United States Of Apocalypse (11 page)

“
T
he Americans are in turmoil
. The fabric of their imperialist society has already started to tear. We are ready to attack at your order, Supreme Leader,” General Chan, leader of the Armed forces, said. Medals and ribbons were so numerous they covered the entire breast of his deep green uniform jacket and both arms, and they had begun to creep onto his right pant leg.

“What do you believe the casualty rate will be once we are engaged in battle?” Puon Too asked. At twenty-three, he was the youngest leader North Korea had ever borne witness to. He sat behind his large desk, his eyes looking at the map of the United States and the proposed areas of invasion. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail and wrapped in red silk. His advisers had told him it would be prudent to adhere to one of the standard twenty-two sanctioned haircuts the country approved of. Instead of yielding to their desire, he had altered the list to include five newer trends including his preferred ponytail. The military had mistakenly assumed they had finally had someone in power that would be easily malleable. If anything, he would become more steadfast in his beliefs because he did not want to seem weak in their eyes.

He was fearful that because of his unwillingness to compromise, he might incur the wrath of a full military coup and had therefore come up with an invasion plan for the United States. He personally had nothing against the U.S. He just anticipated it would get the generals off his back as they pondered a futile exercise. When they’d presented him with a valid plan, he had almost cancelled it before it could get off the ground. His advisers warned him it would be unwise, that the military was already grooming a replacement. Within a matter of months, he had been swept up in a suicidal plan to take down the most powerful country in the world, and he was too cowardly and powerless to stop it.

The thermonuclear device had been hidden in a lead-lined ship transport canister supposedly filled with cars from their neighbor to the south. From San Diego, a tractor-trailer had taken the bomb to an installation in Colorado, where a team of engineers on a work visa for the University of Colorado had put the bomb pieces back together. Not once did any of them question the irony of their situation. They’d been allowed to work in the United States as an initiative to promote peace through science.

Once it was together, the scientists shipped it to Wyoming to a team of three operatives who had come in across the Canadian border. Their cover had been a hunting expedition in the Canadian high country.

Puon Too was convinced that somewhere along this elaborate, bold, and reckless plan, the American authorities would discover the bomb and stop it long before it detonated. He’d been welded into a corner once he was told that the bomb was placed inside the caldera. He had no choice but to give the order to detonate. With a heavy heart, he knew he was putting into motion a series of events that would lead to the destruction of much of the world.

“We believe that the Americans have lost the will to fight and will surrender almost immediately.”

“This? This is something you believe? That the country that gave the world John Wayne,
Rambo
, and
Die Hard
will just quit fighting? The casualty rate, General—I want a realistic number.”

“There is not a North Korean soldier or citizen that would not die for you.”

“Are you not listening to me, General? Just because we are killing Americans does not mean that I am in a rush to have our own people die as well.”

The General’s face became taut. He did not like to be berated, especially from someone that was younger than his own son. “Without the secondary nuclear events, we believe that the coalition forces will suffer in excess of twenty-five million deaths.”

Puon Too winced.

“If you allow the next wave of bombs to be set off, we feel that the Americans will capitulate immediately, much like Japan had during World War II.”

Puon Too leaned forward, placing his head in his hands. “Get it done and leave me alone.” Puon Too cried when the General shut his door. “How many human beings have I just murdered?”

M
ike had been doing
a healthy dose of nothing except reading the entire day. He was relieved when the lights came back on. “Maybe the aristocratic asshole was right.” He laughed at his own words. “Yeah, right.” Mike was torn between staying and watching Tynes’ house and the black panther or heading home. He knew if he left, the neighbors would tear it to shreds when the looting started. He wasn’t too worried about the cat. The animal looked like it could take care of itself. Then there was the question of whether Tynes could even make it. A cop might have enough clout to get through some roadblocks, but all he’d be bringing with him was an attitude, and that generally got you locked up. Mike’s decision to not go would become infinitely easier the following morning. He was just about ready to lie down on the couch when he looked up the stairs.

“Who’s going to know?”

He grabbed the banister and headed up.

“Holy cow,” he said when he opened the French doors to the master bedroom. “So this is how the other half lives.” The room was the size of his apartment. A large four-poster king-sized bed sat in the middle. To the far right sat a Victorian aged dresser; a small jewelry box and some change littered the top. In the corner was a small makeup vanity with three lighted mirrors. On the other side was an elliptical exercise machine that was currently doing its pre-ordained role as clothes hanger. If Mike was impressed by the bedroom, he was nearly overwhelmed by the bathroom. Marble floors led to a shower that could accommodate three people. Shower heads lined the walls and ceiling.

