ALL IS SILENCE by Robert L. Slater

Author:Robert L. Slater [Slater, Robert L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Rocket Tears Press
Published: 2014-01-06T08:00:00+00:00

Lizzie’s head nodded as the truck hit the endless bumps on the freeway south of Seattle. The last thing she saw as her head dropped against the seat was the row of planes sitting idle at Boeing Field.

The squeal of brakes woke her abruptly.

“Holy crap. Would you look at that?” Zach stared straight ahead.

Lizzie followed his gaze. A couple of tigers, the size of small horses, padded patiently across the freeway. The Tank’s approach and its skidding stop had not disturbed them.

Zach glanced back at Lizzie. “I guess that’s what the guy meant about watch out for Tacoma.”

Lizzie watched the graceful cats cross into the median. “You think someone let out the big animals like we let out the pets?”

“Looks like it.” Nev said.

Lizzie yawned. “Let’s take that as a sign not to stop in Tacoma.”

“Suits me.” Zach eased forward, passing the cats.

Lizzie’s brain was still trying to wrap itself around how many people were left. “One percent,” she muttered, doing mental calculations. “I think there were about 100,000 in Bellingham, but I have no clue about the rest of Whatcom County. Which means, what… 1000 survivors? Total? In Bellingham?”

Zach gave a low whistle.

Nev gaped. “At Bellingham High School we had 950 students. That’s no more people left than fit in the gym.”

Zach whistled and did his drum roll on the dashboard. “And how many are like our buddy, Spike, back there?” Spike’s head popped up. “Hey, Spike. We’re talking about you, aren’t we?”

“I still don’t know what it means,” Lizzie said.

“What do you mean, ‘what it means’?” Zach shook his head. “It means shit. It means the human race is pretty screwed.”

“Or does it finally mean we’re not? No more population problems, a lot less cars on the road...”

“I dunno,” Zach drawled. “I’m a hick from Sedro-Woolley. But I know India had more honor students last year than we had students!” He smiled.

“You mean like, all of a sudden there is enough gas?” Nev smiled. “And enough water.”

“And enough beer.” Zach laughed.

Nev chuckled and dug a finger into his rib. “Course, I was hoping for a track scholarship and then a B.A. in B.S. There goes my chance to charm some rich guy into marrying me. Money isn’t worth what it used to be.”

“But now a guy can shower you with diamonds after a quick trip to a jewelry store.” Zach winked at Nev and she blushed.

Lizzie intentionally ignored them and continued her calculations. “40,000 people left in the Seattle area. How many people in the whole world? Before this, I mean.”

“Over seven billion, I think.” Nev took up the calculation. “a billion is a one with nine zeroes, one percent of that is a one with seven zeroes, right? Ten million for every billion. Doesn’t really seem like we’re in that rough of a place. Not like extinction watch.”

“What’re we going to do,” Zach asked, “once we connect with your dad and Jess?”

Lizzie had no answer. “No idea. Where is it safe? Where do we find people we want to hang out with? Where do we want to go? Northwest Washington is a decent place.

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