The Clock Runs Down 2

by Joe Kelly

  “I know” He said as he rose to his full height then looked at Frank then pointedly looked at Oliver. Frank nodded in understanding and drew his pistol ready to do what needed to be done if Oliver passed on.

  “Let’s talk outside,” he said. They walked across the large lobby, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Neither speaking as they stepped outside. The sun was just starting to break thru the clouds and blue sky could be seen high above. “I want you to be with me.” he said looking at her.

  “Odd way to say I love you” Reba commented, Cole looked flustered for a moment then shook his head.

  “That didn’t come out right, I need you with me, Reba. I do love you.” He said as he put his arm around her. “But all of this going on, I don’t know what the hell to do half the time. I don’t even know if we will make it past tomorrow.”

  “we will, I know you don’t believe, but my dreams…” She fell silent suddenly and looked around puzzled. Off in the distance she could something that sounded like a motor, the sound was so low it was almost a vibration, but it grew louder and closer. The sound slamming back from the walls around them. Loud enough that most of the survivors emerged from the building looking around.

  The sound become rumbling thunder that was so familiar to Cole but he couldn’t place it for a long moment and then a memory of planes at the airshows he and his father had used to go to. It can’t be, he thought looking up, his skin prickled, and he felt hope for the first time since last June as he saw the old Bi wing configured WWII plane with sea floats and military markings roar overhead, waggling its wings as the smoke from the fires eddied and curled around it. the sound of its motor vibrating in their bones and the stone around them, everyone was pointing and shouting, it was like a miracle, it had been so long since they had seen a plane, or much of anything else. But it was there, proof that others had survived not only survived but still held on to some technology. Suddenly the plane waggled its wings again then pulled up and banked to the west. Soon it was out of sight then even the sound faded and was gone. A single gunshot from inside broke the moment.