“Virus”

(Not final title)

By: Jason Linder

People say that in order to succeed in life that you need to be up to date with today’s technology.

Whatever.

In reality, we have become more dependent on technology and less independent with ourselves. I’ve been doing research and I know for a fact that the chances of human survival without technology are less than 25. I know it’s sad but it’s true.

Oh, I’m sorry; you people probably have no clue who I am. My name is Jackal Sandowik. I know, I sound like some sort of free-thinking troublemaker. And you are right; I am, as far as everyone else is concerned. Just because I don’t worship the high and mighty computer overlords, that makes me a troublemaker.

I have my own beliefs ok? I am 25 years old and have been majoring in history here at the University of Cyberton. And in the course of my studies, I have taken note at how many times computers have failed.

For example, did you know that the tragedy of September 11’Th could have been avoided if the computers had not failed to warn military intelligence of the presence of Taliban terrorists? The government had a lot of information, including picture ID, all documented into the airline computers databases. But the computers never caught this information and as a result we experienced one of the worst tragedies ever.

A large computer malfunction occurred back in the year 2095. The financial gain in the world was doing wonderful, computers were controlling the stock market and everything was doing fine, until one lone computer screwed up and imputed one wrong digit in the stock market causing thousands upon thousands of people to panic and sell their stock causing a third Great Depression (the second great depression occurred way back in 2010 as a result of the military using all our taxes and social security on their war on terror in Iraq.)

After that, it was decided that all form of currency would be safer if they were streams of data on computers called “Digits”. The need to carry around money was eliminated, instead people now carried a small pocket-sized computer that stored and received Digits for payment and purchase needs. And may I add that Digits are something that I have a very short supply of.

I just don’t trust computers or technology for that matter. In my belief, if computers can fail in the year 2095, then they could certainly backfire now in the year 3045. And the results, I am sad to say, would be catastrophic.

And they were…

I awoke from the tiny jolt in my head, much like my brain was being jumpstarted on a cold morning. I rose out of my bed, and grabbed my Master Remote (MR for short) and had my bed made. Mechanical arms extended from the wall and began making my bed. Seeing that my blanket had some unsightly folds in it I reached out to fix it and one of the mechanical hands slapped me away. I whined, “I don’t like how you make the bed.” The arm responded by making a very obscene gesture at me. “Pushy house,” I muttered.

You see, people back in 2086 grew fed up with doing everything themselves, simple tasks like making the bed, turning on the light and even opening the shades were a waste of time and energy. So all houses were fit with a master Brain and all residents are entrusted with a remote the size of an average cell phone was back in 2000. These remotes control everything from turning on the TV to brushing your own teeth.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and looked at the Master Remote’s built in clock. It was 12:34 PM. “Not again!” I grumbled in annoyance, it looks like the molecular brain chip in my head had failed to wake me at the programmed time of 8:05 AM. I pressed “Menu” on the MR. A holographic screen appeared in front of me. I touched the area marked “Alarm” on the screen, and my alarm settings appeared on screen. It seemed right; it still was set for 8:05 AM. “God Dammed Brain-Chip is malfunctioning again.” I growled, “Now I missed my Historic Literature class.”

Walking into the bathroom, I sat down on my toilet. Yes, we still go to the bathroom the same way, but instead of flushing the waste down a sewer, it all is disintegrated instead. The same thing goes for the garbage.

After I finished my business, I opened the “Hygiene” menu on my MR. I selected shower and a small cubical complete with a nozzle appeared around me. I waited for the water to start up.

A few minutes passed, and still no water. I continued standing under the nozzle like a Cult member awaiting eternal salvation.

Still no water…

Growling in frustration I checked the nozzle. No water, not even a tiny drop. I checked the shower settings on my MR, and pressed start on screen.

Still, nothing happened.

I pressed start again and again, but no water came.

Finally, I angrily punched the screen; I was suddenly blasted by a Gail of ice cold water, and was thrown off my feet.

After my morning Power Wash, I decided to get dressed. I grabbed my I-belt and strapped it around my waist. I pushed the menu button and a holographic screen appeared before me, showing me a list of the cloths I had available to me.

You see, about 80 years ago, 2064, people finally got fed up with storing, folding, and washing, and re-washing cloths. So like everything else in this world, all cloths became digital. The I-belt is a device that projects clothing onto our bodies. It’s incredible technology but it’s also unnecessary. I know your getting tired of my extensive descriptions by now, but if I don’t explain these things to you who will?

I chose what I wanted to wear, a black T-shirt with the Punisher’s symbol on it, Grey Pants, shoes, and a black leather trench-coat. I made my selections and then pressed Up-load. A beam of electric green light washed over my body, and the cloths appeared out of nowhere covering up my nakedity.

As I began to gather my class supplies, I passed in front of my mirror, and froze. I was wearing a hot-pink mini skirt, a rainbow colored tank-top, red high heels, and what felt like a thong riding up my ass.

It was at this moment that my dorm room door burst open and there, with her eyes wide and jaw dropped stood my 23 year old best friend, Alexia Patience. We’ve been friends since 8’Th grade and we were very close.

“Ummm… am I interrupting anything Jackal?” She asked uneasily, her eyebrows raised in question.

“Oh be quiet Alexia.” I snapped. I was already in a savage mood, and I didn’t need to hear Alexia’s snide comments.

“So tell me Jackal,” she continued knowing she was irritating me and loving it, “Is this the reason you missed class this morning or are you just dressing up for me?”

