Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 01:04:33 -0400
From: dwedno smith <dwedno@hotmail.com>
Subject: Chapter 30 of The Tunnel

Readers:

Once again I can not thank all of you enough that took the time to write me
and share your thoughts. Since I have started posting this story I have
received over 100 e-mails telling me your thought about my story. I can't
tell all of you how good these e mails make me feel. All but two of them
have been nice and praised The Tunnel to no end. Most of you keep it short
and sweet but some of you have gone as far as to even share your thoughts in
depth to me. As I have said all comments are welcomed and I answer everyone
even those who choose to tell me off. (even though that has only happened
once) Now for the reasons behind this long worded thank you letter, I have
sadly as most of you know run out of story to share and this leaves me with
little time and lots of requests to post story. I am sure I have cover this
in the past but not everyone reads this and that is why I am writing this
novel again. I will be writing as quickly as I possibly can while I try to
keep the "edge" on the storyline and try not to lose any of its value.
Almost all of you seem to understand this and I can not thank you enough for
your patients while I find time to write Chapter 31. The idea and thoughts
are there for many more chapters but the time isn't right now. I will do as
much as I can every day but I can't promise a chapter a week right now.
Please feel free to write me and ask when the next chapter will come out and
I will gladly offer my best guess as I receive your e-mails. Again.... Thank
you all very much, With great love, Dwedno.



Chapter 30.		Our first crisis as a group.



Jon greeted me as I got out of the truck with the same fear I had. What was
burning?

"You smell that Tommy?"

"Yea I do. I don't see any flames or anything and we can't see smoke in the
dark. We didn't see anything driving here either Jon. But if something is
burning I can't sleep without knowing where it is that's for sure. I am so
tired I can hardly keep my eyes open but I am not about to even come close
to sleeping without knowing what is on fire and how far away it is from
here."

"I totally agree Tommy lets get everyone and flashlights and check within
walking distance and then we can take the truck and go from there if we have
to."

"Sounds good to me, lets get inside so we can form a plan."

"Wait Tommy we have one more problem."

"What else is wrong Jon?"

"Billy never came back home. He left when you did and said he was just going
for a walk but we haven't seen him and I didn't want to call you and tell
you this and upset you. I was just hoping he would be home before you and
that didn't happen. Sorry!"

"Its okay Jon, its not your fault you were only doing what you thought was
right. Kyle please bring Trevor inside."

"Sure Tommy."

Kyle walked Trevor inside and I told him to take him right to his room when
we got to the door. He didn't like that much but he knew the cot just
wouldn't work tonight for him in this condition. I called the others
together and began to tell them as straightforwardly as possible that
something was burning somewhere.

"Okay guys listen up. This is important so everyone stop playing games!"

I yelled and got their attention over by the TV.

"Thank you. Sorry, but we have a problem."

"What's up Tommy? Danny asked."

"I don't want to scare anyone but first off we are totally safe. There is a
smell of something burning outside and I need all of us to get on this and
check the neighborhood. Now I was just outside with Kyle and Jon and as we
drove here we saw nothing so I can only hope it's far away but we can't be
totally safe or sure without finding it. So even if it takes all night we
have to be sure its not close by. I am not willing to leave here but we have
to prepare just in case it is close by. And since Billy hasn't come home we
need to find him too which is just as important. Right Joey?"

"Yeah I guess so." He said.

Shawn came over to me.

"I'm scared Tommy. I don't like fires at all do I have to go?"

"No you can stay here with Trevor and make sure he is okay. He isn't doing
well at all which brings me to the second part of this. On top of the smoke
and Billy missing today we went to look for Trevor's father or what we
thought might be someone near where he used to live. We found someone and it
was his father dead on the floor of Trevor's house and the rest was a small
disaster. Without getting into major details the guy was his dad and sadly
he wasn't too well off."

"What do you mean by that Tommy?"

"Well I didn't want to go into details but Trevor found him Joey and he
looked like the guy at the mall."

A look of fear came across all their faces when I said that. Now on top of
this we need to see if we can find Billy too since he hasn't come home from
when he left to go for a walk earlier today. Not that this smoke smell isn't
enough but we are missing one of us and that is even more important. We
gathered every flashlight and Danny brought Christian up to be with Shawn.
When he came down we teamed up.

"Okay now I want to try to even this out if at all possible. Chris is
upstairs with Shawn and Trevor so they are okay, and since that leaves five
of us we will have to split in three groups with me going alone."

"No Tommy I don't like this at all!"

"I don't either Kyle but we will all have cell phones and it should be
pretty safe since we are pretty sure nobody is around. Kyle you go with
Danny. Get your gun just for safety. Jon you go with Joey. And I will go
alone."

"I really don't like this at all Tommy. Kyle is right."

"Right or wrong Jon, we don't have a choice right now. Billy is missing and
something is burning somewhere. You need to come with me for a second."

I walked him to the garage and handed him a pistol. After a little coaxing
he took it but very unwillingly, he knew it was the right thing to do.

