The Fallout

by Knox, J. C.

  ‘The other survivors have suits and he said they would send word via the radio when the radiation levels are low enough. But I don’t trust anyone, so my plan is that we leave here in four weeks not a day sooner or a day later. If my calculations are correct, the levels should be normal or at least nearly normal. You can wear the suit; I’m already dying but if I’m wrong at least you will be okay and can return to the bunker to wait it out a little longer.’

  ‘Are you sure this is the only way?’

  ‘I wish there was another way, unfortunately these new survivors pose an extra threat, we must assume the worst. Everyone is desperate!’

  Chapter 6

  Exactly 4 weeks later, 37 months after the initial explosion.

  Marking the calendar, George wipes his brow, it’s exactly 4 weeks since he was last out of the bunker and today, he and Sarah are planning to leave for the last time and return to their home. Coughing a mouthful of blood into a hankie, George can only hope that he lives long enough to ensure her safety on the outside. He could secure the perimeter of the island, but they may need support from the survivors across the water, especially Sarah, who is likely to be alone soon.

  ‘How do you feel? Today's the day,’ Sarah said, bringing toast and tea to the small table.

  ‘I’m certain the radiation in the air will be okay. The ground will remain contaminated, but I’m most worried about the survivors.’

  ‘The only thing we can do is get out there and see what happens. Are you okay, you’re looking very pale?’

  ‘Yes, I’m okay. I lost a lot of blood this morning that’s all,’ George said, trying to play down his illness.

  After they’ve finished their breakfast, George helps Sarah into the last uncontaminated suit before dressing himself in heavy trousers, jacket and boots. Lifting the Geiger-meter he tests it and the reading is normal.

  ‘That’s it, all the checks are done, are you ready?’ he asks, looking at his wife dressed up as if she’s going to space.

  Nodding her head, Sarah smiles through the mask and gives him a thumbs up,

  ‘let’s do this,’ Sarah said.

  George turns the large handle and pulls the heavy door open, stepping into the tunnel, leading the way to the outer door with Sarah following behind. His heart races as he stands outside the outer heavy door. He knows this will be his end if the radiation hasn’t returned to normal levels. Turning the heavy handle, he pulls the door slightly open and holds out the Geiger-meter. The clicking intensifies but only marginally. When he checks the reading, it’s higher than inside the bunker but within normal levels. He turns and gives Sarah a thumbs up before pushing the door open further. The light streams in and temporarily blinds him. Stepping out onto the cliff edge, he’s hit with the wind that’s blasting from the Atlantic Ocean. He takes a few steps to allow Sarah out and stands with his arms wide, enjoying the wind and spray blasting into him.

  ‘Woohoo,’ he yells into the wind.

  Sarah signals to him, ‘Can I take the suit off?’ she calls.

  ‘Yes, it’s awesome,’ he said, helping her out of the cumbersome suit.

  He watches his wife burst into tears as the wind and sea spray blast into her. Her hair blows wildly around her head.

  ‘The fresh air feels soooo good! Right?’ George calls, unable to stop the grin on his face.

  ‘Oh George, I can’t believe we’re out.’

  ‘Come on, be careful watch your steps, let’s go and check the house.’

  Walking cautiously along the cliff edge toward the house, George spots movement. Immediately he’s on edge, he can see that there are people on the island. There’s a man and two women down by the house from what he can see.

  ‘Is that one of the survivors you spoke too?’ Sarah asks, turning to look at him.

  ‘I don’t know, but I don’t like that they are here.’

  George steps ahead of Sarah and walks briskly towards the survivors on his island.

  ‘What do you want?’ he calls, when he gets close enough.

  ‘George…? It’s me Seamus. I was worried when you didn’t appear after we sent the message a week ago.’

  ‘I didn’t get a message; I calculated that the levels should be safe enough to leave today. We took a chance and came out.’

  ‘We’d been checking the readings every day since we last spoke and there has been a significant fall every day. You were right,’ Seamus said, smiling offering his hand to Sarah,

  ‘I’m Seamus,’ he said, in a flirty manner.

