One of my top 5 Short Stories....
I suck at newsletters, but I kill it at short stories. Here's a freebie.
Hello my beautiful Wicked Warriors. I suck at newsletters. You know that. I never send them. Instead of some ridiculous buy my book nonsense, I want you to read one of my top five shorts. God, I am proud of this one. Is that a sin?
Hope you enjoy it. (and here’s the link to my amazon author page if you want to get a bit more. LINK ) but either way…. I hope you like it. {comments greatly appreciated, us indies need to know what you the audience think. It helps us grow.}
End of the Line
I had been in line for over an hour and I was still too far away to see the front door of the local drug store. Randy, the not nearly attractive enough older gentleman in front of me, had tried no less than fifteen different approaches to get into my pants. The end of the world has brought out some interesting suppressed personality traits in the population that may have never made their way to the surface without impending doom lingering over all of our heads. Mary, the incredibly impatient soccer mom behind me, had been talking obnoxiously loud to someone on her phone for the last half an hour. I should clarify that. She was on speakerphone.
"They damn well better let me pick up all five of my pills. They can't expect the kids to stand here in one of these ridiculous lines waiting for the damn things."
For the first time since she started her conversation, I completely agreed with her. If she was this horrible, what would her children be like? Monsters. They would be monsters. Randy's hand grazed my shoulder in a not at all welcome way to get my attention. Moments like this had become all that more tricky. A single wrong move could end up with you getting sent to the great beyond faster far quicker than Armageddon.
"What if I told you I would wait out this line for you, and all you had to do was come by tonight to pick up your pill? I could even make you dinner. I still have more than enough supplies to make a decent meal."
"I'm good. My boyfriend's family owns a farm." Lies, all lies. "And we haven't dealt with any of the shortages. They didn’t need to loot either."
"Oh. Might have been nice if you mentioned him earlier. If you didn't notice, I have been trying to ask you out."
Good Lord. "I am so sorry. I can be so dense sometimes. This whole end of the world thing has turned me into a real space cadet. You understand, right?"
"Yeah. Especially a pretty little thing like you who had her whole life in front of her. This whole thing must be devastating." Groan. "You know... there is still time to have a few adventures. Try some things you have never tried before."
"I have the next thirty days planned out to the fullest." More lies. "My dad always said if the world was ending the powers that be wouldn't let us in on it. They would want us to keep grinding on like the good little cogs that we are right up until the minute it all ends. I guess he was close. Thirty days isn't much time."
Finally, he had a more serious look on his face. "Your dad was right, sweetheart. They never had an intention in telling us plebs. If it hadn't been for those hacked emails getting released, we would have never found out, and we wouldn't be here in line waiting for our free sleeping pills."
Maybe, he can hold it together long enough to have a serious conversation. "My dad said if the reporters weren't so busy playing favorites we might have known a long time ago. I just wonder how they convinced the scientists to keep it quiet for so long. I can't get one or two of my friends to keep a secret without blabbing it to every stinking person we know. They must have threatened them, or something."
"That is probably going to go down as the last big mystery. At this point no one cares anymore, and the next 30 days are sure to be a free for all."
"I hope not!" A shrill voice cut into our conversation. Well, well, well. Mary has decided to get off her damn phone. "After this little nightmare, I am going home, loading everyone and heading off to parts unknown."
"Ummm, cupcake?" God, he is so condescending. Randy was using that voice that adults use when explaining a difficult subject to a child. "What's your plan for food and gas? You realize that yesterday was the last day anyone will ever go to work, right?"
"That can't be true! There are people handing out the pills today. They can't be the only ones who feel obligated to do their jobs. The government should step in and do something. They could force the people to do their work." Her voice got less sure as she tried to rationalize her train of thought.
Some people could be so stupid.
"They offered these saps a one way trip to paradise, all for one day of passing out pills. Do yourself a favor and make sure you keep your pills ready if you are going to follow through with that plan. One wrong turn and you guys could end up stranded in the middle of the woods, or worse the city. It is a good idea to have an exit strategy."
Well, that did it. The phone was back out again, and she turned her back to us, which was strange since she insisted on keeping her calls on speaker, so privacy was not the issue. It was most likely symbolic, but neither of us cared enough to be offended.
"Way to burst her dream." My words oozed with sarcasm, but I was actually grateful that he said something. "It wouldn't be a horrible plan for someone who had some skills, a plan, and a big ass gun."
