Earth's Omega

Chapter 6: Zeta

"How far out are we now?" Phillip asks impatiently. "I'd say, well, a lot of miles out."
"You know, you're pretty stupid for an old man."
"And you're pretty ugly for a teenager, but you don't hear me bitching. Let's keep moving."
Rosetta giggles quietly and Phillip softly punches her arm.

Virginia Beach; That was our destination. We have to test our luck in finding a boat, or any sort of ocean transportation. Once we get that, it'll be easier to move. It'll be easier to find Jacob. The kids don't know about him yet, better that they don't.

"I recognize this place! We're in Uwharrie! We're in Uwharrie!" Rosetta exclaims.
"Uw-what? What are you even saying?" Phillip replies.
"Uwharrie National Forest! Mom used to take me here when you and dad were out of town for your 'father-son' stuff. Just look at the sign!"
She raises her hand and points towards an annihilated sign, barely spelling out "MORROW MOUNTAIN STATE PARK". Guess she's correct. We move quietly into the forest, hopefully there's game to kill, and preferably more herbivores than carnivores. I'd rather not have a bear clawing me to death right now. Maybe some other time. "Should be enough lumber to keep us warm for the night," I tell them. "Let's get moving, kiddies."

It's around 9:00 o'clock and my entire body is sore from all the walking. We built a small teepee from branches and made a bed of leaves for the little one. Phillip and I sit across from each other by the campfire on separate logs. "You know what's one good thing about all the electricity in the world disappearing?" He says to me.
"The stars. You can see all of them. No light pollution, no giant buildings blocking the sky. Just you, the stars, and the night forming as one for a moment."
He's only 15, but he's certainly wise for his age.
I felt like it was time to ask.
"So what actually happened to your mother?"
"No clue. Once The Collapse reached its second day, we were already miles away from home. Storms and sirens filled the sky with noise constantly, so I guess I didn't hear her get up from our refuge area and leave. We wanted to search for her, God I wish we did, but the military kept moving us like cattle, from place-to-place. One day an enormous storm, like nothing I've ever seen appeared. I'm talking HELLISH. Purple lightning strikes. Soldiers being whisked away by the wind's might and thrown like a rag-doll to God-knows-where. We ran and well, Rosetta, my dad and I were probably the only survivors. We found that vacated building in Concord and held out there for awhile, when my dad said he was going to find supplies. But if you really found him by the stadium, I guess he went looking for her. They loved each other so much, why would she abandon us all? I'll never know, and honestly Dexter, I hope she never comes back."

"I'm missing someone too. Difference between us is that I have faith. He's alive. And he had a reason for leaving. Your mom does too. Keep hope and your heart and stay determined, Phillip. We'll restore our families, or to the very least, what's left of it."