I got right into her face and growled, “The reason I missed class this morning is because my stupid brain-chip malfunctioned again! And as far as this outfit is concerned, something is wrong with my I-belt… again!”

“Oh poor Jackal,” she cooed in mock-concern, “The entire world is against you isn’t it you poor baby?”

“Yes it is!”

She gave me a hug, “It’s alright Jackal, don’t cry. You’re just technologically challenged, that’s all.”

“This in this day and age, means that I won’t succeed in anything.”

“Oh you always overact,” she laughed rolling her eyes. I didn’t laugh with her, I looked Alexia directly in the eyes and said, “Don’t you find it a little odd that more and more technological problems have been occurring everywhere these last few months?”

“Well sure there have been problems; there are always problems with everything.” She said, sitting on my bed, “But now that you mention it there have been a lot more things going wrong than usual lately.”

“Doesn’t that concern you?” I asked.

She gave me here usual “what are you talking about” look.

I began to fix my clothing problem. I was starting to get used to the thong, and that was beginning to scare me. “I don’t feel very safe with computers running every part of our lives,” I said as I chose different cloths.

“But why?” Alexia asked me, “You’ve been raised to use these computers all your life, why do you rebel now?”

“Because they have failed me and many others way too many times in the past.” I replied, “History has shown many failures with computers. It’s a little scary if
you ask me.”

She giggled and as soon as the right cloths appeared on my body, she tugged on my arm, “Whatever history boy, let’s go get some lunch.”

“I’m just saying that trusting our lives to a piece or computer hard ware just isn’t very smart.” I continued griping as we walked into the cafeteria.

“Would you please give it a rest Jackal?” Alexia replied, rubbing her temple, “I’m getting a headache.”

“But aren’t you at all concerned?” I asked.

“Well sure I am,” she replied, “there is always a chance that things don’t work. But computers have been a part of my life since the day I was born and I’ve just accepted it. Why whine about something that I can’t change right?”

“Because it gives us something to do!” I snapped. She sighed and imputed her food preferences into the e-cafés computer screen. The cooking machine whirred loudly as the food was being created, prepared and cooked. I always wondered what it would be like to eat a meal prepared by hand, not this goo created from soy and machines.

“Jackal, you really need to give this whole “computers are evil” phase out of your head” Alexia said as she waited for her food to be created, processed, cooked, and served. “Look what your Amish beliefs have gotten you; you have almost no friends, no job, and on top of all that, you are failing your classes.”

“First of all; I do not have Amish beliefs, because even the Amish have resorted to using out dated technology. And secondly; I am entitled to my own damn opinion, so back off!”

Ding! Her food was ready. Alexia opened the door, and pulled out a perfect tray containing a slice of pizza, a big salad, and a bottle of diet Pepsi-coke. I stepped up and chose my meal, spaghetti and meatballs.

“It’s my true belief that computers will be the death of us all!” I griped as I waited for my food to finish.

“And you’re willing to shatter your own life-style of this crazy bull shit belief?” Alexia asked me.

“Computers have failed me way too many times in my life. So please forgive me if I just don’t have the desire to put my life in the hands of some poorly put together piece of crap machinery that don’t even have brains!”

The food processor beeped at just seconds before the door flung open and my food was fired at me like it was from a cannon! “See!? I look like a dread locker gone wrong!” I shouted at her, “Did you see what that computer did to me!?”

“I don’t know, but I’m starting to think that all computers have a personal Vendetta against you.” Alexia laughed.

It started just like any normal day…

I awoke at noon once again. Fortunately I didn’t have class that morning. However I growled in annoyance anyway. I started noticing something wrong when my computer’s holo-screen didn’t come up. But then again I was becoming used to my computer acting this way.

Because of this I was unable to shower or change my cloths. No matter, I just wore the same outfit that was downloaded into my i-belt already. I’ll get it fixed later today I thought to myself.

I picked up my cell phone and dialed the computer repair man and my best buddy, Mikey Phish. Ever since we were kids, Mikey has always had this special talent to fix computers. He could figure out almost any computer problem, and it was lucky he was my friend, because now that he’s 25 and fixing computers for a living, he doesn’t charge me anything. He and Alexia had fallen in love with each other in high school and have been dating ever since.

The phone rang a few times before I finally heard Mikey pick up.

“Hello this is Mikey Phish, specialty in computer repair, how may I help you today?”

“Dude! It’s me.” I said.

“Jackal? Hey how the hell are ya man? I haven’t heard from you in a week.” Mikey said happily.

“Yeah I know, I’ve been busy.” I replied.

“Busy missing classes I hear,” he remarked, “Alexia told me.”

“Dude, it’s not my fault,” I argued, “My damn brain chip isn’t working right.”

“Dude, why do you always blame technology?” Mikey asked.

“Don’t start with me ok?” I grumbled, “I need you to come over sometime today.”

“What for?” Mikey asked, “Is it important, I have a lot to do today.”

“My computer is down today,” I explained, “I need you to fix it for me please?”

“I can’t do it man,” he said with a sigh, “I got way to many customers calling me and complaining that their computers won’t work. It seems like almost everyone’s computers went down today.”

“Wait, you mean I’m not the only one having this problem today?” I asked, perplexed.

“It’s almost like a virus is spreading around the town like the flu.” He said, “I’ll try and make it down there today, but I can’t make you any promises man.” Off in the background I heard dozens of phones ringing, “I gotta go now, bye!” He said, and hung up before I even opened my mouth to say good bye.

I stood in silence for awhile, several computers just quit working today… that’s very… interesting, I thought to myself. But what does it mean?