“Like being in a damned rainstorm,” Mike said, awed as he turned the water on. “I am so doing this.” He began to strip down immediately. “He would be so pissed off if he knew I was using his personal spa!” The lights flickered again. Mike thought he was going to have to jump out before the water turned to ice. He relaxed when it stayed on. After a healthy scrubbing, he used one of the plush towels to dry off and wrapped himself in one of Tynes’ robes even though he looked like a kid trying on his dad’s stuff.

“I could get used to this.” He ran and took a flying leap onto the purple duvet-covered bed. He had not realized just how exhausted he was until he lay down. The day had worn him out, and he was far from out of danger. “Tomorrow, I start over. First thing though, these fucking pillows have to go.” He tossed the dozen or so pillows around the room like a child in the throes of a tantrum, shut off the light, and almost before his head could hit the one remaining pillow, he was asleep.

S
unlight was beginning
to spill through the windows, but that wasn’t what caused Mike to wake. The panther was curled up against his side. “What the fuck?” he said quietly. He would have pushed the thing away if he wasn’t afraid it would seek some sort of retribution. As scary as the prospect of death by cat was, that wasn’t what woke him either. Years of being on his own had honed a skill in him that many others lacked. When no one else had your back but yourself, you tended to watch it vigilantly. The house had an expectant stillness. He wasn’t alone. His shotgun was next to the bed, and he grabbed it. Whoever had come in was silent, and they were close. He knew he wouldn’t have enough time to even get out of bed before they were upon him. His pulse quickened as his eyes narrowed. He knew a time like this would eventually come from a home invader seeking supplies, he just didn’t figure it would be so soon.

A head darted in and looked around, this was immediately followed by a large caliber revolver and an even larger man.

“In my bed? In my fucking bed, Mike?”

Mike relaxed his finger on the trigger when he realized it was the cop.

“Is that my fucking robe? It is! Dammit!” Tynes put the gun away and was now pacing around the room. “You can’t just put on another man’s clothes, Mike, it’s just not right. And what the fuck are you doing with the cat? That thing is a stray, probably has ticks and fleas...and now it’s in my bed? Come on, man. I leave you alone for one night and you destroy the place! My wife sees the pillows like this, her head is going to combust!”

“Hey man, Baggie here got in the house on his own somehow. You didn’t see the hole?”

“Baggie? Hole?”

Mike shrugged. “I just took a shower, man, that’s all. I got out, my clothes were filthy, there was a nice robe, and I used it. As for the pillows, come on man, don’t tell me you’re a fan of them.”

“That’s not the point. My wife
is
.”

“Speaking of which, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you.”

“I swear to you, my plan has been to head out after I got some sleep. Just let me get my stuff together, and I’m gone.”

“Mike, we need to talk.” Tynes sat down on the bed.

“Oh shit, this isn’t where you say you have this weird attraction to me, is it?”

“What? No. Cut it out. This is serious. I want you to know that no matter what you decide, you are welcome to stay here. Is that understood?”

“Uh, yeah. What the hell is going on?”

“There’s really no good way to say this. Boston has been bombed.”

“Bombed? What the fuck are you talking about? Like bombers?”

“Nuclear device.”

Mike felt like a bird of prey had shoved its claws though his chest and pierced his heart. The pain was so acute he wasn’t sure he’d be able to catch his breath.

Tynes moved in closer and wrapped his arms around the man. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he repeated as Mike wailed.

D
arlene and John
found a plethora of chainsaws in the red barn. When Darlene went to pick up a huge one, John put up a hand.

“What?” she asked.

“We’d both need to hold it at the same time. And nothing personal, but I don’t think you’re strong enough.”

“Wow. You’re a dick,” Darlene said. She picked up the smallest chainsaw she could find, dragging it dramatically on the ground. “Can you help me with this one?”

John didn’t take the bait and focused on the chainsaws, selecting a decent-sized one from the display.

Darlene put the small chainsaw down and grabbed the next biggest size from what John had selected. Again, he didn’t say a word.

He’d been quiet since his return. Darlene was surprised he’d volunteered this morning to help. Herbert had given the man a wide berth and didn’t ask for help or include him in the daily plans. But during breakfast, John had volunteered to start cutting down the trees in front of the house.

