by C C Roth
“Karina mentioned something earlier about how well stocked their supplies are. She said they had at least one gun for every person in this house. So, I checked it out and she wasn’t lying. They have a full-blown armory down in the basement.”
“So?”
“So? You don’t think that’s odd?”
I shrugged. “No. I think half the population dying is odd. I think you getting super cozy with Karina is odd. I do not think having a bunch of guns to protect a house full of kids in the middle of a war is odd.”
“But where did they come from?”
“I don’t really care, Mike. Mitchell said he has connections. I mean you saw the pictures on his wall. Geez, if he wanted a bunch of guns, I bet he knows someone who’d deliver. He all but said that when we talked. He’s not hiding anything.”
Mike shook his head. “You just don’t see what he is, do you?”
I snapped, my cold friend running short on patience. “What the hell is he? You tell me. Spell it out slowly for me since you clearly think I’m a moron incapable of leaving a house by myself.”
“He’s not a good guy, Sam. I can’t explain it. He’s just not.”
“Really? I’m betting the 150 kids in that house would disagree with you.”
“I’m not saying he hasn’t done some good, I’m just saying—"
I threw up my hand, “It’s fine Mike. It doesn’t matter. But while you’re snuggled up with Karina maybe you should be asking yourself if you can trust her. Since Mitchell sort of raised her, I’m guessing she’s pretty loyal to him.”
“Is that her jacket you’re wearing?”
Crap.
“I just borrowed it. Here, it doesn’t fit anyway,” I threw it in his face.
I marched up the steps ahead of him feeling so over the back and forth. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why Mike was so bothered by Mitchell and why he even cared. The guy was a temporary entity, a flash in our lives that would be gone in a week.
Overthinking gets you nowhere.
“Agreed.”
We entered into a strange scene inside The Home. Every single person in the house had gathered around the biggest TV in the front room or as close as they could get to it. People were squeezed together tighter than the hipsters’ pants. I was greeted with a harsh “hush” as we closed the door behind us. All eyes were on the screen and listening to Marta Cline’s broadcast from her cozy newsroom. Her hair was perfect as usual.
“Thank you for joining us today. I have the distinct honor of being with you on a most historic day for America. The press was notified earlier this morning that our Press Secretary, Carl Jenkins, would be making an announcement pertaining to rumors about a presidential election. We join him live now at an undisclosed location where he will be making his address to the nation.”
The screen blipped to a man in his twenties standing behind a podium wearing a suit and tie, as if that was something that mattered anymore. An enormous American flag hung on the wall behind him. His throat trembled a little as he stared down at his notes. Public speaking may not have been one of his strong traits but the political pool had been drained so there he stood, looking very much like a kid playing dress-up.
“In the midst of war, we cannot and will not be without a Commander and Chief. Your country has committed to do everything in our power to restore our government and way of life. After much deliberation and an arduous process, I am proud to announce that we are taking the first step in a return to normalcy. In three months, on July 30, 2022, there will be a primary presidential election followed by a general election on November 3, 2022. This will be an expedited process. Following the general election in November, the winning presidential candidate will immediately take an oath of office. We will not stand on ceremony, we will not drag this process out unnecessarily, and the elected candidate will take office without contest. Specific information on the details of this election process and an upcoming census, will follow shortly. We need you, our citizens, to know that we always have your best interests at the heart of all we do and now more than ever we need a clear line of power. While this may seem rushed, people should vote with confidence and know that the nominees are anything but an afterthought. It has taken time to locate and compile a list of candidates which is why we have waited to announce this process until now. Four months have come and gone since the explosion that stole so many of our beloved leaders from us and our committee has been working tirelessly all this time to locate and vet potential candidates. Again, details of the voting process will follow shortly and will be continuously aired through the next month, in order to give our voting population time to consider their options. All the candidates have agreed, in the interest of public and personal safety there will be no conventions, no parties, and no touring the country. All debates and speeches will be aired live for the public on all broadcast mediums.
Furthermore, in order to make certain this process is fair and without speculation, all of the power grids and public water systems in the Red Zone will be operational by the end of May. Even now our troops are moving into affected areas within the Red Zone to make this possible and we are forever grateful for their courage and sacrifice. This is an important step in our return to normalcy and essential to ensure our democratic process is able to proceed without interruption, corruption, or prejudice. Without any further ado, I give you the nominees for the primary election for President of the United States of America.”
The screen turned to an American flag graphic, as if we needed more reminding of what country we were in, and a dialogue box appeared. Name after name rose up on the screen and settled next to a tiny bullet point, the candidate’s name followed by their state and political party. A roar went up through the house as Mitchell’s name slid into the fourth spot. Mitchell Anderson, Ohio, Democrat. Everyone cheered and whistled, shooting so much noise bouncing off the walls and ceiling it felt like the house might come down. Mitchell made his way through the group and stood in front of the TV, his hands in the air and an enormous smile on his face.
“Okay, okay settle down. Nothing has happened yet, let’s not get so excited.”
