Chapter 85
End of the World?
He took his time walking home from Mr. Osmond's place. The evening turned into night and he was well aware that this night might be the last humans could walk the streets in safety.
Short of the world ending, there was no way he'd get Lydia to go to some crowded church, and that was not counting what his parents might say.
If events went down like last time, the Change would happen at 5:00 that morning. But considering how many things were different this time around, he didn't know what to expect.
When he entered the house. The TV was on. Of course.
“Die implant-wearer scum! That will teach you to nuke New York City!” Then there were sounds of a chainsaw and screaming.
Leo wandered into the living room. Lydia's face was glued to the TV. Her cat Sparkles was curled up next to her on the easy chair.
And that concludes the preview of the new Monster Trauma movie, Burke vs the End of the World.
Leo sat on the couch. “I didn't know that Monster Trauma Burke guy hunted implant wearers.”
“A bunch of movies are coming out tomorrow, because of all that end-of-the-world implant-wearers-turning-into-monsters-on-the-sixteenth-of-October nonsense,” Lydia said, not looking away from the TV.
“I see. Well, let's order out,” Leo said. “If the world's ending tomorrow, we might as well live it up.”
“You really believe the world's ending tomorrow, don't you?” Lydia turned to look at him. “You're such a loser. But if you want to order out, order out, as long as you're paying.”
“Good,” Leo said. “I'll get online and order some stuff. Oh, yeah. Jason's coming over later.”
Lydia sniffed. “Fine. I bet he believes the world is ending, too. All because of that stupid implant wearer.”
“Something like that.” Leo logged on to his laptop and looked at food options. He wasn't sure what he wanted, so he figured, why not? And ordered from multiple locations. Pizza, chicken, Chinese food, hamburgers, fries.
Jason came over soon after with a pack full of survival gear. He looked tired and miserable. After dumping his pack in Leo's room, he went over to Leo and spoke quietly so Lydia wouldn't hear. “The church is packed, and if this Change happens, my parents, and my brother are turning into monsters so I can't spend the night at home. Any news on a 'plant? It seems like everyone's making one, but they're always for somebody else.”
“I'm making you one now,” Leo said. “It should be ready by the twelfth of November.”
“I could be dead by then!”
“You'll be fine, Jason. Just stick with us,” Leo responded. “I'm sorry we couldn't get you one earlier. On a positive note, the end of the world may not be happening and you won't need a 'plant.”
The doorbell rang, and the first delivery guy had arrived. Leo paid with his debit card, and soon they were all stuffing their faces with pizza and watching Burke decapitate monsters on TV.
A few hours and three more deliveries later, Lydia turned in, and Jason was snoring on the couch in a food coma.
Leo couldn't sleep. This is it, he thought, the end of the world. He left the house and climbed the tree in his backyard, climbing as high as he could, he looked over the neighborhood. A half moon, city lights, and an odd silence combined to give the neighborhood an eerie, alien feel.
Hours later, he climbed down reluctantly. At two in the morning, he told Imp to wake him at five and tried to get some sleep...
It's five in the morning, Leo.
“Yeah. I know,” Leo said, having gotten no sleep. “Do you notice anything different?”
No, Leo. I do not.
Teach: Digital fireworks are going off on the billboard, Leo, just like the aliens said. Anything on your end?
Future Man 10/16: Nothing yet, Mr. Osmond. Things are definitely not going down like last time, but stay alert for anything unusual. I'll do the same.
By breakfast time, Leo knew the Change hadn't occurred. His parents were their normal, annoying selves.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Go to school, Leo. The world is not ending,” Mom said. “You too, Jason.”
“I'm not going,” Leo said. “I couldn't sleep last night because I kept having nightmares. And Lydia isn't going either.”
“Yeah,” Jason said, suppressing a smirk. “Those implant wearers are going to kill everyone.”
“Leo's so stupid,” Lydia said. “I heard a bunch of people are staying home today because they're afraid of monsters.”
To add insult to injury, a TV announcer came on.
We've heard from a reliable source that there is no truth to the claim that implant-wearers are turning into monsters and eating everyone. They are no more monstrous today than they were yesterday.