"I like the way you think. You aren't as naïve as you look."
Gee, thanks. "Momma didn't raise no fool." I patted my hip where I would have kept my gun if I had one on me. Lies, upon lies, upon lies. "What are you going to do for the next thirty?"
The line suddenly moved forward a hundred or so feet, and for a second I felt like we were making progress. It stopped as quickly as it began, and we were back feeling like we were in bumper to bumper traffic, minus the comfy seat to ride it out in.
"Damn, I thought we would get closer to the door. Oh, well. I guess I get to enjoy the scenery a bit longer." His eyes crawled up and down my body. Groan, I wish I had worn a shirt with a higher neckline. "Hmmm. The next thirty? I plan on sitting back nice and safe in my home with all the supplies and protection I could ever need." This part wasn't much louder than a whisper, and he kept nervously checking around to see if anyone was listening. "I'm gonna sit back and enjoy the show. You?"
Before I could answer, Mary was shoved into my back almost knocking me to the ground.
"I said shut your stupid freakin mouth bitch!" The woman who had been trapped behind Mary screamed as her veins pulsated on her forehead. "I am sick to shit of you making your goddamn phone calls public!" I couldn't agree more.
"You didn't have to push me!" Mary's whine was like nails on a chalkboard. "You could have just asked me."
"Jesus, if she can't handle a line in suburbia, how is she going to make it out on the open road? You can just tell that she is the one that wears the pants in her family. Her husband must be a real piece of work."
I reached down to help pull Mary up, but she smacked my hand away determined to regain some of her dignity. Randy's right. If she can't tell someone who wants to hurt her from someone who wants to help her, she is screwed. "We're going to be in this line a lot longer than any of us want to admit. You might want to figure out a way to stop pissing everyone off and start making friends. I'm going to say this once, because I think no one has told you yet, but there isn't anyone to protect you anymore. If you push someone too far, it may not work out for you."
She drug her sweatshirt sleeve across her face wiping away the snotty mess left behind from getting knocked upside the head. "I wish you would all just leave me alone. You're wrong. You are all wrong. The last thirty days are going to be beautiful. People are inherently good, and they will do the right thing."
"Then why are you in line?" Randy taunted. "If you are so sure of the love-fest that is about to happen, you shouldn't need a suicide pill."
"Screw you." She hissed.
"You couldn't get so lucky, but maybe after I've had all the tens, I could slum it with a four."
Damn. Randy is savage.
"You are disgusting. I would never sleep with a man like you, and don't think we haven't all noticed you trying to crawl all over this child." Her face went all smug, like she had delivered the death blow.
"Damn straight, I have been trying to crawl all over her. One, she isn't a child. That shit is gross. And two, your problem is that you still don't seem to get it. We have thirty days left. Thirty days to do just about anything that will make us happy and not freak out that on day thirty one people won't exist anymore. So, I hope to spend my last month on Earth screwing anyone that catches my eye, eating as much trans fat as I can find, and blowing shit up. If I am lucky, I might even manage to get wasted a few more times. Then, on day twenty nine, I am going to say my prayers, down a bottle of jack, and take one of these pills we are waiting around for, so I won't have to feel the impact of the space rock that is coming to wipe us all out."
"Here, here!" Cheered a man a few people back.
"What a waste. Sounds like you wasted your life, and you are going to waste what is left of it. I feel bad for you. I get to spend my last thirty days with people I love, and you have nothing. Not one thing of value in that little list you gave. So, maybe you don't get it. We only have thirty days left and there isn't enough time for you to finally find something of value. That makes you jealous and pathetic."
Oh, damn. Maybe, she is right. I don't really have anyone. I will never get married. I am never going to have kids. What did my life mean, if anything?
While I was stuck in my head questioning my entire existence, Randy took action. And that action was punching Mary square in the jaw.
"That's going to hurt for the next thirty days. Maybe it will stop you from running your mouth about shit you don't know." He said and then spit on her unconscious body.
Everyone in line stood still for a few minutes, unable to react to what just happened in front of them.
Is this the new normal? Men can just hit women now, and no one cares?
