The End Boxset: Postapocalyptic Visions of an Unstoppable Collapse Read Online Free Page A

and hitting each other on the back.
    “Everyone's a comedian,” Jeremy said, “everyone who's anyone.”
    He wrung the mop in a yellow mop bucket, drops sprinkling onto his black work sneakers. He looked at his watch and shook his head. Four hours of the workday left.
     
    He hadn't spoken to Linda in longer than he could remember. At first he thought it had been months, but when he actually did the math, he found that it had been almost two years. For some reason, as he strolled to his next prepper meeting, she was on his mind like a permanent fixture. Maybe he could call and see how she's doing. He could give her some tips on how to survive disaster. He'd learned a few useful things by now, definitely enough to impress a novice like her. But did she even have the same phone number? After taking the bus, Jeremy walked to the newly arranged location for the week's meeting. It was to take place in a pool hall owned by one of the members. It would be closed for the night and off-limits to outsiders. Rob had stressed that it was going to be a very important meeting.
     
    Jeremy entered the dimly lit room. A bar stood at one end, two pool tables stood at the other. Several small tables and chairs were scattered between. He was surprised to see only one person, a hefty and older individual, sitting at one of the small tables, smoking a cigarette.
     
    The man looked up at Jeremy and took a long, hard drag
    “You part of the prepper group?” the man asked, blowing a cloud of smoke.
    “Yeah.” Jeremy replied.
    The man dug a small envelope from his pocket; such movement clearly uncomfortable for him.
    “There's no meeting tonight, or any other night for that matter,” he said. He then asked for Jeremy's name, first and last. Jeremy gave it to him. The man held out his large arm, clutching the piece of paper for Jeremy to take.
    “Here, Rob wanted you to have this. You're the last one,” the man said as he took another drag. “There will be no more meetings. We've reached code red status.”
    Bewildered, Jeremy grabbed the note.
    “Code red? What the hell does that mean? Sounds like something out of a—”
    “Don't worry 'bout it. Just get out of here. I've got to be on my way, myself.”
     
    Jeremy left the aforementioned meeting site. On the street he opened the envelope while cautiously looking around. People passed by without suspicion. Inside the envelope was a typed card with no real indication of authorship other than Rob's signed initials at the bottom:
     
    My Fellow American,
     
    We've talked about the necessity to flee should
    the time come. I say with no reservation
    that the time is now. Get out of the cities.
    Refer to the relocation manuals we passed out
    the other week. This will tell you
    the ideal spots to dwell once disaster hits.
    I only hope we're able to flee in time. I've
    recently gained information that provides the
    answer to the question, how long do we have?
    Very little, my friends, it's coming.
     
    RS
     
     

Chapter 6: It Begins
     
    Brian was starting to get used to the ninth grade. His first week had been rough. The second week a little better. The third week was shaping up to be uneventful in all regards, which was perfectly fine with him. On Wednesday, Brian and Tobias sat at a circular outside lunch table eating their daily grub. This usually consisted of a bag of chips and a soda out of the machine, but today Brian wanted cafeteria pizza.
     
    “What the hell is that?” Tobias asked pointing to Brian's lunch tray.
    “It's pizza. What?” Brian fired back.
    “Nothing. Looks pretty nasty,” Tobias continued as he ate a potato chip.
Brian took a bite of his soggy pizza slice and choked it down as to not give Tobias any satisfaction.
    Tobias studied Brian intently “So, how is it?”
    Brian took another bite and chewed as many times as his jaws would let him.
    “It's delicious. Just eat your potato chips, don't worry about me.”
    “Whatever you say, man,” Tobias said while