Doomsday

It’s been ten years since the pandemic broke out. The government thought they could cure everyone by putting a vaccine in the water supply, but it only made matters worse. It all started when big corporations like Wal-Mart started shutting down, followed by the oil companies, and we slowly started getting fewer and fewer shipments with supplies. Everyone started panicking trying to get food and water but they had no such luck, riots started breaking out all over the place with people fighting to survive. Many decided to stay and struggle make-do with the limited supplies that were left while the others chose to break free from society and go off on their own to survive off the lands. Few who saw this coming had prepared, they had seeds for farming and basic knowledge of how to make necessities. A few were a little over-prepared, they had their bunkers stocked so full of supplies they could barely move. A group of friends started a small Utopia for whatever survivors were left. Arron, who was the leader of the group; was around 5’4” with short brown hair with shaved sides, mellow hazel eyes, and a fit body with an eight-pack. David, he was the commander for the peace-keepers, he was tall around 6’4” and slimly buff with jet black messy layered hair with long bangs swept to one side, black-rimmed glasses, tattooed sleeves up and down his arms, one arm was themed with the Native American spirit animals and the other had a more nautical theme with a helm wheel in the middle of his forearm, and piercing blue eyes, the kind of blue that makes you think of the morning sky or the oceans in Cancun. And lastly, Milo was a search and rescue expert, the shortest of the bunch standing at 5’0” with round-rimmed glasses, dark brown hair the same style as David’s, and tattoos covering up a good amount of his body. David, Arron, and Milo were in a polyamorous relationship, and for their anniversary David and Milo pooled their money together and bought Arron a locket. The locket was 24k gold and shaped like a small heart with David and Milo’s pictures in it. That was all David had found one morning after she disappeared. “Milo!” He had run into Milo’s room after the discovery and shook him awake.

“What?” Milo grumbled as he slowly sat up stretching and rubbing his eyes. David handed over the necklace and Milo looked back and forth between the two, “It’s Arron’s necklace. So what?”

“She’s missing, she’s not in her room or anywhere in the house.” David huffed, he rubbed the back of his neck and paced about the room.

“Did you check the village,” Milo asked, he swung his legs over the side of the cot and tugged on his boots, “Maybe she just went for a walk and forgot to put it on?”

“That’s the thing, she went to bed with it on,” he explained. “She and I did get into a fight but she still would have at least told you if she was going out. Right?”

Milo nodded his head gently and put on his glasses, “Yeah, she would’ve,” Milo pondered. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll go scout the village and let you know if I find out anything. You should go get some water and relax for a bit. Cause you look terrible.”

David rolled his eyes and shot a little glare at Milo, sticking his tongue out, “Says the talking zombie.” He retorted sarcastically, “I’m on the radio let me know when you’re on your way back. And please for the love of God, be careful.”

Milo nodded, grabbed his bag, and left to go searching for Arron. David sighed and sat on the edge of the cot with his face in his hands. He couldn’t help but feel like this was his fault, he and Arron had gotten into a fight the night before because he had gone out of the settlement without telling anyone and almost got caught. Arron found out from Milo and was waiting by the gate when David returned. He had stormed out of the house after the argument and went to the bar down the street, when he got home, she had already gone to bed. “I hope you’re okay, Arron. I promise we will find you.” He ran his hands down his face and stood up. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. He slid his glasses back on and headed to Arron’s room to see if he could find anything on her whereabouts.

His radio beeped at him and Milo’s voice came through the speaker, “No sign of her. I’m coming back. Over.”

He sighed softly and closed the desk drawer he had been shuffling through, “Roger, meet me in her room. Over.”

“Now is not the time to snoop through her underwear drawer, David,” Milo remarked sarcastically.

“Hahaha. Hurry up and get here. Over and out.” David turned off the radio and continued looking around. He stopped and turned back to the desk, he picked up the note sitting there and scanned it.

“If you want her back bring food, a generator, and fuel. And come alone, or else you’ll never see her again.

