It begins with a fading odor and darkness. Lights out, dark as night. Outside the college building, there are flames, lumps of metal and flesh, and no one moving. When Asher finds his car, he's surprised it works and he drives aimlessly, trying in vain for a radio station, any sign of life. Recovering his wits, he parks at a truck stop and loads up with things that might be useful. In the dark, someone runs into him and urges him to flee. The thought of maybe having to repopulate the world doesn't appeal to either of them -- Asher is gay, and Sandy isn't sure what she/he/they are. Sandy knows a place they might hole up while the world dies around them. It's a cabin that belongs to a friend who might be there. Sandy's friend Wade turns up the next day when there's light, again. Are Wade and Sandy an item or just friends? Asher feels like odd man out, but survival is their first priority. Can relationships be sorted out, later?

Night Scenery

“I think there’s a pair of crutches in the basement. There’s damn near everything down there. I’d almost forgotten we had one because it’s dark and dank and the attic is sunny and clean. Dumb old me. Uh, can I have some pants? I really need to pee, too.”


Sandy and I looked at each other. “I’ll rock, paper, scissors you for it,” I said wickedly.


“Hey, I can do it myself!” Wade said.


I’d already thought about that, reached behind me, and handed him an old water pitcher. “We’ll worry about the other stuff later. In the meantime I’ll go look for the crutches. One of these old lanterns should help.”


Chapter 15