Chapter 9: A World of Ash

Chris looked at Heather in shock.

"WHAT!"

Heather pulled Chris towards her, and they kissed. Jackson was walking towards them, looking disgusted. He stopped next to them on the left side, opened the door to Chris's room and pushed them into it.

"If you two are going to be intimate, PLEASE, do it behind closed doors," he said in a firm voice.

Chris got up and reached behind him to grab his sword, but it wasn't there. It didn't matter anyway because Jackson was already at the end of the hall going into his room. 

Chris turned on the light and found his sword, which had been knocked out of his sheath when he fell. He noticed his room was almost identical to his in his other life.

"What an ass!" exclaimed Heather, finally standing up.

"Never do that again," scolded Chris. "Or at least without my permission."

"Well then, what kind of guard are you if you can't keep a lady safe?"

"One who doesn't get into relationships. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed."

"You're not sleeping with that thing are you?" asked Heather pointing at Chris's sword.

"Well, I kept mine at my side in the old world when I slept."

"Do you still have your old sword?" asked Heather.

"Wait!" Chris sprang up and began digging frantically through drawers and under his bed. "Found it!" Chris pulled out two long metal sheaths.

"Why do you have two?" 

"Remember when I said that I practiced various sword arts. In there are two distinct types of swords. The black one that contains a sword similar to the one on my back. The white one, that one has a rapier. A much thinner one, like what you used during your fencing match. After our match I was going to find time to teach you how to more effectively use one, but this happened."

"Well, we can start tomorrow. But for tonight can you do without the sword. I'll keep you safe."

"I guess. But if we die, I'm blaming you."

"Go right ahead."

Chris went into shock. He remembered what Heather had told him. She would sleep with him from now on.

Chris owned a small full sized bed. It was comfortable with just him. But with someone else, it seemed kind of crowded. Chris lay wide awake. He could hear the occasional groaning of the generator and other appliances. He could also hear the soft moans of his newly fake wife. 

The curiosity was now getting to him. He had wondered what had happened to his old world. He overheard Max talking to Jackson about his job. He heard him say that there were suits on the top floor just before the door. He decided that he would explore for himself. Chris slowly climbed over Heather so as not to wake her. He quickly grabbed his sword and left.

Since the two women destroyed the elevator during the disaster Chris had to find another way up. The only problem was he didn't know where that was. He remembered the files that were lying around the conference room, so he looked there. He moved slowly to try not to wake anyone, but his sword continued to make a racket. Chris had thought of an excuse if anyone confronted him. He was a guard, and he heard something so he was going to investigate.

He entered the conference room and found a file folder. He hastily flipped through the pages, looking for a map of some sort. Chris finally found something that somewhat resembles their bunker and took the page and continued running.

Chris ran down some hallways and through a few rooms and found the sign on the door labeled "stairs. Total 1,176, hope you're not in a hurry."

"Ha ha, very funny," he thought to himself. Then he realized that he was indeed one thousand feet underground. He let out a soft groan and began the climb.

Thirty minutes of walking. That's what it took Chris to climb the one thousand steps, but he finally reached the top. The corridor was cold. Chris was shivering in his jeans and a t-shirt. He walked to the end by the front door where he noticed the room that wasn't there before. "Outside safety gear."

Chris quickly ran into the room and threw his sword on the ground. He found a suit close to his size. He pulled the mask over his head, which let out a loud hissing sound as it let out the old air and began pumping fresh oxygen to him. The suit felt awkward on him, but he continued out to the door.

The door opened with the same creaking and moaning sounds as before. The door slowly swung open, revealing the grey world. It looked as though all the color had been washed away. Where there were trees, now there was nothing. Where the cities and towns once were, now there were mountains of ash. Chris couldn't help but let a tear or two run from his eyes. He tried to wipe them from his face, but the mask got in the way. Everything was gone. Everything. Chris dropped to his knees, which stirred up a gigantic cloud of dust. Tears were running from his eyes like a fountain. A figure of a man stood next to him. Chris couldn't make out who it was, but he determined it was not someone from the bunker.

"I couldn't help but notice you walking out of here. I just wanted to make sure you were all right, son," said the voice.

Chris turned, now a figure of a woman stood next to him.

"I wish there was something I could have done, now everything and everyone I had ever loved is a giant USELESS PILE OF ASH!" said Chris standing up and kicking the pile of ash.

Now the woman spoke.

"Christopher dear, there was nothing you could have done to save us. But now that we're gone, we can always be with you."

"That's easy for you to say," Chris sobbed.

"And don't say everything you loved is gone.That sweet Heather of yours. She loves you more than anything. You mean the world to her. You were strong for her when she couldn't be. She needs you more than ever now."

Now the man spoke again. "And that Francis. He has been looking out for you since you two met. But now he has it rough, just like you. He feels betrayed. He needs you for support."

The door opened and Max sat down next to Chris.

"We all need you for support. You're stronger than all of us," Max said, smiling.

The two figures faded into the grayness. Max rubbed Chris on the back.

"Everyone has someone they can look up to for answers. I know many look up to me, but I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out for. My heart gets weaker every day and I fear I won't make it through these months."

"I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do."

"Well, there is actually."

"I'll do anything to keep you alive."

"Unfortunately, you won't be able to keep me alive. But, can you promise me that you'll take over as leader once I'm gone?"

"But why me? Isn't there anyone more qualified to take over? I'm still just a kid."

"You may be just a kid, but you have the biggest heart.," explained Max.

Chris realized the importance of this request. He also realized how important his leadership would be.

"I promise," Chris said with confidence.

"Now how about we head back down. You don't want to be tired on your first day. And also your "wife" might get worried."

Chris wanted to say something like "that's not my wife" but he chose to keep his promise to Heather.

The two opened the door and walked down the stairs. Halfway through, Max began coughing uncontrollably. He sat down on the step. Chris tried to help, but Max ordered him to go to bed.

Chris finally got to his room and laid down next to Heather. Heather rolled over half asleep and asked. "Where were you? Is everything ok?"

Chris didn't feel like answering questions.

"I love you, Heather."

"That didn't answer my question but I love you too Mr. swordsman."