Cyber Apocalypse (Book 3): As Our World Burns

by Hunt, Jack

“Maybe that’s what I want,” he said diverting his eyes away from her after he noticed she was squinting at him. No doubt she could see how red his eyes were.

  “No one wants that,” she replied in a soft voice.

  “I do,” he said. He brushed past her and climbed back up.

  She followed him like a dog on a bone.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Why does it matter to you?”

  “Because out there,” she said pointing randomly, “in that forest, that wasn’t you, Liam.”

  “Of course it was.”

  “No it wasn’t.”

  “Elisha, you act as if you know me but you don’t. None of us really do. We’re just a group of strangers brought together because of this event. If the world was the way it was, you would pass me in the academy, I wouldn’t say anything to you and we’d all go about our lives like the way it was before.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “No?”

  She looked down at the debris. There were items among the garbage that Harry didn’t even sell: old beer cans, grocery bags, and even a grocery cart as if someone had wheeled it in expecting to stock up. “The day of the bombing you came to my mother’s house to ask me out. So don’t say things would have been the way they always were. And as for those strangers, everyone is a stranger until you get to know them. So we met under shitty conditions. So what? I’d rather know you this way than not at all.”

  He offered back a stern expression. “You’re just saying that because of what’s happened.”

  “You know what. Stop. Okay?”

  “What?”

  “You know.”

  “I don’t have a clue.”

  “This. Pushing me away. Pushing all of us away.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Really? Taking matters into your own hands, putting your life at risk. It’s like you have a death wish.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe I do.”

  She shook her head as she folded her arms. “You think Travis would want this?”

  “You’re damn right he would. In my shoes he would do the same.”

  “Perhaps, but do you feel any better because of what you did today?”

  He didn’t but he wasn’t going to tell her that. Instead he turned away and looked up at an empty wall where the rifles used to be.

  “Liam.”

  “What do you want from me? Huh?” he asked whirling around. “You expect me to just forget what happened to him?” She opened her mouth to respond but then closed it. He shook his head and grabbed one of the clothing racks and tossed it across the room, he kicked a glass cabinet and tore at the walls bringing down the empty shelves. Everything came to a head, emotion welled up and spilled over until he collapsed in exhaustion, sobbing, emptying all he’d held in.

  Kneeling on the floor, tears dripping off his chin, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Elisha dropped down beside him, running her hand across his back and pulling him into her. She didn’t say anything, she didn’t need to. Although they may not have seen eye to eye on how he’d dealt with his grief, she understood the weight of loss.

  5

  Garberville

  It was a massacre. Lincoln recounted in grotesque detail what happened, and how the Brothers of Mayhem had set their eyes on the northern safe zone. They, like many others, had heard the message broadcast over the radio. While most saw it as a sign of kindness, a community reaching out to help others, they saw opportunity. Initially the intent was not to kill but to come to an agreement with the town. Like a two-bit criminal enterprise, they weren’t interested in wiping out the safe zone — no, it benefited them to have it operating — but they did want a cut.

  A cut of the supplies.

  A choice of females when they came into town.

  And nothing less than 100 percent loyalty.

  It wasn’t hard to believe. Outlaw biker gangs had been operating in that manner for decades — taking what they want, threatening working-class folk, and collecting money in return for protection.

  It was to be expected.

  And with law and order gone, what could stop them but a small group who refused to back down.

  For that they suffered greatly.

  Rudy Somers, the chapter’s president, had been smart enough to bring together those in charge before he unleashed hell on the town. From there it was a simple matter of leverage. He’d given the forty-plus survivors a choice — work for them or die.

  Some fled.

  Others like the kid on the roof fought back, but it was a battle that couldn’t be won. Outnumbered, outgunned, and with the gang already having the advantage, it wasn’t long before they wore them down, murdered them in cold blood, and took what they wanted.

  Garcia called bullshit on Lincoln’s account. “So I’m supposed to believe they left you behind?”

  “They didn’t know I was still alive. I saw a couple of the guys trying to rape these girls and so I had to break cover. I shot them and got the kids to safety in the woods.”

  “What a good Samaritan,” Garcia said, sarcastically.

  Garcia still wasn’t convinced until Lincoln continued his story, and what a tale it was. “Look, I’m not here to convince you. I’ve been working undercover with gangs for close to six years. My work has got a lot of assholes off the streets. A year ago I infiltrated the Brothers of Mayhem, worked my way up as a prospect to getting patched in, all the while juggling family life and my work with the ATF. I was this close to bringing these guys down,” he said raising two fingers. “Then this shit happened.”

  “It’s a very convincing story. Only one problem.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “Why did you stay with them?”

  “What?”

  “Well, you must have known what happened to the state. We are over a month into this and I’m supposed to believe that you’re still running an undercover operation?”

  A warm breeze blew against their faces as they scrutinized him. The girls sat on the ground listening, and looking up every now and again.

  “Was undercover is the phrase you’re looking for. After today, that could change.”