A soft noise alerted my attention and I turned around to find Alexia standing in my doorway. It appeared that she too, could not access her computer as she was also still wearing the same cloths she had on yesterday. This wasn’t entirely bad because she wore her really tight low cut white shirt along with her very nice and tight blue jeans yesterday.

“Hello Jackal,” she said, “nice hairdo, get in a fight with your comb?”

“Good afternoon Alexia,” I greeted, with a smug smile, “let me first thank you for wearing what is quite possibly, the best outfit you own. And also let me be the first to rub this in your face, Computers are failing everywhere on campus today. I just got off the phone with Mikey, he told me that almost everyone is calling in, all complaining about the same problem.”

“I’m glad that you like my curves you pig,” she remarked, “And I’m glad to tell you that you are not the first one to tell me this. My computer isn’t working either. And for your information, it’s not the whole town that this is happening, it’s the entire world.”

She pressed the power button on my TV and turned it up. The anchor man on TV was reporting that computers world wide, have broken down will no longer work. The FBI is investigating these strange turn of events, and he also urged the many watching at home to please remain calm.

He then repeated the same thing over again, and continued doing so. Alexia turned off my TV and said, “It’s been doing that since ten this morning.”

“What do you think this means?” I asked, “Do you think I was right about computers all along?”

“No I don’t think you were right, and for the record, I never will think that,” she remarked, “I think it’s another supposed terrorist attack on us. I really don’t think this is anything to worry about Jackal.”

“Well, for everyone’s sake, let’s hope that everything is ok.” I said, walking out the door with her, “I mean, what would this world do without computers?”

Fifteen minutes later, I decided the answer to that question was; nothing. Nobody on campus could barley function without computers telling them what to do and how to do it. I realized that I had a better capability to teach my classes than my professors did.

Without their computers, they couldn’t do anything. They truly had no clue what was going on. A couple teachers tried to save face and decided to wing it and improvise, which truly was a sad sight. One teacher just quit and dismissed class for the day.

Despite how pathetically sad this whole ordeal was, I was absolutely loving this! It was turning out that I was right about computers all along. It was so nice to see that my theory of people being unable to function without computers was correct. In fact, my theory was more than correct. Hell, I was dead-on!

Several people kept shooting me dirty glares all day, as if daring me to say,
“I told you so.”

Since I am quite scrawny and weak, I didn’t say anything about this or my theory… verbally.

The smug smile I wore on my face practically screamed it.

I laughed to myself all the way back to my dorm. I was right, and I loved knowing it. I had never felt so alive. I unlocked my door and slipped inside. As soon as I dead bolted the door I breathed a sigh of relief, I could now fully enjoy my moment of triumph. People had been glaring daggers at me all day, and it was a wonder I didn’t get attacked. Everyone could now see I was right and it seemed they hated me for it.

Laughing out loud, I lied down on my bed. I needed a nap. I continued chuckling to myself as I crawled under the blankets. I closed my eyes and began to drift to sleep.

Until I felt something hard poking me in the ass. What in the world is that? I thought to myself. I felt around until my hand grabbed something. It was long, and hard, and it kind of felt like a… OH MY GOD!!!

I screamed and jumped out of bed immediately! In the darkness I heard someone else cry out and then something crashed to the floor.

I quickly turned on my light, so I could discover the identity of my mysterious spooner. And lying on the floor, completely naked, tangled up in my sheets and looking very battered, was Mikey. He really looked like hell.

“Mikey!? What the hell are you doing in my dorm room? And why are you naked? And why on God’s Green Earth did you just try to Rape me!?”

He looked up at me, his eyes shone with fear, “ I’m hiding out,” He cried.

“From who?” I asked.

“My customers,” he gasped, “I can’t figure out what’s wrong with any of the computers. I don’t know what went wrong with them. When I told my customers this, they got angry and started attacking me. They chased me through town. They beat me up, threw things at me, and one little punk even stole my I-belt!”

“Well, that explains why you were naked,” I said. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah,” he rasped, his voice sounding very sore, “I came here to hide out. As I was waiting for you I dozed off, and next thing I knew you screamed and I fell to the floor.” He started to get to his feet, the sheet slipping off his body, “Please, for god’s sake, don’t get up!” I cried. There were just some things fellow man was not meant to see.

I gave him my old I-belt, and offered him some food. “I hope its ok I came here Jackal,” he said, “I didn’t know where else to go,”

“Its fine, your always welcome here, “ I explained, “My bed however, is now forever off limits to you.”

“Do you think I’ll be safe here?” he asked, worriedly glancing at the door.

“Definitely,” I said, “No one ever comes here.”

A loud knock at the door suddenly caught my attention. Mikey screamed and dove underneath my bed in terror.

“I was never here Jackal!” He cried out, “Tell them you don’t know me, tell them I went to Spain.”

“I’ll tell them you’re gay if you don’t shut up!” I hissed.

Opening the door, I was relieved to see Alexia standing outside. “Hey Jackal,” She said, looking anxious, “Can I come in?”

“Of course you can.” I said, stepping aside to let her past. “Although I certainly hope you’re not planning a romantic evening alone.” I said, closing the door behind me.

She turned and glared at me playfully, “Why not?” she asked.

I just smiled and pointed behind her; she turned around and screamed out. “Where the hell did you come from Mikey?” She gasped out, clutching her chest.

“I’ve been hiding out here.” He replied, “The world’s gone crazy.”

