by Logan Keys
**
Colton found Rex stuck, his body pinned halfway underneath a tree. The dog wasn’t hurt that he could tell. “Ah, boy.” He tried to pull him free, but the tree wasn’t moving.
Colton pushed and pulled and then tried to lift it. It wasn’t budging. He started snapping branches off, hoping it would create enough room. Still, the tree was so heavy and the dog was completely stuck. Rex whined, and Colton petted his head. “Don’t worry! I’m not leaving you!”
With his body thrown over Rex, Colton waited for the tornado to strike. He wasn’t going to leave the dog there to perish, alone, and scared.
Just then, the wind struck with such force, he was blown back a few feet, ripped from Rex, rolling and tumbling with the strength of it. He tried to crawl to the dog, but it was too strong. The wind caught the tree too, and it moved a few inches.
Again, a gust shot through where they were, and the tree lifted slightly. “Rex!” Colton called, and the dog drug himself out from under the tree and free. He bounded to Colton’s side and together they ran for the barn.
The door was closed, and Colton beat against it. “Rufus! Rufus, it’s me!”
Nothing could be heard over the sound of the wind, he was sure of it.
Colton turned back and gasped. The tornado had arrived. A car came crashing down just feet from where he and Rex were so that he had to dive to the side and drag the dog with him.
He got to his feet. “Come on, boy!” Colton pulled the dog with him and they both climbed behind the car just as more trees and metal came flying in their direction.
“Colton!” Rufus found him and snagged his hand, helping him up.
He led them back to the barn where they dove inside, but the door wouldn’t shut.
“Help me!” Rufus shouted at the other men inside and together they all worked as one to get it closed.
Rufus showed Colton where they’d all huddled together amidst hay bales that someone had arranged around them like a barrier. Colton held on to Rex, afraid that the dog would bolt out of fear and get lost, or worse.
The tornado struck the barn, ripping away the door, the roof, and the entire side of the front, leaving them nearly unprotected.
“Cover your heads!” someone shouted, and everyone did just that.
They stayed like that as the sound of hell itself ate chunks out of the barn and even ripped away some of the things inside. Hay bales shook, and some disappeared, floating off as if pulled by imaginary rope.
Rex whined and shook. And just when Colton thought the mouth of the monster would eat them whole, it suddenly disappeared leaving a dead silence behind…just like that, vanished.
“Is everyone okay?” Rufus asked.
Everyone seemed to be fine, and Colton glanced over and his jaw dropped open.
Huddled amidst the hay bales, in a group, were three very familiar faces.
Benton was the first to notice him, well not him, Rex.
“It’s Rex!” he shouted rushing over to hug the dog, who was still shaken up but already wagging his tail when he sniffed Benton and found him to be his friend.
Bart stared at Colton like he was seeing a ghost. “Bro,” he said softly in disbelief.
Colton jumped up and rushed forward, while Bart ran towards him, too. They grabbed each other in a giant bear hug, and Colton felt relief pour through him as he’d never felt before. “I can’t believe we found you,” Bart said.
“I thought you were…there was a fire.” Colton swallowed. “I thought the worst.” He pounded Bart’s back and then pulled away to wipe his eyes.
“Brittany?” Bart said in a whisper that the kids couldn’t hear.
Lily was already clutching the dog’s neck like a lifeline, her pale face drawn. The little girl was obviously in shock from what she’d been through, but Rex was helping at least.
Colton shook his head. “I didn’t find her. I found him though.”
Bart’s eyes steeled. “I hope you made a real mess of that bastard.”
Colton gave one sharp nod and then realized Rufus had come over. The older man was grinning ear to ear. “Is this your family?”
Colton almost corrected him but instead answered, “Yeah. Yeah it is.”
Benton tugged on Colton’s sleeve. “Where’s Brittany?”
Colton squatted down. “I’m not sure. But I promise, we won’t stop looking for her okay?”
