INVASION

Racing from the terror that was, I quickly turn to see the burning debris behind me. Sick to my stomach, I don't know where to turn. And then I remember the radio I took from Jon is still on the seat. Keeping one eye on the road I grab it, "Hello... Anyone? Is anyone there?" The desperation in my voice is overwhelming. Silence. I try again. Only static is heard. A tear begins to fall as I wipe it away driving to who knows where. And then I see an Earthen structure emerge in the dark. Hitting the brakes, dust clouds my judgement. I check again. GPS confirms the location.

Something doesn't feel right. I scan the structure. "Shit! What was that?" I blink. I blink again. Nothing. I really need to sleep. The pain is still distorting my vision. Stop. I reach back and instinctively grab a rebar scrap from behind the seat and begin to move slowly through the darkness. Every environmental sound spooks me as I get closer. "So much for the high blood pressure medication" I muse to myself. And then a sudden wet warmth followed by an ungodly scream fills the night. Without a thought, I swing that rebar with all my might as I spin around. Thump. Whatever that thing was, it no longer is. Shining my light in the door way, all is clear. But as I move the light across the floor, lifeless bodies explain the radio silence. Ambushed, they were unarmed and never had a chance. The knot in my stomach grows as I drop down while reality sinks in. Everyone is dead.

Clank. Creak. I hold my breath and listen. My hair standing on end tells only one story – I am not alone. I bring the flashlight back up only to see a low battery light flash. Yet, my resolve grows as I grip the rebar so tight that my fingers want to bleed. I will live to see the rising sun.