“And it isn’t about to get any saner either.” She said, brushing hair out of her face, “It’s chaos out there.”

The pandemonium that was raging outside was indeed very intense. All around people were running about, screaming, and destroying things. It was a full scale riot!

“I think it might be a good idea if you guys just stayed here tonight.” I said as the head of a statue flew by and smashed against a wall.

I closed and dead-bolted my door, this was starting to get scary. I feared for my life. More importantly, I feared for Mikey and Alexia’s life.

As the sun began to set, I looked over at Mikey and Alexia, curled up in a ball on my recliner. Look what happened to the poor guy, the world has turned against him because he couldn’t do anything. I feared that my theory was correct, mankind could not survive without technology, and it’s already starting to happen. The fall of man has begun. Then I looked at Alexia, tucked safely into his chest breathing softly, having already fallen asleep. I really envied Mikey, he had someone who loved him, and I had no one. It made sense, who would want to date the freak who hates computers? Mikey had Alexia and I had no one. Oh Well, At least we are all together, I thought to myself, at least we are all ok.

I awoke to a sharp stabbing pain in my stomach that morning, I was hungry. Really hungry. Getting out of bed I noticed that Alexia was gone. She must have gone home. I wish she would have at least had said goodbye. Oh well, I just hope she made it home ok.

I looked over at Mikey, he was still asleep. “It’s time for him to get up.” I said to myself. I slowly approached him. He was still in his blanket-cocoon. “Hey Mikey,” I called, shaking him, “Wake up dude.” He grumbled something about a pony and curled up into an even tighter ball.

“Come on Mikey, wake up!” I cried louder.

Still no reaction.

“That’s it,” I growled, and I forcefully yanked the blanket off him. I cried out in surprise, he was naked again. “Hey! Wake up!” I angrily shouted, “Get your big naked ass out of my chair!”

He opened his eyes and looked at me, and screamed. “What’s your problem you little nudist?” I asked.

“Nudist!? I’m not the one running around with my genitals proudly hanging out!”
He cried.

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who’s rubbing his jolly toys on my blanket and chair. If you and Alexia did what I think you did….” I said

“We didn’t do anything dude,” he snapped at me.

“You know you’re always welcome in my home, but as far as Mr. Johnson is concerned…”

“Would you shut up and put your i-belt back on?” He cried shielding his eyes, “you’re burning my retinas!”

“I am wearing my i-belt you dunce!” I snapped, “Please practice what you preach before I go permantly blind!”

“But I’m wearing my i-belt too.” He said, looking down, realizing that he was nude. I also discovered that I was as naked as the day I was born.

“What happened?” he asked me. “Why aren’t the i-belts working?”

“Must you even ask?” I snapped, “They died, along with all the rest of technology.”

“What are we supposed to do then,” he asked, “Should we make togas out of
our sheets?”

“That is a great idea,” I said, patting him on the back. Just then, my door burst open and there stood Alexia. “No you’re not interrupting a nice tender moment between us,” I said before she could make any smart remarks, “You just have a knack for busting in my room at very bad times.”

“I don’t care if I am,” she said, coming inside, she looked tired, scared, and battered. She was wearing a new change of cloths, a cute pink long sleeved shirt, and a blue mini skirt, but they were tattered, dirty and torn.

“What’s going on?” I asked. She threw something at me and Mikey, “Put those on, and do it quickly!” she cried, staring out the window. We picked up the strange objects she had thrown at us. It was soft, and light. I unfolded it to discover that she had thrown a t-shirt and pants at us. But these felt different than normal clothes, these felt… well, really comfortable.

My eyes lit up as I realized what these were, “Are these real fabric?” I asked Alexia. She nodded, and motioned for me to hurry up. But I was lost in a dream, “I can’t believe it, real cotton! Real Denim! This nightmare is quickly becoming a dream!”

“Would you quit fooling around and get dressed,” Alexia hysterically cried. I looked over at her in surprise, “Alexia, what’s wrong?”

“We gotta get out of here, out of town.” She explained, “These people are going crazy over the technology loss. People can’t work, they can’t eat, sleep, go places, and they can’t do anything! They are all going crazy, they aren’t thinking straight. Jackal, the people are all blaming you.”

“Oh goody,” I remarked, “I was wondering when all of this would get turned around on to me.”

“Jackal, the people are enraged. They think you’re the cause of this because everyone knows how much you hate computers and technology.” She grabbed me, a concerned look in her eyes, “Jackal, we need to get out of here now because a huge mob is coming this way… for you… for us.”

“This is no good.” I replied,

“You’re taking this news awfully well,” Mikey pointed out.

“Oh yeah? Look into my eyes.” I said. I was terrified, I did not have anywhere to hide, and in this insanity, the people of this town would find me and they would kill me, there was no doubt about that. “Guys, you two need to get out of here. It’s me they want; I don’t want you two to get hurt.”

“We aren’t going anywhere without you!” Alexia said, defiantly, “Besides, I know of a place where we can hide out. No body will find us there.” She opened the door and walked outside, “Just follow me.”

We walked outside, after grabbing a few things and stuffing them into backpacks. It was really gloomy, from where we were the town looked deserted. Windows were smashed, buildings had collapsed and were on fire, and the streets were covered with rubble, computer parts, and blood. The sky was blood red, and the air was dense, and lined with smoke.

Outside, waiting for us were three bicycles. I recognized them from my research. There were two large bikes; a blue one and a black one. And sitting next to them was a slightly smaller pink bike that had a white basket with pink flowers on the front, a bell and a horn, and pink and white tassels hanging from the handles bars,

“What the heck are these?” Mikey asked Alexia.

