Roadies
Altered States
“Seth…” Megumi paused the television. “Seth! Come see this.”
Megumi heard Seth crawl from bed. He poked his head around the corner and squinted from the brightness of the television. “What’s going on?”
“Something happened in Japan. This is NHK news from last night.” Megumi pointed the remote to the television and pressed play.
Seth looked at the reporter standing near the edge of a rocky coast, fighting the wind and rain. The name for the location appeared in Japanese. Seth asked Megumi. “Where is he?”
“It’s Osezaki Cape in southern Japan. Three boats are headed there from China.”
Seth sat on the couch beside Megumi, rubbing his eyes. “You’re going to have to translate. I’m too tired to focus on Japanese.”
*****
The screen changed back to the studio where a news anchor stood in front of a map showing China at the top, with North and South Korea to the right, and Japan at the bottom. A panel of three men in suits sat to the right.
The anchor held three little toy boats to the camera. “There are the three ships in the group, and they have ignored radio contact.” He walked them over to the map by the border between North Korea and China. “The ships are thought to have originated from the border area here. We suspect China gave coastal access down along the Yellow Sea, and once low enough they came across the Eastern China Sea. Now they are getting close to Kyushu.” He placed them on the map.
The anchor traced the path from the convoy’s current location, back to a city on the Chinese coast. “Here. In a port near Hangzhou, the convoy added to their crew while loading crates of supplies.”
Expert one interrupted. “They have an unknown cargo and are making a beeline for Kyushu. It’s suicide to sit and wait, hoping they are peaceful.”
Expert three disagreed. “I’m against those implications. We don’t know for sure what their intentions are.”
The anchor zeroed in on expert three’s statement. “Clearly they are displaying an act of aggression.”
Expert three leaned forward and looked at the other two sitting with him. “I agree this seems abnormal, but they might be trying to escape themselves. Maybe they are racing to get here before being shot?”
The anchor shrugged his shoulders. “Why do you think they cut off communications?
Expert three leaned back and folded his hands. “There are many reasons they may choose not to communicate. Besides, they are in one of the strongest electrical storms we’ve seen in a long time. Maybe they can’t communicate? I’m sure they already have plenty of problems. We don’t even know if they are nautical journeymen or panicked civilians reacting in fear?”
The anchorman stepped to the side and raised his hand to his earpiece. He cleared his throat. “We have a breaking development from Osezaki.”
The screen switched to a reporter on Osezaki Cape. He started to talk, pointing to the stormy waters behind him. Off in the distance four Japanese Coast Guard vessels pushed through the rough waters to the open sea. Two helicopters accompanied them.
Megumi put her glasses on to read the text. “This must be of national importance, because we never fly in weather this bad. It says many feel these boats might be armed, so the government is taking no chances. This group heading out is from the tenth region, Kagoshima.”
The television switched back to the studio. The anchor approached expert two and tapped his finger on the desk. “This is not a good development. It isn’t the first time we’ve seen this. Is it?”
Expert two shook his head. “No. In December of 2001 a similar scenario happened. The Coast Guard confronted a Chinese-flagged vessel in our waters between Kyushu and China. The intelligence reported North Koreans operating the ship. They ignored the Coast Guard’s efforts to make contact. Gunfire exchanged, and the Coast Guard sank their ship. Nobody survived, but during salvage they found a lot of weapons and espionage equipment.”
The anchor added. “I’ve been to the display at the Coast Guard Museum in Yokohama. I was a field reporter at the time. I remember the story well. Speaking of Yokohama, we need to take a station break. Yokohama has a new set of tires to get you through this rainy season. Stay tuned and we’ll be right back.”
*****
The screen switched to a tire commercial, followed by several others. Seth skipped through the commercials, and into the next segment that looked to be descriptions of the boats. He stopped when the boats came into view on the cape. “This is the big moment.” He pressed the DVR back into normal play. “Look. They have a white flag.”
Megumi squeezed a pillow against her chest with both arms. “White is peace, right? Maybe they want to be free?”
Seth leaned toward the television. “It looks so surreal, like one of those old Godzilla movie sets.”
The ships came close enough to see through the heavy rain. A low flying helicopter led the group. Right behind it three large dark boats followed in a single file line. Two of the Coast Guard boats contained them on the far side, with the other two on the near side. The second Coast Guard helicopter secured the rear.
The camera zoomed in on the boats, but the wind and rain made the picture bouncy. A bunch of people stood on crates wearing white jumpsuits with white caps, and waving white towels.
Seth shook his head. “I don’t like this. Not at all.”
A red flair shot from the first boat. The white clad people jumped off their crates. One guy on each side lifted, and they pulled the disguises off their artillery with ease. Several rockets hit all four of the escort boats at the same time. The brightness turned the screen white, except for the reporter’s silhouette cowering in the forefront. Plumes of fire rolled high into the rain. Gunfire echoed, and flashes of tracer bullets spread across the sky. A loud explosion came from the rear helicopter. It fell into the sea and pieces of it continued to burn on the surface of the water.
“Why are they doing this?” Megumi cried.
The lead helicopter made a run for it, disappearing into the darkness of the cloud cover. A rocket fired in pursuit. Within seconds a huge explosion illuminated the clouds, and the remains of the helicopter fell back into view. One giant flaming chunk and several little fireballs crashed into the ocean.
Megumi and Seth sat in shock from disbelieve while the reporter screamed and cried. Light tracer fire flew between the vessels, but the Coast Guard ships sank fast.
One of the attackers took a bullet and his hat flew off. Seth’s mouth dropped to the floor. “Did you see that?”
“What?” Megumi leaned forward with him.
“Did you see his face? They’re Arabic!”
“What? Why?”
Seth leaned back. “Why? How about why here? This must be a distraction. They want something bigger. Maybe Tokyo, or Osaka?”
Megumi eyes opened wide. She pointed at the television.
The reporter sat on the rocky edge and cried. Behind him three Air Force fighter planes dropped from out of the clouds in a single file formation, swooping in on the boats. They released their weapons in unison and pulled back into the clouds like nothing happened. Three loud blasts made the camera shake and the reporter curl up in a ball, covering his head with his hands. The screen flashed red for a moment and turned black.
Megumi pressed fast-forward. The NHK logo appeared. She zipped through until she saw the studio. The southern map was replaced with a central map showing the Sea of Japan. This time the anchor held a toy submarine, and a toy airplane.
Seth nudged Megumi. “Now what’s going on?”
She cleared her throat. “He said something about a missing airplane. A P-3 or something, from Misawa Air Base. They drop buoys and search for subs.”
Seth nodded. “A P-3 Orion. I used to get inside them for rescue training when I lived in Misawa. The Japanese Air Self Defense Force has a bunch of planes there too, and an F-16 fighter squadron became part of our mission right before I left.”