"I know you don't want to carry it but it's only a .22 and I will feel
better if you have it. You take the gun and give Joey the cell."

"Okay. Let's get to this before something really happens." Jon said.

We hurried back to the others and after a little more explaining and a quick
check of the high candle powered flash lights we were off searching for fire
and Billy. I felt a little scared but only because I didn't know what to
expect. Nothing really to do with being alone and outside in the dark. I was
worried about Kyle though since he really hated the dark lately but I am
sure with his gun he is fine. I had a big light and a regular flash light
too just in case one died and the others were grouped together so they each
had two a piece also. I didn't want to risk anything in the dark so I didn't
care how many flashlights we used. I started searching towards Jon's house
Joe and Jon went towards Danny's house and Kyle and Danny went in the rear
of the apartments. It was quiet except for the occasional chatter that
echoed off the buildings from the others but that was too low to understand.
As I approached Jon's the smell grew stronger but the wind was also picking
up too. His house was okay and so was the entire block and houses by his. I
was beginning to think the smoke wasn't from here and the winds were my
proof so far. I headed back to get the others; we are going out in the
truck. I hustled back to the front of the building and found Kyle and Danny
who were already back from checking their area.

"Hey you guys didn't see anything did you?"

"No Tommy not a thing." Kyle answered.

"Good, I think it's a bit away from us the wind is picking it up and sending
it this way but I still want to know where it is. Let's find the others and
then we are going to take a ride. Danny call up to Shawn on the cell and
tell him what we are going to do and to lock up the house okay?"

"Sure Tommy."

He started making the call as we took off looking for Joey and Jon. If we
don't find them right away that will be the next cell call we make. We were
in front of Danny's house now but they weren't around. I looked at Danny. He
was off the phone.

"Shawn okay with what you told him?"

"Yeah he is fine he said as long as the door is locked and he can call us
with any problems that might come up. He has no problem staying inside."

"Great, now call Jon's cell."

He dialed and it began to ring. How did I know? Because I could hear the
echo of it. They must be very close if I can hear Jon's cell ring. It
stopped and Danny started talking to them.

"Tell them to meet us in front of your house Danny."

He nodded okay to me.

"They said they are on the way."

And sure enough before he could finish saying that they came from out of the
darkness into the light of Danny's front porch.

"What's up Tommy? Did you find anything out?"

"Yeah Jon the fire must be a bit away because the wind was blowing smoke
into my face as it picked up before so we are going for a ride."

"Okay kewl let's go." He said.

With that we all headed towards my truck and got in.

"Roll down the windows everyone and stick out your head so you can smell
it." I said.

We took off in the direction that it seemed to be strongest from. We drove
and saw nothing for about five minutes. It was the same direction as the
parkway so I got on it and we keep looking for any signs of something
burning. Still a good strong smell but nothing in sight.

"Look over there everyone!"

Kyle yelled out to us. He was sitting beside me and he was pointing out of
his window at the now obvious orange glow reflecting off the cloudy sky.

"Guess we found it. I said. Now we just have to get there without getting
lost."

I threw on the high beams and the lights on top of the truck and it
brightened up everything in front of us a lot. Now all I needed was streets
to get us there. The smell was very strong now as we were apparently a block
or so away.

"Kyle get out your gun and put it by your side."

"Why are you telling him to do that Tommy?"

"Because we need to be ready Danny, just incase we show up and someone is
there watching it."

"Ohhhh, what a scary thought."

"Not really Dan, what is scary is if no one is watching it and all of a
sudden a house is burning. No one is around to start it and it probably
didn't start by itself. Not now. I mean maybe right after the comet hit I
could understand fires. But it's almost a month now and if anything was
going to burn I would think it would have started already."

I went another block and at the corner we could see the flames down that
block. I turned and slowly crept down the block.

"Eyes wide open everyone not at the fire; first at the street looking for
someone in the area and then you can look at the house."

We were all looking in every direction but apparently the only thing here
was a fully involved house and no one around. We sat and watched it burn for
about thirty minutes, occasionally searching the area for anything
suspicious. The roof collapsed and very little of the house was not burning
now. It looked like it wasn't going to spread since nothing was close to it
on either side so I felt safe and confident we would be okay tonight and
this probably was an isolated incident. What else can I think? If not then
someone else is alive and looking for trouble in a big way. We might even
have our first major trouble maker. But for now all we have is a big
marshmallow roast.

"Okay who brought the marshmallows?"

They all laughed.

"Are we ready to go guys? I think we saw enough and I doubt anyone is around
and if they are they don't have the balls to show themselves."

"Yeah Tommy but if they are around and hiding now they know someone else is
alive too."

"That's true Danny but unless they follow us the three or four miles home
when we leave they don't have a clue where we live so I feel pretty safe
even if this fire isn't an accident."

I started the truck and slowly rolled past the burning building.

"Eyes open guys remember we still aren't safe."