“Those are bikes, you ride them, and you better do it fast!” Alexia said hopping on the large blue bike.

I approached the black bike and examined it, the construction of it was so crude, it was a wondrous sight. Just think that before cars were invented, people used to ride these wonderful contraptions.

“How do you start one of these things?” Mikey asked, playing with the bell and gear controls on the pink bike.

Alexia turned to him and called, “put your feet on the pedals and push.” She rode off into the town of the dead.

I got onto my bike and pedaled after her. It looked so easy in old films, and books, but riding a bike for real, was hard. I wobbled for a few seconds before I found my balance and followed her. Mikey lifted his feet off the ground and started shoving hard on the handlebars. The bike lost balance and toppled to the ground. He tried again, and found him self back to kissing pavement. He tried one more time and was thrown back to the ground.

Sighing, I turned around and helped him up. Alexia came back shouting, “What’s taking you guys so long? The town looks deserted now but the blood-thirsty mob will be here soon.”

“Junior here doesn’t know how to ride a bike.” I said.

“I was afraid of this…” She sighed, getting off her bike. “I brought these just in case.”

A few minutes later, all three of us were pedaling for our lives, into the forgotten mountains, the townspeople hot on our heels, throwing rocks at us. Alexia and I pedaled like mad, our two bicycle wheels flying across the road, Mikey being propelled by his newly connected training wheels.

“You and your god-damn training wheels!” I yelled at him as I pedaled furiously.

“Hey I don’t even want them, I’m a 25 year old riding a pink and white bike with training wheels!” He angrily shouted back at me.

“Less arguing! Save energy!” Alexia screamed at us. Her long red hair flowing behind her like a cape. Suddenly I felt a white hot pain sear across the back of my head. I touched my head with a hand and felt blood. I pedaled harder as another rock whizzed by my head, nearly striking me in the face.

I couldn’t help but wonder where Alexia was getting all these thousand year old artifacts. Most of these things were destroyed during the great war of 3025. Where was she finding these things? And why hasn’t she told me about these?

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a really large rock went sailing past me, nearly knocking my wheels out from under me. “Who in the world threw a rock that big?” I thought looking back at the crowd, “Do they have friggin cave trolls with them or something?”

Another large rock came souring past and I just barley managed to dodge it. Mikey wasn’t so lucky. The rock slammed into his bike, tearing the right side training wheel right off! He cried out in surprise as he suddenly began to lose his balance. The bike went wild and smashed into a large rock sticking out of the earth.

Mikey was thrown over the handle-bars and slammed into a group of boulders. I flew past him, unable to stop, screaming out Alexia’s name. She turned around and cried out in horror.

She whipped her bike around in a miraculous 360 degree turn. And torn past me just as I came to a stop. She came to a screeching stop, kicking up dirt and blinding the approaching mob temporarily. “He’s unconscious!” she cried to me. Running up, I saw that his leg was broken and he had a large cut on his forehead.

“We gotta get him out of here now!” I cried just as a pair of large hairy hands burst from the dust cloud and wrapped around my neck! I tried to cry out but the large hands were cutting off my air already. I stared into the psychotic eyes of the large ogre who was strangling me, his face was severely cut up, he had dried blood caked all over, and his eyes were bloodshot.

I tried to fight him off, but he was too strong for me. I started to black out. Suddenly a foot slammed into the gorilla’s fat head. Alexia stood over me, a sword in her hands. “Thanks,” I gasped.

“Forget it,” she said, “Just get Mikey to his feet!”

I stood up and realized that we were surrounded. All around us, angry people who no longer had any common sense or reason. They had no clothes, bruises, cuts, and burns covered their naked bodies. Their eyes flashed with a look of pure blood lust, they wanted to kill us.

A ragged woman lunged at her and Alexia slashed at her with the sword, putting a large cut in her arm. It wasn’t a huge wound but it was enough to scare off the attacker. “Jackal!” She cried glaring at me, “Get out of here now!” She didn’t see the scary looking man sneaking up behind her.

“Look out!” I cried, grabbing a rock and heaving it at him. It smacked him right between the eyes, and he collapsed to the ground. Hunger had really weakened these people. Wasting no time, I heaved Mikey off the ground and put him over my shoulder. Grabbing Alexia by the arms, I ran towards the bikes.

“Give him to me,” Alexia gasped, “I can ride faster and better than you.”

“You’ll get no argument from me there.” I said, sitting his unconscious body upon the handle-bars. “Meet me at the top of the mountain!” Alexia cried out. She held on to him with one arm and pushed off the ground.

I ran to my bike as fast as I could. But before I could jump on it I was attacked by someone who came flying out of the bushes. We fell backwards into a small opening in the mountainside. I raised my fist to punch them off me, but I hesitated when I saw my attacker, it was a teenage girl, about seventeen or eighteen. She was really hot too, a perfect body, nice smooth curves. She had Jet Black hair that had red highlights at the tips. Before I could do anything, she screamed out and began clawing me with very
sharp nails.

I cried out and shoved her off me, she hit the ground a few inches away from me. Spitting out dirt she glared and started advancing towards me. Her eyes gleaming
with anger.

I dodged as she lunged for me. She recovered quickly and this time she pounced right on me knocking me on my back. She sat on me and tried to claw my eyes out, but I held her hands at bay. She looked at me with rage.

I looked deep into her eyes, they were emerald green, and unlike the other town’s people, they still had a gleam of sanity in them. Maybe I could reason with her? Maybe I could just talk to her.