Without missing a beat, the anchor presented two toy F-16 fighter planes. He placed them at the northern tip of Japan, close to Aomori.
Megumi interpreted. “Misawa is sending two planes to investigate. The P-3 disappeared from radar seventeen minutes ago when they reported a submarine. There has been no contact since.”
“What?” Seth stood up. “Those F-16’s are already there. This all happened while we were sleeping.”
“Hold on.” Megumi leaned forward to hear the anchor. “He says the AmEricaans tracked the sub for two weeks. It started from port Chongjin where it has direct access to the deepest areas of the East Sea. It disappeared from radar last week.”
*****
Expert one pointed at the Korean coast. “Subs hug the shelf without being detected all the time. They can cut across a number of underwater valleys. Any missile launch from these waters is close enough to strike our cities.”
Expert two concurred. “They can surface and launch in minimal time because most pre-launch is already done. This is a quick strike sub capable of multiple launches per surface, and they have outstanding anti-aircraft defenses.”
Expert three countered. “Are you two trying to connect a downed U.S. airplane to the boats which attacked Japan? What if the damage to the P-3 came from the electrical storm?”
Japanese writing started to scroll across the screen. Everyone rushed to gather their things, but the building shook so hard they fell to the ground. The screen changed to black, but the kanji kept scrolling.
*****
Megumi started shaking.
Seth grabbed Megumi’s arm. “What does it say?”
Megumi read it. “The United States has reported two F-16 fighter planes intercepted two missiles, and sunk the submarine.”
“That’s great news!”
She looked at him. “They launched three missiles.”
Seth grabbed the remote. “Hit fast forward.”
The choppy signal came back long enough to show the terror of the moment. Seth pressed the play button. Charred bodies slumped across the desk in the rubble. A large chunk of the ceiling caved in, pouring a fiery liquid from the floor above. The screen froze, and the image scrambled into a checkered montage.
Megumi jumped off the couch and screamed. “Those studios are in Tokyo!” She started to cry beyond control.
Seth pressed fast-forward. A rerun of an old samurai movie appeared. He dropped the remote, ran to the bathroom, and vomited in the toilet. “You have to call your family.”
Seth brought the phone to Megumi. She tried do dial, but her hands shook too hard and she missed the buttons. She stood there staring at the phone. Her face sank and she fell to the floor sobbing.
The busy signal grew louder. Seth took the phone and placed it back in the cradle. “You did call them and tell them, right?”
She cried. “I left a message on my sister’s phone, and on Morio’s phone.”
Seth tried to sound optimistic. “The bullet train only takes a few hours.”
Megumi cried for her mother in Japanese. “Okaaaaasaaaan!” She fell silent, never to speak another word.
Seth held Megumi close. “Your mom is fine. Even if she stayed in Tokyo, she would be with your dad in heaven. Let’s check for live news. It must be everywhere by now.”
*****
Channel 2 showed masses gathering on the north side of the demilitarized zone in Korea. The northern military stood between their sworn enemy to the south, and swarms of North Koreans approaching fast to rush the border, trying to escape from their country.
A voice over explained. “Several radical groups have claimed responsibility. The United Nations is insisting their intelligence identifies North Korea as the sole attacker on Tokyo last night.”
The camera panned to the reporter. “North Koreans are starting to flood the border in fear of United Nations retaliation. Jung Lee, Channel 2 news.”
“Thank you Jung. Now we have breaking developments in New York. In April the United Nations created a new position, and this will be the first major test for the Great Oracle. Grace Ling is standing by. Grace.”
“Hi Frank. This global ambassador, the Great Oracle, has the authority of a president, but none of the inherited political alliances. He is free from the handcuffs America’s presidents wrestled with until we fell from first world status.”
“It looks like he’s approaching now.”
Grace covered her earpiece with her hand. “I can’t hear you. The Great Oracle is approaching the podium. The chambers are echoing with applause and cheers. Let’s listen in.”
The screen changed to a close up of the Great Oracle. He motioned for an adjustment to the teleprompter, but it took too long, so he turned to the other one and started to read. “I want to speak to the global community today. We are facing something that is either going to bring us together, or it is going to tear us apart.”
“When I brought America’s community together it transformed into the model participant of our global family. I think every nation agrees my policies have made America better equipped to handle their responsibilities. America’s adaptation to our guidance provides a great example for us. Now it’s time for the world to solidify our local communities, and we must decide how to manage the actions that ratify our global community.”
“I’m saddened to report within the last twenty-four hours the North Koreans launched two attacks against Japan. The first attack was deceptive and unfair. They appeared to come in peace, but they launched a viscous attack once they reached the Japanese shores. The world focused on them long enough for their comrades to launch three nuclear weapons from the Sea of Japan. The Japanese Air Self Defense Force sunk the attackers off the southern coast, and the United States Air Force sunk the submarine responsible for the downing of America’s P-3 Orion and the missiles. The Air Force did intercept and destroy two of the missiles, but a third hit Tokyo.”
The Great Oracle turned back to his first teleprompter, but lost his place in the text. “Pardon me. Um, can you scroll back up a little… little more… That’s good, thanks. Now, the death toll from Tokyo is in the millions. The fact North Korea took action to punish another country without going through the United Nations is reason enough for us to take corrective action. It is our community obligation.”
“Tonight, I’m going to share with you a clause in our articles providing for certain extreme measures. It’s called Logan’s Law. It traces back to a rouge doctor who took compassion on his patients in their end of life stage. It matured through nationalized health care programs like ‘end of life counseling’. The United Nations voted Logan’s Law into effect when we proved more than half of a person’s lifelong medical care costs occurred in the last couple of weeks of life. It was a hard decision to make. Either the country goes broke giving the dead a few more days, or we send them back to the god of their faith in an affordable and comfortable manner.”
“Today the United Nations recognizes a similar scenario with North Korea. I have decided to enforce Logan’s Law for the betterment of our global community. Our cost models show it will require four point seven million euros per North Korean citizen to rehabilitate the country back into the global family. There is too much infrastructure, education, existing health issues, and decades of mental deraignment resulting from their misguided leadership. It’s simply not cost effective.”
The Great Oracle looked at his watch. “In thirteen minutes, at ten o’clock our time it will be the eleventh hour in North Korea. The circumstances are sad, but I am proud to present the United Nations’ latest corrective technology. It will take place from strategic points around the country, and it will contain the entire event within the recognized borders and air space. We will televise the event so you can rest knowing you are safe and protected under Logan’s law.”
Two giant screens started to descend behind the Great Oracle. “Going forward all references to North Korea will be struck from earth’s official historical records. All references to either North or South Korea will be cited just as Korea. We will talk about this day of correction as a time when the Koreas made the ultimate joint sacrifice, wherein half could live.”
