Tim Washburn - The Day After Oblivion

“Will do,” Zane replies.

Sarah retreats down the hall and returns with a couple of plastic shopping bags. She sets to work filling them with the supplies she’ll need for the next few days, working side by side with Zane while Alyx holds the flashlight.

“Sarah, did I tell you my little sis, Holly, is pregnant?”

“No, you didn’t. How far along is she?”

“Eight months. I’m hoping we get home before she gives birth.”

“I’ll put together a medical care package for her. Lack of meds is going to be one of the most critical issues we’ll face going forward.” Sarah shakes her head. “I can’t believe Holly is married and pregnant. Last time I saw her she was in braces and worried about finding a prom date.”

“I know. Scary, huh? The older I get the faster time flies. How old are your kids now?”

“Ethan is six and Ellie is three.”

“I haven’t seen either of them since right after Ellie was born. Hard to believe she’s three.”

Zane clears his throat. “I don’t mean to change the subject, but how have you avoided the looters?”

“I think the location has something to do with it. And luck. I’d like to take all the supplies to my house but it’s too much to carry without attracting attention.”

“Your Mercedes is dead?”

“As a doornail.”

“We can put everything in the pickup and drive you home,” Alyx offers.

Sarah looks at Zane.

“Hey, sounds good to me,” Zane says. “That’s the least we can do.”

“Alyx, there are some empty boxes behind the receptionist’s desk. Would you mind grabbing them?”

“Sure. I’m going to leave you two kids in the dark for a moment and I don’t want any funny stuff going on.”

Sarah laughs and the other two join in. It’s the first time any have laughed in a long time. Still laughing, Alyx saunters down the hall, the flashlight beam dancing across the linoleum. She pushes through the outer door into the waiting room and the laugh dies on her lips. She clicks off the flashlight and slips back through the door. Using the wall as a guide, Alyx shuffles back down the hall. “Zane,” she whispers in the dark, “there are three suspicious-looking characters peering through the front window.”

“Did they see you?”

“I don’t know. But they must have seen the flashlight through the window in the door.”

“Where’s the shotgun?”

“You left it in the exam room.”

“And I left the rest of the shells in the damn truck. Slip me the flashlight and I’ll grab the shotgun.” They fumble the flashlight from one hand to the other and Zane feels his way back to the room. He clicks on the flashlight, spots the shotgun, and picks it up before killing the light again and shuffling back to the hallway. “Sarah, are you handy with that pistol?” he whispers.

“I’m pretty good with a target.”

“Ever killed anything?”

“No. I’m all about saving lives.”

“How about we switch weapons?”

“Okay,” Sarah says, a tremor in her voice.

Zane clicks on the flashlight and they exchange weapons before Zane kills the light again. “I don’t think they can bust through the back door, but keep an eye on it. The main threat will be from the front. I’ll handle that. Is the pistol fully loaded?”

“Except for the one shot I took at you two.”

“So I have twelve rounds to work with?”

“Correct,” Sarah says.

“Okay. Alyx give me your hand.”

Alyx reaches over and fumbles for Zane’s hand.

“You’re in charge of the flashlight. If anyone other than me enters the hallway, light ’em up to give Sarah a target picture. Sarah, all you have to do is point and shoot. In these tight confines, that scattergun will shred anyone attempting to come down the hall. And, most importantly, don’t shoot me. Alyx, hit the light for a sec, I want to make sure the shotgun is cocked and ready.”

Alyx clicks on the light and smothers the lens with her hand. Zane reaches over to cock the two hammers. “Don’t put your finger on the trigger until you see something.”

The sound of crashing glass startles them.

“Kill the light,” Zane whispers. “And, Sarah, keep a good hand on the gun. She kicks like a mule.” Hugging the wall, Zane makes his way toward the waiting room door. He’s kicking himself for not scouting the area the moment they arrived. He doesn’t know the layout of the reception area, but he also doesn’t know if those entering are armed or not. Not that it will make a difference either way, but he would have liked to know what he’s facing, especially if they’re armed with automatic weapons. Highly unlikely, Zane reasons as he pauses to expel the clutter from his mind. Can’t have clutter when entering a gunfight.

As he draws closer to the door he hears whispering from the other side. Two, maybe three, voices, which eases the burden somewhat. Maybe it’s just the three Alyx spotted. He’d hate to slip into the room and discover there had been ten more hiding around the side of the building. When Zane reaches the door, he drops to his knees and feels around the jamb to see which way the door swings. He discovers the door swings out—good for him, bad for them. He puts his ear to the door to listen. The whispers are closer and it sounds like the three are all grouped together. Zane takes a deep breath and slowly eases down the door lever. Positioned on his haunches, he slams his shoulder into the door and rolls forward into the lobby and comes up with the gun ready to fire. His targets are silhouetted by the daylight and Zane starts left and works his way right, double tapping each person as fast as the gun will fire. The last person is drawing a gun from his waistband when Zane’s shot pierces his forehead. He drops like his strings were cut. Within six seconds it’s all over. Zane pushes to his feet. He doesn’t need to check to see if the trespassers are dead. The muzzle flashes seared their deaths in his brain.

“Clear,” Zane shouts before opening the door. “I’m coming in.”

“Okay,” Alyx shouts.

“Sarah, is your finger off the trigger?”

“Yes, Zane. I promise.”

Zane opens the door and Alyx clicks on the flashlight.

“Alyx, Sarah, grab what you need to grab.” He strides down the hall and takes the shotgun from Sarah, uncocking the hammers. “We need to be out of here as quick as we can.”

Alyx hurries down the hallway to retrieve the empty boxes, the acrid smell of cordite and the metallic odor of blood filling her nostrils. She avoids looking at the carnage and grabs the boxes, hurrying back to the medicine cabinet. Zane moves back to the front to keep an eye on things, the shotgun at the ready.

When Alyx returns with the boxes, she and Sarah quickly empty the medicine cabinet. “If you’ll follow me with the flashlight, I have some syringes and few other things in the two exam rooms I’d like to take.”

“I’m right behind you,” Alyx says as they duck into the first room. Sarah quickly clears the drawers and moves on to the next room.

“Are we good, Zane?” Alyx asks, following Sarah into the next room.

“For now. But I’d really like to get the hell out of here.”

“Two minutes,” Sarah says.

Once they’ve cleared both rooms, Sarah tosses the items into one of the boxes and pauses to think if there’s anything else she needs to take. “I think that’s everything… No, wait. Alyx, follow me, please.” They retrace their steps into the first room and Sarah grabs a piece of equipment.

“What’s that?”

“A fetal heart monitor.” They step back into the hallway and gather up the supplies.

“We’re ready, Zane,” Alyx says.

Zane steps away and closes the door before striding down the hall. “Okay, this is how this is going to work. Sarah, you’ll unlock the door, the bottom dead bolt last. When I give the okay, you’ll crab-walk toward me, pulling the door open. I’ll have the shotgun up and ready, so I really need you to remain low until you’re behind me. I’ll step outside and look for threats before waving you out. Alyx, you’re driving. You have the keys, correct?”