New Beginnings

Listening to the city breathe was one of Alex's favorite pastimes. She would perch outside of her window and cling to the night sounds when she missed her mother. Even in the rain she would emerse herself in the storm for shroud her years in esoteric darkness. And hopefully now her semi innocuous intentions.

She loved feeling the irriguous flow slip down the thin fabric of her tshirt. If you were studying her reflection at this time you would see something like a seductive gargoyle. At a glance painstakingly designed like hand stained glass.

She yearned to be free. And tonight was the night she would escape with her life to a new one.

She turned toward the window and waited. This was one of the lavish houses her uncle had bequeathed to her in his will. The only one her stepdad knew of. He had practically pissed on it ever since her beloved uncles untimely death.

The house now had felt fridged and the air inside stale. Leaving only a dismal shell behind. This was no home she thought grimacing in pain. Glareing at her own reflection in unadulterated disgust. She seethe silent hate for her stepfather. Her eye was an off shade of blueish-purple once again.

Thunder sounded an her wait was over. Quickly she opened the window wincingat the strain. She was concerned he had done more damage than normal. But had no time or patience to lie to another ER doctor about falling out of another tree. Or better yet being hit buy a bus from the feel of her nagging potentially mangled ribcage.

Entering she felt foreign for no matter how familiar it was not her home. Home for Alex had burned to the ground. They had looked for her mother's remains but found nothing. Missing persons reports, news articles and an her little brother were all she had left.

Home used to be in her Gran's and Papa's kitchen on Christmas. Not here. Never where she was larruped about just for existing. Her drunken stepfather still blamed her for her mother's disappearance. Knowing he was around triggered her PTSD.

She knew what torture await her if caught back inside tonight but this was the last time. She packed feverishly yet methodically, arranging her things into her duffle. Plucking the pictures off her memory board. Pausing only now she glanced at the one of her little brother at Christmas.

The memory clouding her eyes with foggy tears that she quickly discarded. He was getting his first bike. A little red and yellow tricycle that she had slaved for all year to get for him. She remembered teaching him to ride. Now, he was growing up without her.

Liam couldn't visit anymore during the holidays. Not that she would want to. Be included in the random drunken beatings sessions. Or subject him to seeing how little she even cared during them.

No, home and family were nothing but a memory that tugged at her heartstrings. She heard a loud crash. Time for reminiscing was gone. Right now unless she had a death wish, which today she definitely didn't, she needed to be gone before she was found. And of course flogged this time most likely to death. Her life was about to change and she wasn't going to wait around for anyone to make the choices for her.

The muted TV screen behind her flashed fake news headlines the lights flickered as she retreated out the open window…. it was time to go.

Liam tried to closed his eyes and while he changed the channel to no avail another of the same dead guy on every news channel . The sound of the phone ringing and he turned off the tube before opening his eyes again. Shutting out all thoughts of the gruesome unedited photo of the beheaded US spy that had flashed across the screen. He knew who it was by his "Your sister is calling" ringtone Alex had put on his phone. "We don't have much time to get out."

"Um Well, he stammered, Hi it's Liam.?" He asked yawning.

"Listen little brother. We don't have much time. Its happening. I have to get out now," she said.

"Al? It's time for sleeping till 7am. I have School and a Test in Psych class first period. And two Ap classes to study for"

Sighing impatiently she continued As If he hadn't spoken.

"If you want to come with me I can pick you up. Just get up. I'm getting out of here bro before it's to late. I want you with me. Please,"

"Sis you don't really believe all this nonsense. He went crazy like, they had to shoot him AL. And my gran said he killed ten peopleb…..," Alex cut Liam off before He could waste more time.

"He wasn't crazy. He showed the proof. Turn on the news smartass it's all there," Liam tired another rebuttal.

"Look, you don't have to believe him or me but I'm telling you it's coming. You are almost an adult I can't choose for you but…. I love you….And you know where to go. Please remember… I love you," Alex hung up the phone throwing it into the dumpster. One tear one morr memory rolled down her cheek as she started the SUV and took off.

"What took you so long," asked Jazz getting into the seat behind her.

She was seemingly annoyed at Alex's barely five minute late arrival.

One look at her bruised face in the overhead light and Jaz gasped. But yet didn't refrain from strangling her friend in a hug till she groaned.

No explanation needed Rain got into the front seat beside her and pulled out her makeup. Appling a small bit to the bruised eye. Jazz had let go of her bearhugabitchtodeath grip so Rain pulled up Alex's shirt. She was dark blue and purple all over. Rain winced and pulled out a bottle of pain reliever and handed them to Alex.

"Let's go",said Ryan. Patting Alex on the back apologetically. Making her draw away. And take the bottle from Rain less begrudgingly.

"That fucking bastard, We should kill him. Beat his ass to death like he almost did you. How can you even walk still?" hissed Rain angerly.

Rain never cussed so Jazz inexcusable as it may have been busted out in laughter. Even Alex had to crack a slight smile.

"I'll be fine. And he will be dead soon enough from his drinking. Especially when that's all the house is stocked with.," said Alex hating the spectacle.

