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  Being a bank manager was a prestigious position, but it wasn't alluring to the ladies. He imagined what work would be like when he returned. So many people would be coming to him for aid to try restoring their lives. He'd help where he could. He wasn't a monster. He'd spent a lot of his life trying to help small businesses. It was just the right thing to do.

  “This is the life, isn't it, Mikey? Don't you just wish that every day could be like this?” David said, inhaling deeply, his chest puffing out. He looked around at the still woods and saw the beauty of the world. He and Mikey always had tried making time for camping trips, but it had become harder as the years had gone on and other responsibilities had taken hold.

  “I think every day is going to be like it, man,” Mikey replied. A stick cracked underfoot as they walked.

  “Nah, you really think so? I bet this is just a test. It's like one of those big reality games. They probably got the idea from The Hunger Games. They might even be watching us now. It'll all blow over soon. I bet they just have to wait a little while for everything to reset.”

  “I hope so. Can you imagine a world where we don't get to see what happens in the next Avengers movie? I've been waiting so long for Thanos to come. It's total bullshit that this happened. Talk about bad timing.”

  “Yeah, and Game of Thrones. Hey, maybe one day we can go to Hollywood and try finding the actors and make them put on the rest of the show for us.”

  “That would be a laugh,” Mikey said, chortling.

  “But, nah, it'll be okay.”

  “I hope you're right.”

  “I know it. You know, people always think the government doesn't know what they're doing, but they've always been alright in my book. Obviously running a bank isn't the same thing, but I do know something about how hard it can be to manage budgets and things like that. They're probably just trying to figure out which plan is the best.”

  “To be honest with you, I'm not that sad that this has happened. It's not like my life was that great.”

  “You didn't have it that bad.”

  Mikey shot him a look. David wilted. While David had a steady job at a bank and rose through the ranks, Mikey had taken a very different path. He hadn't had the best luck at jobs, and his career mostly had been in retail, currently working at a sporting goods store. It was a relaxing place to work, but it wasn't exactly the best for career progression. David always had pitied his friend as they were at the stage in life now when it was hard to make big changes.

  “Okay, granted,” David continued, “but try seeing this as a chance for your new beginning. When the world gets back on its feet you can start something new.”

  “Maybe. I'd love to just stay out here forever, though. Living off the land. Not having to worry about bills or anything like that.”

  “It would be an adventure,” David said.

  Although he wasn't sure he wanted to stay in this world for that length of time. He missed his creature comforts. The longer this world went on, the more likely it was going to be that the governments were not going to be able to get the world back to the way it was. That thought terrified David, and it took all his effort to push it out of his mind. He couldn't imagine what would happen if the world stayed like this. All chaos.

  “But luckily, we're not going to have to worry about that. I bet soon we'll see a helicopter or something flying overhead telling us that it's safe to go back to the city, that everything is okay again.”

  “That solar flare was something though, wasn't it? Can you believe that something that quick had this much of an effect?”

  “It makes you realize how small we are, doesn't it? I mean, looking up at it now, the sun is so far away. I guess we forget there's a lot out there that can hurt us.”

  “We should be thankful that it didn't burn us all to a crisp.”

  “At least you'd get something of a tan,” David teased. Mikey shoved him with his shoulder and the two men laughed as they walked along.

  “So, what are you going to do when the world gets back to normal then, if this is going to be your new beginning?”

  David pursed his lips. “I'm going to get a girlfriend, that's for sure.”

  “You say that like it's easy.”

  “It's gotta be, right? I'm a man who survived the end of the world. That's gotta count for something?”

  Their smiles faded as they saw movement up ahead. Crouching down, they drew their crossbows. They slowly moved forward, trying not to disturb anything on the ground. The shadow was to their right. They twisted their bodies to look and saw the rippling of leaves where it just had been. David steadied his breathing and peered through the forest, focusing all his attention on trying to spot their quarry. Animals had evolved to have natural camouflage. They blended in with the thick brown tree trunks and other parts of the forest. It was hard to see them through the green bushes and the logs that lay strewn across the ground. In the near distance he could hear the soft ripple of a stream. The corners of his mouth turned upward in a smirk.

  He and Mikey had been smart to choose this as a place to camp. They were close enough to have the advantage of the fresh water, and animals came to the stream as well. Mikey and David had enjoyed some hearty meals, thanks to the stream’s allure. He felt Mikey tug at his shoulder. His friend jerked his head to the right. David adjusted his gaze and then saw it in all its splendor. A nice, fresh deer, all juicy and ready for the kill. David could feel himself start drooling at the thought of cooked venison. It was a rare treat compared to the rabbits, squirrels, and other small animals they had hunted. This deer would last them a few nights at least, maybe even more, if they were careful about how they stored the meat.