The Great Oracle turned to see the video screens stop scrolling down. “The picture on your left is only a thousand yards away from the trenches of the DMZ. The picture on the right is from a camera on top of a building in downtown Seoul.”
He looked back at the camera. “Citizens of the world, behold Logan’s Law.” The Great Oracle turned to watch his display of power.
On the right screen with the view from Seoul, several tiny white lines raced toward the bottom of the screen from high in the night sky. Within seconds a silvery web covered from the top of the screen to the bottom, and tiny blue sparks started to rain inside.
On the screen to the left, people at the border started to panic. They surged the crossing. A few of the guards fired on the crowd, but the people kept coming. The camera periodically zoomed in to capture the utter terror on the faces of men, women, and children. Pets and wild animals ran around in a desperate attempt to escape. Guards dropped their weapons and ran into the DMZ, where several of their bodies exploded from the land mines. The white lines crisscrossed into view blocking anyone’s escape.
Everybody on the south side of the border stood and watched in amazement at the blue fireballs dropping on North Korea like a nuclear hailstorm. Each the size of a basketball, they hit the tall buildings first. Huge explosions rocked the ground and shook the camera. Fragments flew everywhere.
The fireballs bounced around, each hit marked by a burst of blue and white flames. They burned everything they came in contact with. In less than ten minutes a blue flame raged across the flattened country. No movement. No buildings. No trees. No life. Only blue fire.
In the view from Seoul on the right, the ground started to glow like a blue lake of fire. Five minutes later the blue lost its glow and started to fade. The silvery web dissolved into nothing, only darkness remained.
Back on the border a clear distinction separated the untouched military on the south from the thick blanket of ash covering the ground like snow across the moonlit distance.
The Great Oracle turned back to the audience. “Welcome to my global community.”
From the far side of the room a shoe landed right in front of him. He looked down to see what hit, and as he looked up to see where it came from, a chair hit him right in the head. He flew backward and went down hard.
In the background fire spread across a giant Israeli flag. As it burned somebody threw a smaller American flag on top of it. People screamed and fought all around the Great Oracle who lay motionless in a pool of blood from his head.
A man in a suit and headdress ran up and looked right into the camera. “The United Nations is dead as a power!” He gave the Muslim war cry.
The picture of the United Nations floor faded to black, returning to the news. Frank sat dumbfounded. “I’m not sure what to say. I’ve never seen anything like that before.” He paused. “Okay, now we’re going to Washington DC where the President is about to respond.”
The television switched to an empty podium at the white house, with people, lights and cameras moving into position. The crowd of journalists in the foreground hushed when the announcer spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
The President walked a brisk pace from the hall straight to the podium. The technicians struggled positioning the teleprompter. She motioned for them to stop. “Save your time. I don’t need a fancy screen to tell me what I’m going to say… Fellow American citizens, we have an interesting dilemma on our hands now, don’t we? Our friend has been playing ball with another team, the United Nations, and it looks like they don’t agree with his ideas any more. We’re still recovering from everything he touched when we thought he was playing for us, and I must confess I find his quick decisions to save Japan from potential extermination, and his offer to rebuild Tokyo with the best resources from every country, to be a bit suspicious.”
An aid brought a map of the Middle East on stage. The President drew a big red circle around Israel. “My sources tell me Japan was a stepping stone. If the United Nations can keep America from protecting their ally, it would be a relatively short step to the next level… elimination of Israel and all their descendants. You do know that will lead right back here, right? This is where the tribes are gathered. Check your heritage.” She pointed both of her index fingers into the crowd. “But we aren’t going to let that happen now, are we? Effective immediately we are going back to the days of Rosie the Riveter. We are going to come together like real Americans. We are going to put our petty differences aside, and we are going to fight for our freedom! It is our responsibility to ensure tomorrow’s children regain the opportunities and freedoms we apparently have failed to protect.”
The President took a deep breath. “Now. By executive order, we are going to amass our troops and defend the tribe of Judah. We will be circling the Arab nations in full force and drop the hammer on anybody dumb enough to stand in our way. Any one of our planes can turn half the desert into glass. Don’t try me. I’m a mom first! My fellow citizens, America isn’t dead; we’re just waking up.”
She took a second to regain her composure. Reporters started yelling questions and cameras flashed, but the President turned and walked away. A guard opened the door when she approached the end of the hallway. She paused and leaned her head back, clenching her fists for a second. She relaxed, dropped her shoulders a little, and took one more deep breath before walking inside.
*****
Megumi and Seth stared at the television screen, but the signal scrambled in and out. Seth reached for the remote when Jerusalem came into view with a formation of large metal objects suspended in the sky, each the size of a medium jet airliner. The camera zoomed all the way in to the center one, until the bottom of the vehicle filled the whole screen.
A circular opening released a clear bubble, which dropped thirty feet below the craft. Inside somebody stood on a white disc platform. The camera zoomed in on him. He looked in his early thirties, wore a white suit and tie, with a matching white hat, gloves, and flower in his lapel. His face thin, he stood medium height with long blondish hair feathered back. His teeth were brilliant white in contrast to his mildly tanned face, and his eyes piercing blue and magnetic.
Megumi heard Seth whisper. “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”
The man in the bubble looked down to the people. “It is I, Morning Star.” He opened his jacket revealing a breastplate with twelve unique stones.
Seth mumbled. “Every precious stone adorned you. . . on the day you were created they were prepared.”
Morning Star held up both hands and spoke. “My children. I have come here directly from heaven.”
Seth nodded. “You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.”
Morning Star dropped to one knee and looked down on the city. “I remember when we used to all play together in the early days of Eden. I miss those days. You were so much more innocent then.”
Seth sat forward. “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.”
The disk Morning Star stood on changed to yellow, then orange. He shook his fists in the air, the disc now bright red. “Look what you’ve done to my earth and my people! Do you think I’m going to let you destroy my planet? Haven’t you read Revelation? I told you I come back with a rod. Do you know how mad I have to be to use my correcting rod?”
Morning Star took a deep breath, and pointed to the camera. “This is your last chance at salvation before I erase you for your sins. I have sent my top ten priests to meet with your leadership. My chief priest will be here in Jerusalem with me. We will find out which of you are mine… Until then whoever kills another will be delivered to me personally. I won’t stand for any more death.”
The red platform faded to orange, and settled in a soft yellow. “Verily, I won’t leave a stone unturned. I’m starting with the churches and will work my way down to every last living soul on earth.”
The camera pulled back and the bubble retreated into the craft.
Megumi felt a nudge to her side. She couldn’t move, but heard Seth talking to her. “How in the world anyone can think that dude is God is beyond me. He may be smooth, but only to a sucker.”
