End Days Super Boxset (190 page)

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Tuesday September 30, 2020: Somewhere in GA

Just another day, and Russell was intently focused on convincing his guests to stay, if only for a few days longer. Manipulation was one thing, but it would be harder and harder to convince them to stay the longer they were away from their friends and families. Would they understand the need for revolution? Would they see that their liberties were at stake too? Without their personal electronics they were indeed helpless, but Russell was going to have to walk a fine line.

One wrong move, and he could lose their trust. If they insisted on leaving, he would have to make perhaps the most difficult decision yet. He knew that he could never let them leave. That was the ugly truth. The camp couldn't risk the exposure. If, in the end, they refused to join the cause, Russell would be left with little choice but to do what was necessary. It was not something he wanted to do.

He woke up to the sound of his men training. Kyle was usually good about getting the men up and moving before breakfast. Russell had a tendency to stay up late, reading and strategizing. There was also running the logistics of the camp, which was a full-time job in itself. No one saw much of Russell, overall. He was growing more ill and did not want to be seen in such a state. It was bad for morale, he thought.

He made appearances when he felt it necessary, usually to deliver speeches. He had grown into an effective speaker over the years with his experience in public office. Even with his background in psychology, Russell knew he'd have his hands full convincing the college students to stay. Fully dressed in combat fatigues, he sat at his desk in his private, one-bedroom cabin going over his lesson plan, a cup of coffee at his elbow. A knock on the door and Kyle entered the tiny room. Sunlight streamed in as the door creaked open.

“Morning Russ.”

“Mornin' Kyle.”

“How ya' holding up?” Kyle asked, closing the door behind him.

Russell tried to respond but fell into one of his coughing fits instead. Kyle waited patiently. He was wearing combat fatigues as well but was covered in dirt from morning exercises. Camouflage makeup was smeared across his face, he wore a bandana, and he had his long hair tied back into a ponytail. Russell regained his composure and took a swig of water from a nearby bottle.

“Have my ups and downs,” Russell answered.

Kyle approached Russell with concern. His black combat boots tapped against the wood beam flooring, step by step. “We really need to consider getting you to a hospital. I don't know how long you think you're possibly going to hold up.”

Russell stared at Kyle blankly without responding.

“I'm just saying...” Kyle continued.

“A hospital? Good idea. Are we taking the Rolls Royce or the Bentley?”

“You know what I mean,” Kyle said.

“Going to the hospital is not in my deck of cards at the moment. We have a camp to run here. A job to do. We're getting short on food, medicines, and everything else. Need you to put together a supply run.”

Kyle leaned down towards Russell and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I will, Russ, you don't have to worry about that. What I'm concerned about is you.”

“Nonsense,” Russell said. He looked especially pale. The bags under his dark eyes were heavier than Kyle had been in weeks. Another coughing fit followed. His bangs fell in front of his eyes as he hunched over to get hold of himself. Kyle gestured toward Russell's back, but Russell sat up straight before Kyle could give him a pat.

“Nothing new here, Kyle. I'm sick as a dog, what can I say? Besides, you know there's nothing they can do for me now. I'm terminal, remember?”

“Yeah, but--” Kyle began.

“And I don't need any of our men knowing about my condition. Not more than they already know. As far as they're concerned, I'm getting better. I can't appear weak, we can't afford it.”

“I'm concerned that you're pushing yourself too hard,” Kyle said.

“It's what I do. I don't have a choice. Got it?”

“One of these days I'm going to have to carry your stubborn ass to the hospital myself,” Kyle said.

Russell began to slowly stand up from his chair. He coughed slightly into a white cloth clenched in his hand. “Got work to do. I have to talk with our new recruits.”

“You think they'll come along eventually?” Kyle asked.

Russell paused and then took a deep breath. “They're getting there. It isn't going to be quick or easy though.”

“Russ, I have to ask. What's your overall plan with these kids? I mean, I've talked to them for the past week, and I just don't know about it.”

“Break 'em down and build 'em back up. That's what we do. How do you think real progress is made? We take all that they know now and flip it around. We have to convince them to convince themselves that joining our cause is the right decision.”

“You know, I always trust your judgment, but I've been watching those kids. True, there are divisions among them. Stuff we can exploit, but the general consensus is that they want to leave,” Kyle said.

“You know that can't happen,” Russell said.

Kyle thought to himself and then responded. “You know, they're only kids, Russ.”

“All the more reason,” Russell said. “No one leaves here. Period. That's the rule.” Russell read concern and anxiety in Kyle's face. He took a deep breath and paused before walking out the door. “Things are going to get better soon. They'll come around, I promise.”

“I know. I just hate to see good recruits go to waste,” Kyle said.

Russell put his hand up. “Kyle. That's not going to happen.”

“Whatever we need to do, we need to do fast. The men are infatuated with those two girls, Sally and Jacklyn. I don't know how much longer we can keep the status quo here.”

“Hey, you're the military expert, get the men under control. We're at war here. Tell them to get their minds out of the gutter and focus on the big win.”

“OK, Russ.”

Russell grabbed his hat from a nearby nightstand and put it on his head. He then opened a pair of sunglasses and put them on. “Now get a supply team together. I'm going to have a talk with our young recruits.”

“No problem,” Kyle said.

Once outside the small cabin, they went their separate ways. Kyle headed to the obstacle course as Russell walked toward the guest cabin. Outside, behind Russell's personal cabin, Chris—the journalism student—was hiding in the bushes. He had been eavesdropping on their conversation the entire time and was shocked to hear of the plan to turn them into recruits.