“Look, I have no desire to fight back.” I calmly said, her eyes narrowed in concentration, she was listening to me. “I don’t want to hurt you.” I continued, “It would be a shame to damage that beautiful face of yours.”

Her eyes softened a little, and she stopped fighting for a second. “But… you destroyed technology… for us...” she slowly said, “You must pay.”

“No I didn’t,” I said, “In fact, I have no idea what happened. Yes, I have always hated computers, and yes I knew this was going to happen, but I swear to god, I didn’t want this to happen.”

She stared at me with doubt, “Why should I believe you?”

“Why would I lie to you?” I said, “It’s not like I’m going to walk away from this alive, even if you let me go, those other people will kill me the second they see me. So I really have no reason to lie.”

“How do I know you won’t try and kill me if I let you go?” She asked, her eyes shining with suspicion.

“You don’t,” I said, “All you have is my word that I will not hurt you, that’s about all I got right now.”

She stared deep into my eyes, debating weither or not she should trust me or not. Without a word she climbed off me and helped me to my feet. “Thank you,” I said.

“Why are you treating me like this?” she asked, her eyebrows raised in question, “I did just try to kill you.”

“Honestly, I can tell you still have your sanity.” I explained dusting myself off, “You didn’t have that bloodthirsty gleam in your eyes. You did not have the mindset of an unstoppable killer. I figured you still had enough sanity to think for yourself. Plus I didn’t want to hurt you.”

She stared at me with a look of disbelief, “that’s not all there is to it is it?” she asked.

“No…” I confessed blushing slightly, “I also think you’re really hot and beautiful.”

She smiled and blushed, “I’m Halo Dreamer.” She said, hugging me. It took all the strength in me to not grope the naked girl hugging me.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied nervously, “Why are you hugging me?”

“I just felt like it ok?” she said, “Accept it.”

I hugged her back; her skin was really warm and soft to touch. “As much as I appreciate this Halo, I don’t think I’m going to be around much to enjoy this hug.”

A loud SNAP made us both jump; the town’s people were right outside. “I’m a dead man.” I squeaked.

Without a word she ran outside the small cave. What is she doing, I wondered. I cautiously approached the cave entrance. Halo was talking to the Town’s people. She ratted me out! I made a mental note to never trust anyone else in the afterlife, when I noticed her pointing away from the cave, back down the mountain.

They gave a battle cry and raced off, heading back towards town. Halo came back, grinning slyly. “What did you do?” I asked her.

“Oh, I just told them that you ran back into town to hide in the old waste water treatment plant.” She explained.

“Oh that’s perfect!” I said laughing, “Thank you Halo.” She laughed and hugged me again, “Affectionate little thing aren’t you?” I managed to say.

“She looked up at me and smiled, her eyes sparkling like sapphires. As I sated into her beautiful eyes, I felt a strange sensation in my chest. My heart felt all warm and toasty. It felt like it was melting. I held her, thinking how I didn’t want to have to leave her behind.

And idea sparked in my head, but I dismissed it, it wasn’t safe to bring someone else like her along with us.

“I gotta get going now Halo ok?” I said, “Thanks for all you help.”

“Oh, ok.” she said, disappointment gleaming in her eyes, “You better be on your way then.”

I started to crawl out the cave when she suddenly grabbed me and said, “No, I’ll go first and make sure it’s safe.”

She crawled out of the cave and looked around, then she motioned or me to follow her.

“Its all clear,” she said reassuringly, “come one out.”

I crawled out of the cave, “are you sure it’s safe?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she said, “They all went back into town.”

No sooner had these words left her lips, than I felt some one jump onto my back. I screamed out and flung myself forward, my attacker flew off my back. It was the same ugly man who had tried to throttle me earlier.

“Get down Jackal!” she cried out diving at the man. She tackled him, knocking the both of them off the ledge.

“Halo!” I screamed, running to the ledge. It was ok, they only fell a few feet down, and she had landed on top of him. Thank God she was ok. It was a 50 foot drop to the bottom of the mountain; they had landed on a small ledge.

She sat up snarling, and raised her hand to smack the man when he looked at her.
She froze.

“Oh my god… Daddy.” She cried. He howled and threw her off of him. She slammed against the rock wall. I cried her name but she didn’t seem to hear me, she looked dazed.

Her father started climbing up the side of the mountain, death gleaming in his eyes. Suddenly he slowed his advance. Halo was pulling on his arm, “Daddy, please stop.’ She pleaded, tears streaming from her eyes, “He didn’t do anything, I swear.” He growled at her and slapped her across the face, hard.

She stumbled and fell, off the side of the ledge! “Halo no!” I screamed and jumped to the ledge. She was hanging on the ledge desperately. I rushed to help her but I was suddenly grabbed and flung against the rock wall. Her father was leering at me, his hand pressed firmly against my throat. Looking around for a way out, I saw a loose rock in the wall. I grabbed it and slammed it against his skull. He let go of me and fell to his knees.

I quickly rushed towards Halo, who was dangling from the edge of the ledge. I reached out my hand to her, and she grabbed it. “Hold on!” I cried, and pulled her up. She climbed to the ledge and collapsed on the ground rubbing her arms.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she said, “I’m fine.”

Suddenly, without warning, the land mass that was her father came flying at me from out of no where, and we both went tumbling over the edge this time. At the last minute I frantically reached out and my hand caught the edge. I looked over and saw that he too was holding on for dear life.