We were all awoken from our trance as the line began to move again. This time we were going to get in the front door. I looked back to see people stepping over Mary's body. No one was willing to lose their spot in line helping her, myself included. The door was so close. This nightmare might be over soon. I stepped over the threshold and the fluorescent lights poured down onto my skin. What used to be a very mundane, and slightly annoying occurrence, had me feeling nostalgic. This may be the last time that I ever step foot in a sterile and cold retail place. That was something I never thought I would miss.
The door clicked shut three people after me, and with it all of the troubles of the outside world disappeared behind it. Inside the line was moving constantly. Where outside, we were stuck together long enough to engage in small talk, indoors the movement kept us from needing the distraction of each other. Randy had mysteriously forgotten that I even existed, which was fine by me.
We wove in and out of the aisles, which were picked bare from the looting that occurred a few days ago. I was reminded of a going out of business sale on the last day where only the unsellable garbage and fixtures were left. The whole world was one giant going out of business sale now. As I shuffled my feet my mind drifted off to the stores that most likely stood stocked still. Cases of jewelry, high end couture, and purses as far as the eye could see, but I bet the most coveted things two weeks ago were seen as useless garbage now.
Before I knew it, a kind looking woman in her sixties was calling me up to the counter.
"Do you have your slip, dear?"
"Absolutely. Here you go." I handed her the crumpled piece of paper. I tend to fidget, so the paper took a beating waiting in line outside. "Thank you for doing this."
"Aww, sweetheart, I would say it was the right thing to do, but I'm here for the free trip."
"Good for you. I would have jumped all over that offer."
"Oh, I am sure you have someone waiting to spend the last few days with, but not me. My husband died a few years ago, and the kids are across the country with their families. It was an easy choice for me. Looks like everything is all set here. I scanned your paper. Is it ok if I toss it?"
"Why would anyone want to keep it?"
"Who knows. Some people are just collectors. I got yelled at when I threw a few away earlier today, so I just ask now. Makes my day easier."
"People are weird."
"You ain't kidding. Now, remember, when you take it, you will be asleep in less than five minutes. It will be all over in ten. Painless." She said as she handed the small envelope to me. "Have a great month!" she waved me away with actual sincerity.
We were herded out the back door. I half expected Randy to be waiting for me outside, but was pleasantly surprised when he wasn't. My truck was far too large for someone of my size, but I loved her nonetheless. Clicking the radio on I was greeted by static from most of the stations that were preprogrammed into my radio. Using scan, I was able to get three stations to come in. The Christian one had a man preaching from the Book of Revelations. No thank you. It is far too late for that.
Choice number two was a college station that had been hijacked by one of the DJs who was playing clips of his favorite songs and then ranting about their value to society as a whole. This would have been almost entertaining except he was into screamo, and there was no way I could handle that even in clips. Last, but not least, was the local radio personality who usually complained about the current affairs of our state, who had finally found a way to not be obnoxious for the final month. He was letting listeners call in to tell their favorite memory from life and request a song.
As I pulled up to the house, I checked my pocket to make sure my precious cargo was still sitting where I shoved it. The front of the house looked the same as when I left so many hours ago. After watching Mary take one to the head, I figured I should be a bit more cautious, at least for now. I clicked the door open, which was the universal signal for Machiavelli, my cat, to come running to greet me. His soft fur tickled each of my ankles as he did his signature take down move, the figure eight.
"Let's get you some food. I am sure you are hungry." I said as I scratched his chin.
Nothing says love like a fresh can of tuna. The good stuff, too, none of the cheap garbage for my baby. I pulled the prize out of my pocket and unwrapped the paper. Hiding pills from animals is a work of art. You have to make sure that every part is hidden, or the cat will just spit it back out.
"Here you are sweetie-pie. Mommy loves you so much."
I lay across the tile floor and pet Machiavelli while he scarfed down his favorite treat. No need for you to suffer. Before the bowl was even empty, the effects set in. He curled up tight against my chest, and I stroked his body until I felt him go still. As I stood, I lay a small kiss on his head. Sleep tight, my sweet prince. Soon enough, we will meet again.
I straightened my shirt, and pulled myself together. No time for tears. There was barely enough time for the plans that I had made. The Art of War sat in contrast to the other books sitting on my bookshelf. It clicked open the false wall as I pulled on it, and I was able to access my favorite room in my home. A ten by ten armory hidden from the whole world. Rows of weapons, meticulously cared for and displayed, awaited me. The hardest thing would be choosing which ones to take.
"I hope thirty days is enough for us to fight this out. Last man standing wins."