Cutting down trees was slow, backbreaking work, and after a half hour, Darlene was still working on her first one.

John had cut through his first, and he was a sweaty mess, but Darlene still thought he looked good. She looked away and went back to work, her goggles steaming up in the heat.

His wife is missing, you slut
, she thought.
Keep it in your pants and relax
.

She turned to see him bending over, and she checked out his butt. Darlene rationalized she could look but not touch. There was no harm in that.

“How’s it going?” Herbert asked, walking up. He grinned at Darlene, and she blushed. He’d watched her staring at John.

“Don’t you have a bulldozer in one of the barns?” Darlene asked.

“I wish. Then we could clear this in a few hours instead of the days it will take you,” Herbert said.

“I don’t suppose you want to help?” she asked.

“I’m almost done with the perimeter fence.” Herbert had spent the last two days reinforcing the fences, closing up the gaps and clearing the brush on either side so no one could sneak up to the house. He’d also unspooled barbed wire, creating a maze on the sides and back of the house so no one could simply walk straight up.

“We still need to go into town and to your sister’s house to get her supplies,” Darlene said. They’d talked about it and decided the property defenses were more important. Once the trees were cleared and everything was in place, they could roam and see what the outside world offered.

Darlene had been sleeping in a chair in the living room, and her back hurt; it hurt more so with a chainsaw in her hand. Last night, John had slept a good deal, only waking to eat and watch the news.

He hadn’t spoken yet about where his wife was or what he’d seen, and no one pressed him. He’d talk when he wanted to. Darlene knew he was still in shock over whatever had happened.

“I could take a ride over to the Boyette farm and see if Joe has a tractor or a Cat to use,” Herbert said. “I just hate wasting time running fools’ errands.”

John stepped back, turning off the chainsaw as the tree he was working on began to fall.

“Timber!” Darlene yelled, knowing how goofy it was. She couldn’t help it.

Once the tree had hit the ground and settled, John put the chainsaw down and walked over to Herbert. “I think this will take us a week to clear. There are too many trees and this is getting old. I think a ride over to the neighbor’s farm would really help us.”

Herbert nodded. “Let’s go. One of you stays here to keep guard and keep working.”

“Not it,” Darlene said quickly.

John shrugged and picked up the chainsaw before walking toward the house.

“He’ll come around,” Herbert said once John was walking up to the porch.

“I hope so. He’s a moody guy, but I understand why,” Darlene said. “Let’s go and see what trouble we can find.”

“Grab the two rifles and make sure you have your Desert Eagle loaded,” Herbert said.

They drove off in Herbert’s pickup truck, going east and passing three farmhouses scattered down the road. Herbert told Darlene which family lived in each. They didn’t see anyone out, and there were no cars on the road.

When they pulled into the long winding drive of the Boyette farm, Herbert beeped the horn. “It’s always best for Joe to know he has company. He’s too good with a rifle to take a chance.”

“Comforting,” Darlene said.

They pulled up to the front of the house, which was twice the size of Herbert’s home. It was a two-story with a wraparound porch and an open three-car garage. A large barn stood on either side, rearing up behind the main house.

“Joe doesn’t have as much property as I do but he has a lot more room,” Herbert said.

The pair sat in the car and stared at the house.

Herbert finally opened the door after beeping his horn again once.

“He usually comes out if he’s home. I don’t see his pickup truck, but he might be out back doing some work,” Herbert said. “Joe is a good man but he doesn’t like strangers on his property, so stay close.”

Darlene gripped the rifle and stepped out, following Herbert up the steps to the front door.

“Joe, you home? It’s me, Herbert. Your neighbor. I came to ask if you would let me use a power tool or three. Hello?” Herbert banged on the front door.

After another knock a minute later, they decided to go around the porch to the back.

Darlene thought this house was lovely, and it was obvious Joe had put a lot of hard work and time into making the property gorgeous, from the planted bushes to the bird feeders on the side of the house.

“I don’t see his truck or Sandra’s car. I can’t imagine neither of them is home,” Herbert said.

He banged on the back door and waited, staring at the door. It looked to Darlene like he was trying to will it open. After a couple of minutes, Herbert went to the nearest window and tried to look inside. He shook his head. “They have all the blinds closed.”

“Now what?” Darlene asked.

