we’ll have to walk at this pace, in this heat, on this terrain for very long?”
“Bret.” Again, he stopped with a snap to his tone. “Are those tampons in the diaper bag as a precautionary measure or do you need them.” He turned and started to walk.
It took Bret a second and she understood his insinuation. “I am not menstrual or premenstrual. I like to be prepared and I don’t appreciate you making it out that my period is the reason for my bad mood.”
“I apologize.”
“So typically male.”
Darius grumbled.
“So what is that yellow thing in your hand?” she asked, trotting to catch up to him.
“Your tone changed.”
“Yes. I feel better now. I got some out of my system.”
“Oh my God. You’re a roller coaster.”
“Pretty much,” Bret shrugged. “So. You didn’t answer.”
“You confused me. What was your question.”
“What’s that thing in your hand?”
Darius held it up some. “A navigator. Helps navigate by putting in coordinates.”
Bret nodded. “And you think that might help us find our way?”
“I don’t know.” Darius said. “It could be screwed up.”
“Doesn’t look like it makes sense to me.” She peered over his shoulder.
Darius stopped. “Do you have another way?”
Bret pointed upward.
Chuckling, Darius shook his head “We established, following the sun isn’t going to help. You can’t see it.”
“Not the sun. Why can’t we see it?”
“The smoke.”
Bret smiled.
“What? I’m lost.”
“You’re pretty smart, Darius, but . . . .” She pointed to her temple. “Think about it. We follow the smoke. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and where there’s fire . . . .”
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