"A few… that's my girl" Rain took in the last part and shrugged.

Rain stifled her other remark choosing instead to kiss Alex on the cheek then she turned on her laptop dimming the screen.

Jaz fixed her wig in the light from Rains laptop. Looking completely more feminine than Alex in her baggy sweats and one of her uncles even baggier 70s band t-shirts. Anything that didn't touch her ribs was an, Alex obvious, good attire decision...Anarchy!!!

Once everyone was loaded they took off.

They wouldn't have the luxury of chain stores where they were going so like normal teens not preparing for the end of the freaking world they raised cane to Wally World. Using self checkout and pick up they grabbed Cart after cart of supplies. Both for the trip and for their personal use. Alex paid and they drove off into the night. She hooked up to a trailer that was behind the store special ordered and possibly not stocked with clothing, weapons & ammo ,three years worth of nonperishable boxes of MREs, dried meats and canned good rations.

Not that they lacked money. Alex was very well off between her moms life insurance policy, her uncles vast investments he left solely to her and the malpractice suit from the hospital that led to her grandmother's death. She wasn't a stingey heiress. She had left money for her brother and had all but drained her accounts for this occasion just like her uncle vaguely instructed her to do.

This wasn't just a spur of the moment escapade of her leaving because of her abusive stepdad. Her uncle had worked for a special operations devision of the military out of Fort Richmond Alaska. Before he died he had pulled her into his saferoom. And poured out his soul. He had implored her to watch and take heed of the news or lack thereof. Of cases of accusations and repetitive stories on all the channels. To be highly aware before and after it all began. And how to see the clues for what they where. She knwe now it was time to slip away and not look back. And better yet he had left a logistics map of exactly how to prepare for what was coming.

And with Ryan and Eric having the land with an old missile cilo that was much needed. Add a house left to them by their grandfather who was murdered ironically just before her uncle . They were all pretty much set and out for answers.

Eric was supposed to be meeting them at the boat dock with the rest of the crew. Alex, Rain, Jazz and Ryan switched off to rest as they drove. The scenery was beautiful so much different from the rolling hills smack dab between Fort Smith and Russellville​ Arkansas. Her little town in Arkansas wasn't even on the map. Who would have thought she would end up in a place like this. She gazed sleepily out into the woods. Alex nodded off for what she thought was only a minute but awoke on Rain's shoulder.

"We're here," said Rain lightly shaking Alex and slowly opening the SUV door stepping out into the cold night air.

They had reached the fishing town of Ryan's childhood. He was driving and manoovered the SUV towards the dock. They loaded up their supplies onto Ryan and Eric's boat while Rain stayed beside Alex .It took four trips to get everything to the boat. Even once Alex grabbed a second dump cart .

It was a large fishing boat the guys grandfather had used up until his death. Ryan's cousin Teddy had kept it up. And he soon met them there at the dock. He had added extra supplies for his cousins trip. And he handed Alex something he was holding. It began wriggling in her arms as it was woken. And looked up at Alex. It was a puppy. He handed two crates to Ryan. Alex had asked and he had provided as asked. Ryan had told her about Teddy. And she knew he would have the hook up. Handing Ryan the puppy. She pulled Teddy aside.

Reaching into her carry on bag she pulled out a wad of ash Which he quickly pocketed then he began listening to the young woman standing before him.

" My brother….if he comes this way he's gonna need protection. We don't know how long we will be out there. And there's no telling what might happen. If he comes him safe,till I return and I'll double it next time "she whispered to him as she handed him the stack and a note.

Teddy took it in his hand an opened it. He looked back at her wide eyed at the amount of money he was holding. The note Alex had made long ago.

"What are you expecting me to fight around here? An army,the Navy. Hell all that's out here is animals,"

Alex stopped him.

"Can you do the job not,"she asked again.

He smiled.

"Yeah I can no problem."

Alex returned to her friends.

Ryan gave her a weird look. But went back to inspecting the boat and organizing things with Jazz right behind him. Rain was cooking below deck. The stew she was making smelled like heaven. But Alex grabbed a sandwich to tide her over and went back above deck to wait for Teddy. To her surprise Eric was furiously lugging his bags onto the boat as she popped her head above deck. He called down to Alex. Followed closely by the group. They consisted of five people Alex didn't know and his girlfriend Sarah.

"We have to go WW3 is on . Cheeto-Hitler just freaking declared war on North Korea and Russia because his wife's been spying on him. New York's fucked they been nuked,it's gone. We are leaving after boat check. Teddy you coming with cousin".

" Man what's this mess….nevermind I don't want to know. I'm going to grab my family And get out of dodge. And your boats full already."

Eric sighed.

"For the record man I'll never forget this. You've always been real fam," said Eric tossing. Teddy the keys to his van.

Teddy caught the keys and pocketed them.

"Don't mention it man. I'm going back. See you when I see you." Teddy said.

Eric, Ryan and his crew started the boat check. They were soon waveing goodbye as the boat pulled away Ryan's hand stayed up longest. Somehow he had a feeling he wouldn't be seeing Teddy again