Survival of the selection

Trust the crazy

October 7, 2023: 8:23am

***

I tap my pen faster and faster, but it doesn't help. I can't sit still. My nerves feel like they've been shot with adrenaline and are dancing off the walls of my head.

I stare at the text on my phone,

'We need to talk'

What does that mean? What do they know? What does he know? My dad never texts me while I'm in school, he thinks it's the most important thing in the world.

But clearly something has taken its place. That becomes clear as the blood drains from my face while reading the next text...

'Which classroom are you in'

Is he here? Is this that important? Does he know I wasn't home last night? Does he know who I was with? That's not very big. Lots of teens sneak out, why is he here for that?—

"Put your phone up Miss Smith." Fuck, I look up and the teacher is at my desk and grabbing my test. She thinks I'm cheating.

I listen and toss my phone down into my book sack. He just cost me a grade I couldn't afford to lose. I'm going to fail this year.

When I look up to the clock to see the time, my eyes don't make it there. Instead they lock onto his that peer through the door... and a gas mask. Dear god he's gone insane.

Just as fast as our eyes meet, they break apart and he flings open the door. He runs straight to me and he almost pushes Mrs. James straight over. "You can't be in here!" She screams when she sees the gun strapped over his shoulder. What is he doing?

"You listen to me and I'm only going to say this once." He says. He speaks so rough that he spits on the glass separating me and his face as he yanks another mask off his side. I'm kinda scared of him right now so I just nod and hope everyone else in here doesn't think I'm crazy. "Do not take this mask off your face, do not repeat anything I'm about to tell you to anyone, and do not tell whoever is left in your family what I'm about to tell you."... what happened to my family?

I nod again as he forces the heavy mask over my face. Technically he's my uncle, but biologically he's my dad and he's been more of a dad than my other dad.

"Don't ask me what, but they are releasing it. They're releasing it and it will kill. Don't touch anyone and don't let them touch you. I will be back for you in six hours. Have your shit packed." His eyes are blood shot, I'm not sure if he's high or if he hasn't slept. "Pack three changes of clothes stuff that can be layered, first aid and hygiene, and any and all weapons. Find your your dads hunting rifle and all of your fancy pocket knives, and get the forty-four your mom keeps in her nightstand— but don't try to find them. They are not coming. No one else is coming so get it out your head, Ripply can only come if you get her stuff to fit in your bag"—"your crazy! What are you on?"

I yell and shove him off of me. He stumbles backwards and stomps his feet. "You listen to me Nicole! My crazy is going to save us!" He screams pulling my throat to him until the glass of my mask dings against his. "You're parents are dead if you see them run. Go home, and pack. Now."

***

I didn't want to believe him. But here I am. Stuffing clothes into my bag I grabbed a little more than three changes but judging by the blood that's on the floor of the kitchen... I don't think we'll come back when it gets cold.

I finish packing my clothes drop the first aid kit on top, I grab all the pills and bandages too. All the bullets I could find. I won't bring anything for Ripply but she's coming with us. I shove a blanket in and a sketch book and some pencil and pens. He's a boring man I'm not going with no entertainment. I've jumped over the pools of blood and raided the cabinets for canned food.

They go in the bag as well. I put a knife in my belt and one in my boot. I've pulled the money from everywhere. All of mine, I snooped through my brother and my parents room and I've found just under a thousand.

Maybe uncle Ferris isn't crazy. They've issued a mandatory quarantine and closed down all the roads. I'm not even sure he's coming for me anymore.

What else could I need? There's still room in my bag— batteries! I run to the bathroom but the door won't open, I need in that closet!

I scream when something grabs my foot under the door! "Mom!" A bloody hand claws out from under the door, it's bloated and misshapen but it's her wedding ring. I pull back and back up from the door.

Something tells me I don't need batteries. I scream again when someone's hands wrap around my shoulders. "Nicole don't lie to me. When she grabbed you did she break the skin?" His voice is cold. But the metal pressed against the back of my neck is colder. "I don't know"... wrong answer.

I hear the hammer of the gun pull back and a bullet click into the chamber of the gun. "Bend over and check. Slowly."

I do as he says and carefully check my ankle. I blink away tears as I wipe the blood from my clothes she just grabbed my pants not my actual leg. "No she just wiped blood on me." I whisper and stand. But I don't turn around. I don't want to see my dad pointing a gun at me. He lets out a shaky sigh and puts my backpack on my shoulders. "What's going on?"

"Let's get on the road then I'll answer questions, come on Ripply is already in my truck." He just held a gun to me like it was nothing. Why is he taking me with him if he'll so easily get rid of me?