  Now that David could see the deer, he wondered how he had missed it. It was completely unaware of their presence. It was majestic, with its huge antlers that looked like branches, and its brown fur that was dappled with spots of white. It looked peaceful. It walked slowly, raising its head to the branches as it plucked leaves off and nibbled on them. David and Mikey nodded to each other. They braced themselves, waiting for the deer to move slightly to the right so they could have their perfect shot. David blinked slowly. Time seemed to stand still. He could feel the breath moving through his lungs, up his throat, out of his barely parted lips. The crossbow felt natural against his shoulder. His finger was on the trigger, ready to squeeze. The bolt already was loaded. Its sharp point gleamed under the sun. He glanced at Mikey, who gave him the nod. They each began their countdown. Three...two...one.

  The crossbow bolt hurtled through the air, and within an instant it had buried itself in the deer's hide. The deer yelped and squealed. Its neck twisted as blood seeped out, staining its fur. David had hit it at the base of its neck. Mikey's bolt had hit the deer's leg. The animal limped away, but the life already was fading. Its eyes rolled back and the ground shook as it crumpled to its knees. Its mouth gasped for air, for salvation. David and Mikey congratulated each other as they walked up to it.

  “I think I got the most points there,” David said.

  “No way! You got the neck, but my bolt made sure it wasn't going to run away.”

  “If I hadn't shot it in the neck, it would have limped away anyway,” David said.

  He placed another bolt in the crossbow and pointed it at the deer. The helpless animal stared back at him. David pulled the trigger. The bolt flew out and lodged itself inside the deer's skull, right between its eyes. Its head lolled to the side. The deer was no more.

  “Now we just have to figure out how to get it back to the camp,” Mikey said.

  David was proud they were able to make a living out in the wilderness.

  After they had withdrawn their bolts, the two men pulled out some rope and tied it around the deer. Only one of David's bolts was salvageable, so he put that back in his quiver. The other two were tossed away.

  “We're going to have to make a few more of these soon,” Mikey said.

  Another challenge. They'd taken as much stuff as they co
uld carry from Mikey's store, but supplies were running low, although David didn't fancy going back into the city just yet. The sounds he'd heard on those first nights...people were worse than animals.

  Taking some of the rope each, David and Mikey hauled the deer through the forest back to their campsite. Sweat flowed over David's body and he looked forward to bathing in the stream when they reached camp. It all would be worth it, though, when he was chewing on the succulent deer meat. His stomach growled at the thought of it.

  Yet, when they reached their camp, they stopped. David let go of the rope. His face grew red when he saw two men standing by his tent. Glowering, he marched up and drew his crossbow.

  “Who are you?” he asked. The two men turned around. Upon seeing the crossbow, they both held up their hands, although one more reluctantly than the other. David didn't like the look of them.

  “I'm Nick, this is Cosmo, we were just curious about who lived here.”

  “Well, you can carry on being curious. Go away. Leave our stuff alone. And why do you smell?” David asked, trying not to gag.

  “It's a long story,” Cosmo said, glancing toward the other man. Nick stayed silent. He looked strong and tall. He was a physically imposing man, and David was glad he was holding a crossbow.

  “Well, I don't care about your story. You people had better move on. Otherwise, I'll shoot you.”

  It was at this point that Mikey came up behind David and placed a hand on his shoulder. He always had been the friendlier one. “Now, now, there's no need for that. I'm sure these men are just like they say, a little curious. To be honest, maybe we should have hidden our camp better. There's no need for us to act all hostile.”

  Mikey stepped forward and made David lower his weapon. He held out his hand and introduced them. David reluctantly shook their hands. Nick's grip was strong, and David's hand throbbed after shaking it. Mikey invited them to stay and share in the deer. David glowered, not wanting to share his kill with these men who had done nothing to deserve it. He wasn't sure about them, but he went along with what Mikey wanted. He couldn't very well turn them away now.

  Mikey told them about the stream nearby, and Cosmo spoke of how they'd had to dive into a sewage lake to escape some men.

  “You heard anything about them?” Nick asked. Mikey and Dave shook their heads.

  “It's just been the two of us ever since things went dark,” Mikey said.

  “What's it like in the city? I'm guessing they don't have everything back to normal yet?” David asked. It was the first thing he'd really said, his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

  Nick looked at him strangely. “I don't think anyone is trying to get things back to normal. This is the way things are going to be from now on.”

  “What makes you say that? The government has to be working on something.”

  Nick glanced at him and Mikey. David didn't like the look on his face. “There is no government anymore. There's nothing. Nobody is rebuilding the world. Nobody is coming to save us. This is all there is now.”

  He spoke with supreme confidence. David didn't know what had given him all the answers, but he wasn't about to take the word of this stranger over what he knew to be true. It was just inconceivable that the world had ended up this way. He was about to say something else when Mikey interrupted. David thought back to the moment the solar flare had hit. He wondered what Nick had been doing. Probably saving a bunch of people. He looked the type. He probably had a string of girlfriends as well. He was just that guy that all the good things happened to. He could live without making any effort at all. Probably hadn't even worked a hard day in his life. Not like David, no, David had earned everything he had. He wasn't about to accept the fact that it all had been taken away from him.

  The meat was tasty, although the deliciousness of it had been diluted by the company they were sharing. Sometimes David disliked the way Mikey was so open. It was better when it was just the two of them. At least David knew he could trust Mikey. He would need to sleep with one eye open through the night. For all he knew Nick and Cosmo were murderers.

