Chapter 36

The Countdown Continues

Friday, October 10th, 2059

6 days to the apocalypse

After the extended interview, Leo put Rory's helmet back on, and Rory took him back to the city by an alternate route.

“I think the best place to drop you off to avoid notice is around a bunch of kids your age,” Rory shouted over the motorcycle engine. “Or, in other words, school.”

Leo sighed. He would really rather shower to get rid of the last of the tear gas that still irritated his skin, but the guy had a point. “No problem,” Leo shouted back. “Drop me off.”

Rory soon pulled up into the parking lot in front of Leo's school. “I don't think the other guys have made up their minds about you. But I think you believe what you're saying.” He brushed his left wrist against Leo's.

Biker Boy 860: requests contact. Yes. No.

Leo selected Yes.

Rory took back his helmet.

Biker Boy 860: Keep the jacket and pull up your hood. They're less likely to notice you that way. I don't know what's going to happen, but good luck.

Future Man 10/16: You as well. Thanks for the jacket.

Leo pulled up his hoodie and headed into the school building.

He entered the principal's office for a late pass and found Brick hanging around. “Nice jacket, asshole,” Brick said as Leo walked by.

“Thanks,” Leo said. “I'm joining a biker gang.”

“You'll be joining prison, Leo, if you're not careful,” said the young female office aide, filling out Leo's late pass.

“Can't have that,” Leo responded. “I heard prison's like school, only worse.”

Leo took his hall pass and headed for class.

Future Man 10/16: Mr. Osmond. Everything okay?

Teach: At least we're not in prison. The police pulled us over and fined us for some kind of bullshit anti-rioting law and confiscated all our weapons.

Future Man 10/16: The bastards. I never got a chance to shoot my gun.

Teach: How about you? I was about to contact you. We dropped the other kid off at the church. I think he has your cellphone.

Future Man 10/16: I spent the night talking to local resistance members. Don't think I convinced them, though.

Teach: The hearing's set for October 17th. I'm thinking we should wait for the Change and steal our weapons back from the police evidence room. I've also marked a couple of gun shops, owned by heavy Bio-Blessed users. Once the Change happens, we'll be able to take what we want.

Future Man 10/16: Sounds good. In the meantime, I want to spend the next few days in one of your gaming pods. That should allow me to level up some skills and get more Demon Tears.

Teach: Of course.

***

Wednesday, October 15th, 2059

7:00 PM

10 hours to the apocalypse

After four days of gaming at Mr. Osmond's house, Leo was having a nightmare.

“Tell me about your plans, human.” A monster held him down with its many tentacles and poured water over his head.

“Fuck you,” Leo choked out when he'd finished coughing. “I wouldn't tell you if I knew.”

Leo. Leo. Wake up!

“Imp?” Leo mumbled, slowly returning to consciousness.

He groaned, sitting up. He'd been sleeping in one of Mr. Osmond's easy chairs. He could see the sun setting from a nearby window. “What is it, Imp?”

A lot of people are trying to message you, Leo, and since you were having a nightmare, it made sense to wake you.

“Indeed,” Leo said. A sick feeling settled in his stomach as the vestiges of his nightmare left his mind and fears of the real world returned. He'd been playing School's Out in one of Mr. Osmond's pods since the previous Friday night. When he hadn't been playing, he'd been drafted for some of the many projects going on in preparation for the end of the world. Sleep had become an impossible-to-find luxury.

With a grin, he couldn't resist pulling up his stats again. It hadn't been easy to play through some of the School's Out quests, but it had been worth it.

Subject: Leo

Sex: Male

Age: 12

Strength: 7.1

Vitality: 10.5

Agility: 6.5

Intelligence: 6.8

Charisma: 6.6

Common Sense: 5.2

Class: Undetermined

Qualifies for Swordsman/Epic, Assassin/Rare, Garbage-Collector/Common, Housekeeper/Common, and Janitor/Uncommon, Paladin/Rare

Special bonus: Add one level of rarity to any character class.

Special skills: None.