I have to get to the others, Chris thought. They have to know what these people have planned for us.

Shane and his crew were in the guest cabin. Danny was lying on his bunk reading a book. Shane was on his bunk with Sally lying on his chest. Jeff was sleeping, Jacklyn was using the portable toilets outside, and Chris was nowhere to be seen. It was a quiet morning, and they felt fortunate that Russell offered them their own space and privacy. Divisions, however, were growing within their own small group, all by design.

A polite knock came from their cabin door. Before anyone could respond, the door opened slightly and Russell stuck his head in.

“Rise and shine, everyone. I hope you're all decent,” he said with a smile. Russell took a look around the room, noticing some of them missing. “Not everyone is here?”

Danny looked up from his book. “Jacklyn's in the can. I haven't seen Chris in a while.”

“You're so crude, Danny,” Sally said.

“We're serving breakfast soon,” Russell said.

“Awesome,” Shane said.

“We could certainly use some help,” Russell said.

“Oh,” Shane said, looking down. “Sure. Of course. What do you need?”

Russell walked closer to the group and took a seat on a nearby bunk. Each bunk resembled those from military boot camp, comprised of a metal frame and a single flat mattress covered by a green ill-fitting blanket.

“I want to be honest with you guys,” Russell said. He cleared his throat and continued. “We need all the help we can get here. So far, you've been our guests, and we've been fine with that. But I imagine you'll want to push along pretty soon.” Russell looked around the room. No one was outwardly responsive.

Shane finally spoke up. “Our families are worried sick about us. It's probably best that we leave soon. Even on foot, and even with all you've talked about with this EMP and everything. We appreciate all that you've done for us, but we don't want to burden you and your friends any longer.” Shane thought he made his point fairly well, though Russell made the group nervous, even at his most cordial.

“You're not a burden. We enjoy the company.” Russell coughed slightly, then caught his breath. “As I've explained before. This place, the very cabin you're staying in now is safe. The world out there, however, isn't so hot right now. In my opinion, you're much better off here. At least for the time being.”

Danny threw down his magazine. “Look, man, I know you're trying to help us. We have school. We have jobs. We all have commitments. I think we're just gonna have to take our chances out there.”

“But the rioting, the looting?” Russell began.

“So you say,” Danny responded.

Russell feigned offense. “Do you not believe us? Trust me, Danny, we've been out there. It's not a pretty picture. Stores cleaned out. Basic necessities nonexistent. People turning on one another for a loaf of bread. It's madness.”

“I don't believe it,” Sally said, causing Russell to go silent. She got off the bed and stood up, facing him directly. “People aren't like that. They don't turn into animals during a crisis. It's quite the opposite. When bad things happen, people band together. I've seen it happen before, why would it be any different this time?”

All eyes were on Russell, and he knew it. He looked down and smiled. After a brief pause, he looked up at Sally and spoke. “I admire your positivity, I really do. The thing is, Sally, the first couple of days of any disaster are just like you described. But this isn't some random blackout. This is war. With the snap of a finger, we're back in the 1800s. How long do you think people are going to put up with that? How long, after being used to the highest standard of living in the world, do you think people will remain civil? A week? Two weeks? A month?”

“I don't know,” Sally said defensively.

“It took a week. One week for the rioting to start. If you kids were smart, you'd hunker down like the rest of us until this thing blows over.”

“I'm not going to leave my mom and brother to be worried sick about me. And if things are as bad as you say, that gives us even more reason to get to our families,” Danny said.

“If they were smart, they would have fled town too,” Russell said. “What I'm saying is that you need to be sensible here. Everyone else here has family, just like you. We're building up a force strong enough to get our loved ones and bring them back here safely. We're not just going to run out there half-cocked and get attacked by roaming gangs. It takes time and patience.”

Russell felt like he was reaching them. No one immediately objected, so he continued. “We can train you here. Each one of you. We can ensure that you're able to defend yourself and your loved ones should it come to that.”

“How long?” Jeff asked.

“How long what?” Russell asked.

“How long would it take to train us?”

“Maybe another week or two,” Russell said.

The group groaned in unison except for Jeff.

“Sorry, Russell, can't do it,” Danny said. “I think we can take care of ourselves just fine.” Danny looked to Shane. “Right, Shane?”

Russell glared at Shane, causing him to look down. “I don't know, Danny, I think he has a good point. Why needlessly put ourselves in danger when they can help us?”

Danny jumped off his bunk, fuming. “Have you lost your mind? You think that they're going to turn you into Vin Diesel in two weeks?”

Suddenly the back door of the cabin opened, and Jacklyn stepped inside.

“What?” she asked, annoyed. They turned away and looked back to Shane. Jacklyn walked to Danny’s bunk and sat next to him.

“That's not what I'm saying at all,” Shane continued. “I say, give 'em a chance.”

Danny looked to Russell. “Russell, nothing personal. You guys are good people. We owe you our thanks and gratitude.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Jacklyn asked.

“Russell asked us to stay a few more weeks,” Danny answered.

“What?” Jacklyn said, surprised. “I need to get into town and call my folks. Make sure they're OK.”

“Exactly,” Danny said. “We've missed over a week of school as it is.”

“There is no school, don't you understand?” Shane said. “You think all of our cell phones just happened to go dead at the same time? Laptops too? Were all those radio broadcasts we heard made up? A hoax?”

“An EMP happened, I get it. What does that have to do with staying here?” Danny asked.

“It has everything to do with it,” Shane said. Sally put her hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him. Russell simply observed, quiet as can be.

Danny got up, taking Jacklyn by the hand. “You guys do what you want. We’re leaving.”