  Garcia jabbed a finger at him. “I know how gangs operate, partner, I spent the better part of my youth in one and have been busting these assholes ever since I became a cop. I sure as hell know that I wouldn’t be rolling with them after five weeks.”

  “That’s because you think this event will last.”

  “And you don’t?” Garcia shot back.

  “Shit happens. I understand this is the worst America has seen but it’s not something we can’t bounce back from. Some parts of the nation have power.”

  “And?”

  “It means not all of the grid is down. It means eventually the government will pick up the pieces and we’ll rebuild.”

  “News alert, fool. You just wiped out a community that was trying to rebuild.”

  “This wasn’t a community. It was a pocket of survivors.”

  Garcia chuckled. “Right. Justify it all you want.”

  Alex observed the back and forth between the two of them. For someone who had grown up in the gangs, he couldn’t understand Garcia’s animosity toward Lincoln. From one gang member to another, they weren’t exactly different, however, with Lincoln claiming to be in law enforcement, he could see why Garcia might have his doubts. Alex got up from his seat in the Chevron gas station and tapped Garcia’s shoulder.

  “You got a minute?” Alex said as he stepped outside where they would be out of earshot but could still have Lincoln in view. Alex walked over to the gas pumps, and looked back through the window. Garcia ambled over, hand on his holster, a habit formed by years of service. “What is your problem?” Alex asked.

  “I know how these guys operate.”

  “Yeah? And how’s that?”

  “Something’s fishy. I don’t buy his story.”

  “And yet he sits in there with a gun and has had multiple chances to
shoot us but he hasn’t.”

  Garcia looked at Lincoln with real disdain.

  “It’s been five weeks since the event. I think if I was undercover I would have got the hell out the first chance I got.”

  “Maybe this was it.”

  “And maybe he’s full of shit.”

  Alex shook his head. “What is the deal with you? You’re a cop. He’s ATF.”

  “No, he says he’s ATF, big difference.”

  “No. I think he is.”

  “You can think whatever you like but something about this stinks.”

  “Oh there’s something more to this and I’m pretty sure it’s not his affiliation with this gang. So what is it?”

  Garcia kicked at some loose stones and looked off down the street. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “No. I wouldn’t understand the first thing about being part of a group.”

  “He says he’s ATF.”

  “Presumably,” Alex added.

  “My father was taken in by ATF.”

  Alex lifted a hand and waved him off. “Please. C’mon, Garcia. You expect me to believe you hold some grudge against ATF because of what happened in your past to your father? Are you shitting me? A past you told me you had turned your back on. A past you regretted. A past you felt ashamed of. No, fuck that. I call bullshit. Now how about you tell me the real reason.”

  “All right. I don’t like the way you overstepped the line back there.”

  Alex shifted from one foot to the next. “In what way?”

  “Telling me to stand down.”

  Alex stared at him with a deadpan expression for a few seconds, then a smile broke on his face. He snorted. “Ah, okay. I get it now. So this isn’t about him, it’s about you and me?”

  Garcia narrowed his eyes. “No. Look, I think I have more experience when it comes to these matters.”

  “Experience? And yet you’ve overlooked the obvious.”

  “Like what?”

  Alex shook his head. He couldn’t believe he was having to explain this. “A gang rolls into town, kills everyone, presumably leaves behind one of their own for some unknown reason, but let’s just say its to watch over these girls until they return. They have a chance to escape but instead they come to his defense. And yet you still think he’s part of this gang?”

  “He doesn’t have an ID.”

  “Why would he?” Alex shot back. “He was undercover. Seriously, Garcia. You cannot be this naïve. Surely you had guys in the department working undercover, right?”

  “Careful,” he said bringing a finger up.

  Sophie looked out the window with an expression of concern.

  “What? What are you gonna do?”

  Garcia scowled. “I’m just saying. Be careful, you’re walking on dangerous ground.”

  Alex stared back at him. “Am I?” He chuckled. “You know what, Garcia. I’ve been meaning to have this conversation with you. I appreciate all you did keeping my daughter safe but now I’m back, I think you can return to Petaluma. Back to whatever the hell you were doing in the first place.” He paused for a second. “What was that? Oh that’s right, running from your responsibilities.”

  Garcia lunged at Alex but he was just a little quicker than him. He sidestepped and cracked him in the jaw. Garcia stumbled and hit the ground and immediately got back up again.

  However, it ended there.

  Sophie flew out of the gas station, intervening fast. She got between them, arms stretched apart. “What the hell are you two playing at? Huh?”

  “Ask your boyfriend,” Alex said brushing past her.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” she shot back, an angry expression masking her face.

  He turned toward her. “Really? You know what, Sophie, I don’t give a crap what’s going on between you and him because what was between us was over the day you walked out, but don’t lie to me. That whole spiel you gave me while crossing the country. You know, the one about not dating anyone.” He glanced over at Garcia who was brushing grime off his clothes. “Please. You are too predictable.” He walked away but then stopped and looked back at her. “And don’t go blaming Elisha. I’d already figured it out before she filled in the gaps.”

  As he went to head into the gas station, Lincoln was coming out.