Megumi sat and stared at the screen, while Seth started to gather his things. He disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later Megumi heard the garage door open. She watched him get the truck and back it to their boat parked in front of the garage.
“Megumi! Let’s go. You have thirty minutes. I want to leave here soon.” Seth poked his head inside. “Please hurry! I’m going to load food and supplies in the boat. Take a quick shower. It might be your last.”
Megumi looked at him. Her eyes opened a little wider. She watched everything move in slow motion, except Seth, who zipped around like the Energizer Bunny. It started to sink in. No more Napa. She turned and hurried into the bathroom.
*****
Seth called for their dog. “Aizu. Come on girl.”
Aizu jumped off the couch and ran to the truck. She trotted around looking for a way to get in. Seth opened the tailgate and she jumped before he could get it all the way down. She jumped once more on top of a box Seth made. It fit perfect in the bed of his Tundra. The top of the box sat even with his toolbox behind the crew cab, and the black sides blended in with the toolbox and roll bar. He often tied Aizu’s leash to the roll bar and let her sit on the artificial turf covering the top of the box while he worked. The box is one of Aizu’s favorite spots.
Seth loaded the truck in every available space. He called Aizu to get inside and checked the time on the dashboard. “Twelve-fifteen!” He honked. Nothing. He started to get out when Aizu started barking.
Seth looked and saw Megumi on the porch. “What the….”
Megumi took the haori overcoat from their visit to Japan, and turned into a samurai. Seth stood in disbelief, but her cuteness made him speechless. She wore a gray and white striped skirt. Maybe it came from their sheets? It wrapped around her waist, and extended all the way to her white socks and flip-flops. She wore a white top tucked into the bottoms, and she used a thin white rope to hold her light blue and white Shinsengumi sleeves back for battle. Her hair slicked tight along the side of her head, and made a single ponytail in the back.
Seth shook his head back to reality. “You look amazing, but it’s time to go. Jump in.”
Before Megumi climbed in the truck, she paused, turned to the house, and bowed. At the corner they turned off Webber Street for the last time.
“You look like Okita Soji.” Seth said with a big smile. “I sent a bunch of people text messages. We’re going to meet in the parking lot of the old Hakusan Brewery. From there we’ll take 12 to 80.” He turned to Megumi, but she sat in silence, starring straight ahead.
Seth pulled into the vacant parking lot. He circled the building once, and found a spot to wait. Twenty more minutes passed before Jovel’s Miata came around the corner. Seth breathed a sigh of relief. “At least we won’t be alone.”
Jovel pulled beside Seth and opened his window. “I saw the whole thing on TV. I guess it’s time to go camping?”
Seth smiled. “I hope you packed a lot.”
Jovel looked around the inside his car and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t even have enough room left for a drink.”
The roar of Cruz’s Camaro echoed as he came around the corner, flashing his headlights. A white truck followed close behind. They parked behind Seth, and got out. Cruz walked back to the others in the white truck, while Bruce struggled exiting from the passenger side of the Camaro. “This thing is too low!”
Seth nodded to Jovel. “Look at him. Hey Bruce! What are you doing here? Where’s your family?”
Bruce pointed north. “They’re at my wife’s place in Oregon for a reunion. I stayed for the first few days, but she’s planning to stay another week or two.”
Seth asked. “What about work?”
Bruce shook his head. “This morning I was told we were no longer serving breakfast or lunch during the week.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t have to work until Tuesday, so I’m going camping for the weekend with Jovel.”
Jovel leaned his head out the window. “Me?”
“Yup!” Bruce walked over and shook Jovel’s hand. “What’s up man? Trent quit this morning, so they had to cancel your vacation. You’re scheduled to cover his shift. We can come back together Tuesday morning.”
Seth reached to shake Bruce’s hand. “What’s up dude? Glad you came.” He looked around Bruce to see Jovel. “That’s alright Jovel, at least a few days are better than nothing.”
Cruz and two guys from the white truck walked toward the group. “Hey Seth, where’s Megumi?”
Seth pointed his thumb back toward his truck. “She’s inside. She’s still in shock from the Tokyo bombing.”
Bruce’s eyebrows shot up. “I couldn’t believe that!”
Cruz put his hand on the guy’s shoulder next to him. “You remember my brother, Nico, and my cousin. They want to go with us. My dad gave me the truck. He said we need it. The rest of my family is staying in Napa.”
Seth asked. “Are all three of you okay with that? Are you sure you don’t want to stay with them?”
They nodded.
Cruz reached over and did the band handshake with Seth. “My dad’s lived here for more than thirty years. Napa is what he knows. It’s where he’s comfortable. I told him we’d be back in a week, two at the most if we’re having fun. But I don’t think he believed it. He knows something is going on. If it is, well, that’s why we’re here.”
“Are you sure? This could be a one-way trip.”
“I heard the things you were talking to Jovel and Rodger about. We want to roll with you man.”
“What about Maria?”
“If we we’re already married we both might have chosen differently, but for now she wants to stay with her dad. He’s not taking well to the treatments. She knows I love her. If what you say is true, we’ll be together soon enough.”
Seth looked at his watch. “We better hit the road. Text your loved ones and tell them the next checkpoint is the Burger King by Scandia. It’s where 680 joins 80. The traffic is getting worse so it might take us forty-five minutes or more to get there.”
Everyone returned to their vehicles and prepared to go. In his rearview mirror Seth watched the line form. He started to pull into the street when a silver flash came around the back corner. “Rick!”
Seth stopped and waited. Rick pulled beside him and opened the passenger window. Rick’s son, Danny sat in the front. Duke barked from the backseat making Aizu go crazy in Seth’s truck.
“Only you two?” Seth asked.
“Yeah…” Rick looked at the new wedding ring on his hand. “Diane wanted to spend time with her mother instead of camping with us. I also told Danny’s mom I‘d have him back to her by Thursday.”
“Welcome to married life.” Seth smiled. “Let’s go get some mountain time. We have to stop by Scandia and see if anyone else wants to join us?”
“Good.” Rick shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “I need gas.”
The convoy moved like a train from the parking lot, filling the entire turn lane at the signal. The arrow turned green, and one by one they turned on to Jameson Canyon Road until they all joined the line of cars poking along less than twenty miles per hour.
Seth led them to the Suisun Valley Road exit off of highway 80. He tried to pull into the Burger King, but too many cars flooded the lot. The drive through food lines spilled into the street. So did the lines at all three gas stations. Seth kept driving for a quarter mile until the crowd thinned enough to stop the convoy on the side of the road.
Everyone gathered by Seth’s truck. He pointed down the road. “There’s another gas station around the corner on the other side of that hill. It might be less crowded.”