They went back to watching the sides of the truck as I sped off. I turned
and went around to the rear of the burning house on the next block but we
still saw nothing but what was now a wall of flames and a shell of a house
left and we took off.  I followed the road back the way we came and saw
signs for the parkway almost immediately. Once we were back on the parkway I
felt safe again.

"That was pretty scary Tommy."

"Yeah Danny I know what you mean. I wasn't scared but I did feel something
weird watching that place burn without anyone there to help."

"Yeah Dan I know what you mean, Kyle added. You kinda feel helpless and wish
you could help some how but you can't."

"Yeah." Dan said.

"Well its all behind us now so just put it out of your mind we are safe and
I still want you guys watching the roads just until we are back in our
neighborhood."

I pulled onto our block and parked the truck in front of the house. I didn't
like using the driveway because it seemed to block the house and I liked the
open space so I always left the truck in the street unless I was in a hurry
or something on occasion. We got out and the smell was still in the air but
at least now we know why. Shawn was at the door and now it was time to face
the next problem.

"You guys are back. I am so glad I can't handle Trevor anymore. He is wacky
Tommy. He was mumbling some stuff and then he would lie down and then get up
and go into the bathroom. He came out with his pants down and then he. well
he is just acting crazy."

"Thanks Shawn I'll take it from here."

"So what did you guys find Tommy?"

"It was a house burning a few miles away and the wind was bringing the smell
this way. We are totally safe Shawn."

"That's good I was a little worried something was wrong."

"Nope bud, we are gonna be fine. Kyle said to him. You wanna go play some
play station on in my room Shawn?"

"Yeah kewl!"

Off they went. I turned to Jon and told him I was going to go get Trevor out
of Kyle's room and bring him to ours for a bit. He just rolled his eyes and
said okay.
I wasn't crazy about it either but Kyle and Shawn need privacy and right now
I don't know what I am going to do with Trevor. I am going to try talking
some but if he is mentally out of it after seeing his father I don't know
what to do with him. I headed upstairs. Danny was at the top of the steps
talking to Christian about something and Christian was yelling back at him.

"Everything okay Danny?"

"Not really Tommy, Chris is being a pain in the ass tonight."

"Why?"

"Because he is seven and can be I guess."

I laughed.

"Guess you are going to have your hands full tonight."

"Yeah, thanks for offering to help."

"Nope. Sorry he is your brother and I am not his disciplinarian, you are.
If he gets too out of hand smack him in the ass softly if that doesn't work
tell him you are going to get me and I will punish him. That might give you
some help."

"And I can come get you then?"

"No, only if he disrupts the house I will get involved. You handle it."

"Gee thanks Tommy."

"Anytime my friend."

I shook my head as he walked away in disgust. I almost want to go watch but
I think I'll pass. I entered in by Trevor and he looked at me.

"You okay Trev?"

"No."

Well at least he spoke. I went over by him and sat next to him.

"Come on, Kyle wants his room back come into mine for a bit."

I grabbed him softly by the arm and he got up and walked down the hall with
me.

"Sit on my bed."

He did as I asked.

"I want you to go take a shower Trevor okay?"

"Sure Tommy whatever you want."

He got up and headed out of my room.

"Call me if you need me I will be listening for you,"

He didn't answer. I heard the bathroom door shut and the water start. I
think he is all there now. I guess he had time for all of this to sink in
and finally accept what happened. This has to suck big time but I don't know
what to do other then be with him if he wants me. I sure wish I knew where
Billy was. At least if he were here that would be one less thing on my mind
now. I sat and then lay on my bed while I listened to the water splash in
the bathroom shower and monitored Trevor's shower to make sure he was okay.
Well as okay as possible from a few rooms away.  I heard some yelling from
Kyle's room and smiled knowing that someone was kicking ass in whatever game
they were playing. It was a good sound to hear! The water stopped running in
the bathroom and I figured Trevor's shower had ended. I walked over and put
my ear to the door and heard a towel rustling and figured he would be out
soon. I went down to find Jon and talk to him about Trevor. I found him on
the couch lying out on his belly propped up on some pillows watching Danny
and Joey play tonight since sadly we are minus Billy. It doesn't seem to
bother Joey one bit that Billy is missing and it pisses me off to no end
that he doesn't seem to care about this at all. I went over and came up
behind Jon and ran my hand up his ass over his jeans. He turned to look at
me.

"What's up?"

"Not much. Just came down to check on you. Trevor was drying off in the
shower last I checked and might be coming around."

"That's good, I hate seeing that cutie so out of it. He looked like a zombie
when you got him home."

"I just want to warn you in advance that I don't know what we are going to
do with him tonight. He might sleep like a baby or disrupt the entire house
all night."

"I sure hope that doesn't happen."

"Me too, but we need to think about it just in case. I'm going back up to
see how he is."

"Okay let me know if I can do anything."

"Anything?" I smiled at him.

"I mean for Trevor you perv!"

"Oh, oh I see."

