End Of Everything (Book 1)

25: Burn It To The Ground

*Johnny's Pov*

I yawn as I continue my shift of driving. It's late at night, with the last stop we had was at the eighth gas station we checked that thankfully had gas. The incident at the school was only a couple nights ago, which has been on my mind a lot lately.

It pained me that what went down even had to go down like that. Hopefully Dylan was doing better than us. Knowing him he probably is giving them a hard time. I chuckle to myself at the thought as I ride past another growler feasting on some unlucky survivor.

I glance to the passenger seat as Olivia sat there looking at a map we found a few stops back. I look to the rear view and seen Jenny was slumped on Robert's shoulder. Troy was looking out the window next to her. Claire and Simon are eating some candy bar while Nicole was reading a book next to them.

"Okay so if we take the highway, you know if there's a clear passage there. We can make it to Illinois in a hour. But with the traffic of abandoned cars, fallen trees, and growlers will make it back to Michigan probably in a few more days." Olivia informed me. I sighed.

"I really hope he's there Liv, I really do." We decided at our first stop that we'd go back home to Michigan, to get clues and or find Dylan.

"Maria won't hurt him physically, we know that. And we'll know when we are closer with the walkie you stole off one of the soliders. And if he's not there, then I'd search this whole damn globe if I have too."

"If we have too. We're not giving up on him and I'm damn sure not gonna let you go out on your own. You guys are my family and I love y'all. I'm just tired of losing people." I gripped the wheel frustrated that we are going through this, that what happened at the school even happened. I feel Olivia's hand calmly touch my shoulder.

"Our family will be back together Depp. And we'll avenge the ones we lost. We just got to survive somehow to achieve those goals." I smirked.

"So you're gonna be calling me Depp now huh?" She snickered.

"I just couldn't help myself. I know he'd want me to carry that on, even when he is not here." I shook my head but couldn't help the grin appearing on my face.

"Where's the next stop?" Robert yawned out.

"Umm in a couple miles, we can clear out this public library and take shelter for the night." Olivia suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." I said while driving pass a few more growlers.

*Dylan's Pov*

*The night of the school attack*

"It's really great to see you my son. We have a lot to discuss." I starred at my dad not knowing what to say. He stepped one foot closer and I balled my hands into a fist. He took notice of them and put his hand up for surrender.

"Easy there champ, I come in peace. I can install you you're own punching bag if you'd like." He smirked.

"Do you even know what you're wife done to get me here? Do you realize that there were children and elderly there? People with families, people who were starting families, newlyweds. My family could be dead right now because of her." I cried out.

His face dropped at my outburst. He didn't know what happened but he was still at fault. He was the one who told her where we were at.

"I don't know what she's done, and I'm sorry for what went down. But your safety is what's most important s-"

"Bullshit!! My life isn't that important to fucking end the lives of so many to only get me!! I am losing my mind trying to cope with everything that's happened. Now the truth, why am I so important that your wife had to kill everyone I love."

He took a deep breath as he walked to the bed and sat down. He pats the seat to him signaling me to sit, but I didn't budge. I stood there with my arms folded waiting for him to speak. He clears his throat then looks me in my eyes.

"Phoenix has been around for generations. Your grandmother was apart of it, and her great grandmother founded it. Before you were born, your mother worked her ass off, not only as one of our best soliders but to be named commander like her mother. Through the years me and my team of fellow scinentist have been doing research for cures of pretty much every disease. We've cured a lot of them, most that haven't been brought to the public eye for reasons. But this one day, we had gotten direct orders from the president to make a virus that will help us against enemy countries. We had a mission to drop it off to Phoenix base beta in England. But there was a leak on the plane when it was getting transported. We lost connection and the next thing we knew it's the end of the world."

My eyes widen and my hands instantly ball up into a fist at his words. He started this hell we are living in. David, Sandra, Olivia, Johnny, Claire, everyone from the school, the world. Because of them so many lives lost and ruined. Tears started streaming down my face as I start to see red.

"I'll FUCKING KILL YOU!!" I yelled as I punched him in the face hard. He didn't even try to block my attack.

He looks back up to me with glossy eyes and blood now coming from his nose.

"You a have nice hook on you there son."

"Don't call me your damn son, you fucking monster!!"

"We thought we could control it, until it went global. I know we were wrong to make it in the first place. But with your help, we can find a cure. We can save this world, but first protocol Titan has to commence."

"How the hell am I supposed to help save the world? And what the fuck is protocol Titan?"

"Like it or not you have my genes, you're smarter than you think. The math and science you passed in high school wasn't the level it was supposed to be. You were actually doing harvard level, which you passed with flying colors. You're one of the smartest people on earth and that's what the world needs right now." He paused.

"And as for Protocol Titan, it's where we nuke everything to restart the new world. We have to destroy to build our new world. Humanity will rise from the ashes like a Phoenix." 

So that's the big plan they were talking about. We're all doomed if this goes on as planned. He really believes that I actually did that work on my own. Ha, he's gonna feel real stupid when he finds out that was all Claire.