Demon Tears: 268

Corruption: 0

So Strength was up 0.5. Vitality had reached superhuman levels, which he wouldn't be able to take advantage of until after the Change. Assuming the Change happened. Agility was up 0.9, Intelligence up 0.8, Charisma up 0.4, and Common Sense had gone up 0.7. Best of all, both Assassin and Paladin had gone up one level of rarity. He now had access to Assassin/Epic and Paladin/Epic. The last two made him want to cheer.

He was pretty sure he'd gained Paladin/Rare while playing as Sophie escorting a bunch of orphan children through enemy territory to safety, and he'd gained Assassin/Rare playing as Nina in some kind of covert spy mission.

Though he couldn't help wondering what a Swordsman/Legendary would get him, he knew it wouldn't be as good as either Paladin or Assassin/Epic. He knew he should choose Paladin and level up some skills, but he couldn't. Something about it didn't feel right, and he wanted to be prepared in case the aliens did something unexpected.

With a sigh, he pulled up the implant message system.

Teach: Leo? Leo? Are you awake? If you've finished your nap, please do not go to the church. Things are crazy enough right now and you'd only compound the situation. Somebody really wants to know if a post-Change implant will cure type one diabetes, and/or other physical conditions requiring refrigerated or hard-to-find medications. Also, Jason's been bugging Angie and everyone else. He wants to spend the night at your place, so could you please respond to your phone texts?

The Professor: Leo, sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you could share a few inspirational words with your many followers. And if you have noticed any new developments in our current situation, now would be a good time to share them with us.

Badger 22: I hate to ask this, but I'm currently stuck in a high-security building with a bunch of Bio-Blessed users. I took something to make myself violently sick to get sent home, but they sent me to their infirmary instead. Apparently, it's all hands on deck because of some end of the world shit going around. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Air Mage 87: Leo, I'm an air mage, which is fine, and I have an air shield I've leveled up that seems promising, but I need something offensive. I've got tornado as a possible offensive skill, but tornado doesn't sound very plausible, and it looks like it will take forever to level it up into something decent. Any advice?

Biker Boy 860: It's approaching 'go time,' Leo. Let me know if you encounter anything out-of-the ordinary, and I'll do the same.

Zrrkr #1: Hey, Leo, this is Angie. Jason's upset about not having an implant. I'm making one, but it's for my stupid sister. I can't stand the bitch, but if anyone is going to kill her, it's going to be me. Are you joining us at Trent's church? Liam, Charlotte, Mr. Osmond, everyone's here. If your sister's a problem, I'll help you kidnap her. I like your sister. The church is insane right now, but I figure we're a lot safer with a group of prepared people. If you want, I'll head over to your place early this morning. We can kidnap your sister and hang out at the church when the world ends.

Leo groaned and put his head in his hands. The notices went on and on.

First, he responded to the Professor.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Future Man 10/16: Nothing new here. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Good luck. And remember, I'm pretty sure you died in the first few days of the Change last time around, so be careful.

He pulled out his cellphone and scrolled down the texts.

Jason, I'm spending the night at my house. I can't leave Lydia. You're welcome to join us. He put his phone away again.

He put his phone away again.

Future Man 10/16: Mr. Osmond, I think implants do cure a lot of those physical ailments, but I couldn't swear to it. I will be spending the night at my home. Let me know if anything out of the ordinary happens and I'll do the same.

Future Man 10/16: Liam, Air Mages can fly at ridiculously low levels of skill. I'd work on that before anything else.

Future Man 10/16: Angie, Thanks for the offer, but I'm staying home until I find out what's happening. If the world doesn't end, kidnapping my sister would be a bad idea for multiple reasons.

Imp had finished duplicating itself to create a new implant on Monday evening. Leo had put the new implant in his wallet and had requested a second for Jason. He'd also left supplies in the church storage room.

His body armor, short sword, and backpack full of useful emergency supplies, along with an additional pack for Lydia, were stashed in his bedroom closet, protected from his sister by a large sturdy padlock. If his parents asked about it, he'd tell them it was part of Mr. Osmond's research project.

He was as ready as he'd ever be.

***

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 time 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 onto 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 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, not having slept. “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.

“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 low key 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.