  ‘Nice to meet you, Seamus. I’m Georges wife Sarah.’

  ‘Come on over and meet everybody,’ Seamus said, walking George and Sarah to the two women standing by the house. ‘This is Maura and Siobhan, Maura, Siobhan this is George and Sarah.’

  After being introduced to everyone, George is anxious to find out what they are planning.

  ‘What are you going to do now you’re out?’

  ‘We’re going to try to rebuild what’s left of our community, and search for other survivors. You’re both welcome to join us across the water.’

  ‘For now, I’d like to get settled here, but we may call on you in the future’ George said walking the three of them towards their small boat, moored at his jetty.

  George and Sarah watch as the boat crosses the rough water towards the mainland. He notices that the fire is still burning and wonders why? Maybe they are burning contaminated stuff, or it could be more bodies.

  ‘Come on, George. I want to see inside the house.’

  ‘Okay, you go on; I’ll be there in a bit.’

  He watches his wife heading towards their home before turning and surveying the rest of the beach. Satisfied that there are no more boats, he walks up to the house the wind blasting into his face. For the first time in three years, George feels alive, glancing at the dead trees and the new vegetation sprouting up, he knows it’s going to be tens of thousands of years before any of the land will be able to be farmed, or any of the water drinkable. He also knows that everyone who has survived the fallout is likely to develop some form of cancer soon. But what is life if it’s spent underground enclosed in concrete. At least out here they have natural light that they didn’t have in the bunker and it will make it easier to grow fresh food from the seeds he’d harvested before the explosion.

  ‘It’s a mess George, but it won’t take long to get it cleaned up,’ Sarah said, as he joins her in their home.

  Using the Geiger-meter George tests everything in the house. He’s grateful when all the readings are normal.

  ‘We’re good to go,’ he said, showing Sarah the last reading, a huge grin on his face. ‘Just remember do not drink the water. You can use it for cleaning, but it’s not for consumption.’

  ‘Do not drink the water! I get it, now come here and give me a kiss,’ Sarah said, pulling him to her.

  ‘I was going stir crazy in there, I’d rather take a risk with the radiation and have a short life than spend the rest of my long life unable to leave that bunker.’

  ‘It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll make the most of it,’ George said, kissing his wife.

  Chapter 7

  Three months after leaving the bunker.

  ‘Someone’s coming George.’

  ‘Let me see,’ George said, taking the binoculars.

  There’s a boat making its way towards them from the mainland.

  ‘Make sure you stay here, get the shotgun and don’t be afraid to use it,’ George said, grabbing his pistol tucking it into his waistband.

  Making his way down to the water’s edge, George watches the boat as it gets closer. When the boat is finally docked, he can see that it’s Seamus and another man who looks to be around 30, the same age George estimates Seamus to be.

  ‘George!’ Seamus calls, as he steps onto the jetty.

  ‘Seamus, what do we owe the pleasure?’

  ‘Not pleasure I’m afraid. But I’ll get to that, let me introduce you to Conner, Conner George,’ Seam
us introduces him to the stranger.

  ‘Tell me why you’re here?’ George said, blocking their way to the house.

  ‘George, we’re here to ask for your help, our people are dying, we thought it was radiation poisoning, but we’ve had two more die in the past thirty-six hours. Their symptoms don’t match radiation poisoning and they’re not the first. During the fallout we had several people displaying weird symptoms that were put down to poisoning but this new spate of deaths has the community unnerved. We’re down to ten.

  ‘What are the symptoms?’

  ‘Fever, delirium, a rash, vomiting and diarrhoea, the symptoms only last for a few hours before the person falls unconscious and dies.’

  ‘Are they connected, the people who have died?’

  ‘Yes, there was a child who was born in the bunker. She was a year old and died two days ago. Her parents were the first to die with strange symptoms about six-months ago. And this morning a young lady Aisling who was just 20 developed the symptoms and died shortly after. She had been looking after the child after the parents died. These four people are all connected and have died in the same way.’