I heard Halo cry out to both of us and she ran to the edge. She frantically looked from me to her father, and then grabbed both our arms. She pulled and pulled, but couldn’t pull us up. “I can’t hold on to both of you!” she cried out, tears coming from her eyes. She looked at her father and then back at me a couple times, debating what she should do. She knew that she couldn’t save us both; she had to make a choice...

“I’m sorry,” she said looking at me. And with tears streaming down her face, she let go of her father.

Crying hard, she pulled me up to the ledge. As he fell we heard him cry out her name. She grabbed hold off me and cried into my chest. I held her close; she had chosen to save me when she could have saved her own father. I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her naked body. She smiled slightly and held the jacket close.

She had proven her trust to me; I lifted her chin softly and said, “Halo, would you like to come with me?” She smiled at me, tears still streaming from he eyes and nodded. “Come on then, we need to go. My friends are waiting for me.”

I came to a stop at the mountain top minutes later. There was four tree stumps that sitting around a very large tree. Alexia was leaning against the tree impatiently tapping her foot. “Where the hell have you been!?” she yelled, “I’ve been waiting here for a
half hour!”

I climbed off my bike and that’s when Alexia noticed that I had a passenger riding on my back. “Who is that?” she asked pointing at Halo.

“This is Halo.” I said. Halo hid behind me in fear.

“What’s wrong with you?” Alexia yelled, “Why did you bring one of the people who are trying to kill us with you?”

“Alexia, she’s different, she doesn’t want to kill us.” I said.

“My god your gullible.” She said, “that’s what she wants you to think, so she can get close to you and then kill us when we least expect it.”

“No!” Halo cried out, “I would never…”

“Zip it wild girl!” Alexia snapped, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Alexia, she saved my life,” I growled, “she saved me instead of her own father.”

Alexia froze and shut up instantly, “she’s different from the others, just look into her eyes and you’ll see that she won’t hurt us.”

She stared at me for a few seconds and then approached Halo. She looked deep into her eyes for several minutes before she said, “Ok, I trust you. I’m sorry.”

Halo looked back at her in disbelief. When she said nothing Alexia said, “I’m Alexia Patience, Jackal’s friend.”

She stared at Alexia a bit before she said, “I’m Halo Dreamer.”

They stared at each other silently. Then suddenly Halo smiled at Alexia and hugged her. “She’s certainly is affectionate isn’t she?” I said.

“That’s just my way of telling someone that I trust them,” Halo said smiling, she came over and gave me a big hug.

I caught the amused look on Alexia’s face and gently pushed Halo away.

“I know what you’re thinking, so don’t say anything,” I whispered to Alexia a second later. She laughed at me and said, “I’m not saying anything lover boy.”

I ignored her smart Alec remark and said, “So is this it? We’re supposed to hide here?”

“Yes.” She said.

“Oh yeah, nobody will find us here at the top of the mountain out in the damn open! You’re a friggin genius Alexia.” I snapped.

“Thank you,” she said smiling, as she walked around the tree randomly tapping the stumps. I hate it when she smiles like that; it means she knew something I don’t.

“So where’s Mikey anyway?” I asked.

“Oh he’s inside,” She said tapping the last stump. The tree shook slightly and a doorway opened up. Halo stared at it mesmerized. I stared at it saying “What the Hell?”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” she said walking inside the opening, “Follow me you two lovebirds.”

“Shut up!” I hissed at her. Halo looked at me and blushed.

“Go on, I have some clothes inside for Halo.” Alexia said, and stepped aside to let us pass by. She closed the door securely behind us, and led the way down a long and dark tunnel. Halo held my hand tight as we progressed down the tunnel, her eyes darting around fearfully.

“Where the hell are we going?” I asked Alexia, “Do you even know where we are?” I couldn’t see an inch in front of my face.

“Just keep close behind me,” Alexia called back, giggling slyly. As we progressed trough the darkness a faint smell of flowers and grass tickled my nose. I felt more and more moisture hanging in the air, and I could have sworn I was hearing a running waterfall. No way in hell we were miles underground.

I noticed a small light shining at the end of the tunnel, thank god, we were almost there. This place was starting to give me the creeps.

“Welcome to our new home,” Alexia said, stepping aside. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Grass and trees grew all around, birds flew by and animals thrived. A waterfall roared life to a small river and amidst it all sat a small cabin. It looked like a cave but it felt like a forest. Sunlight shone in through a large opening in the cave wall. An opening large enough for birds and animals to come through, but too small for a human. But where in holy hell were we?

“This is amazing,” Halo said beside me, “I didn’t know there was such a place in the mountain.”

“No one does,” Alexia explained, “This is a small haven that once belonged to my grandfather. He was a great antique collector, which is were I got the cloths and bikes. He stumbled upon this place one day. Even though we are in the mountain, life somehow thrives here.

“But how?” I asked, “Where is the water coming from? How does this place get any rain or sunlight?”

“There is a natural spring somewhere in the cave, which runs through into this waterfall. And as far as sunlight, there are reflective rocks in the rock wall.”

“That makes sense,” Halo said looking around in wonder.

“I’m glad someone her understands it, because I don’t.” I said.

Alexia laughed and said, “Come on inside I have more to show you.”

We walked inside the cabin. Mikey was awake and lying on a pull out bed of a couch. He sat up eagerly at the sight of Halo. “Who is that?” he asked drooling. Alexia glared at him and he calmed down.

“This is Halo,” I said. Alexia walked over to a dresser and pulled out a set of cloths and handed them to Halo. “Here you are, go into the bathroom and put these on.”