Herbert frowned. “We go inside and hope Joe doesn’t shoot me in the heart.” He bent and pushed aside one of the small planters set on either side of the door, revealing a key.

Darlene smiled. “You always hear about no one locking their doors in places like this.”

“We always lock the doors but the neighbors know where the extra key is in case of emergency. Oh, speaking of which, if there’s ever a time you need the extra house key, check in the red barn. It’s right over the doorframe on a hook.”

“Good to know.”

Herbert unlocked the door and swung it open. “Joe? Sandra? Anybody home?”

After a pause, he stepped inside and Darlene followed, happy to be out of the sun. But it was warm in the house, as if the air conditioning had been turned off or set very low.

They went to the kitchen. Everything looked in place. The table was clear and so were the counters.

Herbert walked down the hallway, calling out every couple of steps.

The rest of the bottom floor was clean and not a knickknack looked to be out of place.

“Let’s go upstairs. I don’t smell anything funny, which is always a good sign,” Herbert said.

Darlene thought it was morbid but realistic. Bad things had been happening. She didn’t know if the Sawyer family also held a grudge against the Boyette family and what they were capable of. Herbert and Pheebz were friendly with them, so it might be a mark against the Boyette clan.

Upstairs was quiet as they went up. All of the doors were closed. Herbert started to his left and opened a door slowly, which led to a guest bedroom. Nothing out of place.

The bathroom was next, and it was clean, although Herbert pointed out that all of the shampoo, soap, and anything else normally in the shower was missing. So were the couple’s toothbrushes, and when Darlene opened the medicine cabinet, she saw it was empty.

“I think they left,” Darlene said. “When we go back downstairs, we need to check the kitchen and pantry.”

Herbert hesitated at the closed bedroom door. He looked at Darlene and frowned. “I’ve known Joe and Sandra for years. Their daughter used to come over to play with...” He turned and opened the door.

The bedroom was undisturbed, the bed made and everything in place.

Darlene sighed. The last thing either of them wanted to find was a couple of bodies, especially people Herbert knew and cared for.

Darlene led the way back downstairs after a quick search of the rest of the top floor yielded nothing but a tidy home.

In the kitchen, Herbert pulled a slip of paper off the refrigerator and put it on the table for Darlene to see. “At least they might be safe.”

Darlene read it, guessing Terri was their daughter. She smiled and looked at Herbert. “This is dated three days before everything happened. They flew down to Miami, which means they might be safe.” Then she re-read it. “Do you think their daughter came to check on the house though?”

“She was supposed to water the plants and feed Sandra’s goldfish according to the note,” Herbert said and walked quickly into the living room.

There had been three goldfish in the bowl but only one was still alive and it looked sluggish. Darlene found the goldfish food and sprinkled flakes on top of the water, watching the fish eat.

“It looks like their daughter never got here,” Herbert said quietly. “I know where she lives in town. It’s only a few miles.”

“When we do the trip into town, we need to swing by and see if she’s around,” Darlene said. She went back into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. There was some food, leftovers in bowls, and a twelve-pack of Coke. Cheese slices were in a drawer, and the freezer was packed with food, too.

“I feel like I’m violating them,” Herbert said and pushed the freezer door closed.

Darlene nodded. “I say we leave and lock the door behind us. Once we figure out about their daughter and if they’re safe we can come back if need be.” She glanced at the cabinets but didn’t open them out of respect for Herbert. She knew there was more food to inventory, and it might make a real difference now that John was back and they had seven mouths to feed.

They went to one of the barns behind the house and Herbert opened the doors with a smile. “Joe won’t mind me borrowing the tractor as long as I fill it with gas and make sure it’s running better than when I borrowed it. You can follow me home.”

The ride back to the farm was slow and uneventful, although Darlene enjoyed the smells and sights of being in such a pretty and secluded place. She thought it funny in a way because if this had never happened, she would have never known how beautiful this area was. To her and most people, it was a blip on a map and a minor road to traverse to get from point A to point B.

Darlene wondered how long she’d be here, though. What if the world only got worse? What if, when the smoke cleared, there was no home for her to go back to? She’d been pondering these things so often the past few days her head hurt.

By the time they got back to the farm, she was sweaty and on edge. There was too much work to be done, and even with the Cat to knock down some of the trees, it was still going to be hard work.

John was still outside, using the chainsaw to cut down the trees. He didn’t look up when they arrived.