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

“Ash, you have to look at these later, there are chapters on how to fix farm equipment, how to milk cows, how to trap rabbits, and which birds make the best soup. If this book were any older there’d be a chapter on how to make a tomahawk. I’m going to have to go through the books up there again. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe you could.”


“Let’s look outside and see if our avian friends left us enough buzzard to make broth with!”


“Shut up Ash! Geez, boys are disgusting! Just my luck the end of the world comes, and where am I? Stuck in a tiny house with two boys! Men! Ugh! Next thing you know they’ll be lighting farts!”


“I could teach you,” I warbled, “But I’d have to charge!” Then I had to duck as a book came flying at me.


Chapter 14