Cruz raised his hand. “I’m going to follow Rick. We should go in pairs if we have to split up. It’s getting worse by the minute.”
“Good idea.” Seth turned to the others. “Everyone else prepare to go back through. We’ll swing by Burger King to see if anyone made it, but our goal is the onramp.”
Fifteen minutes later a horn beeped and headlights flashed at Jovel and Seth as they shared a snack.
Jovel pointed at the dark blue minivan. “Do you know those guys?”
Seth looked closer. “Yeah! It’s West and Steward, and… and a few others.”
Seth waved to them, motioning them to pull over and park. He and Jovel walked to greet them in front of the minivan. A well-dressed, short Asian guy in his mid fifties stepped from the van. His fitted shirts revealed a prominent ‘V’ shape from countless hours in the gym. Little sticks of gray quarter-inch hair protruded into a perfect silver globe.
Seth reached to shake his hand. “West. I can’t believe you’re here. How many made it?”
West grabbed his hand and squeezed hard enough to make Seth wince. “There’s eight of us here, but Randy will be coming with a lot more.”
Seth smiled. “Randy? That’s great. I have a feeling we’re going to need him.”
Cruz and Rick both returned, and Seth introduced them. “West, this is Cruz and Rick.”
Everyone shook hands and exchanged simple greetings. Seth patted West on the back. “We go way back in the day. Dot com days.”
Cruz asked. “What’s dot com days?”
“The internet boom in San Francisco.” Seth turned to West. “Remember my little coffee table project?”
West laughed. “Yes. It’s in our atrium. It’s covered with Steward’s plants, but it’s there.”
Seth nodded toward the minivan. “Who’s with you?”
“Steward of course, and a few of our church friends. We heard the news in Walnut Creek when we made a pit stop. I saw your message on my blackberry, so we put two and two together and decided to try and catch you.”
Seth leaned back. “What about your home?”
West shook his head. “The traffic is only going to get worse. Besides, just because I have a van full of men and women doesn’t mean we have children to go home to.”
Seth and West laughed, a half-second later Cruz and Rick joined in.
West pointed east. “We’re going to Nevada. A place called Silver Springs. We’re going to take 80 to Fernley, and head south until we hit 50. It’s right there. We have a property prepared for the ‘end of days’.”
Seth nodded his head. “Well, we’re taking 80 all the way to Truckee. You can ride with us until we get there. From Truckee it’s only twenty minutes to Reno, and past Reno you’re home free. You can either stay on 80 to Fernley, or you can drop to Carson City and take the 50 east. There will be less people on 50 for sure.”
West looked at the highway. “It’s getting worse. Let’s get going and I’ll talk to them while we’re driving. We can regroup later.”
They made it back past the Burger King. Fights rumbled in a couple of spots. The other fast food places looked in trouble too. Smoke rose from a fire in the Taco Bell parking lot. Seth looked around for familiar faces, but there was no sign of Randy, or anyone else he recognized.
The onramp traffic moved no more than twenty feet at a time, but at least the convoy started on its way. Seth looked back at the mayhem by Burger King. Somebody jumped on a car’s hood and start yelling.
Seth rolled down Megumi’s window. “What’s he saying?” He listened for a second. “No way! The Carquinez Bridge fell!”
People scrambled for their cars. Seth looked in the side mirror, counting his convoy. West made the turn. Only Cruz and Bruce remained. The line started to move when Seth saw Steward jump from the minivan. He ran to a road sign and marked something on it, making it back to the minivan only a few feet before they reached the highway.
*****
Bruce squinted at the spectacle. “Hey Cruz. He sure runs like a girl?”
Cruz shook his head. “Duh!”
Bruce didn’t get it. “Duh?”
*****
The highway congestion thickened with every minute. None of the five lanes traveled faster than thirty-five miles per hour. Seth tried to text Trent, but the cell phones didn’t work anymore. The convoy rolled under the North Texas overpass in Fairfield at a pace hovering around twenty miles an hour. Several motorcycles split the lanes. One stayed even with Seth. He looked expecting a problem, but saw Trent with a big smile on his face, and his bike loaded with all types of camping equipment. Seth motioned for him to get in front and take the lead.
A few miles down the road they dropped to ten miles per hour. Seth pointed to the northbound traffic on the 505. “They’re going at least thirty-five. Let’s pull off and talk about it.” He honked to Trent and pointed to the exit. Trent found a large shoulder just off the highway, and brought the troops to a stop.
Seth gave Trent a hug when he got off his bike. “Great to see you man. How did you find us?”
“Easy. I sat and waited on the overpass because I knew you we’re going to pass by. The last text I got was something about meeting at Scandia.”
“Yeah, that was a mess.” Seth scratched his head while evaluating the traffic. “I think 80 will die soon. Once traffic stops we’ll be stuck wherever we are.”
Cruz pointed to the 505. “But the same will to happen to us on that road. At least this one is heading east.”
“Yeah, but we’re only going north for twenty to twenty-five miles. We can turn east on Zamora and go through Yuba City to Highway 20. Highway 20 joins back with this road near the summit, about fifteen minutes before Truckee.”
West slapped Seth on the back. “I knew there was a reason we followed your text.”
Seth cringed from the sting. “Great, let’s go. An old Air Force buddy of mine lives in Yuba. We can rest once we get to his house.”
They returned to their cars and one by one merged back on the road whenever a spot opened. Cruz and Bruce ensured everyone made it before they squeezed in. It took the stop and go traffic fifteen minutes to move only a few hundred yards to the onramp for 505 north.
*****
Bruce pointed ahead to West’s minivan parked in the middle of the overpass. “He’s changing a tire already?”
“I’m not sure, but it looks like it.” Cruz noticed Steward doing something on the other side of the railing when a California Highway Patrol car stopped behind the minivan. He recognized Steward’s vulnerability, so he opened his window. “Officer! Officer!”
The cop turned around. “You have to keep moving sir!”
“Will this road take me to Oregon?”
The cop took a step toward the Camaro. “Yes! Now keep moving!”
Cruz smiled. “Sorry. I don’t know this area. Thanks.” They moved forward ten yards right back to their spot in line.
*****
The cop waved a couple cars by before walking over to Steward. “What are you doing?”
Steward jumped up and turned around. He folded his arms and tilted his head. “Yelling at some stupid kids that said mean things.”
The cop looked over the railing but noticed nothing odd. “It’s safer if you stay in the car while your flat is being repaired.”
Steward moved toward the door, but when he saw West come around the back of the minivan with dirty streaks on his sweaty arms from the tire it made him stop in his tracks and admire his partner.
*****
Bruce watched from inside Cruz’s car. He made a sour face and faked a vomit. “Did you see that?”