I got up and gave him a good smack on the ass as I left the couch.

"Ouch, Faggot!"

"HA HA! YES I AM ONE!"

I stopped on the steps and looked back at him. He was still rubbing his ass.

"I will take care of that later for you if you want."

"No that's okay. You did enough to my ass tonight."

Both Danny and Joey snickered at him when he said that to me. He reached
over and smacked Danny up side the head because he was the only one he could
reach from his position.

"Owwwww quit it faggot!"

He said in a ball buster tone causing Joey to laugh and me to smile as I
watched it from the steps.

"Ha, Ha!" he said to Danny as he mimicked his words from before.

I headed back upstairs as soon as it seemed like the fun was over
downstairs. I knocked on the bathroom door and Trevor said come in. I opened
it and he was drying his hair with one towel rapped around his waist and
looked better.

"You feel any better?"

"A little, mostly I am just sad about losing my dad when if I knew he was
alive I would have stayed home and looked for him."

"But how Trevor? You didn't know and neither did anyone else. You can't look
for someone when you don't know where they are!"

He looked at me and just shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm sorry about before in the bathroom Tommy, I was kinda out of it. I
remember it and what you did for me and i wanted to tell you that it was
really nice of you to help me that way. I am sorry you had to wipe my butt
though. That was pretty embarrassing. I mean then I didn't even think about
it but now when I do it must have really sucked to do that for me."

I walked over to him and stood in front of him.

"It's totally okay with me. Sure I didn't like it but I was really worried
about you. You were out of it."

"I couldn't get the look of my father out of my mind Tommy how bad and gross
his face was. It wasn't the person I knew but the clothes and everything
else matched him."

"But you are sure it was him? I mean we spent two hours burying someone and
I sure hope it was your dad."

"Well if it wasn't him he sure had the same hair and clothes as my dad wore.
The only thing I couldn't tell you is."

He stopped and began stumbling over his words.

". His face Tommy, I can't get it out of my head. I see the mess and it
scares me. I think about it more then I should, I just don't know what to do
Tommy, I am confused about all this and I remember everything from before
you took me home clearly. it feels like I wasn't there, like it was fake.
Almost like."

"Like you were in a fog and were floating or imagining it?"

I know that doesn't sound right but I am trying to help him express himself
and he is so lost now.

"I don't know exactly if that's it but I guess like that. I almost wish I
didn't go with you now but I also know that I had to do this. I just wish I
didn't have to find him that way. It hurts so much!"

I moved closer to him, he looked like he was going to lose it now. He kinda
ran to me and I took him into my arms. Wet towel and all I held him. There
was little doubt now that this wasn't the same strong minded boy who didn't
want to know me or have anything to do with me not too long ago. The trip
has changed him and now he seems lost. I held him in my arms. He really
wasn't crying he was more scared then anything, shaking almost like he was
frightened of his thoughts or the memories of what he saw. He hugged me and
held tightly. This was not only surprising it felt like we both needed it.
The day sucked for me too! I was getting a little damp now from his towel
but even under these circumstances getting to hold this cutie was okay by
me. I raised a hand to his head and brushed his wet hair back and out of his
eyes some. I messed with it as much as I could because I didn't know if I
would get another chance to in the future. He smelled good and no where like
before we got home. The shower did some good for him, maybe cleared his mind
a bit. I let go of him and turned to leave giving him privacy which I am
sure he wants back if anything, since he has offered something to me in his
feelings, I will give some back to him now and hopefully we can now make
this work as a friendship free of fighting. I don't think this is going to
take long to happen but I think his healing will without a doubt.

"I'm going to my room Trevor. If you need me or if anything bothers you
don't hesitate to come get me. Just please whatever you do don't come
screaming into my room I don't need a heart attack at my age."

He smiled faintly.

"Sure Tommy thanks for caring. I think I will be okay tonight."

"Your welcome, Nite."

"Nite."

I left the bathroom and even though it was early I was beat. Digging the
hole whooped my ass tonight. I went to my bed and flopped down on top of it
not even bothering to pull down the covers. I was torn between a shower and
going to bed with today's sweat on me. At this point I didn't care anymore
and if Jon did he can live with it for one night. My head hit the pillow, I
closed my eyes and that was all I remembered until Jon got in bed sometime
later and the bed shaking woke me. I opened an eye and Jon smiled at me as
he was getting in bed.

"Sorry Tommy, I didn't mean to wake you."

I faked a smile as I closed my eyes and felt him get under the covers. I was
still on top of them and I didn't care at the moment. I just drifted back
off to sleep with the light going off in the room being the last thing I
remembered seeing. I woke and it was still dark outside and in the room. The
only thing I heard was Jon breathing. I sat up and read my alarm clock which
said 3:30. I felt a little better but sore from all the shoveling. I got up
stripped off my dirty clothes and headed to shower. I knew this wasn't a
great thing to do at this hour (fearing it will totally wake me and I will
never fall back asleep) but I wanted to feel clean and I was awake so I
didn't really care. I got in the bathroom and started the shower water.
After proper adjustments I got in and just let the warm water run down my
head and back. It woke me some but I guess I really didn't care as long as I
didn't feel grimy anymore. I took the bar of soap washed myself and then
shampooed my hair and after soaking in the warm water for a bit longer I got
out and dried off. It was now close to 4am and like I feared I was awake and
had nothing to do. I really didn't want to wake anyone so I decided to dress
and go stroll the neighborhood and look for Billy.