“Nothing has happened?” one of the kids shouted, “You’re going to be the second black president, Mitch!! Woohoo!” This gained another enormous roar from everyone.
“Well, what can I say? I appreciate all of your support and love and I only wish…well I wish a lot of things. But I really wish all of you were of legal voting age.”
Everyone laughed, their faces glued adoringly on him.
“No, in all seriousness my young friends, you are my family, and my home. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.” He hung his head, suddenly struggling with emotion. A few of the older kids reached out and put their hands on his shoulders for support. When he looked up again his eyes welled with tears. “I didn’t think I would survive after I lost my girls. But you, each of you has given my life a special new meaning. We have all lost a lot, haven’t we? Alone we are broken and lost, but together we are stronger and more vibrant. Together we have accomplished great things. And we are going do this together too.”
Hugs and cheers undulated through the house again. This miraculous man who saved so many lives, who cherished those children, and who wanted to change the world, was going to get his chance. I have to admit even I was swept up in the excitement too. Not that I fully understood the intricacies of a political party or election, I mean really who gives a crap about that bullshit anyway? But to witness someone get their shot was pretty cool. The party carried on into the night. Music was turned up, extra food was brought out (rations be damned because we were going to the White House, baby!) and speculations about how the next three months would play out bounced around from every corner. It was a fun night. We danced in the courtyard and made total asses out of ourselves except for Wyatt who surprised everyone with some epic moves. I’ll say this for the kid, when he isn’t running his mouth the guy can really dance.
; Mike was still giving me the semi-silent treatment, but he looked like he was having fun with Karina. I really hated her, but she was giggly and Mike was smiling so whatever. If he was happy maybe he’d lighten up on me. The Home was starting to grow on me in a big way. Mitchell was odd but seemed to be a genuine good guy. They’d figured out how to survive and were doing it pretty comfortably compared to the rest of the Red Zone. We hadn’t found any dead bodies in the house despite Luis’s thorough searches. These people seemed alright and I was feeling more convinced that running headfirst into the Quantum lab was the right thing to do. Suddenly, Navin grabbed my hand and pull me in to dance.
“I’m done. Go dance with Wyatt,” I said laughing as I walked back into the house.
“No thanks, I’d rather dance with you.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“You’re way cuter than Wyatt.” He grinned and held out his hand again.
Laughing awkwardly, I waved him off as I walked inside. It was too crowded for me out there anyway and I had some thinking to do. Like figuring out how I was going to agree to Mitchell without pissing off Mike for eternity. On my way to the stairs the sound of a TV grabbed my attention and I peeked inside Mitchell’s office to find him sitting behind his desk with the lights dimmed.
“Ah, Samantha. You found me. I admit I am hiding from the noise. Your music can grate a bit on ears my age.”
“Wow, you sound old,” I mocked.
“Please, come sit with me. You look like a woman with something on her mind. Am I right?”
“I guess.” I sat and looked at the news story he was watching. “I was just thinking. Mike wants a reason to do this but…what happens if we say no to this? If we don’t go into Quantum for you?”
“Then we go in anyway, Karina and some of the others, and likely lose everything even if we are successful. There will be no way to hide I organized the mission or at least knew about it. No one will want to elect me after that gets out, and secrets always come out. We would be throwing the election into the hands of evil men who don’t care what happens to our country as long as they make money and get famous while doing it. Men that are okay with kidnapping their own citizens to be used as medical experiments. Men that arm and authorize militia to torment their neighbors into submission. Men like him.”
He pointed to the screen at a man waving excessively to a crowd standing on a stage surrounded by balloons. Why would anyone bother with balloons? Half the world is dead, and you’ve got balloons? Slimy was the only word that came to mind when I saw his face. Completely slimy. He was smiling and doing everything right, but he just looked…wrong.
“You see it don’t you? I can tell you do. Is this the man you want rebuilding our country? In what image will his design be constructed? He is already responsible for thousands of lives lost and there is a solid chance that he was even involved in the release of Avian-X, although I cannot prove it yet. Which would make him responsible for so much more. He is evil, Samantha. We cannot allow this to happen.” He rubbed his face, genuinely stressed.
I watched the TV and studied the man’s movements. His facial expressions. As he spoke, I listened to his easy words about loyalty and bravery. He’d complimented himself at least three times already and his speech had just begun, the crowd nodded along in unison like good little sheep.
“My government teacher used to say that we needed to create the change we wanted to see in the world. I’m sure he’d be pumped to know I was finally getting involved in local politics, but I don’t think this was what he had in mind.”
That earned a chuckle from Mitchell and he rubbed his face again, tired. “Samantha you remind me so much of me it’s alarming.”
“Should I know who this guy is?” I asked, pointing at the screen.
“Not necessarily. His name is Gabriel Ross. He is a republican and he has his eye set on the White House. He also happens to not be a very good man. But it’s too late in the evening to get into all that. Let’s just say that he does not have our nation’s best interests at heart, and I doubt the man has a heart at all.” Mitchell’s face went blank as he stared at the screen for a moment. His sparkling eyes seemed changed and he looked older somehow, his lightness gone as if watching this man was physically painful to him. He shook his head suddenly, realizing I was still in the room. “Forgive me, Samantha. I am tired. It has been a long day. Perhaps we will talk again tomorrow.”