“I see everything man.” Cruz adjusted his rearview mirror.
Bruce tapped him on the arm. “No. I mean did you see that Stew guy?”
Cruz looked at him. “Come on. You didn’t know they’re gay?”
“No!” Bruce took another look back at the minivan. “Did you?”
“Why do you think a minivan full of men and women wouldn’t have kids?”
“Oh! That’s why they laughed.” Bruce paused a second. “I don’t care if they’re gay, but isn’t Seth going to Stampede to baptize people?”
“Sure, ‘if’ this is the time. Right now we’re just going camping. “ Cruz looked at traffic surrounding them. “And so is the rest of the world.”
“Well.” Bruce thought for a moment. “I guess it’s nothing.”
“Relax Bruce. When we get to Tahoe they will continue on, way far away.”
*****
Past Woodland the traffic thickened, dropping the convoy’s speed to fifteen. Seth looked at Megumi. “This road merges with I-5. I bet a lot of people are trying to go north from Sacramento. At this pace it will be nightfall before we get to Zamora.”
They reached the exit in time to see the sun set behind the western hills. Seth stopped halfway up the exit ramp and waited for the rest of the convoy. He opened the door, and turned to Megumi. “I’m going to the top to see how bad Zamora looks.”
Within twenty minutes Seth returned to a small huddle by the front of his truck. Cruz counted everyone. “We’re all here. Do you think we can we get through?”
Seth pointed his thumb over his shoulder to the top of the off ramp. “People are using both sides of the road to get here. We can try to squeeze by on the shoulder, other cars are doing it.”
“Right on, let’s go.” Jovel started walking toward his car.
“Hold on.” Seth nodded to his boat. ”There’s no way my boat will make it on that soft shoulder. There’s too much weight. I loaded it to the top.”
Cruz looked around. “What are you going to do?”
Seth shrugged his shoulders and put his hands on his hips. “I guess I’ll find a flat spot, and leave it there.”
“What?” Rick stepped between Seth and the boat. “Are you crazy?”
Seth walked around Rick toward the boat. “Okay, everybody grab what you can fit in your car. Whatever’s left they can have.”
Steward shuffled goods from the boat until everyone in the minivan sat with a pile on their lap. Seth looked in the minivan to find Steward’s pile on an empty seat. Someone in the backseat pointed, and Seth turned to see Steward lean over the overpass and spray something on the northbound road signs.
Seth walked around the front of the minivan into the street to try and see what Steward did, but a car approached flashing and honking. Seth turned to see Marcus, Christopher, and Cammy approaching. He leaned into their driver’s side window. “How did you find us?”
Cammy slipped her sunglasses in the visor. “We saw Burger King on fire, and I wasn’t going to pull off the highway.”
Christopher leaned forward from the backseat. “Marcus was teasing some dude tagging the overpass when we saw Seth’s truck. We cut across the grass back on to the 505. Cammy drives like crazy man! She doesn’t care.”
Cruz leaned through the window on the passenger side and set a ten-pound bag of rice on Marcus’ lap. “Load your car with supplies from the boat. We have to keep moving.“
“Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?” Marcus slid the bag off his lap.
“Sorry bro.” Cruz reached in the window and they did the band handshake.
Seth turned and walked down to West’s minivan. “You about ready?”
West leaned across from the driver’s seat to speak out of the passenger window. “Just waiting on, never mind, here he is.”
Steward jumped in the front seat, knocking his pile of goodies to the floor. “OMG! People over there are fighting. We have to get out of here.”
“Good idea. If you’re ready, I’m ready.” Seth returned to his truck.
At the top of the off-ramp Seth turned east on Zamora, and pulled into a flat spot to drop the boat. He walked around it taking one last look while dangling an orange key chain in the air for the gathering crowd to see. “Here are the keys. She’s a great boat.” He tossed them inside and walked away.
*****
The convoy started their push for Yuba City, squeezing between the oncoming cars and the edge of the shoulder of the road.
Cruz passed by the boat no more than thirty seconds after Seth. He pointed to a scuffle. “Check it out Bruce. That dude on the ground is out cold.”
Bruce stared at the mayhem. “Look at those two pound that guy. Oh! Dude. He dropped to his knees. Oh man, that’s not good. Should we help?”
Cruz laughed. “You can’t stop a mob man. Look around you. We’re falling apart.” Cruz nudged Bruce. He winked while pulling a gun from under his seat. “That’s why I carry this.”
Bruce’s eyebrows shot up. “Dude! Is that real?”
Cruz handed it to him. “It isn’t a squirt gun.”
*****
A trail of oncoming headlights wound through the hills. Seth pointed to a few red lights spread along the route from the cars trying to go against the traffic. “As long as they’re moving we should be fine.”
The hills made for a slow and tedious pace. The right tires of the convoy rode well into the soft dirt shoulder. Seth followed an uphill curve to find a silver truck struggling with a boat. The right wheel of the trailer slipped off the shoulder. Several people tried to push it toward the street, but the tires only slipped further in the soft dirt. The truck’s rear tires spun as the driver tried to pull forward. When he let off the gas, the boat pulled the truck to the edge of the hill. The left front tire rose a foot in the air, and the guys around the boat scrambled. One even dove downhill and tumbled off into the dark. The taillights of the trailer rolled into the night air like beady little red eyes. The boat’s pale white belly flopped into the gully, pulling the truck with it. Only a brown cloud of dust remained.
People ran from their cars to the edge, but a huge explosion made them cower. Seth and Megumi stared at their silhouettes. The grass around the valley reflected the light from the flames, and a plume of smoke came into sight from the gully.
Seth noticed Megumi’s eyes get real big. He rubbed her leg. “I’ll bet you’re glad I dropped the boat now, huh?”
*****
Reflections flickered on the convoy from the fire spreading through the dry grass. The shadows of people trying to console a mother and her daughter cast against the side of a delivery truck.
West stopped the minivan. “Lady. We’re going your way. Would you two like to come with us?”
The people around her encouraged her to go. “Where?” She asked.
West smiled. “We can take you to Yuba City, but we’re going to try and reach Reno. It’s too dangerous to stay here. I doubt there’s anything left from the fire, and from the looks of things nobody can come get you. Jump in. You can decide in Yuba.”
“We can’t leave him!”
West looked down and sighed. “I understand your loss ma’am, but look around us. Do you really think we’ll see an ambulance or the fire department come out here in this?”
The girls approached the minivan. “There’s no room for us in there.”
Steward replied. “Sure there is.” He opened his door and threw his boxes out. “We can dump these things and sit on each other’s laps. Yuba’s close.”
West said. “He’s right, come with us. What are your names?”
The mom sniffled and wiped her tears. “This is my daughter Amy. I’m Debbie.”