I dressed quietly and didn't wake Jon. I left the room and then the house
and headed out into the warm and very eerie, smoky night air. The smell was
still lingering in the air and with the breezy conditions it seemed to be
closer then we found it to be earlier tonight. I walked to the end of the
street and looked in the direction it was coming from. I didn't see anything
but dark. I felt a chill go through me as I stood there looking for the fire
danger. I knew no one was around but us, at least in this neighborhood but
for some reason I still felt like I was being watched or someone was near. I
put a hand on my gun; I looked all around me left, right and saw nothing. I
felt scared but I didn't know what it was that was spooking me all of a
sudden.  No one, nothing but the breeze blowing in my face as I stood on the
corner. I looked towards the house I looked up and down the cross road but
it was all clear all safe. Just the feeling I was getting from the smoke and
the mental images of watching the house burn before. I figured it was
nothing more but that. I began to walk looking for anything. Wondering even
aloud where Billy was. I wished he was with me so I could stop worry about
him so much and focus back on everyone else. The smell of smoke was getting
stronger now but the wind wasn't blowing any harder. Again I looked towards
the direction I checked before and still saw nothing in the sky. I felt a
little freaked but other then that there was nothing threatening me. I
wanted to yell for him and hope he would answer but not now. I didn't want
to risk waking or scaring any of the boys who were sound asleep in the
house. Billy had to go somewhere but the neighborhood was dark except for
the regular lights that have been burning all along soon to blow out I
guessed knowing light bulbs wouldn't last forever in the empty houses that
were still lighted. That was the least of my worries. I didn't care what
lights were on I was just trying to make sense over where Billy could be. I
missed him and I wanted to kill him for going off like that but I did
understand his embarrassment on some level. I strolled around a little
longer and then finally I decided to leave the darkness and head back inside
where I would feel safer even though I knew no one was there. When I got
back inside I locked the door and headed back up to the bedroom dejectedly
knowing we were still one kid short of where we should be because of a joke
and nothing more. The clock said 4:45 and it didn't even seem like that much
time had passed. I went back to my bedroom stripped off my clothes and got
back into bed. Jon stirred a little and licked his lips before rolling over
and lying on his side now facing away from me. I put my head on the pillow
and closed my eyes.

I woke to screaming and practically jumped out of my skin as I ran out of
the room without a stitch of clothing on. It was light out now and before I
could step two feet out of my door I had a very scared looking Shawn in my
face.

"Shawn calm down what is wrong?"

"I just went outside and there is smoke out there Tommy! It looks bad and
close to us."

"Okay calm down and let me get dressed."

He had the whole house awake now and I quickly threw on shorts and headed
back downstairs wondering what he meant. I knew only a few hours before I
was out there and didn't see any flames. I headed down with Shawn behind me
and opened the door to outside.

"Wholly shit!"

Was all I could get out of my mouth. The sky was full of smoke and it looked
like someone set something very close on fire. I was scared! Jon was right
behind me when I turned to look and see who was there and he poked his head
around and looked out too and I could see the fear in his face.

"Get everyone up and dressed if they aren't already awake."

"Okay Tommy." He said as he turned and headed back upstairs.

I looked at Shawn.

"You want to come with me or go back inside?"

"Go with you Tommy. I am too scared to go back in the house now."

I walked with Shawn at my side up to the corner I stood at just hours ago
and looked in the same direction I did then. The smoke was high in the air
but a lot thicker then it should be for something that was so far away last
night.

"We need to find out where this is Shawn. Everyone goes this time no one is
going to stay behind in case this is really bad."

I hurried back to the house and Jon had everyone downstairs and dressed.

"Okay guys in the truck we need to see what is burning."

I started the truck and headed out to check the location of the fire. We got
on the parkway and drove a short distance before we saw the smoke and flames
in front of us. I stopped the truck and watched them shoot high in the air.
Someone set a bunch of building on fire on the other side of the river and
it was totally out of control. We had trouble and it might have started
miles away last night but now it was just outside our neighborhood and
across the river. The truck was silent as we watched several buildings burn
on the other side of the water. The same water we dumped the body into some
time ago. Right now we weren't in danger because I couldn't see a way that
could jump the river but I was more concerned that whoever was doing this
could start it on our side of the river and burn us out of our neighborhood
or worse, kill us!

"What are we going to do Tommy?" asked a scared Shawn.

"Guys right now we aren't going to do anything as long as that is burning on
that side of the river we are safe."