-Cam Leader of the Sea Serpents”

David folded up the note and put it in his pocket as he heard footsteps ascending the stairs. He turned around as Milo stepped through the doorway, “Anything?” Milo questioned as he took off his bag and set it on a chair.

David chewed on his bottom lip hesitantly, “No,” He lied.

Milo squinted and looked David up and down, “You’re sure?” He watched David closely as he nodded. “Okay...” Milo furrowed his eyebrows a little bit and walked around the room looking in drawers and under the bed. After a few minutes, Milo stands up and takes off his glasses, wiping them on his shirt. “I think, we should go get something to eat and take a break to collect our thoughts. Come up with a plan.” Milo suggested as he pushed his glasses back onto his face.

David nodded, “Yeah, you’re right that would be best.” David turned around and walked out the door. Milo followed suit and closed the door behind him after grabbing his bag.

David sighed and poked at his meatloaf absentmindedly. “I’m worried about her, man,” He glanced up at Milo who nodded in response and patted David’s hand.

“We’ll find her. And, I mean come on, this is Arron we’re talking about,” He smirked slightly as he tilted his head at David. “She knows how to handle herself. I promise you she will be fine.”

David glanced up at him and chewed on his lip a little, “If you say so.” He took a bite of the meatloaf and grimaced at the flavorless food. It had been years since he had tasted any actual flavor and he still wasn’t used to it. “Seriously, how hard is it to put some flavor in this stuff?” He complained and tossed his fork aside, running a hand through his hair and sighing heavily. “I’m gonna step outside for a cigarette. Wanna join me or do you want to stay here?” He asked as he stood from the table.

Milo shook his head and took a bite of his food, “Nah, I need to eat. I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon.” He stated while raising his glass to his lips.

David shrugged and walked outside. He pulled the note out of his pocket after the door closed behind him and read it again. He sighed as he lit his cigarette and stuffed the note back in his pocket as he walked back to the house. “I’m coming for you, Arron. Just hang in there.” He mumbled under his breath.

It was now after nightfall and David had his bag packed and his weapons loaded. He double-checked to make sure he had enough supplies and ammo to last for the journey. “This has got to be the stupidest idea I have ever had.” He stated as he looked in the mirror at himself. He was wearing a black leather jacket with studs on the cuffs and shoulders, fingerless studded gloves, and heavy black leather boots that reached to his knees with a silver chain hanging from his hip. He pulled a beanie over his head and turned away from the mirror grabbing his backpack and his two guns. He left his room turning off his light and locking the door behind him. He tip-toed past Milo’s room whose light was still on, he winced as a floorboard creaked and he froze watching his door. Please don’t open the door. Please don’t open the door. Please don’t open the door. He repeated internally as he chewed his lip nervously. He sighed in relief when the light turned off and he heard the creak of the cot as Milo laid down. He ran down the stairs quietly and grabbed the keys to his motorcycle off of the table near the door. He hesitated as he reached for the doorknob and looked back up the stairs. He pulled the note out of his pocket and looked down at the table by the door then back upstairs; he set the note down on the table with a sigh as he opened the door and left. As he stepped out into the night he sighed and looked up at the sky, “I can do this. I know I can.” He started making his way to the gate to their village and slipped out the side. He started up his bike and was off to find Arron.

Milo woke up the next morning blinking as he sat up rubbing his eyes and yawning. He swung his legs over the side of his cot and tugged on his boots. He stood up and left his room and knocked on David’s door, “David come on time to wake up.” There was no answer and Milo tried to turn the doorknob, he furrowed his brows realizing that it was locked. He knocked again, “David, wake up,” He repeated. He pounded harder, “Hello?!” He sighed exasperatedly and rolled his eyes, “Fine, I’m gonna go get food without you then.” He stated and walked downstairs, he grabbed a jacket from the coat closet at the bottom of the stairs and tugged it on. He grabbed his keys off the table and paused when he noticed the note. Milo picked it up and read it. His eyes widened and he ran back upstairs to grab his bag and the keys to his car and dashed for the gate. I swear I’m going to kill that idiot when I catch up to him.