Hello PMC! I made this writing a long, LONG time ago. Almost a year, I believe. I didn't ever really have a use for it, so here I decided to post it here. Hope you enjoy reading it!



The car headlights barely illuminated the road ahead. Shifting shadows were cast upon the forest to the right, as the car rode past the trees. To the left, there was a steep cliff, eroded by water and wind, and at the bottom of the cliff there was lights. Scattered around the bottom of the valley, dozens of shacks, trailers and one lonely road in the midst of it all were barely visible in the pitch of the night. The man in the steering wheel of the old, battered car took his eyes off the road for a brief second, getting a glimpse of the hundreds of protestants striding down the road, still crowing they're famous words: 'Enough of the pain, we need more gain' 


Day after day, there were ever more of them gathering around the entrance of Peak City. Jim couldn't quite understand what was the relation between their little melody and the actual cause over it. The increased taxes, less food on the shelves, less money on the banks. All with one purpose: to feed the army in their fight with the eastern. Jim was aware of the war that had been going on for a few months now, and he was also aware that the enemy forces were gaining ground on the American soil. The east cost was completely under their domain, and North America was struggling hard to keep up with the Chinese increasing forces, so, with the fear of an nuclear Holocaust above their heads, the army had most of the citizens to evacuate to South America. Jim was luckier than most people. He had a guaranteed spot on the new capital of the country, Peak city. There was an airfield a few miles south and hundreds of military personnel stationed in and on the boarders of the city. Along with some ground-air turrets built on the natural choke point caused by the valley, on the top of the valley walls and on the north, west and  east boarders of the city, it was the safest place in America. He suddenly stopped the car, hearing the low rumble down the road. The ground shook under his car, as a massive tank rolled centimeters from his window, tearing away his left mirror. Jim muttered a swear, as the tank rolled towards the city, followed by a couple of humvies. They must be on one of their many daily patrols, and most likely didn't even acknowledge Jim or his car. He waited a few minutes, to make sure there wouldn't be any more patrols passing through. Once the road remained deserted, Jim continued to drive towards the city, which wasn't yet to be in sight. The valley made a sharp turn on itself, and only after that turn had been passed, the city would be in sight. Jim sighed. He'd been traveling for almost 8 hours straight, with only minor detours to avoid the manifestations or to grab a snack, but the last time he had eaten had been almost 4 hours ago, and his belly was rumbling furiously. As if answering his prayers, a lone gas station came into view. There were no customers, as expected, but the lights were obviously on, and the simple sight of the chocolate bars, sodas and other wrapped snacks made his mouth water. He pulled over his car as he approached the gas station, and opened the door. He got out of the car, the bright neon lights reflecting on his glasses. He wandered into the store and looked around the shelves. He picked an energy bar, an energy drink, a chocolate bar and headed to the register. A young man read a magazine, sitting behind the counter, and only noticed Jim once he cleared his throat loudly. The young man dropped the magazine and straightened on his chair. He smiled broadly, and they both stared into each other for a few seconds, before Jim tapped on his share of snacks set on the counter. The register said a subtle 'Oh', as if he hadn't noticed  the small pile of food. He passed each element through the scanner and announced the price:


'That will be... Six fifty, please'


'Six dolars?!' he answered 'Are you sure that the price is correct?'


'Listen dude, the army's taking all our money. Those Chinese bastards ain't giving 'em any rest! There's really nothin' I can do' The register's face displayed deep resignation, as if the army seemed useless for him. Jim also held some resignation towards  the army's "theft", but every time the thought surged into his mind, he reminded himself:


'Well, you've gotta thank the army as well. They are the only thing that is keeping this beautiful city from being bombed'


'Beautiful?' he spat 'I rather being out there with those protestants howling at their ears, then being here, holding by a thread my Dad's dying business' This said, he passed Jim's shopping to his hands, and Jim left the store, saying nothing else. He walked the short distance to his car hastily, feeling the cold stare of the register on his back. He got in the car, closing the door, and drove immediately. He didn't feel the mood to eat anymore, leaving the chocolates on the passengers' seat. He sighed and swayed his head. They didn't understand. All this pain, all this sacrifice, it's for their own good... Well, never mind that now. He had finally reached the sharp turn which presented the city, and any moment now he could see it in all it's splendor... Slowly, the eerie tree line gave way to the city skyline. A sickening aura surrounded the great, bright city, clouded with the smog produced by thousands of cars and crammed people. A smile grew on his face. This was it. He could finally\ settle. All that time on the run, fighting. Finally he'd be rewarded. 