  Chapter Six

  Nick stared up at the sky, wondering if there was going to be another flash. All the people around him were chattering. Some were looking more worried than others. The science teacher was trying to explain the reality of it all, but nobody was listening. They didn't care how or why it happened. They only cared about what was going to happen next. The problem was, nobody knew. In the distance Nick could see a huge jet plummet from the sky. He couldn't imagine how many people were losing their lives in that moment. He felt helpless. His instinct was to run into a burning building and help people, but how could he help people through this? It wasn't as though he could save them from it. It had happened. It was the end of the world.

  People around him were wailing. They were holding their children close to their bosoms. They looked around for some sense of support. There was nothing. There were no announcements coming out. There were no reasons given why this was happening. As people are prone to do in times of strife like this, they starting argue. They were getting annoyed with the teacher and someone shouted at him that it was an act of God. The teacher pinched the bridge of his nose and, once again, walked through the science of it, but nobody was listening. Other people were saying how everyone deserved it. Nick didn't really know what to believe, but he knew what people were like when they were in a state of panic. He kept Backdraft close and tried calming people down. It didn't have any effect. He could tell Backdraft was getting agitated by it as well. The dog started barking. People's voices rose as they argued more vehemently. Some said there was nothing to worry about. Nick didn't like such ignorance.

  He didn't even know what he was going to do. He looked back at his home, but there was nothing left for him there any longer. The place was charred by the exploding electronic equipment. Sure, he could stay there, but it wouldn't help him survive. There were a few other people who echoed his voice of reason, but they were drowned out by everyone else. There were people trying to get into cars, pulling and pushing each other, even though they were useless. Eventually, they started attacking the cars themselves. Windows were smashed, and cars were turned onto their sides. The metal clattered against the road and shards of glass skittered away. Nick shook his head. There was just no reasoning with people. The houses all pretty much had been emptied out, and everyone was on the street, jostling with each other. The air was growing hot, and Nick kept a firm hand on Backdraft's collar so the dog didn't get lost in the crowd. Nick didn't know what he'd do if he lost his best friend.

  The yelling and screaming and arguments and panic soon turned into actual fistfights. Nick's face fell. This was the horrific side of humanity, the side that he'd rather forget. He'd seen the best of it in places where people had banded together after a disaster, but he'd also seen the worst. Maybe in time these people would see that what they were doing was wrong and they'd seek to work together, rather than trying to tear each other apart. It wasn't going to be any time soon, though. Maybe they just needed to get this all out of their system. Nick wasn't going to hang around and be swept up in the whirlwind of human chaos, though. He pushed through the crowd, his body sweating from being in such proximity to other people. One hand barreled through them all, the other was caught in Backdraft's collar. The dog scrambled by his master, whimpering and yelping. Backdraft was a strong dog, but this was overwhelming for him.

  Different plans ran through Nick's mind. He thought about where he should go. There was only one place that made sense, though. The fire station. That was his life, and if there was any hope of re-establishing order in the city, emergency services personnel had to be where they were needed. They were split up all over the city, and without electricity, communication was going to be difficult. But it was an emergency. This is what they were for. He didn't know if the army or the National Guard was going to be called in. He didn't even know if there were going to be enough people to keep everyone at bay. But
he had to try. He had a duty in times of need. He'd sworn an oath to protect people and put their well-being before his own.

  Every lesson he'd learned had prepared him for this moment. Some people when faced with the unknown gave into fear and panic. That's when people like Nick were needed. Those who had been trained to think with a clear head. He knew his brothers would be making their way to the station as well. Perhaps together they could form a base of operations and try to figure out a plan. He couldn't do it all by himself. One man couldn't make enough change in the midst of all the chaos.

  He ran as fast as he could through the city. Backdraft jogged by his side. As Nick made his way through the city his heart was saddened by what he saw. The city was crumbling around him. People were giving into their fears. They were rioting and destroying property because there was nothing else to do. Store windows were smashed, and valuable goods were taken, not that they were that valuable any more. People were so short-sighted. He just wanted to grab hold of them and shake them. He wanted to tell them that what they were doing was stupid.

  There were almost too many people to help. He could have stopped. Part of him wanted to stop. If he did, he'd never make it to the station, though. He had to get there to be with people he could trust. Nobody seemed to notice him as he ran through the city. Spires of smoke rose in the air, although he didn't know the source. People were getting into fights. The store owners were defending themselves against rioters. This small town had been home to him, and it was falling apart. He gritted his teeth and kept walking, trying not to let the pain and anguish get to him. He always had wanted to be a protector of this city, but was there going to be anything left to protect?

  He spared a thought for Samantha, wondering how she was coping with it all. The bigger cities must have been hit harder. Or maybe they were better off because they had more people to work together. It was only a fleeting thought, though. Samantha was a tough cookie. She'd always managed to take care of herself. That was one of the things that first had attracted him to her, but in the end, she turned out only to be taking care of herself. She probably wasn't giving him a passing thought.