He stood and gazed at his brother, soaking in the feeling of him being okay and alive. “There was a fire at the farmhouse. How did you get out?”
“We weren’t there. We had to leave. Some squatters showed up shortly after you left, rough people. I didn’t know if facing off with them would be wise. They played like we’d all be friends, but I thought they might cut my throat in my sleep. The kids and I…we just snuck away that night.”
“Smart move. I’m still looking for Brittany. We have to find her.”
“But where?” Bart said. “I mean do you know?”
“Everyone is heading south. I say we do the same.”
“You don’t want to try for New York anymore?”
Colton shook his head. “If they are smart, they’d head south too.”
Chapter Nine
Mexico
Luckman woke to the sound of jingling. Metal against metal. He heard Holtz curse and a horse snort followed by a loud thud.
He sat up, trying to get his bearings and remember where he was. Luckman had a sinking suspicion that something was off…and sure enough, Holtz was there with the horse, and he was sitting on his rear after what looked to be a bad spill.
Luckman jumped to his feet and rushed over. “What are you doing!” He snatched the reins from Holtz’s hand. The man was trying to catch his breath.
The other scientist held up his hands. “You were thinking the same thing! You were going to leave me. Admit it.”
Luckman glared down at him and fished through the bags. “I wouldn’t do that. I never even thought it…it never crossed my mind!” He pulled out the pistol he’d seen in there before. “But I can’t let you steal my only ride out of here.” The gun shook in his hand as he aimed it in the direction of Holtz. “I’ll leave you the donkey but the sun’s coming up. I’m riding out of here and I’m taking the horse as fast as I can. It’s German’s only chance.”
He wouldn’t risk Holtz swindling him once more. The man was a menace.
“I told you!” Holtz shouted as he climbed to his feet. “You can’t leave me!” he pleaded.
“You were going to leave me. You were going to ditch me here and---”
“I was going to get help!” Holtz took a step forward and Luckman aimed.
“Why would you need to ditch me to get help?” Luckman paused a beat. “You can have the water. The food. I’m going. The burro is yours.” Luckman turned and pulled the horse to a rock while training the gun on Holtz. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
But he would go to German first when he returned. Holtz was on his own until his friend had help.
“Please!” Holtz shouted but Luckman’s mind was made up.
He couldn’t risk Holtz actually getting the horse away next time. “I’m sorry,” he called as he kicked the horse into a trot.
Once he was far enough away, Luckman stopped and put the gun into the bag. “Okay, buddy,” he told the animal. “I need to get there fast and I need to stay on, too. I’m going to grab your mane and hopefully that won’t piss you off. All right. Let’s go! Yah!” The stallion bolted, and Luckman barely held on.
The sun was to his right and rising and so he knew he was heading north. The horse was picking the way carefully through the cacti, when after a few strides, he found a path and evened out into a full run. Luckman’s tennis shoes flung free of the stirrups. They began to flap egging the horse on, and he went into another gear that was so fast the ground was a blur. The wind burned his eyes. Luckman had somehow turned into Paul Revere racing along on horseback towards town. He had both hands free of the re
ins and one was on the horn holding it for dear life while the other was buried deep in the horse’s black mane.
“That’s it!” he cried. “Go, boy, go!”
Luckman prayed they wouldn’t hit a prairie dog hole or a crack from the earthquakes that would break the animal’s leg. But from this vantage point it looked like miles of flat desert with the snow melted down to a reasonable few inches.
**
They took several breaks at a walk and trot but eventually Luckman goaded the animal into a run again on the last stretch. He felt the border town before he saw it. Just a sense of the wilderness melting away into something other than rocks and sand. Paved roads came into view, albeit destroyed by earthquakes. Buildings were crumbling, but it was still civilization.
Luckman pulled the horse onto the street at a walk and headed for the actual entrance to the U.S. It was like a ghost town. He saw no one and heard nothing. The gate to the U.S. was also unmanned. It was eerily quiet. The only thing he could think of was the town had the freedom to cross into the other side and so they had. Perhaps Nogales would look better on the other side.