Amy looked at the marks from the truck going over the edge. “I want to walk mom.”
West saw her stare at the tracks. “Hi Amy, I’m West. It’s okay, I promise. I have All Wheel Drive, no boat, no trailer, and nothing to make us crash. You can get in.”
Debbie looked at the road ahead of them. “You’re going walking speed, so we’ll walk behind you for now.”
West smiled. “We can start there. I understand the road straightens in a mile or so. Let me know anytime you want in.”
*****
The last turn dropped from the hills to the flat farmlands, and into a thin line of car lights running east and west. Cruz pointed at a big thick line in the distance running from south to north. “That’s I-5. We must have reached Zamora at the last moment. Look at them now, they’re stuck.”
Bruce leaned against the dashboard. “How are we going to get across all that?”
“Check it out.” Cruz reached to the floor behind Bruce’s seat and grabbed a police light. “What do you think of this? Open the glove box. There is a mic inside.”
Bruce found the mic. “Why didn’t you use this before?”
Cruz laughed. “What? Nobody’s going to pull over for a green Camaro in broad daylight, and those hills kept us under five miles per hour, but in this dark straightaway I bet we can do thirty-five to forty. Nobody will get a clear view of us until it’s too late.”
“Do you think it will work?”
“Let’s try it.” Cruz pointed below his stereo. “Plug the mic in there and tell people you’re the CHP. Tell them we are responding to a medical emergency. I’ll work the lights and the siren.”
Bruce leaned away, looking at Cruz in disbelief. “You have a siren too?”
“Come on man.” Cruz laughed. “How long have I been dealing with the Highway Patrol? And I don’t mean running from them when I was younger. . . of course I have toys. Lots of them.”
Cruz tapped the siren and placed the red light on his roof. Two blue lights in his grill flashed in strobe light bursts, reflecting off Nico’s truck in front of them.
Nico quickly made room. His face was in shock until he recognized them.
Bruce spoke into the mic. “Follow me sir.” Nico laughed and waved.
Cruz tapped his siren for Seth to pull over, and stopped beside him. Seth’s face dropped when he recognized the Camaro.
Bruce announced into the mic. “Sir, we have a medical emergency. You and your friends please follow us.” He smiled and his head fell back against the seat as they sped away.
Cruz delivered them across the I-5, deep into the farmlands. The traffic reduced to its own side of the yellow line, so Cruz turned the lights and siren off. A few miles later the road slowly turned back to normal, and only a few miles after that the convoy was alone. The only light being their headlights reflecting along the steady row of trees lining the road.
The country road ended at a stop sign, and Cruz didn’t know whether to turn right or left. He leaned out the window and looked back at Seth, who signaled for Cruz to turn left. He started to pull out when he caught a flash of yellow, and heard the sound of crunching metal and screeching tires.
*****
Seth slammed on his brakes. “Look out!” He only saw the other car because it passed within inches of his truck. They didn’t have their lights on.
The Camaro spun around into a ditch across the street, and a yellow El’Camino careened off into the field beside the convoy. A person riding in back flew into the air and landed hard on the shoulder of the road. The El’Camino came to a stop a hundred yards into the tilled dirt, leaving a dust cloud in the brake lights.
Seth put the truck in park and set the brake. He looked at the boy on the side of the road. Megumi grabbed his leg, so he turned to see Bruce staggering into the street. Bruce ran his hand through his hair, and pulled away a bloody hand.
Seth saw Cruz ranting in the distance behind Bruce. He started to get out of the truck, but paused to grab a first aid kit from under his seat. “Megumi, listen. Take this and check Bruce’s head.”
Megumi took the first aid kit and jumped out to help Bruce.
Seth walked toward the unconscious guy on the shoulder. He picked up the kid’s purple baseball hat from the middle of the road. It matched a bandana around his leg. Seth heard the other’s doors opening and closing, so he yelled back to them. “Stay in your cars. There might be more. West, keep your eyes backward. Jovel, keep your eyes open. I’ll check it out.”
Seth turned toward the El’Camino. It looked like a couple of guys were yelling in Spanish, but he couldn’t make them out clearly because of the dust and music from their car. He waved for Nico to join him.
Nico leaned out his window. “We better go. They’re calling for this guy.”
Seth rubbed his chin and watched the silhouettes move back and forth, searching and calling.
Cruz walked up to Seth. He pointed to the guy on the ground. “Is this the punk that messed up my Camaro? Look at him. He’s not even old enough to drive.”
“He was in the back.” Seth nodded toward the guys in the field. “Those guys were in the car.”
Nico walked over and grabbed the purple hat from Seth. He held it in front of Cruz. “Forget it Cruz. We’re out of here. I know this hat. I know this color.”
“Dude! He totaled my ride…”
“Can’t you hear them? This kid is their younger brother, and another guy is just as pissed as you are that his ride is totaled. Man, these guys never travel alone. We can’t win.”
Seth turned to Megumi. “Get back in the truck. Get Bruce in back with Aizu.”
The young man on the ground started to moan. Nico pointed to him. “Look, he’s alive. Let’s go!” He turned to Cruz. “Grab your bag, and jump in the truck when I come around.”
The others two guys were now less than seventy-five yards away, and must have seen the hat in Nico’s hand, or the body on the ground, because they started to yell and run toward them.
The convoy pulled around the corner before the two guys reached the kid moaning in the street.
*****
Across the intersection Nico stopped on the shoulder. He waved the others past him while he waited for Cruz to get his things. His head darted back and forth between checking on Cruz, and making sure the other two guys weren’t coming. “Hurry up man! What are you doing?”
Cruz threw a bag in the passenger window to their cousin. He leaned inside. “I need to get Bruce’s bag too.”
“Are you crazy, those guys will be here any second.”
“One more bag.” Cruz turned and ran back to the Camaro.
The cousin lightly backhanded Nico on the chest and pointed out the drivers window. “Look.”
One of the guys dropped to his knees, picked the limp boy up from the ground, holding him close. He rocked back and forth, crying. After a few seconds he looked up into the sky and screamed.
Nico put the truck in gear and let off the brake. The other guy heard and focused on Nico. He started walking toward them, while reaching into his coat pocket.
Nico turned to the empty passenger window. “Cruz! Now Cruz!” He started rolling forward.
Cruz opened the door. “Slide over Cuz.” He tossed another bag inside and jumped in.
Nico pulled on to the road and punched it. He looked in the rearview mirror, but couldn’t see much because of all the supplies from the boat.
Cruz leaned forward trying to get a view in the side mirrors. “What’s going on?”
The back window of the truck exploded. Nico looked to the side mirror to see the guy firing shots at them. “Stay low!” He stepped harder on the gas.
