Apocalypse Summer by Tyler H. Jolley

Author:Tyler H. Jolley [Tyler Jolley, Mary Geis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jolley Chronicles
Published: 2020-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“It’s getting late. I think we should sleep on it and have clearer heads tomorrow.” Matt rested his elbows on his knees and hung his head. His chair squeaked.

“Gotta find a way to prove you’re right, don’t you?” Justin asked. “Fine, take all night. But you can’t deny what’s around you.”

“Justin, I’m not the enemy. Yes, this is all here, you’re right. I’m just having a hard time connecting the dots, okay? This all seems strange to me. The only logical thing is that the apocalypse is over, and he was moving us here to live. We were moved first because our column was the most in danger. I’m sure Darin will be bringing others soon. From the cryovault . . . from the cave.”

“I’m scared,” Stacy said.

For once, Matt thought she was being genuine. “I don’t want to split up.”

“Me either,” Kim said.

“M-maybe we should all sl-sleep in here tonight?” Nathan asked. “Together?”

“Safety in numbers—good idea.” Cody stood and clapped his hands together. “I think I saw some sleepin’ bags in one of the backrooms.”

“I saw them too,” Kyle said. “I’ll help.”

“Great,” Matt said.

They set up their sleeping bags in a circle, heads toward the middle. Once the sun had set, it was pitch-black outside. Matt stared out the window. No stars, no moon. Justin insisted that it was just cloudy; Matt silently disagreed. A green lantern in the center of the group illuminated the room. Awkward conversation only lasted a few minutes before it was lights-out.

Matt felt the tension. He knew he wasn’t the only one questioning things. But he understood why people sided with Justin. Instead of sorting it out now, Matt closed his eyes and drifted into his first natural sleep in a few decades.

The hard floor beneath Matt vibrated. His eyes flashed open. “Does anyone else feel that?”

Before anyone could answer, gears popped loudly.

“I think it’s the gennie,” Cody said. “Like what we heard before.”

“This loud? In here?” Matt asked.

The grinding grew louder, and the entire room shook. Metal screeched and groaned.

Victoria screamed.

“What the—” Matt stood. Then everything stopped. “That was weird.”

“Wh-what w-w-was th-th-that?” Nathan’s voice trembled.

The grinding and popping started again, but this time the room remained still.

“I’m going to turn off the generator.” Matt lit the lantern. “See if that helps.”

“I’m coming too,” Justin said.

“You guys aren’t leaving us.” Kim stood, put a blanket over her shoulders like a shawl. “No way. That’s like, literally the start of every horror movie, Voorhees.”

“Yeah, I’m coming too.” Stacey mirrored Kim and wrapped herself in a flannel sheet.

“Okay,” Matt said. “Let’s all go.”

“Not me.” Rhett turned on his side, eyes sealed shut. “Too tired.”

“Rhett, get up!” Kim kicked his legs.

He groaned but didn’t move.

“Fine,” Kim said. “Then I’ll find someone else to keep me safe.”

“Okay, okay.” Rhett stood, wiped the sleep from his eyes.

Matt led the group down the stairs, the lantern his only source of light. No crickets, grasshoppers, or cicadas buzzed, just the sounds of their footsteps on the dirt ground. Fog curled around their ankles.

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