by L. A. Boruff
Freezing. I let go of the cart and unclick the safety on the gun. Holding it by my side, I listen and wait as they stomp down the aisle next to me, the person muttering to himself as he grabs things. If I move now, he’ll hear me, and with no one around to stop him—he could do anything.
Gritting my teeth, my heart pounding so loud it almost blocks out my hearing, I wait. I listen as he heads closer to the end of the aisle and swear in my head, I’m a sitting duck here. Grabbing the cart with one hand, I start to slowly wheel it away, cringing every time it squeaks.
It’s slow going and I have just reached the end of the aisle when the alarm I set for ten minutes goes off on my watch. I freeze and I hear him do the same, the beeping loud in the silent supermarket.
Fumbling with the sleeve of my shirt, I yank it back and quickly mute the watch, but it's too late. I hear running footsteps and I know I’m out of time. Glancing at the door, I swear again. It's too far and passes the opening of the aisle the person is in. I would never make it.
Think, Toni, think. Move fast, keep low.
My dad’s voice ringing in my head, I duck behind the cart, using it like a shield, and take aim over the top. My hands are not wobbling now, my training kicking in. I wait as the person draws closer, regulating my breathing and counting down until they step into my aisle.
When he sees me, he stills, his hands jerking before freezing. Blinking hard, I take in the uniform. Brilliant, a fucking cop.
Short, thick black hair is spiked up on his head, and he has a short, matching trimmed beard and mustache below deep brown eyes. He must be over six-foot and more, and the arms of his cop uniform are almost bursting from the muscles there. He looks like a model, not a cop, but the badge says otherwise. I tell you, if I had seen a cop like this before, I sure as shit would have got arrested.
“Not here to arrest me for stealing, are you?” I joke, a desperate laugh slipping out.
His plump lips quirk up in a crooked, charming smile and he relaxes a bit. “Nope, I think it’s fair to say I’m off duty.”
I nod, standing up, but I keep the gun at my side just in case. He sticks out his hand. “Name’s Rob, I wish I could say it’s nice to meet you, but maybe not in these circumstances,” he quips, making me blink.
Hesitantly, I reach out and clasp his hand, shaking it quickly before withdrawing. He chooses to ignore my quick retreat, just smiling nicely at me like a perfect gentleman. “Toni.” I nod. Flicking on the safety and feeling stupid with the gun, I grab the handles of the cart again, still conscious of the time restraint. Glancing at my watch, I swear. Two minutes over, I need to go. Now.
“Look, as nice as this was, I really have to go.” Pushing past him I freeze when he grabs the cart, and when I glance at his face I see the lost look there, the same one I had in the truck. For me, it’s obvious what to do, but I’m betting normal people didn't spend their childhood in fake bomb raids and alien invasions.
“You going somewhere? That sounded creepy, I just mean...do you know where to go? My sheriff was over in the other town when it happened, they didn't tell us much and I can’t get through to anyone. I checked on as many people as I could but...”
Sighing, I glance at the door again. Stupid, real fucking stupid Toni. Get moving. “I’m going to find a basement, a big one under a sturdy house away from other civilization. Less likely for radiation contamination and better chances off riding this out undisturbed. You know a place?” I ask, realizing that if he’s from around here then it will be quicker to know where to go than having to hunt.
He nods quickly. “I know a place.”
“Good.” Pushing again, I dislodge his hand.
“Grab whatever you can carry and meet me at the truck out front. You have sixty seconds,” I yell as the glass doors slide open. I hear him running again and I quickly unlock the bed of the truck and start loading up, grunting at the weight of the bulky waters and cans.
By the time I’m done, he comes running through the doors. More water and food in his hands, and even some batteries. He quickly loads up and I slam the bed of the truck shut before racing around to the driver's seat. He slips into the passenger seat, throwing me a look.
“Where?” I grit out, glancing at my watch again.
“Keep going down main street, out of town. It’s your fourth left on the road, turns into a dirt road. There’s a farmhouse out there.”
I nod, starting the car and quickly pulling away, so fast he’s flung back into his seat. “How long will it take to get there? Anyone own it?”