That seemed to calm the boys but it didn't calm me. Not by a long shot!

"Now what do we do Tommy?"

"Nothing Danny. There isn't anything we can do except watch it and make sure
it doesn't cross the river."

"But could it do that Tom?"

"I don't think so Jon but I want to know how it started and how did last
nights fire start too."

"Do you think someone is doing this Tommy?"

"I don't know Kyle, but someone might be out there doing this for fun and if
that is the case we need to really be careful now or someone could get hurt
for sure!"

I thought about going over just to see if anyone was around but if they were
I am sure by now they are happy with their pyrotechnics and have fled on to
somewhere else.

"Okay boys since there is nothing we can do about this we have two choices.
I looked at the radio for the time and it was 7:30. I was glad I slept
before this since that whole three hours of sleep I just got feels like
nothing now. You guys want to go there or you want to go back home?"

"There. there. let's go over."

Seemed like most of them wanted to go. At least three of them wanted to go.

"Okay we go. Kyle do you have your gun?"

"No bro I didn't even think about needing it."

"Okay no problem, take mine."

I handed him mine.

"Jon reach under the seat and grab the one that is there and you hold it for
now okay?"

"Sure Tom."

He grabbed the spare I kept in the truck as we crossed the bridge and into
the next county. The smoke billowed up and over us as we got closer to it
but the smell was strong. I got to a corner and turned it to see a building
full of flames and another that looked like it caught on from it. As I got
closer I could see it was threatening a gas station now and I had little
doubt that it would explode eventually.

"We can't stay near this boys the heat is way too much and if that gas
station next to it goes we are going with it."

"Well let's get out of here then!" yelled someone.

"Okay guys relax. It's not burning yet but it will probably start soon the
way the wind is blowing the flames towards that station. When it does go we
will know it in more ways then one though!"

"Maybe we should leave now Tom."

"We will Kyle. Just keep your eyes on the area everyone not just the fire.
We don't need anyone sneaking up on us if they are still here. It's obvious
now that someone is doing this and looking for trouble and probably knows we
are here too. Not where we live but that we are here."

I started the truck back up and rolled by the corner of the gas station and
made a left turn keeping the station on our left side. I circled the block
and saw the rear of the burning buildings now. It was easy to see that one
caught the other on fire and that there probably was only one fire set and
it spread on its own. There was a wide opening on the other side of the area
and we could easily sit back far enough and watch this if we choose to. The
city isn't fully built in this area since I think at one time most of this
was privately owned and empty lot. Just recently people have been building
on it. Then of course the comet came and ended all that. I moved down the
block and turned the truck in a way so no one could really get behind us and
we could see the fire building from a safer distance. The only thing we
couldn't see what the other side where it would catch the gas station
eventually so we will probably have to wait to know when that happens. I
don't really see us here that long since it has a way to go before that
happens I think. The gas station wasn't even burning yet but I figure by mid
day should blow up.  We sat for a while and I scanned the area as the others
watched the conflagration in front of us. The smoke was blowing in the
direction of our house now more then before and the once sunny sky was now
clouding up. Maybe rain will put this out. I don't know since it's so strong
and hot if that could help at all but like I said as long as it doesn't
cross the river we are fine. About thirty minutes passed it was burning and
no one was around but us.

"Time to go now or are we staying longer?"

"No let's go Tommy I have seen enough."

"Yeah I gotta pee too"

"And I'm hungry."

"Okay, I get the idea."

I started the truck and we slowly rolled down the street and I turned so we
wouldn't pass it but come out where we could see if it spread to the gas
station yet. It looked ok so I got closer and so far the buildings were all
that was burning.

"It's just a matter of time before this goes guys but we will hear it from
home I am not risking any of our lives."

Without further comment I drove off and headed back home. I just hope this
ass hole that is doing this stays on this side of the water. I don't want to
leave my house it's all I have left of my memories with my parents.

"Anyone hungry before we head home?"

Just rumbles of no as replies.

"How about ice cream?" I added.

"Can we go back and try to find Billy?"

"Sure Joey, starting to feel a little guilty?"

Kyle leaned forward and smacked me in the arm after I said that.

"Hey why are you trying to make him feel worse? He already missed Billy and
blames himself don't rub it in!" he whispered to me.

"Sure Joey we will head straight home and all start looking for Billy."

We were home in a flash after my punishment from Kyle and after I parked the
truck we all got out and walked our smoky neighborhood in search of Billy.
Since it was daytime we really didn't need to pair up besides we have been
farther away from home on our own before the comet hit. I headed to his
house thinking maybe he had stopped there since he left us. I walked in and
yelled for him but got no answer. I checked his bedroom and he bed seems to
have been recently slept in but other then that no one was there now. I left
and found Jon and Kyle within sight and they saw me and headed over.

"Anything inside?"

"It looks like he has slept here recently Jon."

"How would you know that?"

"There are some fresh dishes in the sink and empty soup containers in the
garbage that still smell kinda fresh."