Mom sighed. “That's enough, kids. You are all going to school.”
Well, things could be worse, Leo thought. Mom was alert and sane enough to kick the kids out of the house, so she could get some sleep. “Fine. Get your stuff, Jason. We're going to school.”
***
“Obviously, we're not going to school,” Leo said, once they'd left the house and found an unobtrusive alley with a bush they could hide behind. “We're waiting for Lydia.”
“Do we have to?” Jason asked.
“If you want to go, go. I'm staying here.”
“What happened to Lydia last time?” Jason asked.
“I don't know for sure,” Leo said. “Last time around, I left for school and never saw her again.” He checked his implant for the time. “If she's not out soon, I'm going back in.”
“What do we do if something does happen?” Jason asked. “I tried to get the church to give me a gun. They were impressed by my hundred-plus hours of VR gun-slinging while playing School's Out, but apparently there's a gun shortage, and they couldn't spare any.”
“I got my short sword in my pack, my emergency survival equipment, and the nug from Dad's safe.”
“The nug?”
Leo looked up at the five drones hovering nearby. He spelled out NUG on the ground, then pointed to the last letter and spelled it backward: G.U.N.
“Ooh.” Jason's eyes lit up with comprehension.
“Keep in mind you want to be careful when you nug something. Assuming the Afflicted are like they were last time, they'll be attracted to noise.”
The door to Leo's house opened, and Lydia came out. After making sure Leo's mom wasn't watching, the two boys converged on Lydia.
She glared at them. “What are you doing?”
“Me and Jason are going to Mr. Osmond's place to watch TV and play VR games and stuff. Join us. I'll even tell you the secret I promised to tell you today.”
For a second, Leo could tell she was tempted. Then she sniffed. “You two are crazy. You've ditched enough of your classes, Leo. If you're not careful, you're going to fail all your classes and be a bigger loser than you already are.”
“If you're sure you don't want to join us,” Leo responded, “watch out for monsters.”
“Get lost creep.” Lydia pushed past them and kept going.
“Wait!” Leo ran after her. “You've got my phone number. If anything end-of-the-world like happens, you call me, okay?”
“Go away,” was her response.
Her school was only a few blocks away. Leo watched as she walked to school and entered the school grounds.
“Are you sure this Change is happening?” Jason asked. “Is it possible you saved the world, or the end of the world never happened in the first place?”
Leo sighed. “I'm not sure of anything at this point. Let's go.”
The Professor: It would seem that we can safely conclude the end-of-the-world event is not happening as predicted. This apocalyptic event may have taken a different form, or it's possible we've actually saved the world. As always--Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Future Man 10/16: Mr. Osmond. Anything?
Teach: You know as much as I do, Leo. I did notice Billboard Boy's watch is still running. This may mean nothing, as it's possible the aliens may be planning another digital fireworks display in a couple of years when the watch hits midnight again. The church members are going to wait around today, in case something happens, but they're already talking about selling the survival equipment and giving the money to charity. I've urged them to hold off on that for a few days, at least. Is it possible we really did save the world?
Future Man 10/16: Let's hope so. Planning to wait around your place before heading home to check on my sister.
Teach: You know the digital passcode, and my lock recognizes your cellphone, so you're good to go. Please don't come by the church. We're trying to stay lowkey and don't want to get busted again. If the world does end, hold your position. Someone will pick you up ASAP.
Future Man 10/16: Thank you. Not just for that. For everything. You've helped me so much.
Teach: Careful, you'll get me choked up. Keep me posted.
“Oh. Shit,” Jason said. “If the world doesn't end, what are you doing about Brick?”
Leo laughed. “At this point, I can either pay him $1000 or beat his ass. Maybe I'll do both. What do you think? I pay him $1000 then pound his ass? That idiot's tiny brain won't be able to handle it.” He messaged Angie, explaining how Brick wanted to meet him in a gym storage room tomorrow and would she like to help?
Zrrkr #1 Oh, hell yes! I wouldn't miss this for anything.
The End.
Just kidding. We're not even close.