As We Fall Read online

  “You think I can go with you? I won’t get in the way. My family is out there and…”

  Mason stood up. “What’s it like out there?”

  “I heard sirens so I figure emergency services are running.”

  “Probably generators have kicked in. It won’t last,” Sam said. “Fuel will soon run out and …”

  Chase thumbed over his shoulder. “A lot of students left last night, at least from my dorm. There’s still a lot of people out there but that’ll change today, right?”

  Sam nodded.

  “Sam, you think I can have a word with you in private?” Mason asked motioning to the door.

  “Sure.”

  As they went out Sam could hear Chase in the background. “Oh nice, coffee.” He heard him fill a cup and then spit it out. “What the hell!”

  Mason closed the door behind them and they stood in the hallway. Several students from other rooms emerged and passed them.

  “What is it?”

  Mason ran a hand over his fierce beard as if he was nervous to ask. “You think there’s room for one more?”

  “You want to come with us?” Sam asked.

  He nodded. “Just until the power comes back on.”

  “And your wife?”

  Mason sighed. “You can lead a horse to water, you can’t make them drink, right?” he said repeating what Sam had said a day earlier.

  “That’s right.” He nodded. “Though I would be careful about referring to your wife as a horse.”

  They both laughed.

  “Listen, Mason. Are you sure about this? I can’t offer you any guarantees and I don’t know how bad it’s going to get out there.”

  Mason leaned back against the wall, and ran a hand around his chin as if he was contemplating it all. “Look, beyond my wife, and a few guys I work with, I don’t know many people around these parts. For the longest time my wife was my…”

  “I get it,” Sam said. “But just so you are aware, we have over two thousand miles to go, so we’re going to need a working vehicle.”

  “That, I might be able to help with, but we’ll need to head back to my home before we leave.”

  “How far is it from here?”

  “Twenty minutes, tops. It’s just west of here.”

  Sam nodded slowly and cleared his throat. “Right, well let’s go see what shit has hit the fan.”

  When they returned, Anna looked ready to leave. She had a backpack on her shoulder and was talking quietly with Chase on the couch. Chase had this grin on his face as if this was all one big adventure. Sam shook his head wondering why he was even agreeing to let anyone but Anna go with him. He scooped up his bag and filled it with a few more items from the dorm, mostly stuff that might come in handy like extra batteries for the flashlight, a first-aid kit, and a sleeping bag.

  “By the way, where’s your dorm mate?” Chase asked.

  “She never came back last night,” Anna replied.

  Chase nodded. “Same here.”

  “Lead the way,” Sam said to Mason.

  They exited the building, and took off towards the west. As soon as they walked out of Johnston Gate and made it onto the main stretch of road, the reality of their new world hit them fast and hard. Thick lines of black smoke drifted up to the sky all over the city like outstretched fingers. Garden Street was clogged up with stalled cars and vehicles that had collided. Many were still smoldering away, nothing more than charred remains. Father up, the highway had been torn apart as if a huge missile had ripped it up, leaving cars overturned and signposts snapped off like toothpicks. A massive gash through the earth itself had pushed the asphalt outward leaving all manner of debris scattered.

  Sam placed a hand over his mouth to block the smell.

  In the center of the crater were tongues of fire and it all smelled of jet fuel.

  A large commercial airliner had crashed and torn up the highway. It had exploded on impact leaving a huge engine buried in the side of a building, and large chunks of shrapnel, doors and windows scattered all over the place. Amid the smoke and debris were three seats flipped over. Sam squinted and stepped back from the heat and saw what remained of a dead occupant.

  As his eyes adjusted to the carnage he saw a head, an arm, a torso and legs. He’d witnessed all manner of shit in the Middle East but that was war, people fighting against one another — these were innocent people.

  He looked at Anna, and saw the shock setting in.

  Chase vomited, and Mason stood there shaking his head.

  SEVEN - FIFTY/FIFTY

  Mason lived in a well-to-do neighborhood on the outskirts of Harvard called Acacia Street. From the moment they approached his home they could tell who was the breadwinner in the family. No transit job could have paid for the kind of home he lived in. It was a three-story apartment with yellow clapboard siding, and white trim. Out front was a perfectly landscaped yard, and two large oak trees. Golden leaves blew across the driveway like tumbleweed.

  “You own all of this?” Anna asked.

  “We did rent out a few rooms to students for a while but when things went south with our marriage we thought it was best to make different arrangements.”

  “Must be nice,” Sam said thinking of his modest place back in California.

  “Oh no,” Mason said as he walked up the driveway and around the back.

  “What?” Sam asked.

  “Lisa is home. I thought she would have been at the university by now.”

  “And that’s a problem because?”

  “Just bear with me while I try to deal with this,” he said as he opened the back door and entered a modern kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and high-end furniture. The flooring was made of walnut hardwood, and the walls were adorned with pieces of modern art.

  “Mason?” Lisa called out to him.

  “Yeah, it’s just me.”

  Sam heard feet pounding the steps and then a good-looking woman, early forties with blond hair, came into view. She was wearing dark pants, flats, and a white striped sweater. Her eyes washed over their group, and then she pursed her lips. She didn’t look pleased to see them.