But that wouldn't be today.


A far thud echoed through the city, as if fireworks had been fired somewhere not far from the center of the city. It immediately went dark, every single light disappearing, even bellow on the valley, the trailers were shut off, and all the source of light there was was the fireplaces. Jim immediately stepped on the brake.


'Oh... n-no...' he mumbled. His car wouldn't start again. His phone wasn't working. He started nodding slowly as he realized what just happened. An EMC bomb had exploded in the heart of the city, cutting off all power, both connected to the main grid, and even the ones that are not. Like his phone. He shivered as he realized a daunting prospect. The ground-air defense stations were connected to the main power grid, and take about thirty seconds to reconnect to their own generators. Thirty seconds were more ten enough to have a stealth bomber swoop by the city... he looked fearfully to the city. He could barely notice the skyline of the city, now plunged in the dark of the night. He didn't need to see or hear it to know it was coming. The bomber. He got out of the car and climbed to the wooded area, barely avoiding the tank, rolling over his car, headed for the city. A squadron of jets and combat helicopters flew over his head, and he started heading to the gas station. It must have a bunker, it must... He looked behind his shoulder. Glimpses of fire and explosions could already been seen, as they invaded the city, and probably protected the bomber. He kept running, never slowing down. He ignored the pain on his sides and tried to control his breading, in vain, though. By now, the ground-air defense would be active again, but with no use, the air-force was already out of range, and inside the city. He finally reached the gas station, panting and gasping for air. He hastily strode towards the front door, but was terrified with what he saw. There were people climbing the steep cliff, and they'd be reaching him in no time. He bursted through the doors and cried for the register, who was nowhere to be seen. He heard a sound and spotted movement near one of the shelves, and moved towards it. The young man was hastily cramming his body into a latch on the ground. He looked frightened to Jim and sped the process. Jim grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him out of the latch, shivering with adrenaline and fear. The angered and fearful crowd of people that were climbing the cliff were now emerging above the road. He had to hurry. The boy was still struggling with Jim's clenched hand around his collar. Jim said nothing while he hoisted the boy from the latch, surprising him with his strength, and hopped to the latch himself. The mob had already reached the glass doors, banging their fists angrily, pleading and screaming for entrance. They'dd be breaking through the doors soon. Jim started to climb down the iron ladder, closing the latch behind him, ignoring the shrilled screams and requests of both the boy outside, already trying to open the latch, and the crowd. 


He heard a crash.


His ears were filled with the angered screams of the crowd, who had just broke in. He descended faster, hearing the banging on the hatch. He reached a small circular room, with a heavy and sturdy-looking door on one side, the ladder on the other.  He twisted a heavy lever, producing  a metallic clang and swung the door outward. Behind it was another door, looking much alike this one, but even thicker. He ran to it, opened it, entered the small concrete chamber and closed the door behind him. He staggered backwards, as far as he could. until his back hit the wall. He leaned against it and slid down until he was sitting on the floor. He only now realized the loud warning horn, that rang through the city, but was muffled by the bunker. He let his head slop over his chest and supported it with his hands, wrapped around his face. He started sobbing slowly, both from relief and fear. 


And he waited.


His ears were ringing with adrenaline.


His eyes blurry.


His entire body felt mourn and limp.


And he waited.


He waited, considering his family.


Considering the poor people he had left up there.


He wait-


Boom


He rose his head, startled. It wasn't much of a boom, it was more of a "thud". The people above became quiet. For a brief second. Then they started screaming. The ground shook beneath their feet. There was a noise in the air, like a paper sheet ripping in two, getting louder and louder by the second.


Then, they became quiet.


The bunker was completely dark.


And he waited.


It might have been minutes, it might have been hours, but he felt extremely exhausted when he did got up. If there were people with him to witness, they'dd say he's jut seen a ghost. His face was devoid of color, his face showed no emotions, and his eyes were empty and widened. Yet, he got up. He wandered to the heavy door and dared touch it. He knew what he'd find once he got up there. Charred, mangled bodies, destroyed cars and buildings. Death, basically. With the grim thought hovering above his head, he stepped back from the door.


And waited.


 


Any and all feedback is appreciated!