  ‘And you’re disposing of the bodies by burying them and encasing them with concrete?’

  ‘Yes,’ Seamus said.

  The look between Seamus and Conner doesn’t go unmissed by George.

  ‘Have you checked the accommodation?’

  ‘We have, and everything has been sterilised, but the parents died before we left the bunker.’

  ‘When you dispose of the bodies, are you also disposing of all their belongings and clothing?’

  ‘Yes, we were doing that to prevent radiation contamination, but we think this is something different. Our community is afraid; we need help.’

  ‘What do you think I can do?’

  ‘Do you have medicine?’

  ‘You’re bound to have everything I have and more. What would you use other than sterile fluids and isotonic drinks to replace electrolytes?’

  ‘You don’t understand, George We need specialist medical help throughout our community, we’ve got a pregnant woman who’s due to give birth soon. We’ve also got a new-born who was born last week, she’s severely disabled, her mother died a few days after she gave birth! The baby is being raised by one of the women who lost her whole family after the explosion.’

  ‘But I can’t help you. I’m not a medical specialist. I’m a scientist with a PhD. I work in developing natural renewable energy. I can help you harness the wind or the sun to power your village. I could even help you harness the energy created from whatever it is you’re still burning over there, but I can’t help you medically. I do have a medical encyclopaedia; it may be of a benefit to you. Come on up to the house.’

  ‘Sarah, Seamus is here people are dying across the water they need our medical encyclopaedia. Can you get it please?’

  ‘Of course, give me a second.’

  George ignores the look Sarah gives him as she passes, waiting until she’s out of earshot before asking,

  ‘The deformed babies, do you think it’s fallout?’

  ‘Yes, we’re certain it is. We just can’t figure out what this mystery illness is and how to stop it when it strikes? The young lady and the baby were kept in isolation, but the baby’s parents weren’t because their symptoms were assumed radiation poisoning and maybe it was.’

  ‘It could be! But it’s also likely that all survivors will develop some type of cancer soon, that’s one of the main long-term risks of radiation exposure.’

  George stops talking when he hears Sarah’s footsteps returning.

  ‘Here’s the encyclopaedia, is there anything we could help with?’ Sarah asks, as she steps in to the living room.

  ‘No, Sarah. I’ve already explained we’ve no medical experience.’

  ‘Well hopefully the encyclopaedia will be of benefit. Do you want a bite to eat before you return?’

  ‘That would be great, but only if it doesn’t leave you short.’

  ‘It won’t be much, but come into the kitchen and sit,’ Sarah said, ignoring the looks George is giving her.

  George watches feeling impotent as his wife takes the two men into the kitchen. Why is she doing this? She knows better. He takes several deep breaths which cause him to start coughing, the coughing continues until he coughs a clump of blood up. Walking into the kitchen, Seamus calls, ‘Are you okay George? I heard you coughing.’

  ‘Yeah, just coughed up a lung that’s all,’ he said sitting opposite Connor.

  ‘Tell me have any of your group explored the surrounding area other than here?’

  ‘Early on we had four men go off, but no one returned, we waited and waited for them to come back, but as time passed, we knew they must be dead,’ Conner said, lowering his eyes.

  ‘Yeah, we’re just focusing on rebuilding our lives since we came out of the bunker,’ Seamus said. ‘I see you’ve turned the dining room into an indoor greenhouse, we have a small one outside but we’re in the middle of building one big enough for the whole community. Did you make these biscuits Susan? They’re delicious.’

  ‘Thank you, yes I make everything from scratch. You should as well. There are many plants that can be grown indoors and used for mild medical issues such as peppermint for nausea.’

  ‘Yes, we have a section of medicinal plants but thank you. Conner. I think we should leave these good people and get on our way.’

  ‘George, Sarah, thank you for your hospitality, and please feel free to cross the water if you need anything.’