"That's good. At least we know he should be close then." Kyle commented.

"Yeah I think so. His underwear and stuff was all over his floor and I
checked the bathroom towel and it was dry but maybe a little damn in spots."

We regrouped and started to search again outside but farther out of the
immediate neighborhood. I got an idea and headed for the tunnel just for the
hell of it. I went to my truck and grabbed a flashlight and then took the
walk over to our hiding place. I shined the light in as I entered alone. It
brought back instant memories of the day the comet hit and flooded my head
with emotions of everything from the ground shaking to the scared kids with
me. I entered and started walking slowly hoping he was in there. I was in to
the point where I couldn't see outside anymore and I had a feeling he was
here. Nothing showed it but I just think...

BOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!

An earth shattering explosion racked the tunnel as the ground shook under me
and debris fell on me from above. Mostly dirt. I nearly shit myself
wondering what happened. I thought I heard screams but after the deafening
blast I wasn't sure if they were from in here or outside. Then I heard more
yelling as I ran to the entrance of the tunnel. It was the guys outside.
They saw me and came running over.

"What happened?" I screamed to them.

"I think the gas station blew up. Jon yelled to me. We were looking for
Billy like you and that explosion went off and I looked over and saw a huge
fireball and puff of smoke from where we were and next thing I knew I
couldn't hear for a second!"

I looked over that way and there was a lot of smoke now billowing up and I
assumed he was right.

"Is everyone okay?"

"I don't know Tommy. Only Kyle and Joey were in sight when the explosion
went off."

"Okay let's go look for everyone."

We did a search and yelled for the others and we didn't have to look that
hard. Shawn came running towards us and into my arms followed by Danny and
his brother who were obviously shaken by the blast. I held Shawn and
reassured him we were okay and it was just the gas station from before.
Finally Trevor showed up and we were all safe and accounted for. He seemed
fine.

"Okay everyone listen up. I don't know how bad it's getting over there but
there might be more explosions. I don't expect anything to happen here but
just be alert incase something does."

I briefly checked out everyone for injuries and found nothing.

"Okay now this time I want everyone in pairs. Pick a partner and go back out
looking. Danny you and your brother go with Joey for now. Jon you go with
Kyle and Shawn stay with me. Trevor you can decide where you want to go."

"I'll go with Kyle and Joey."

"Okay fine. Now everyone please be careful just in case."

Again we split out and started to search for Billy. Shawn followed me as I
headed back to the tunnel. I wasn't done in there yet.

"Where are we going Tommy?"

"In the tunnel Shawn, That's where I was when the gas station blew up."

"Do we really have to go in there? Its dark and I'm scared of that place."

"When were you in there Shawn?"

He didn't answer. I stopped walking and turned to him.

"Shawn, how can you be afraid of something you probably have never been in
or near?"

"Oh I have been by that tunnel Tommy. I just didn't go in. it was way too
scary for me and dark!"

"Well you are with me now do you trust me?"

"Sure I do."

"Well then don't worry about anything. We will be fine."

I took him by the hand and held the flashlight in the other as we entered
into the darkness. We walked in to the point I was at last time and I
stopped.

"Why are we stopping Tommy?"

"Shush up a second Shawn I am trying to listen to see if anyone is in here."

"Don't say that Tommy, you scare me."

"Shawn just be quiet okay?"

I listened for a second and heard nothing and we moved on in farther. The
farther we walked the tighter Shawn's grip became on my hand. He had a
decent grip but wasn't strong enough to hurt me. We had walked a bit now and
the only thing we could see was what the flashlight shown on.

"BILLY? YOU IN HERE? BILLY?"

I was yelling for him but all I heard was my echo. We walked on a bit more.
I figured we were about half way in now and still no sign of anyone. It had
grown quiet around us now and other then our feet dragging the only sound
was Shawn's teeth shattering from being scared.

"BILLY!"

I yelled out once more and again no reply. We walked a bit farther and the
air was starting to become stale. We had to be getting close to the end. I
remember this smell from last time.

"Tommy?"

"Yes Shawn?"

"You are holding my hand right?"

"Yes."

"And you have the flash light in your other hand."

"Yes Shawn what are you getting at?"

"Um. I don't know how to tell you this but there is something on my shoulder
and if its not you who is it?"

He screamed out and ran forward away from whatever was touching him and I
turned to look and saw the outline of a body which caused me to jump and
drop the flashlight. As the light hit the ground it went out and we were in
total darkness. I heard footsteps and Shawn yelling and whimpering both
coming from opposite sides of me. A light came on and shined right in my
face so I couldn't see who was shining it. As that happened Shawn came up
behind me and grabbed my back making me jump and almost knock him to the
ground. He stumbled and I turned to grab him so he wouldn't fall ignoring
whoever had us blinded by the flashlight in the other direction. I had
control of him now as he stood behind me for protection.

"Okay, whoever you are with that light I want you to identify yourself right
now."

