S Ison - Russian Doomsday

“Hi Pike, this your last day?” she said, smiling up at him.

“Yeah. Heading out in a bit. Just stopped by to pick up my check.”

“Sure, no problem. Let me go get it for you.”

Nancy got up from her desk and headed into another office. Pike looked around. It was neat and tidy, and welcoming. He guessed it should be that way for incoming customers. It was too bad some of the agents weren’t as nice as Nancy. He smiled when she walked back into the office with an envelope.

“Here you go, Pike. Have a safe trip.” She smiled, kindness in her eyes. He nodded, and left, heading for his office. Opening the envelope, he looked inside. It wasn’t much, but it would get him to Maryville. Arriving at his desk, he sat down. He wanted to check on a bit of information about the area. He let out a breath. No one was about. Logging in, he opened up a browser and brought up Maryville, it seemed really nice, and was situated near several big cities. He was glad of this, not too close. He scrolled around, looking at the highlights.

He would swing by the bank to cash the check before he left town. He had his savings but was loath to touch them. He had a feeling he’d be needing them soon enough if Margo agreed to pool resources on the property he’d found. He went to the fax machine and uploaded his resume. He waited, looking around nervously. He knew he shouldn’t be using it, as he no longer worked here. But he figured he’d shoot a copy to the realty company and hope for the best.

When the fax was sent, he went back to the computer. He pulled up Missouri’s real-estate laws and licensing. Good. Doesn’t look like it will be too hard, he said to himself. He filled in some information on the online application. He pulled out a thumb drive and copied the files to it for safe-keeping.

He checked his email quickly. To his surprise, the company had already acknowledged receiving his information and said they would get back to him. They also said they looked forward to seeing him. That was a good sign, he guessed. It was more than most companies did for prospective employees these days.

He looked around for a few minutes on job sites. He wanted an idea of what was out there in general, as he knew they would need good money fast. To his surprise, he saw a few things that were promising. One was a job at a hardware store. He typed in a few inquiries and sent them out. Then he called up his bank account and looked at the balance. All looked good. He smiled. he’d been saving for a long time. For what, he never knew. Now he did.

He was looking forward to saying goodbye to Bev and Johnny. He wouldn’t miss them and their constant tormenting. There was nothing here for him any longer. He was ready for a change for sure. He pulled up the property once more and looked at it. The more he thought about it, the better he liked it.

If the SHTF, then it would be every man or woman for themselves. He could not carry the burden of everyone; he could only take care of his own small world. For those who’d not prepared, they’d be the first to scream for help and more than likely be the first to die.

He hated thinking about it, but he knew he needed to get his head into that mindset. He wondered if it was selfish. He was pretty sure he’d kill to get food if he’d not taken precautions. That was why he was trying so hard to get his act together. He wanted to be independent and feel secure in his own world. Have a small amount of control in a world out of control.

“So, slinking off without telling anyone? Too ashamed to let everyone know you’re leaving?” Johnny said as he walked into the office.

Pike didn’t bite the bait. He stuck out his hand instead and smiled. He didn’t want to, as he knew Johnny would crush his hand. “Looking for greener pastures. I figured I wasn’t doing so great here.”

Johnny shook his head. “So, you think it will be different someplace else?”

“Hope so. Take care and good luck.” Pike looked around, more for a distraction than anything else. “Where is Bev? I wanted to say goodbye to her as well.”

“She’s got a showing, but she’ll be real sad she missed your goodbye. NOT.” Johnny brayed, his big teeth white and shiny. Pike thought he could nearly see down Johnny’s throat.

Johnny reminded Pike of Gary Busey, and now he had the image stuck in his head. His heart squeezed. This poor bastard had no idea of what was coming. Maybe that was for the best. Hopefully, if and when it did come, he’d be dead before it even registered. There was nothing he could do for Johnny or Bev. He’d tried his best.

As expected, Johnny squeezed the hell out of Pike’s hand. Pike pulled it away and shook it, which just made Johnny laugh harder. No, he’d not miss them a bit. He hoped he was wrong about POSEIDON and he hoped Johnny and Bev lived long lives. They weren’t bad people, just kind of annoying. They didn’t deserve to die, but he couldn’t help them. He was just sorry that they’d not listened to his warnings. But, deep in his gut, he knew something was coming. He didn’t know when, but he knew, just as he knew his love for Margo would never die. Yes, he was that certain.

Johnny slapped Pike on the back hard and then drew him in for a rough bro-hug. Pike wasn’t sure he’d survive. He pulled himself away and smiled. He stood for a moment and took another look around the office. He sighed. He’d miss it only a little.

Heading out, he got into his truck and pulled away. He saw Johnny standing outside to wave him off and was hit by a small pang. That poor bastard was a dead man and didn’t even know it. Pike swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He silently wished Johnny well, then pulled out into the traffic. He kept telling himself he couldn’t save everyone. But he could save himself and Margo.

That would have to be enough. He couldn’t carry the burden of guilt for all those left behind. He hoped Johnny and Bev would maybe think about it a little more. Maybe see something on the news that would motivate them to take some kind of action. Sometimes ambivalence was deadly.

Kalvin Raffa and his buddy Mikey Buttes sat in a dark, dank beer dive, The Blue Monkey. The odorous combination of beer and urine permeated the small establishment situated on the outskirts of Hamburg, IA. The music was overly loud, the cheap booze watered down, but it was a place both men were comfortable in.

“How’s work going?” Kalvin asked. He took a drag off his cigarette and blew a long blast of smoke.

“You know, same ol’ same. Got a bead on a new avenue for a score for some Fentanyl. I’m working it out and’ll let you know,” Mikey said, wiping the beer from his lips with the back of his hand.

“Damn, that’s sweet. You amaze me, son.” Kalvin laughed and smacked the table.

“Not bad for a janitor. Shit, nobody looks at me sideways. You know, they always underestimate the help.” Mikey laughed, his blue eyes crinkling.

“You should become a nurse or a doctor. Then you could get your hands on some sweet stuff.”

“Fuck that. You forget, working in the hospital as a janitor, you see all the horseshit. Those goddamn patients are whiny and needy. I’d rather put a pillow over their fucking heads. No, I’ll stick to sweeping. Nobody hassles me, and I come and go as I want.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I never thought of that. That would suck having people puke or shit all over you.”

“No shit. I have to clean it up, but at least it isn’t on me. How’s the construction biz going?” Mikey asked.

“Pretty good. I got a line on a house. Figured we’d maybe go scope it out. I got the info third hand, so nobody can trace it back to us. It’s a sweet fucking deal too,” Kalvin said.