ROTWOTA: Book 1 - The Beginning of Extinction

A New Day

"So how was your last day at school before spring break, kids?" Asked the father. "A new kid joined our class today and I've spent most of the day getting acquainted with him. We also invited him to go to the arcade with us tomorrow." Said Cody.

"Well I hope you have fun with him tomorrow buddy." Said the father.

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Later that day, Cody was in the living room helping Emma finish some of her last-minute homework. His mom and dad were flipping through the TV channels and came across the news channel.

On the screen was the mayor of their city getting ready to open the power plant for business. "I, Mayor of Greenville, declare this power plant open!" He said. The man cut the ribbon with his giant scissors, and as he did, many people in worker uniforms went into the giant building.

"I just hope whatever they're doing in there is worth it, one wrong move and the plant could explode and kill us all or even worse." Said Cody.

"Listen son, it's best not to worry yourself over the worst case scenario." Said the Father. "That doesn't mean that it can't happen." Responded Cody. "Listen, odds are that it will be at least a year or two before something even remotely minor goes wrong. Besides, you've been playing too many of those Fallout games, haven't you?" Asked the Father.

"Well, you have me there. But you get my point. Power Plants may seem important, but they'll do more harm than help." Said Cody.

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The next morning, Cody woke up bright and early following a restful sleep. It was almost time to go to the arcade with his friends. "Hey, have a good day Cody." Said his mother.

"Don't worry mom, I will." Said Cody. Then, Cody went to his dad's truck who wanted to speak with him. "Listen, I know how much you want to postpone your driving lessons. But you're gonna have to learn how to do it because you're getting your own car in a few months when you turn 16." Said his father.

Cody dreaded the day he would turn 16, it would be the birthday that he would get his own car and be forced to drive on his own. Driving was one of his biggest fears since someone driving could easily get into a car crash and die.

Cody had a dream about him driving a car once. He remembered that he ended up in a horrific car crash and it scared him so bad that he had nightmares for weeks. Of course, his father wanted him to overcome his fear, which was a decision that Cody respected.

Cody nervously walked up to the truck and hopped in the driver seat with his dad in the shotgun seat. "You should be ok, you know this city like the back of your hand." Said his father. Cody knew that for a fact since he had spent all his life there.

Being calm and careful, Cody pressed against the pedal with his foot and slowly moved his dad's truck out of his driveway onto the street. His first obstacle was staying straight in his street lane, which wasn't too hard other than being a bit anxious and uncontrollable in his arms.

It wasn't long before he had to turn onto another street. Cody felt fear in his mind since he would have to make an abrupt turn at the right time. The real reason he was scared of driving was because of having to be concentrated all the time and making split-second decisions most of the time.

Cody was trying to be as careful as he could not to curb. However, when he turned, he was too slow on turning the steering wheel which sent him crossing over the yellow lanes and it wasn't easy fixing his mistake. "Alright, we might want to work on your turning." Said his father.

The small incident was followed shortly after by a railroad crossing closing forcing Cody to brake rather hard to stop. Seconds later, two small silver pannier tanks passed with a long goods train. Thankfully it wasn't long before the train passed and Cody continued to move, but his father did look over at him, and it told him that braking was something that Cody would need to work on in the future.