In his shock, all Mark could mutter was, “Alas, Babylon.”
“Excuse me?”
“My father gave me a book at Christmas called: Alas, Babylon.”
“Nuclear war?”
“Yeah, and in the book, the brother… Mark, set up a way to warn his family if an attack was coming.”
“You think that was a way for your father to warn you?”
“I kind of do now,” Mark said. “Can I ask you something?” Was it a coincidence that we were on the evacuation plane?”
“No. Why would you ask if it was a coincidence?” John shook his head. “You had been booked on that plane for two full days. We had eighty seven other people in the radius to get on that plane. Unlike you, most of them knew nothing until they got to the airport.”
“What do you mean unlike me? I didn’t know anything until we crashed.”
“No one told you? You were supposed to get a call.” John said. “Mark, you were placed on that plane as part of COGNON 1.”
“No, I was on that plane going to my father’s memorial service. My stepmother booked the flight. Deana didn’t even want me to go.”
“Probably because no one had told her yet either. She’s tough.”
“John, what’s going on?”
“Oh boy.” John ran his hand down his face. “Mark, your father’s death was part of a proactive defensive move and diversionary tactic.”
“I don’t understand. Did he not have a heart attack? Did someone kill him?”
“What? No.” John said in shock. “He was moved to New Mexico.”
“Oh my God… are you saying my father isn’t dead?”
“He’s very much alive.”
Mark’s mouth dropped open and he was stunned, completely stunned. He rested back and looked over to Regis, wishing he was awake. He spent a good two days crying when alone about the loss of his father. Feeling utterly heartbroken. Now in wake of this new revelation, Mark honestly didn’t know how to feel.
GROUND ZERO CITIZEN – Five
Terrence and Murph examined the bottom level of the garage. There were no people there, at least none that they could see, only four cars. If being below ground was important, that was the level to be. It had no windows, the ceilings seemed secure and high enough. Plus, with the ramp, Terrence believed they could light small fires for light without the smoke being a problem, as long as they built them near the ramp.
The metal garbage can near the elevator would be perfect for that, Murph suggested, then said, “I might be able to rig something up with a car battery and headlamp. At least for some light.”
“Can you do that?” Terrence asked.
“I believe so, yes. Not like it’s my training, I’m a copywriter, but hey, I’ll give it a shot. I like messing with cars. Worst case, we alternate running the headlights on cars. There’s what about twelve upstairs? We have light. We should move everyone down here.”
“You say ‘We’, I’m still not sure I want to be part of a big plan.”
“You need to stop, okay. I meant it when I said we’re all in this together. We’re all shaken and we’re all scared. We all probably have assets, knowledge and skills that can keep each other alive until we can figure out what would be our next step.”
Terrence honestly didn’t know what he could contribute, other than his cooking skills, his size was about the only other thing that could come in handy, but even he wasn’t sure of that. His body hurt badly. He had been slammed against that wall and his back singed by the blast of hot air. He felt physically battered.
“What makes you think everyone is going to go along with this all for one survival plan?” Terrence asked.
“I’m not sure they will. We’re down here together, why wouldn’t we work together to stay safe and alive? There are a lot of kids here. I have none, but they need to be our priority. There’s only one way to find out. Let’s go up and talk before panic sets in.” Murph placed a hand on Terrence’s back, causing Terrence to jump a little. “You hurt?”
“I’ll be fine. Let’s go.” Terrence nodded and they walked back to the stairwell.
Including themselves there was nearly thirty people. Upon returning, the numbers had dwindled, at least ten people were gone. Terrance spotted the two teenagers with a man walking toward the ramp that went to the street.
“Hey,” Murph called to them. “Wait. Stop. Where are you going? Walking out there is walking into death.”
The man only looked over his shoulder. “We don’t need this shit. We’ll find a place pretty fast. Good luck.”
“What the hell?” Murph tossed his hands up. “Dude, I’m really serious. There’s radiation….”
Terrence held his hand out to Murph. “They’re not listening.”
“Jesus.” Murph’s hand landed against his thigh with a slap and he spun to those in the garage. “Listen, I know everyone is scared, but I know we can’t do this unless we pull together.”
Murph’s voice faded to the back of Terrence’s attention as he finally noticed the uncomfortable silence in the garage. Not only that, but when he looked at his wife, mother and daughters as they huddled together, Macy stared at him with wide eyes as if trying to convey something.
The way his family stood and acted mirrored everyone in the garage except one man.
What had he done? Terrence wondered. The man stood center where most people gathered. Like Murph he wore a dress shirt, only he still had on his tie as if he expected to go to a meeting at any moment. He wasn’t a tall man, in fact he was short and on the portly side. A man in his forties, salt and pepper beard and a goatee that looked deliberately styled into a sharp point at his chin.
“Shut up!” the man yelled at Murph. “Just shut your mouth. You aren’t organizing anything. You will do like the others, and leave.”
That was when Terrence saw it. The man had a gun. He lifted it and aimed it at Murph.
“Take your chance out there, or take a chance you get shot.”
Others may have cowered, for some reason it didn’t scare Terrence, it angered him. He was already not in a good mood from being injured and hurt. He wasn’t thinking when he blurted out at the man. “Are you fucking shitting me?”
The man turned his gun on Terrence.
Macy gasped loudly and Terrence heard it, along with a peep of ‘Daddy’ from Kira.
“Am I shitting you?” the man asked with edge. “Who the hell do you think you are? Do you see the name on this building? Keith Hoffman and Associates. I am Hoffman, this is my building and my garage. My wife and I don’t want you people here. Get out.”
“You’re serious?” Terrence walked towards him.
“Terrence,” Macy scolded.
He ignored his wife as he neared Keith.
“What are you trying to do? Intimate me?” Keith blasted. “I have the gun.”
“You want to shoot me?” Terrence’s words increased with intensity. “You want to shoot these people if they don’t go out there? What the fuck is the matter with you?”
“Terrence!” Macy yelled.
“No one is going anywhere,” Terrence said.
Keith shook his head and released a nervous laugh. “Don’t test me.”
“Test you? The world blew up and you want to be some sort of inhumane asshole. Give me a break. The next time you want to be a threatening prick…” Terrence blasted, “Check the safety on your gun.” After that, Terrence gave the man pretty much the last of everything he had in the form of a single punch. It landed squarely to his jaw, sent Keith spinning to the floor and the pistol dropped from his hand.