Ever Hayes - Emergency Exit

Me…

There’s something to be said for starting over. Standing in the front row, watching my son marry the perfect girl. It’s hard to explain the pride I have in my beautiful daughter, Hayley, standing up there by my son and the preacher—alive and happy with her boyfriend Sam on the other side, behind Danny. I see the look Hayley and Sam share. I know that look. It’s the look of love Sophie always gave me, the look of love I no longer have to miss because of the angel, Tara, at my side. This angel in a white dress, barely concealing the results of the first night we spent alone in Hawaii. That growing bump, a little boy whose name my future wife has already picked—he’s going to change my life. Again.

Dad…

There’s something to be said about letting go. About living a fulfilling life for almost half a century with the only woman you have ever loved. There’s a comfort in knowing she’s with God, that she’s safer now than ever. She’s watching the same special occasion from above that you’re seeing front and center. A crystal clear, blue-sky day on an island beach. Your adorable soon-to-be step-granddaughter, Emily, throwing petals in the makeshift aisle and laughing at her new best friend, Abbey. You did all you could to save Mom—Grandma Ollie… she knew that. She couldn’t let you do it. And now you couldn’t be a bigger hero to your future granddaughter. Now, you move on. You made it. You’re alive. This is the most important day thus far in the life of your grandson, and an extremely proud one for me, your son, and my pregnant soon-to-be wife. There’s a new generation on the way, Dad, and the name of your future grandchild, Oliver, will always make you love and miss Mom a little more.

Blake…

There’s something to be said for family, and reunions a year in the making with someone you feared you’d never see again. There’s got to be incredible relief in knowing your little sister, Kaci, is alive and in the audience before you. As you ran and picked her up that first day, giving her a ferocious hug, her laugh and smile made the whole journey instantly worthwhile. I can’t imagine you could be happier. And yet there’s another reward waiting for you after the ceremony, just off the stage. There’s another girl here you really care for, Jenna, who could someday be much more. You both miss Cameron, the only man she ever loved, the only man she ever wanted…but I can see that changing. Jenna trusts you. I definitely can see her falling for you. And I know you’d have Danny’s blessing, as close as the two of you have gotten. Jenna deserves someone like you, the quality of man you’ve proven to be. You get to take care of her for Cameron now, but someday she could be yours.

Friendship…

There’s something to be said about the kind of friends who stand beside you through it all, through agony and despair, through lost hopes, lost dreams, lost families, and just plain loss. The ones who shed tears with you as you bury a brother, Isaac, a wife and mother, Olivia, and set memorial stones for others like Wes, Nathan, Cameron, Eddie, President Moore and all your family members who didn’t make it. These new friends here, mixed with old friends, now lifelong friends—they go the extra mile. These are the people you’d die for, the same ones helping you live another day. They stand here and celebrate with you, celebrating many new beginnings.

Hope…

There’s something to be said for hope, for being safe somewhere the forces of evil can’t touch us. There’s a long-awaited security and serenity in this former state, offering peace and redemption to the 645 Americans who made it to the islands, and the 2,218 who survived the attacks here. There’s honor in a flag for the country that is no longer the United States, but remains ‘America.’ The banner’s stars and stripes have been preserved, but the colors have been inverted, as we now look at our home from the outside in.

We are still the same Americans. We are fighters, survivors, and reminders of what we can hopefully be again…we are still one nation under God. We may have been evicted, but we are not defeated. We have not conceded. One day we will take our country back. Old Glory will fly again.

Until then, however, we fly our new flag at half-mast, and keep in our hearts those we lost, those who still may be out there, and everyone here today committed to the very same things—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Finally…

There’s something to be said about the “Elephant Box,” a large brown safe the governor kept locked in an even larger vault. Few know of its existence. Only two know of its contents—Danny and the VP’s daughter, Reagan Moore (at her father’s request).

Danny was awarded the Medal of Honor by the governor, and promoted to Captain. He was also given an envelope. The envelope contained the key to the Elephant Box and pages of instructions for its contents. There’s something to be said about what those contents could do for this new country, and how damaging it could be if that information fell into the wrong hands. There’s an urgency in guarding that box and in never letting anyone else know it exists.

But, most of all, there’s something to be said for ending on a happy note, on a beautiful sunny day, on a beautiful sunny shore, with a beautiful family and incredible friends. There’s something to be said for sealing it all with a kiss and calling the man who saved your family your son.

Ever N. Hayes lives in the Upper Midwest with his beautiful wife, Stacy, and four incredible children: Dylan, Brooklyn, Kasey and Avery. In his 8 thyear as a travel journalist for multiple national and regional magazines/newspapers, he is thrilled that his 9 years as a stay-at-home Dad have allowed him to do what he loves most with those he loves most—everyday.

Ever N. Hayes can be reached via email @ EverNHayes@yahoo.com

Twitter: @EverNHayes

Instagram: MobileGolfer

Facebook: Ever N Hayes

The first draft of Book 1 of the “2020 Series” — Emergency Exit — was finished in mid-November 2013. After three professional copy edits, two professional content edits, and 19 additional drafts it was officially completed on April 5, 2014.

The first draft of Book 2 of the “2020 Series” — (Current title) Redemption Island —set in 2022—is already half-complete and slated for release this Fall.

The last two books of the series, 3 and 4, are slated to be released in early and late 2015.

Author Note: Every writer who has envisioned their story as a movie has probably done this—imagining specific Hollywood stars filling the roles of their characters. Keep in mind, this is “just a dream”… However, if—as a reader—you wondered how I saw my Main Characters, I figured—for fun—I would let you see inside my head. Enjoy!

Danny: Chace Crawford

Ryan: Ryan Reynolds

Cameron: Alex Pettyfer

Tara: Lauren Conrad

Hayley: Emma Watson

Kate: Shailene Woodley

Jenna: Kate Mara

Sam: Tristan Wilds

Blake: Lance Gross

Lazzo: Chadwick Boseman

Eddie: Idris Elba

Reagan: Emma Stone

A man can dream, right? Thank you for reading Emergency Exit! - ENH

“An incredible journey remake with people”

General Fiction/Adventure: In a not-too-distant future, 7 powerful nations form an alliance against America & launch a chemical attack wiping out 90%+ of the North American population. Only the most remote areas had a chance at surviving and even then faced an enemy “clean up crew” sweeping the country.