I can feel him looking at me, but I concentrate on dodging cars as I speed out of town, every second that passes like a ticking clock in my head. I know the dangers of being caught outside when the fallout comes. Pressing down on the pedal harder, I ignore his “whoa.”
“About five minutes, maybe three with your driving. One guy owns it, I sort of know him. He was in the grade below me at school, good man.”
I nod, following his directions as we pass road after road, each one more isolated than the last, until he points for me to turn. Listening to him, I turn quickly onto a dirt road with a private gate and mailbox at the end. Speeding down the bumps, fields on either side of us, we eventually turn and I see a barn and what looks like an old, yellow farmhouse. A large oak tree stands proudly in the field to my left, just a ways from the house. Stopping out front, dirt kicking up behind us, I wait to see if anyone comes running out. When they don’t, I leave the car and round to the bed. I open it and nod at Rob.
“Start grabbing stuff and put it on the porch, I’m going to check whether or not he’s home.” He nods, looking anxious as I grab my gun and make my way up the solid wood steps and onto the porch. The screen door and front door are closed, and I quickly hammer on it, holding my breath.
I count to thirty and when no one answers I turn back to Rob. “Not in. Come on, we need to get to the basement!”
“Toni!” he warns, dropping the cans he was holding and racing to my side as something cold is pushed against my temple, the distinct sound of a gun cocking making me freeze mid-turn.
“Don’t move,” orders a deep, dangerous voice.
“Not moving, but you might want to put the gun down,” I suggest just as Rob reaches the steps, his hands up as he faces the man.
“Jacob right? I’m Rob, I’m a sheriff in town. This is Toni. We need to use your basement, to lay low,” Rob explains, his voice kind and calm, and he even relieves the tension in me, my shoulders dropping. I feel the gun waver and I make my move. Turning quickly, ducking in case he shoots, I grab the barrel and turn it so it faces the man Rob called Jacob.
His bright blue eyes widen in shock, his short blond hair falling in his face as he freezes this time. He’s taller than me, maybe even taller than Rob and from what I can see, he’s made of muscle. His big, thick arms are encased in golden sweaty skin and are on display in his wife beater, which is tucked into worn blue jeans.
“Don’t ever point a gun at someone if you don't intend to shoot,” I scold, my voice low and dangerous. We don’t have time for games, but he needs to know not to fuck with me. I might be a girl, but I’m betting I‘m faster and a better shot than he is. His eyes narrow at that.
“You’re aiming at me,” he replies, his low voice washing over me.
“Exactly,” I respond with a smirk.
“Hey, let’s just all calm down,” Rob says, moving to the side to keep both of us in his view.
Dropping the gun, I pass it back over and I see the man's eyes widen again. “Are you going to let us in?” I ask bluntly.
“Why should I?” He crosses his arms, still glaring at me.
“Because if you don’t, we’ll die out here in the fallout, we don't have time to go anywhere else. We also have supplies, if you let us in and your home for shelter, then I’ll give you a share,” I offer.
The smirk that was forming disappears, obviously realizing how serious I am. The door swings open behind him, showing another man w
ho’s waiting there with a nervous look on his face as he glances behind us at the sky. A red baseball cap is tucked on his head, hiding his hair, and big green eyes are flitting everywhere as he swallows hard. A red-patterned button up hangs half open across his torso, and he’s wearing beat up blue jeans and I shit you not—cowboy boots. He’s smaller than both Rob and Jacob, maybe a tiny bit taller than me and skinnier than both men, but from the definition I see in his chest, he’s obviously still well built.
“Come on Jake, let them in,” he warns, throwing the man still watching me suspiciously a look, before turning back to me with a nervous smile. “I’m Cooper. Come on, grab your stuff, I’ll help.” He barges past Jacob, and him and Rob head to the truck as I stare down Jacob.
“Do we have a deal?” I press.
He nods, his jaw grinding. Nodding back, I turn and help them bring stuff in. Between us, we move all the supplies to a non-distinctive white door at the end of the hallway, which I’m guessing leads to the basement. They all wait then, sharing looks as if not sure what to do next.