“Sure. See ya.” I closed his door and walked upstairs wondering how bad this Ross guy could be to upset Mitchell so much. Sure, he looked like a Grade A d-bag, but he had to have been elected to get to where he was. How evil could he be?
5 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
The spring rains moved in with a vengeance on the morning of our third day bringing a chill and gloom to the overstuffed house on State Street. The rumbling of thunder hung low overhead, threatening to swallow us whole. I watched the sky from my bed turn darker and darker as the storm gathered its motivation. It seemed to be mirroring the mood between me and Mike. I could hear him in the bunk above me, sound asleep. He was still hoping I would listen to reason and be fine with heading back to our hideout in the woods while I was still hoping he would figure out I just didn’t have it in me. He’d been so cozied up with Karina since we’d arrived maybe he wouldn’t be too bummed about staying…maybe. I could hear the soft movement of the kitchen crew prepping for breakfast downstairs. The Home seemed to have a system in place to keep everyone occupied, I just didn’t fit in…surprise. They rotated jobs weekly, game room privileges, even courtyard time was monitored to make sure everyone was getting outside enough. They were like a well-oiled machine and Karina seemed to be the cog that kept it all running. She had so many responsibilities I wondered if she ever slept. It’s probably why she was so infatuated with Mike, Mr. easy going, quick to smile, never agitated wrestler guy. I got it. But she still bugged the crap out of me.
She’s turning him against you.
The sooner we got this over with the better. I had been overthinking the whole damn mess and I was way past restless, so I skipped the inevitable breakfast lecture and headed straight for Mitchell after I woke up. My cold friend was determined to have its way and I had no reason to fight back. I needed action.
The rain made miniature rivers running down the windowpanes in Mitchell’s office and an occasional strike of lightning showed just how poorly lit his room was. He stood as I closed the door behind me, abandoning a pile of paper on his desk.
“Miss Samantha, you’re an early riser this morning. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
I ignored his offer of a chair and stood arms folded. “I’m all in for the job. I’ll go to Quantum and bring back your kids if I can.”
“Excellent! I knew a few days surrounded by family would do you some good.”
Yeah, he clearly doesn’t get you.
“I’m doing it for the money, not for the people. And mostly because I’m bored and need the hell out of this house.”
“I trust that you are not planning on going alone. Will your crew of merry men be accompanying you?”
“That’s up to them. I can’t decide this for them. They’ll have to tell you for themselves.”
He tilted his head ever so slightly. “Oh, don’t be fooled Samantha, by agreeing to this endeavor you are deciding for them.”
I scowled at him and shook off his responsibility bomb.
“You don’t see it yet, do you? It’s like I told you the other day, you are a warrior… a born leader whether you like it or not. People will always follow you. You need only to command them.”
“I’m not leading anyone. Don’t confuse me for one of your child soldiers out there.”
“Indeed, ‘we know what we are, but know not what we may be.’”
“Um, yeah. So anyway. I’m going to eat. When do you want us to go blow up that lab?”
A deep laugh escaped him, and he threw his hands up in surrender. “We will need a day or two to assemble and make arra
ngements. Our man on the inside will make contact by the end of week and give us the exact day and time. It won’t be long. Until then, enjoy the amenities afforded us by generators and hard work.”
“Right.”
“Samantha,” he stopped me at the door, “this mission… I don’t need to tell you this is more than important to me. This is my family and I need them back. I need the people that did this to be put in an uncomfortable situation.” He held my gaze for a moment, letting that sink in. “Are you the warrior for the job?”
I nodded, “I’m pretty good at making people uncomfortable. Always have been. Just tell me when.”
I bumped into Karina as I opened the door to leave. She didn’t miss the opportunity to glare at me and I delighted in her startled jump when I leaned in with a sudden, “boo.” The trouble with pretending you’re tougher than you are is that eventually someone will challenge you to prove it. After I cleaned up and changed, I made my way to the breakfast line which was already thick with people despite how early it was. Powdered eggs again with greens from the garden and a seemingly endless supply of Pop-Tarts. I loaded up my plate and found the guys already eating in the next room. It was a crowded hot mess what with the rain closing off the courtyard out back. Everyone was bumping elbows as they tried to eat while standing or leaning on whatever furniture was available. The guys were crouched in a corner having a heated debate about movie directors. Wyatt was chewing a mouthful, his face impatient as he was clearly working his way up to a rant but temporarily unable to speak over his food.
“Ridley Scott would’ve been cool,” Navin offered calmly.
“What?” Luis scrunched his face in surprise. “No way. That would have completely changed the course of the Star Wars dynasty.”
“Well would that have been so bad?” Navin countered.
“I dunno, Disney really changed the whole vibe for me. It felt like they lost their way in trying to gain a younger audience.”