Luckman dismounted and led the horse into the border crossing area. It was strange, the sign above him said “Entering the United States” and he was about to step foot through the checkpoint. When he did, his chest constricted with unexpected emotion. “Home,” he said, feeling his eyes burn until he finally gave in to some tears. He wiped his face and the horse was watching him with big soft, brown eyes as if it understood.
Luckman patted his nose. “I’ll get you some food and water here soon, buddy. Promise.” He laughed when the horse snorted in answer. “Laughing at the goofy, sentimental human, are you? Well, I never thought I’d see this place again….what’s left of it.”
Together they walked slowly into the city of Nogales, and to Luckman’s surprise, it was still full of people. He could tell that the city was bustling with life, and he blew out a sigh of relief.
As he drew closer, he took in the new struggles of the first world. Lots of injuries, and worse, they had no power. Luckman asked around, and word was parts of the northern states were already frozen over. He found water for the horse and some hay by searching for locals who had horses too. A man told him, “I’ll take him and pull his saddle for the night.”
“I can’t let him rest that long,” Luckman said to the man in the big cowboy hat. “I have to go back to Mexico. My friend is injured. Is there a doctor around?”
“This horse is not going anywhere,” the man answered with a frown. He dusted his hands off on his jeans and touched the horse’s knees before running hands along the tendons. “These are tight as a drum. He looks dehydrated. You’re lucky he didn’t colic in the desert or come up lame.”
Luckman’s gut clenched. Because of the state of the horse who’d helped him. Because of German waiting for him and needing him to return.
“Oh no, Buddy,” Luckman said putting a hand lightly to the forehead of the beautiful horse who brought him all the way to his home country. “What can I do?”
The man seemed surprised that Luckman cared. He gave a soft smile. “I’ll give him some bute and rest. He should be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Luckman asked.
“Yeah. He’s a gorgeous animal.”
Luckman sighed. “Doctor?” he asked again and the guy pointed towards a building.
“Everyone’s gathered in there. Trying to figure out what steps to take next. You go on. I’ll take care of the horse. Maybe someone can help you out.”
Luckman reluctantly left the horse and made his way to the crowd of people waiting to get inside the building the man had indicated. There were a few people running around seeing to wounds of some who’d been hurt during the quakes. The fires were out now, but it was obvious they’d had many during the days before. Half of the city looked burned.
“Ma’am,” Luckman said, interrupting an official looking woman from doing an important job. But every second wasted was more blood German lost…if he was still alive. “I’m looking for a doctor.”
She barely glanced in his direction before she gave a dry smile. “Get in line.”
“No. You see. My friend he’s uh…” She walked off before he could finish.
There were probably hundreds if not thousands who needed help there, but Luckman wasn’t about to give up. “Excuse me,” he tried another young man who rushed by with supplies.
He also ignored Luckman. A third woman in scrubs was flying past, and Luckman snagged her arm. “Please,” he said firmly. “My friend will die without help. I need someone to come back with me into the desert and…” The woman pried him off her arm.
She snorted. “Are you crazy? Every able body is needed here.”
“I can…”
She rushed away from him, mumbling something about entitlement.
Panic gripped Luckman around the collar. He’d finally made it but hadn’t even thought about what it would take to get someone to help them after he arrived. He glanced around, lost, unsure of what to do. The man who’d helped him with the horse was heading in his direction. “How is he?” Luckman asked.
The man smiled. “He’s a tough one. Bred well to boot. Where’d you find him?”
“How’d you know he wasn’t mine?” Luckman asked jokingly. Clearly his outfit wasn’t for riding.
“Any luck finding a doctor?” The man asked.
“No. Everyone’s too busy.”
“Maybe I can help.”
Luckman gave him a strange look. “I’m not sure you can. They’re obviously overwhelmed. And I need someone to travel with me. A day’s journey into the desert.”