I didn't know what else to do so I tried to be demanding and sound brave
while all I really was thinking about was pissing my boxers. The blinding
light started towards us and I could make out a body behind it but not see a
face. They were smaller then me and I was hoping it was Billy. As the person
got closer it became apparent we were not in danger simply because they
finally said something and I recognized the voice.

"Sorry guys I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to catch up with you
so we could search the tunnel together."

"JON you almost gave me a heart attack you ass!"

"I said sorry."

"Yeah but you scared both of us and I almost hurt Shawn. Why didn't you
speak up sooner instead of blinding us with that flashlight?"

"I don't know." was his answer.

"Sometimes I swear!!"

I walked over and grabbed his flashlight and looked for mine. I found it and
checked it out and luckily the top loosened and nothing more. I tightened it
and it worked fine once again.

"Here you ass, take your light back before I find a place to stick it
permanently!"

I wasn't really mad more shaken by him scaring us and not answering right
away. I swear he did it on purpose to get something out of it but I will
never be able to prove it. We shook the fright off and continued farther
into the tunnel. We reached the end and it was empty and we turned to exit
out. Once again the ground shook as we were about to leave and I hoped it
was the gas station.

"What was that?" Shawn yelled out.

"Just the gas station I hope Shawn don't worry we are safe."

"I sure hope so. This is getting to be very scary now."

"I know Shawn, come on lets get out of here."

The three of us walked quickly back to the open end of the tunnel and about
fifteen minutes later we were approaching the end. Nothing appeared to be
out of sorts as we exited and rounded the corner of the tunnel. I looked up
and gasped as I saw flames leaping into the air close to a hundred feet. It
looked like the whole other side of the river was burning now and we had to
think about evacuation now even if it was still out of reach.

"We have to find everyone right now and get home and start packing Jon."

"You really think it's that bad?"

"I think its getting to the point where I no longer feel safe to sleep with
it burning that much."

I started calling for the others first on the cell phone and then aloud with
Jon and Shawn helping yell as we headed for home. Billy will have to wait to
be found for now or we have to hope he is somewhere safe now.  By the time
we got home a few of the guys were already there and shortly everyone else
showed up.

"Okay guys I don't like this anymore then you do but everyone has to pack as
much as you can and we are going to prepare to leave if this gets worse."

"But why Tommy? It's still on the other side of the river isn't it?"

"Probably Danny but would you feel safe sleeping tonight with that burning
over there?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay everyone inside and start packing anything you need. Don't take any
games or anything else like that. Just what you want and need like personal
stuff."

They all headed inside as did I. I went to pack my stuff and collect my
personal belongings. We can always stop and shop some place up the road if
this gets too bad but I can't risk our lives until I know for sure this
thing will burn itself out on the other side of the river. Just then there
was another explosion and I ran to the window and saw another fireball shoot
up into the sky. It was mid afternoon and with all the smoke and cinders
floating around it almost looked dark. Just then Joey came running into the
room.

"Tommy, Tommy!"

"What's wrong?"

"It looks like something is on fire up the road."

A chill ran up my back with his words cutting me right to the bone. I ran
downstairs and outside to the middle of the road and then started jogging up
to where the latest fire appeared to be. As I got there someones lawn was
burning apparently from falling hot embers I guess. I grabbed their garden
hose and tried to put it out. It wasn't large but it was growing. I worked
on it for a few minutes and finally got it out shortly after that. I dropped
the hose and went to turn it off and saw everyone in the middle of the
street watching me fight the fire. They applauded when I looked their way.

"Thanks guys but this is really nothing super. I am just trying to keep us
safe. Okay are any of you packed?"

"I am done Tommy." Said Danny,

"Okay Dan I want you on fire watch. We will all take turns now until this
either passes or we have to leave. Any signs of fire in our neighborhood or
within eye sight I want whoever is watching to come get all of us and we are
going to have to put it out or leave."

"Oh do I have to?"

"Yes Dan and as we are all packed we will take turns until everyone has a
chance to watch the area. We will take turns once every thirty minutes. When
it gets dark around 7:30 or whatever time it does now we will have to make a
decision on whether we stay for the night or leave to a safer place."

There was some mumblings over my safety idea but I don't see any other idea
of keeping us safe now after the small fire up the block. If that got out of
hand we could lose our neighborhood for sure. Another reason I don't want to
go tonight. If we are here we have a chance. If we leave then no one will
put any fire out that might start. What a dilemma!!! All we can do is hope
for the best. I think maybe a trip out to the rich side of town is called
for. It's a little ride but maybe we can look at living in one of those big
mansions or something where we have a lot of room to spread out. I didn't
want to do this but we might not have a choice now. So until it gets dark we
will have to watch the block and try to be safe. I went to the window and
watched the smoke blow over the top of us as the fire was burning probably
totally out of control downtown. I just hope it burns itself out eventually.
It's cloudy now maybe it will rain and help some. I don't know what else to
think now. I went back to packing my stuff and getting ready for anything.



To be continued.....


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