Tim Washburn: The Day After Oblivion

Brad looks down to see three names and Thompson’s last name, along with an address, written on the outside.

“My family was vacationing around Myrtle Beach when everything happened. If you pass that way on your travels, I’d appreciate it if you could pass on this letter to one of the locals. Maybe it’ll eventually find its way to my family. They were staying at the Bayshore Resort.”

“Of course, Captain. I’d be happy to.”

Thompson pats Brad on the shoulder. “Thank you.” He turns and gives Nicole a hug and, after another round of good-byes, both officers pull on their harnesses and Thompson says, “Brad, you can stay tied up for the night. I’ll send someone from the crew to untie your boat before we depart.”

“Thank you,” Brad says.

Thompson shouts up to the deck and the two men climb the net with assistance from the crew above. Brad rinses the plates as Nicole gathers up the wineglasses. Once everything is clean and stowed away, they bed down for the night. For the first time since their journey began, they can sleep peacefully, knowing they’re safe.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

With darkness only a few hours away, and with the kids’ growing curiosity with the two dead bodies on the ground, it was decided the explanations could wait. Now on I-40, east of Oklahoma City, Zane and Alyx are at the head of their small caravan, the flatbed truck following closely behind.

“They did a number on Oklahoma City,” Alyx says.

“You knew it was going to be that way. Tinker was probably pretty high up the food chain when it came to selecting targets. They probably dropped six or seven nukes on it and the blast waves and firestorms ate up the rest of the city.” Zane squirms in the seat, trying to get comfortable. “What’s the deal with this Stan guy?”

Alyx smiles. “Who would have ever thought? The odds of running into him there have to be astronomical.”

“We’ve established the unlikely nature of his appearance but who is he to you?”

“I told you, a friend of my dad’s. Actually, they were more than friends. They were fraternity brothers at Texas A&M. He’d drop in on us occasionally over the years. Mom and Dad would run down to Dallas a couple times a year and spend the weekend doing who knows what with Stan and his wife, or ex-wife, I should say.”

“How did he get hooked up with that group?”

“He didn’t have time to tell me the entire story. A large group of travelers were stranded at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul airport. He said some of the international flights survived and the closest place they could find to land was there in Minnesota. The students were on their way home after spending some time overseas with one of those student ambassador groups. They’re all from the Lubbock area, and from what I understand the situation at the airport was degrading, or they were running out of food. I’m not sure. Like I said, he didn’t have time to provide details, but somehow they got together and decided to strike out for Texas.”

“I assume the two adult women are chaperones?”

“Yeah, I think so. What a nightmare for them. Can you imagine?”

Zane slows to steer around a looted semi. “No, I can’t and don’t really want to. Being responsible for a bunch of kids that don’t belong to you in this environment—jeez, it almost gives me a headache thinking about it. They deserve some type of humanitarian award. But back to the situation—what I find astonishing is that Stan is headed the same place we are.”

“Just for a day or two. It does make sense when you think about it. Weatherford sits along I-40, and that same highway runs straight into Amarillo. From there it’s a short jog south to Lubbock. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Lubbock, Texas, but there’s no easy way to get there. The easiest way from here is the Amarillo route.”

McDowell is back behind the wheel and he’s back on the fence in regard to the decisions he must make. He can still get to Dallas by dropping south out of Weatherford and heading through Wichita Falls and on into Dallas—a rugged journey on foot, but doable. But for what? In all likelihood, Dallas no longer exists. He steals a glimpse of Lauren as she stares out the side window.

Melissa had tried to enter the cab back at the truck stop, but Lauren had nudged her away and whispered something in Melissa’s ear. Now Lauren is in the cab and Melissa’s in the back. He’d almost prefer Melissa be up front so he didn’t have to think about it. He found it impossible to tell Alyx that he was thinking of going to Lubbock with a woman half his age, so when she asked, he told her the matter was undecided. Hell, he might be better off hanging around Weatherford. Find an abandoned house and settle in. Knowing Henry, he’ll probably have the lights on in no time.

He steals another glance at Lauren. This time she catches him. She smiles. “You know, I can actually talk, too.”

McDowell blushes. “I know that. I’m just trying to figure out what I should say.”

“Do you want to discuss the pros and cons of coming to Lubbock with me?”

McDowell shrugs. “Already did that in my head—several times.”

“And?”

“There’s a lot to like about it on my part. But I’m concerned you haven’t thoroughly thought out the situation.” He glances at Lauren. “That’s not a knock on you, but I don’t want you to make an impulsive decision you’ll regret later.”

She turns in her seat so that she’s facing McDowell. “There’s nothing impulsive about my decision, Stan. I’m not suggesting we chain ourselves together until the end of time, but I do feel a connection between you and me that I would like to explore further. Like I said, no strings attached. We play it by ear and see what happens.”

McDowell nods. “Okay.”

“Okay? Does that mean you’re going to think about it some more?”

McDowell glances at Lauren. “No, okay means we’ll give it a try and see what happens.”

Lauren nods and smiles. “Good. You made the right decision. Why was it so hard for you?”

“I still get hung up on the age issue. I don’t want you spoon-feeding me before you even hit menopause.”

Lauren laughs. “Quit worrying about the future, Stan. Let’s just worry about the here and now. Deal?”

McDowell nods. “Deal.”

They travel the next few miles in peaceful silence until McDowell glances over to see Lauren’s face pinched with worry. “What’s wrong? Changing your mind?”

She sighs. “Not at all. I’m worried about what to tell Hannah’s parents.”

“Only one thing you can tell them. The truth.”

“But I was responsible for her. And you don’t know her father. He’ll spend every dime of his substantial fortune to make sure I pay for the death of his daughter.”

“How? There was nothing criminal on our part about what happened, only on the part of the man who raped and murdered her.”

“What if her father takes me to court?”

“There won’t be any courts for the foreseeable future and even if there were there are no grounds for a lawsuit. Hannah was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“But I was responsible for making sure that didn’t happen.”

“Lauren, no one could have predicted what happened. I think you’ve done a tremendous job in the worst possible conditions anyone could ever imagine. Look in the back. There are sixteen other kids who are here because of you and Melissa.”

“You don’t know Alexander Hatcher. He’s a vengeful, spiteful, hateful egomaniac. Believe me when I say, he’ll find a way to punish me.”

“You’re right, I don’t know this man, but I know his type. You let me worry about Alexander Hatcher.”