“Okay. Jacob, go grab any medications, food, and supplies you have. Rob, start taking stuff down. Cooper, we’re going to need mattresses, blankets, pillows, and spare clothes. Also bring stuff to wash with. I’ll check for anything else we can use.” They all look at me. “Go! We have five minutes!” I yell and they all scramble away to do as they are told.
Rob opens the door and flicks on the light at the top of the stairs, before grabbing some of the water and hauling it down. Jacob races up the staircase, Cooper on his heels. Following the corridor back to the front door, I spot the living room on the left. Making sure we don't need anything in here, I notice the TV and quickly switch it on to see the emergency broadcast message is still the same.
Just as I’m straightening to go check the rest of the house, I hear tires squeal outside. Racing to the window, I swear when I spot a dirty black car pulling up outside. The door opens and a desperate looking man with wild eyes pushes out, throwing a glance behind him before racing up the front steps.
Gun in hand, I head into the corridor where Rob is waiting, his eyes watching the door. I hold my hand up and he nods. Sliding across the wood to make as little noise as possible, I crack open the door just as the man raises his fist to knock. Blood covers a gash in his head and the suit pants he’s wearing are wrinkled and covered in dirt and blood. His white shirt it ripped and sticking to his sweaty chest. I don’t get a good look before I’m busy aiming my gun.
“What do you want?” I ask.
He holds up his hands, backing away as I push open the door, the gun still aimed at him. “Sorry, sorry! Just trying to find shelter! Please, please, I can’t keep looking. Can I come in?” he begs, his light brown eyes pleading and filled with desperation. I look over his body again, spotting no weapons. I’m betting he was caught on the road like me when this happened and it’s obvious he was in some kind of accident.
“You’ve checked other places?” I question, suspicion lacing my tone.
He nods as I hear footsteps on the stairs, I don’t bother turning around but I feel the others at my back.
“I did! I swear! At one house they tried to shoot me, the other was locked up and I couldn’t get in. Please,” he implores, dropping to his knees as he watches us. Jerking my head up to the sky, my watch starts to beep. We’re out of time.
If I don’t let this man in, I’m sentencing him to death. I step back, dropping the gun, and he jumps up and races past. I quickly shut the door, lock it, and look at the others. “Get everything to the basement now! Lock all the doors and windows, and block them as much as you can!”
I shove my gun in the back of my jeans as I begin to follow through on my order. Within two minutes everything is sealed and I step back, letting the others go down to the basement in front of me. With one last look out of a window facing the driveway, I turn and shut the basement door, and descend below.
We are all sitting around the table, which I’m thinking at one point was for outside, and its six mismatched chairs. The table isn’t the only thing down here. Shelves cover the wall to my left with a kitchenette sort of area right behind me. This open area down here is big, with cement walls and floors. Only one long window runs on the opposite wall and we blocked that up right away.
It turns out I was lucky, this house has a generator down here so even if the power goes out, we’ll have lights. To the right and past the stairs, the room tapers off into a corridor. I haven’t explored it yet, but Cooper explained it used to be old slave quarters and there’s a bathroom, bedroom, and storage room back there.
Other than that, we haven’t really spoken, all of us just staring at the radio in the middle of the table, waiting for any news. News I know won’t be good.
“How did you know what to do?” Rob inquires, breaking the silent tension as he leans back in his chair opposite me. I made sure to put Cooper between me and the new guy, whose name we haven’t learned yet. He’s just staring at the radio in shock, but I guess we’ve all been doing the same thing.
Looking around, I see all eyes are on me now, not the radio. Sighing, I lean back too. “My dad is a prepper,” I admit.
“Prepper?” The new guy repeats, his whiskey smooth voice rolling over me.
“It’s a crazy person—” Cooper drawls then stops, wincing before looking at me and mouthing sorry.