They raced into the dark, leaving the pops of a handgun in the distance behind them. A mile from the crash they entered a small town, Knights Landing. On the far side of town a small metal two-lane bridge crossed the East Canal. Nico saw the convoy pulled over by a gas station. They were gathered at Seth’s truck, and he had his hood open.
Nico pulled up and rolled down his window. “I hope you’re truck’s not too bad… we just took fire. Nobody got hit, but I figure those guys are only a mile back. They could be here in, what, seven minutes, six if they’re really mad.”
Seth nodded to his side. “There’s a blockade at the bridge. There’s nothing wrong with my engine. I just don’t want those guys to know we’re on to them.”
“I get it. But I wouldn’t do it. You’re exposed right now Seth.” Cruz looked over to the bridge. “Okay, I see three cars, a couple of trashcans on fire, and a few of young guys with flairs.”
Rick walked around to Nico’s window. “Seth said this is the only way.”
Seth leaned in the window. “They are wearing the same purple hat as back in the road. The bandanas kind of make it obvious too. I’m sure they want money to cross, or some kind of fee.”
“Forget that!” Rick interrupted. “I’m not paying any Mexican to walk across a bridge in the United States.”
Seth put his finger to his lips. “Shhhh. Keep calm.”
“I don’t know man.” Nico tapped on the steering wheel. “There’s at least one more guy on the other side they give the money to. Who knows how many more?”
Rick started walking away. Nico turned and leaned out the window. “Rick! Where are you going?”
Rick stomped toward his car. “Danny and Duke are going with Cammy.”
“And then what? They’ll kill you man.”
Rick stopped and turned around. “And then I’m going to pay the toll with my FastTrac. We’ll see who gets killed.”
Seth closed the hood of his truck. “Okay you guys, better get back to your cars. Quickly.”
Nico whistled from his truck. “What’s the plan Seth?”
Seth climbed into his truck. “If Rick makes it across, we follow. You bring up the rear.
“And if he doesn’t?”
Seth started his engine. “I’ll push him through and you still bring up the rear.”
*****
Seth saw one of the guys on the bridge watch Rick. He looked right at Seth while tapping on his buddy’s shoulder. They both made eye contact with Seth.
From the back of the convoy Seth heard a couple of car doors slam shut and an engine start. Each rev grew louder. A loud screech made Seth look out his window. A second screech at the shift made him put his truck in gear. “Everybody buckle up. We’re moving!”
*****
Rick raced toward the bridge. He saw one of the guys run over to the other side toward the money guy. The guy on the bridge pulled out a gun while walking toward Rick. Rick shifted again and pushed the pedal to the floor. He noticed the guy stop at the front of the bridge and train his sights on him, so he flashed his high beams.
The gunman opened fire. Rick’s side mirror exploded. He ducked toward the center console. At the same time the windshield shattered and another bullet ripped his headrest off. He swerved a bit, but kept straight enough to make it on the bridge.
The shooter dove to the side, but the front of Rick’s car hit his legs, spinning his body away from the car, and slamming him into the side rails. His back hit right on a pole. A loud crack echoed, and he screamed while falling to the ground. His body hit the ground hard and his gun slid off the side of the bridge into the water.
Rick crashed through the barrels on the bridge. The other two guys jumped over the edge into the water. Rick hit one of their cars, knocking it down the left embankment where it landed on top of the money guy’s car, but also rolling Rick’s car down the right side to a little clearing. He came to a stop upside down in a cloud of dust.
*****
The convoy worked their way through the wreckage on the bridge. Nico crossed last. He stopped by the guy Rick hit. He was moaning in and out of consciousness. “Listen essay. I could have been you. I would have been you, but I learned there is more to life than colors. You need to dig deeper if you’re still breathing tomorrow. You…”
Nico’s cousin caught a glimpse of something in the passenger side mirror. He started yelling. “Go. Go. Nico! Go!”
Nico turned to see the two guys from the wreck walking in the middle of the street with fifteen to twenty other angry gangsters. Little metallic flashes reflected off their weapons from the streetlights. Nico floored it, honking and flashing his lights while pushing across the bridge. Behind him the gang started running. They closed in fast. Bottles, wrenches, and rocks landed all around the truck.
Nico crossed the bridge and stopped by Seth. “We got to go! The rest of the gang is coming across right now.”
*****
Seth called to Rick, standing outside his car in a daze. “Jump in man. Those guys are back.”
Rick looked over to the shadows coming across the bridge. The noise grew louder and closer. An incoming whistling sound caught everyone’s attention, and a hammer smashed into Jovel’s hood. Everyone stared at the handle sticking out for a microsecond, and ran! Jovel punched it. Nico followed right behind him.
Seth yelled at Rick. “Jump in!”
Rick climbed in next to Megumi. They all looked at each other when they heard something hit the roof. Seth locked the doors and tried to floor it. At the same moment he saw a hand try to open his door.
On Rick’s side somebody hooked their arm in the window. Aizu bit the arm and started shaking it. Rick turned and punched the guy in the nose so hard Seth heard the bones shatter. The guy fell to the roadside, and rolled to a stop. The truck bounced when Seth’s rear tires hit him.
Seth looked at Rick. “Not my problem.”
Rick looked back at Seth. “You don’t know how lucky…” But he was interrupted by the point of a pick slicing through the roof of the cab. It stopped within inches of Megumi’s face. Her eye’s locked on the rusty steel. It started to wiggle as the attacker tried to remove it for another whack. Megumi grabbed it. She held on, bouncing around as he tried to pull it out.
Seth told her. “Let go when I say, okay? Ready, now!”
Megumi released the pick. The attacker pulled up way too fast. The pick flew into the night. He lost his balance and started to fall back, but Seth slammed on the brakes. The attacker slid off the cab, bounced off the hood, and hit his butt real hard on the pavement. He rolled several times and came to a stop. He started to move, but the pick landed on his leg, piercing it, and pinning him to the road. He cussed at them in Spanish when Seth drove around him.
Rick looked at Seth. “Not your problem.”
Down the road a few miles Seth caught up to the others waiting in a parking lot. He looked over the group. “Okay, enough drama for the night. Let’s get to Yuba while we can. We’ll be there within the hour.”
Rick rubbed his hands on his legs. “I’m just ready for today to end. I’m tired. I can’t imagine being back on 80 or the 5 with all those people.”
Seth tried to make a joke. “How much traffic did we see tonight? And now look around us… Nothing. Even now nobody wants to go to Yuba City.”
Megumi smiled a little. She stopped short of showing her teeth, but she smiled for the first time. Maybe she’s coming around.
*****
The convoy limped toward Yuba. The occasional lights of on coming cars told the story of each person, deep in thought on what happened today. Debbie and Amy took it harder than the others. Their soft crying broke the silence in West’s mini-van.