Guidestar Combatants

The Order

The wind howled through the barren trees, whipping the snow into a frenzy. It stung Cord's face as he trudged through the blizzard, but that was nothing compared to the pain that was about to consume his life. The memory of the YouTube video, posted by an anonymous figure, flashed in his mind like a relentless movie reel. This was not a Hollywood film, but it was now their grim reality.

In the days leading up to the blizzard of 2016, Cord had learned things that sent shivers down his spine. He was a young man with an optimistic mind, always hoping that one day he and his wife, Imogene, would have a child. But now, his thoughts were scattered like a pack of wild horses, running in different directions.

He had always believed he could fix anything, but as he learned the truth, he realized he had no idea how to survive in this new world. If the president declared martial law and Russia launched the EMP Bomb, plunging the land into darkness in a matter of seconds, how could he protect his family?

These thoughts raced through his mind like a pounding heart. He did his best to numb his mind, to focus on making love to Imogene and praying that the darkness would never come. His friends, Aronik, Ozzy, and Cullen, all believed he would be the first to give up, the weakest link in their group. But deep down, Cord knew that vengeance would ignite within him when the darkness fell.

As the snow continued to swirl around him, Cord's mind and heart were consumed with fear, determination, and a fierce desire to protect his loved ones. He could feel his character growing more complex, his emotions becoming more raw and intense. In this new reality, he would have to tap into a different side of himself, a side fueled by survival and the will to fight for what he held dear.

Aronik Stahl slumped heavily in his chair, nursing yet another drink. His bloodshot eyes and slurred speech gave away his dependence on alcohol. A recent run-in with the law resulted in an ankle monitor now clinging to his right ankle, a constant reminder of his reckless behavior.

His attitude was as bitter as the taste of cheap liquor that lingered on his tongue. Every day, he woke up consumed by anger, his depression a heavy weight on his shoulders. His words and actions were out of control, a fact that his friend Cord tried to overlook.

But for Aronik, there was no silver lining to his dark cloud. He was a father to two sons and an adopted daughter, but his past with his ex-wife was far from perfect.

Meanwhile, Ozzy Reed was a man-child, still struggling to take care of himself. His jokes were tasteless, and he seemed to be the only one who found them funny. His recent fight to regain custody of his daughter, Ciara, only added to his belief that his life was the worst. He also had a younger daughter named Thalia and was engaged to Airinell, although they had yet to have children together. Ozzy had a strange obsession with NFL player Jeff Reed, wishing they were somehow related.

Cord's best friend, Cullen Smarts, was the complete opposite. He was a health-conscious young man, just like Cord. They often traded tips on healthy eating and worked out together. Cullen also had a one-year-old son, who Cord had grown to love like his own. But even in their close friendship, there was a dark secret that Cullen's girlfriend, Naomi, was hiding from everyone, including Cullen himself.

As the four friends sat together, their dialogue revealed more about their personalities and struggles than any physical description could. The dimly lit bar, the clinking of glasses, and the smell of stale beer all added to the gritty setting of their lives. But despite the strong details, there was a sense of hope in their conversations, a glimmer of light in their dark and tumultuous lives.

As the snow continued to pile, Cord and Imogene found themselves drawn to each other in intimate moments. The winter storm prevented Cord, Cullen, and Ozzy from making it to work, but Aronik was able to make it in. The day dragged on for him as he watched the snow fall outside. While the snow finally stopped, Cord stepped outside to shovel the heavy powder that had accumulated to 36 inches. Each shovel full was a challenge, his muscles burning and his determination to get to work growing stronger. He needed to work to chip away at their debt.