Shrugging, I nod. “Basically, they expect the end of the world at all times and prep for that. Each person is different, but we were raised on bomb drills, invasions, and food and weapon safety. I knew the basics of what needed to be done and I managed to get through to him before—” I cut off, swallowing hard as I look at the table, and surprisingly it’s Jacob, to my left, who reaches over and pats my arm. “Before we got cut off. They were in Terrance,” I divulge, and they all suck in breaths, knowing that was the direction of the closest bomb.
“Toni, I am so sorry,” Rob says and when I look up, I can tell he genuinely is. Nodding, I quickly swipe my arm over my eyes and look around.
“What about everyone else?” I ask, almost desperately, needing a distraction from the thought of my mom and dad not making it.
“Me and Jake were just kicking back with some beers and watching the game when that emergency shit kicked in. I didn’t really know what was happening, but we figured it was safe enough to ride it out down here, isn’t that right man?” he addresses Jacob who nods. I’m getting the feeling Jacob doesn’t speak a lot and that Cooper does enough talking for them both.
“You live together?” I question.
Cooper leans back farther, balancing his chair on two legs as he winks at me. “No, darlin’. I live next door, but someone has to hang out with this fucker, or he would be all alone,” he jokes, and I look back at Jacob to see him smiling and shaking his head. Huh.
Turning back to the table, I look at the new guy. “What about you? Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
I feel the others paying close attention as well, I have a feeling since I turned up with Rob I get an automatic pass, but no one knows this man.
“Cole Spencer, at your service.” He tips his head, his sophisticated smooth voice flowing from his mouth. “I was on my way to a getaway to unwind after a hard case, I got caught on I-80 with a few others when it all went down. Everyone panicked. There were accidents galore and someone hit the back of my car, it’s how I got this.” He reaches up and pokes the cut on his head with a wince. “I hightailed it to the nearest town, and then just started knocking on doors, eventually I wound up here,” he explains, looking over at me with a grateful smile. “Thank you for letting me in, you saved my life.”
I shrug, uncomfortable with his praise, I did what any good human would do. Nothing more, hell, I even entertained the thought of turning him away.
“You a lawyer?” Rob asks, and I glance at him before looking back at Cole who nods with a smile.
“It’s that obvious?” he jokes, making Rob flash that crooked gr
in.
“Nah, I’ve just seen enough in my time to know the type.” He looks over at me. “I was in the station like I said, and once I’d checked on the townsfolk, I figured I would head somewhere and hole up until I got the all clear. I went to get some supplies like the broadcast suggested and ran into Toni.”
“Looks like we’re lucky she’s here,” Cole adds, sending me a flirty smile.
The radio blares just then, cutting off our flirting and banter, and we all lean forward expectantly.
“This is a message from the president.” A beep sounds before the familiar cadence of the president rolls through the speakers. I don’t know why, but that makes this all the more real and I clench my hands on the table, the shock finally wearing off. It actually happened. We were attacked.
“At eleven AM this morning, the first nuclear bomb was dropped. Thousands of lives were lost, by three PM, sixteen more bombs had dropped across our nation. The loss of life has been catastrophic, and I am saddened to tell you that number will only continue to rise.” Cooper reaches out to my clenched hand on the table and grabs it, I throw him a look, but like me, he’s watching the radio, his face pale and afraid. Blowing out a breath I reach to my left and grab Jacob’s. He startles at first, blinking hard, before he looks to see my hand in Cooper’s. Nodding, his fingers twine with mine. Rob’s leg reaches under the table, touching mine, and Cole pats my thigh as well. I guess in a time like this, you just need the touch of another person going through the same thing, you just need the reassurance that you are, in fact, alive.
“What comes next will devastate our nation and send us into the dark ages. The fallout, caused from the blasts, will rain down on our great nation. The radiation and subsequent effects will take many lives. I advise you to stay indoors, and do not drink any outside water sources or food. Watch for signs of radiation poisoning and other injuries, and whatever you do: stay alive. We will prevail, we will not let this destroy us. I will be on air, every day, giving live updates. Listen for my voice, you are not alone. This is the President of the United States of America, signing off. May God be with you all.” The radio fades to static as we all watch it in shock.