  “Mason, a word with you.”

  Mason turned and indicated for them to take a seat at the breakfast bar then he followed her into a separate living room. Lisa pulled French doors together but it did little to dampen the sound of their conversation. Sam took a seat on a stool, and Chase grabbed up an apple from a bowl.

  “Chase,” Anna said.

  He shrugged. “What? He won’t mind. I’m hungry. I haven’t had breakfast.”

  Sam eavesdropped on the conversation.

  “What are they doing here?” Lisa asked.

  “We’ll be out of your hair in five minutes. I’m just collecting my things then I’m leaving.”

  “Leaving? Are you seriously going with a stranger?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you don’t know these people.”

  “Have you seen what it’s like out there? We still have no power, no communication and the road is littered with body parts from a downed plane!” Mason raised his voice.

  “And you think the answer is to leave the city?”

  “Oh for God’s sake, Lisa. We had this conversation last night. You wouldn’t listen then so what’s it to you now? It’s not like we’re together. You’ve made that pretty clear.”

  “But we have responsibilities. I can’t cover the mortgage on my salary alone.”

  “Then downsize. I wanted to sell this place seven months ago but oh no, you have to keep up with the Joneses. It’s all about appearances with you. Got to give the illusion that we’re one big happy family, isn’t that right, Lisa?”

  “You’ve got it all wrong,” Lisa said.

  “Have I? Because I was ready to move out.”

  “You couldn’t afford to.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Go ahead and rub it in. You make more money than me. Big deal. I carried you when you were going throu
gh the university to get your degree.”

  “Carried me?”

  There was a pause, and the doors slid open and Mason stormed out heading up the stairs.

  “We are not done. Get back here,” she bellowed.

  Lisa followed him glaring at Sam on her way up the stairs. The walls were paper-thin so he could hear every word they said. Of course it didn’t help that they were yelling.

  Mason continued, “The fact is the only reason you wanted me to stay here was because you didn’t want to ruin your reputation. Well, news flash, Lisa. No one gives a shit about your life, or mine. The sooner you learn that people are self-indulged and focused on their problems, the sooner you will actually start living instead of pretending.”

  “What are you on about?” Lisa asked.

  “Dear me. You don’t listen, do you? Mary across the street is too busy nitpicking faults in her husband to care what you do, and your pal Lacey is too focused on her two spoiled brats to give a crap. So let it go.”

  There was a long pause and for a second Sam thought she’d given up fighting with him, but that was short-lived.

  “And how do you intend to get to Colorado?”

  “I’m taking the truck.”

  “Oh no you are not.”

  “It’s mine, Lisa.”

  “I paid for it.”

  “Yeah, and you gave it as a gift to me.”

  “You know I could get a lawyer.”

  Mason started laughing. “Oh that is rich. Please do. Go on, pick up the phone and call your lawyer. Oh that’s right. There is no communication.”

  “Fifty percent of what you have is mine,” she said.

  “Really? Is that how you want to play this? Oh my God. I can’t believe you are so naïve. You act as if I’m the one with issues but you can’t even see your own. You’ve bought into your own hype. You work for Harvard. Whoop-de-do! Who gives a shit, Lisa? The world is folding in on itself and you are too blind to see it.”

  “I can see quite clearly.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can!” Mason said, stomping down the stairs. He came around the corner with Lisa in his shadow. He glanced at Sam and rolled his eyes as he walked past and out the back door. Sam got up and walked over to the window to observe the exchange. Mason opened the garage and walked inside while she continued to berate him. Meanwhile, Chase was working his way through an entire bowl of fruit, and Anna was going on about whether or not they should have left behind Harper, the girl from the elevator.

  Mason tossed out several items and Lisa picked them up and took them back inside.

  “You are not taking these,” Lisa said.

  “Lisa, you are starting to get on my left tit. Leave them alone. Those are mine!”

  It brought back memories of Sam’s final days in Breckenridge, Colorado. Thank God those days were over. Sam stepped outside as the exchange got even more heated as Lisa began throwing anything he carried out of the garage back inside.

  “Why don’t you just compromise and come with us?” Sam asked.

  Both of them turned and looked at him. He expected her to object or say something but instead she just returned to bellowing at the top of her voice. On the ground were several hand-crank flashlights, a tent, a sleeping bag, two tarps, paracord, a mini pry bar, first-aid kit, work gloves, a package of face masks, zip ties, wire cutters, a hammer, duct tape, aluminum foil, several pots and pans and other indistinguishable items. He just kept piling it on top.

  “Back off!” Mason said putting his arm out to prevent her from getting near his stash. A few tears rolled down her cheeks and she stormed into the house, slamming the door behind her. Sam watched as Mason began piling some of the items into a large duffel bag.

  “Are you some kind of prepper?” Sam asked.

  He chuckled. “No, I just enjoy the wilderness and get out there as much as I can.” He stopped filling his bag and looked up. “Lisa was never into that. She wanted me to go to theater productions, and hang out with all these artsy people.” He shook his head. “That’s just not me.” He heaved the bag over his shoulder and collected the other items and then crossed the large driveway to a vehicle that was concealed by a huge black cover. He yanked it back to reveal an old Ford truck that looked like it had been customized.