  George walks the two men down to their boat, but as the men are about to board Seamus turns to face George and said, ‘George, I know you’re hiding something; it would benefit you and Sarah if we remain friends.’

  ‘Are you threatening me?’

  ‘Just a warning, but we’re all in this together and if you know something you should share it.’

  ‘You give me more credit than I deserve, but I’ve heard your warning, have a safe journey across the water.’

  George watches the men push off and begin the journey to the mainland, he watches the smoke that has been continuously burning since that first time he saw it.

  ‘Seamus said, I’m hiding something, but what is he hiding? What are they burning?’ George thought.

  Waiting until he’s certain the men won’t return; he turns and heads back to the house.

  ‘What’s going on George? maybe I could help across the water.’

  ‘I don’t trust them, they’re hiding something, what are they burning?’

  ‘You don’t trust anyone, I’m not even sure you trust me?’

  ‘He threatened me and you, when they were leaving.’

  ‘Who? Seamus?’

  ‘Yeah, he said I should share everything I know.’

  ‘Well you could have told him I’m a nurse, why didn’t you? I could help, I’m not a precious delicate little lady who needs protected. I should be allowed to make my own decisions about who I can help.’

  ‘You don’t understand, there’s been a spate of unusual deaths across the water and as soon as the symptoms appear the person dies within 24 hours. I can’t have you, us, exposed we must protect ourselves if we are going to survive this. I’ll contact them on the radio and offer our assistance if there are any more unusual deaths.’

  ‘I think if we’re going to survive this, we need more than just us. I know it’s hard for you to trust and maybe they shouldn’t be trusted, but if we don’t try how will we know?’

  ‘Okay woman, you’ll be the death of me with your nagging, I’ll make contact now.’

  Sitting in front of the radio, George knows they should stay on the island, but he can’t lie to Sarah so turning the dial he makes the call and waits a response.

  ‘Hello George, it’s Sean, Seamus and Conner are just back if you have any medical supplies or expertise, we have an illness and people are dropping like flies.’

  ‘How many?’ George replies.


  ‘Four dead but three in isolation as off this morning with the same symptoms.’

  ‘We’ll be there later today; Sarah is a nurse maybe she can help?’ he types, a feeling of dread creeping down his spine.

  What is this mystery illness and how is it transmitted? Water, food, airborne? That is what we must find out first. Gathering facemasks and hazmat suits he heads back to the kitchen, relaying the conversation to Sarah.

  ‘Are you happy to go? I told them you are a nurse,’

  ‘Yes, we must try to help, I’ll gather as much medical supplies as I can, you get the boat sorted and we’ll get going.’

  Opening the double doors of his large shed George looks at his pride and joy that has been sitting unused for the past three years. He knows the fuel tank will be full, he always refills before returning home after his fishing expeditions. Backing his Toyota HI-Lux into the shed he hitches the boat onto the back and drives down to the jetty. After he has launched the boat into the water and secured it, he heads back to the house to help Sarah.

  ‘I’ve got sterile water, boxes of rehydration packs, anti-biotics, going on what you’ve told me I think this is what we’ll need. What do you think?’

  ‘Yeah, as far as I’m aware it seems to be intestinal.’

  Laden with their supplies George and Sarah walk to the boat.

  Chapter 8

  Ireland.

  It’s windy, and the water is choppy as they make their way towards the unknown on the mainland. George has missed his boat; the isolation and rawness of being at the mercy of the ocean are one of his favourite feelings.

  ‘It’s further than I thought,’ Sarah said, looking green around the gills.

  ‘Are you okay? Here try a boiled sweet.’

  As they near the coast George’s chest tightens, he can’t see any sign of life other than the continuous smoke. The boat he recognises as belonging to Seamus is tied to a jetty. The smoke is thickening as they get closer to the landing point, but where is everyone? Revving up the engine, George steers toward the jetty. He secures the boat and helps Sarah unload their supplies, glancing around at the rugged coastline, his senses are on high alert, everything is telling him to turn and head back home.