  “Where are you going?” Alex asked.

  “To get my motorcycle.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Of course.”

  “What about the girls?” he asked, giving a nod to them inside. They were huddled together looking upset.

  “I helped them. I didn’t sign up to babysit them. I’ve got plans. Now you all look like decent folk, a little messed up, but no more than me. You’ll do fine,” he said as he went to walk away.

  “And what are these big plans?” Garcia asked, chiming in. “Head back to your biker brothers to tell them about us?”

  He spun. “Jesus man, you really have trust issues. No. I’m heading back to San Francisco, to see my family.”

  Alex’s brow wrinkled. “Lincoln.”

  He turned and looked back. “What?”

  “Before you came here, where were you?”

  “Up in Redding. Why?”

  Alex glanced at Sophie and Garcia then back at him. “You didn’t hear the news?”

  He offered back a confused expression.

  “Most of the West Coast has been wiped out. Huge tsunamis. San Francisco was one of those cities.” He paused for a second. “I’m sorry, man, but that city is gone.”

  Lincoln stared back, his eyes only shifting as the girls appeared in the doorway.

  “No. No, that can’t be.”

  “I’m afraid it is,” Sophie added. Even Garcia dipped his chin. Everyone there knew what it was like to lose someone, everyone had been affected by the bombing of America in one way or another.

  There was a moment of reflection and silence as if no one really knew what to say. And even if they did, it would offer little comfort. Alex took a few steps toward him. “Listen, we’re a small group. In some ways we barely know each other,” he added, glancing at Garcia. “But if you feel inclined, you are more than welcome to come back with us. We’re south of here right now but looking for a safe zone.”

  Lincoln snorted but didn’t smile. The irony wasn’t wasted.

  “It’s not much for now but think about it,” Sophie added.

  “I appreciate that. I…” he trailed off looking away. There were no tears. No final words, he just walked off. Alex looked at Sophie. No one tried to stop him. Sophie walked back into the gas station to be with the girls.

  Garcia followed Sophie but stopped just shy of the door and cast a glance over his shoulder and looked as if he was about to say something, but instead went inside.

  Alex watched Lincoln walk off, disappearing around a corner.

  Half an hour later, after searching the town for anything that would make the trip worthwhile, they prepared to roll out. There was a little back and forth as to what they should do with the girls. Sophie insisted on taking them as their families were dead and the eldest certainly wasn’t in the frame of mind to take care of them.

  Garcia didn’t seem too bothered so Alex agreed.

  As they loaded them into the cruiser, Alex looked across town at the sound of a throaty muffler drawing near. He looked down the street and saw a Harley come around the bend with Lincoln on it. The bike slowed veering into the gas station. “You change your mind?” Alex asked.

  “I haven’t decided but for now I’ll at least take you up on that offer if only for a night. I could use the company.”

  “Where was your crew heading after here?”

  “They had a few towns along the way to hit before heading to Willits. Why?”

  “Great. That’s where we’re going.”

  “Seriously?”

  Alex nodded. “Why are they going there?”

  “To collect meth from one of their dealers.”

  Alex frowned. “He w
ouldn’t go by the name Jethro Nash, would he?”

  “Yeah. You know him?”

  He looked at Garcia who had his elbow resting on the driver’s side door. “We’ve had a run-in.”

  Alex gave him a pat on the shoulder and hopped into the back of the cruiser. As they took off, Garcia kept glancing up at the rearview mirror. The tension in the car was palpable. The girls looked out the window on the way back, holding on to each other as shock set in. Was this what the world had come to? Would this be the state of the country from here on out, people killing and taking whatever they wanted? The trip home was longer than before as they had to take a different route to avoid running into the Brothers of Mayhem.

  By the time they made it back, the afternoon sun was waning behind the trees. Elisha was stoking a fire outside and Leo was helping her with preparing some food for the evening meal. They looked up to see the new faces as Garcia killed the engine, and Alex got out. Elisha peppered Sophie with questions while Alex introduced Lincoln and the girls to the rest of them.

  Alex looked around. “Where’s Liam?”

  “At Harry’s place,” Elisha said. “He wanted to be alone.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “That depends. Does burning down four meth labs count?”

  Alex shifted from one foot to the next. “What? But we agreed that—”

  She cut him off. “Yeah, well he decided to go it alone.”

  “Did he?”

  “No. Of course not, I went with him.”

  “What?” he shot back.

  “Dad, we couldn’t exactly let him go by himself.”

  “We?”

  “Thomas, Joe, Leo, and myself.”

  “Where’s Thomas?”

  “Inside, talking to a group in Mendocino Forest. It seems there’s another safe zone.”

  Alex headed in and found Thomas hunched over the ham radio, headset on, mic in hand. Joe was nearby smoking a cigarette. Thomas spotted him before he reached him. “Oh, hey, here’s the guy right now. Hold on a second.” He removed his headset. “Alex. I have a woman on the line. She wants—”

  “Hang up.”

  “What?”

  Alex switched the unit off.

  “What the…?”