  “Meet Bertha,” he said. “A 1971 Ford Bronco. Only has 16,000 miles on it. The previous owner kept it in storage in the event of a disaster. I got it at an auction. Well, Lisa paid for it but it was a gift.”

  It was a beauty — light blue, raised suspension, huge tires, and roll bars. It kind of looked like a Jeep and it was in mint condition.

  “That’s nice. Question is, does it fire up?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Mason said hopping into the driver’s side and turning it over. It rumbled to life and he revved the engine a few times. He beamed and closed his eyes relishing it. “Well, let’s load up.”

  “You have enough gas?” Sam asked.

  “One five gallon canister, and it’s already fueled up. I only take it out once a month.” The door to the house opened and Anna and Chase came out.

  Mason said, “You want to give us a hand loading that canister into the truck along with the rest of that stuff over there? I’ll grab us some cans of food and we’ll leave in five.”

  As he made his way back to the house, Sam caught up with him. “Mason.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  He looked at him and then at Lisa who was in the kitchen brooding. “Oh you mean because of Lisa? Of course.”

  “No I mean you don’t have to go. I have to head that way but…”

  “Look, had the lights turned on this morning. I wouldn’t have gone with you but this is day two and it doesn’t look good out there. Like I said, if the power comes back on over the next couple of days I’ll send you on your way and return. It’s not like I can do my job right now. The trains aren’t going anywhere. I’d only be sitting around here waiting like everyone else.” He breathed in deeply and looked into the apartment. “I’d go stir crazy. No, this feels right.”

  Sam shrugged. “Okay. Just checking. But remember, I’m not responsible for what happens out there.”

  Mason nodded and headed into the house. Sam expected Lisa to go off at him again but she didn’t. He returned a few minutes later with a rifle over one shoulder, and a gun case in one hand, and boxes of ammo in the other. “Sorry for holding you up. Can’t be too safe, right?”

  Chase raised an eyebrow.

  “I hunt,” Mason continued. Everyone piled into the vehicle and got comfortable. Mason went to the back door to close it and Lisa emerged with a backpack on and dressed like she was about to go on safari. Sam stifled a laugh.

  “Where are you going?” Mason asked.

  “With you.”

  “But you said—”

  She wagged a finger in his face. “I’m not letting that truck out of my sight. It’s vintage. Remember, it’s fifty-fifty, buddy boy,” she said before brushing past him and getting in the rear. Anna and Chase shuffled over to give her room. Mason shook his head as he slipped into the driver’s seat. Sam was sure he caught a smile dance on his lips.

  EIGHT - PROMISES

  Richard Underwood had spent two terms of four years as mayor of Breckenridge, Colorado, before his retirement at the age of sixty-seven, and yet here he was filling in for Michael Lansbury because he didn’t have any backbone and had fled the town at the first sign of trouble. Not him, he lived for this kind of event.

  The way folks looked at him, hung on his every word, oh, he’d missed being at the helm. Although he enjoyed the notoriety that came from the wealth he’d amassed from dabbling in the stock market and quiet investments in startup companies, there was nothing like calling the shots and holding a position of power in the town.

  He extended his arms outward like Moses overseeing the Israelites. “Okay, everyone calm down. Calm down.” Then he smashed a wooden gavel against the podium to get everyo
ne’s attention. Breckenridge was a small town with a population just shy of five thousand. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains of Tenmile Range, it drew in thousands year-round for its alpine activities and gold rush history. Richard saw the same people at the stores, the gas station and local restaurants and had made a name for himself as a pillar of the community and someone who had donated large sums of money to local charities. But it wasn’t because of this that the people listened. He’d earned the trust of those around him while in office as mayor.

  Now as a member of the city council, he still felt it was his duty to assure the folks of Breckenridge that everything was going to be okay. Unlike those before him or even those after, he was not a man of words but of action.

  “I understand your plight, and I’ve heard your concerns and because of that I have taken measures to increase the amount of gas generators being distributed into the community. That’s right, I have personally used my own money to help you.”

  Many of the people rose to their feet and gave him a round of applause.

  “Now having said that, it would be impossible to give every person in the city a generator so those that have been purchased have gone to the nursing homes, the hospital, the emergency services, and two of the grocery stores so that we can maintain what goods we have for as long as possible. Please note that they will only accept cash at this time. For those of you who are without cash, an emergency shelter has been set up at Summit High School and we’ll be using an emergency fund to provide a limited amount of water and food. If you have questions about this I would have you direct them to Dave Stephens, our Summit County emergency manager.” Dave put a hand up so that people could recognize him before Richard continued speaking. “What I am unable to do is guarantee that there will be enough gas to keep those generators running. For those of you with vehicles that are running, you will know that the gas station pumps closed this morning because of high demand yesterday so there will be no more fuel. So what we recommend you do is siphon your vehicles and use what you have sparingly. We are already entering the cold months but thankfully we haven’t had any snow yet.”