“Thank you,” Halo said and left.

“Where did she come from?” Mikey asked, he had a large bandage wrapped around
his head.

“She saved my life back on the mountain.” I explained, “How’s your leg man?”

“Feels like shit.” He replied, “I busted it up pretty bad. Alexia wrapped it in a cast.” He lifted his blanket and showed it to me.

“How’s your head?” I asked.

“I’ll heal.” He said, “Thanks to Alexia here,” He said, smiling at her. She walked over to him and gave him a hug and kissed him.

I grinned uneasily and looked away from them. I couldn’t stand their kissing.

“I’m going to check on Halo,” I said walking away.

I knocked at the bathroom door, “Halo, it’s Jackal, can I come in?”

The door opened up slightly and I slid in. She was still topless, holding a bra in confusion. “I’ve never put one of these on before,” she said, “How do I do it?”

I cleared my throat nervously, “Well, you just put it around your shoulders.”

“Could you put it on?” she asked me.

“Hell no!” I cried out, “I’m not putting on a bra! I’m a guy for god’s sake. Guys don’t wear bras.”

“I mean put it on me silly.” She replied smiling.

“Oh, yeah I knew that.” I said and took the bra from her. I slipped it around her shoulders and connected them. “That thing you did for me back at the mountain… saving me and all.. Thank you” I said as I tried to connect her bra straps together. It looked so easy when I studied it, why couldn’t I do it now?

“You’re welcome,” she said quietly.

I was silent for awhile as I wrestled with the straps, then I said, “May I ask why you chose me over your father?”

“I really like you, my father wasn’t himself. He had lost all reason, all his sanity. He was beyond saving.” She said.

“Well, thank you very much, I like you too.” I said, blushing.

Finally I clipped the two straps together, “That should do it,” I said, and turned her around, the bra was extremely lop-sided and her breasts were still hanging out slightly. “Is it supposed to be this uncomfortable?” she asked me.

“No, you need to put your breasts into the cups.” I explained.

“How?”

“By hand.” I said.

“Could you help me with it?” she asked.

I lost my breath and started sweating, “You want me to… put your boobs into.. Those cups?” I said, stuttering.

“Yes, please help me.”

“But that… would mean…. Th… that I would have to… touch … you’re ..breasts.”

“It’s ok, I don’t mind.” She said smiling, “I trust you.”

And she held perfectly still as I grabbed the bra and gently pushed her boobs into them. I adjusted the bra a little so it was sure to be comfortable and I looked at her. “All done.” I said.

“Thank you,” she said smiling, she was so cute when she smiled. “Except, I didn’t know what to do with those short things.”

I was caught off breath, “Do you mean… your underwear?” I asked.

“Yes, I couldn’t get those on… do I need them?” She asked.

I gulped nervously, “Yes, it’s kind of important.”

“Would you put them on for me please?” she asked.

I started stuttering heavily and really sweating now, “you..want… me.. to .. to.. to.. under…ware…” I babbled.

“I’m just kidding, I’m wearing the underwear.” She said giggling. Her laughter sounds like music I thought and laughed with her.

A few minutes later, we were touring around the cabin. It looked smaller from the outside. Alexia was pointing out books, and board games to us, but I wasn’t listening, all I could do was stare at Halo and I didn’t know why.

“Follow me outside,” Alexia said. We walked around the cabin and to a cellar. She pried open the doors and we walked down the stairs.

“We have large amounts of wine here that my grandfather made.” She explained, “and through this door, we have a tremendous amount of canned foods.” She opened the door and revealed a large pantry that was full with thousands upon thousands of canned foods. Pots and pans sat on a nearby shelf with cooking utensils.

“We have an old time oven upstairs, it’s like a wood stove” Alexia explained. “We have plenty of food and drink, so we can survive down here for years, while the rest of mankind destroys itself.”

We walked back outside and back into the house. “So guys, welcome to my family’s Haven.” She said yawning. “It’s getting late, I’m going to bed. We only have two beds in the house so one of you has to sleep on the floor.”

I was about to offer when Halo said, “I’m willing to share my bed with Jackal if he doesn’t mind.”

I froze, and looked at her, she was smiling at me and blushing slightly, “Yeah, I’m fine with that I guess.”

“I bet you are big guy,” Alexia said to me grinning.

Mikey smiled at me slyly but didn’t say a word. I began blushing heavily. “Shut up you two.” I said.

Alexia laughed and said, “The bedrooms in there,” she pointed down a small hallway, “I’m going to sleep out here with Mikey ok?”

“And if you hear any squeaking, please just ignore it.” Mikey replied winking at me. Alexia playfully hit him with a pillow and they began playing around until they started kissing.

“I’m going to bed,” I grumbled, “Good night.”

Halo followed after me and closed the door behind her.

“Cute couple,” she said smiling.

“Yeah if you can stand that shit.” I replied, stripping down to my boxers.

She began taking off her clothes, “Thank you very much, for saving me.” She said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, “You saved me.”

“Yes, but you saved me from myself.” She said smiling at me, “If it wasn’t for you, I would have lost my mind just like my daddy.” She walked over to me and pulled me close in a hug, “For that I thank you.” She said and kissed me. I was shocked at first and kissed her back.

When she pulled away from me I asked, “What was that for?”

She didn’t say anything, she just smiled and pulled me close into an embrace kissing me passionately.

As we fell to the bed, kissing each other I thought to myself, “I think I’m going to like living down here.”

The End