The man frowned. “That’s a lot to ask.”
“It is. I know it is. But he’s not going to make it unless I get help and he’s saved my life a few times…and….not sure why I’m telling you all this.”
The guy nodded and watched Luckman become lost for words. He nodded his head and repeated, “I might be able to help.”
“How?” Luckman asked with interest.
“Well, seeing as I’m the mayor, I still have a few connections.”
Luckman’s jaw dropped.
The guy held out a hand and Luckman shook it. “My name’s Joshua Montgomery. And my daughter….see that woman rushing around being nasty to everyone so she can save lives? Well, that’s my daughter.”
He didn’t look old enough to be a father of a teen let alone a full-on doctor, but Luckman knew that age was relative these days.
Luckman felt it could be too good to be true so he asked…though he immediately regretted the words. “Why would you help me? Your town needs you.”
Joshua smiled a genuine smile. “Because you asked about the horse. Because you still care. Because I do, too.”
Luckman could almost cry with joy.
“I have some fresh horses we could take. Give me some time to get them saddled.”
Luckman could almost groan out loud. “Does this mean I have to ride a horse again?”
The man laughed. “I’m afraid so. The jeep will only get so far before those cracks start. I think a horse is easiest since you made it out of the canyons, we know we can make it back in.”
Luckman shook his head in surprise. “How can I thank you?”
“Well when the next election comes around…kidding.” Joshua winked. “I’ll get the horses ready, and then we can work together to talk my daughter into coming. It might take some doing. She can be a bit stubborn.”
Luckman glanced in the direction of the doctor. She was the first one he’d tried to get to help him before, and she’d told him to “Get in line”.
“He needs stitches and antibiotics. Maybe more, “Luckman said.
Joshua nodded. “Save it for the doc.”
Spit was caught in Luckman’s throat, he was afraid she’d say no. That he was dreaming. That he really would wake up alone, without the horses, and ditched in the desert by Holtz.
Joshua patted him on the back
. “All is well now, my friend.”
Chapter Ten
New York City, New York
They made it onto the same street as the bowling alley before Michelle had to stop and rest. “Just for a few moments.”
Bob was eager. “We are close now. Let’s make it fast.”
She nodded but was out of breath. They’d had to walk the rest of the way in deep snow. It was like working in deep sand; it took its toll. After being half frozen the night before, her recovery rate was terrible.
“I’ll carry you if I have to.”
Bob was eager to return, and Michelle understood. He probably was dreading it too. They started again to the bowling alley without running into anarchists, or Bob’s partner, or Mr. Seagerman, but Michelle felt they’d not seen the last of any of those three.
“Should we knock,” Michelle asked, and he gave her a strange look and pushed open the door.
“They should keep this locked,” he said with a frown.
Jensen was there though, watching the door, and he was armed. “Who is it?” he demanded and then his face cleared when he saw Bob and Michelle.
“So glad to see you two.” He smiled but it fell. “What is it?”
Bob put a hand on Jensen’s shoulder but moved past him.
“What happened?” Jensen asked Michelle in a low voice.
“Donny. It’s Donny,” was all she could get past the lump in her throat.
“No,” Jensen said with big eyes.
She nodded. “Carry?”
“She’s well,” Jensen answered.
Michelle breathed a sigh of relief then followed Bob.
He’d found Carry and his other children. He shared a long look with his wife before he broke down. She cried out and fell into his arms. It was unspoken but she knew. Maybe she’d known all along, Michelle thought, wondering if parents had an invisible tether to their offspring who were out in the dangerous world. And when it snapped, they knew before anyone else maybe, as was fair.
If not, they should.
The family was in a group hug, so Michelle didn’t inject herself into the misery. They stood crying so loudly that it was pointless to tell anyone else what had occurred. Donny’s wife especially, she let out a horrible scream that made Michelle wince, her horror palpable.
