Alex changed the channel and found another documentary about the approaching danger; this time accompanied by dramatic music and threatening images of asteroids.
“Planet X will make its way through the asteroid belt as it enters our solar system and like every time before, it will bring some of those asteroids heading straight for earth. Planet X was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs by pushing a supermassive asteroid out of its orbit and hurdling it towards earth. It also caused the last ice age when the gravitational pull of this rogue planet caused earth’s poles to shift.”
Sam stood in the doorway for a moment with a towel wrapped around his waist and his arms folded across his bare chest. Alex looked like a scared boy as he sat in front of the TV. He was always the impressionable one while Sam was the level-headed one.
Sam walked over to the bed, picked up the remote and switched off the TV; making Alex look up.
“You’re worrying about nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense.” Alex insisted, “The evidence is all over the news and social media. That thing is on its way and will be the end of all life on earth.”
“It’s just mass hysteria; like Y2K. Do you remember Y2K?”
“I was in high school.” Alex said reminiscent.
“And nothing happened.” Sam reassured him, “There have been at least a hundred doomsday predictions since Y2K which never happened. This thing will pass us like… Halley’s comet and we won’t even know it.”
“I don’t know. I have a very bad feeling about this. This thing is massive and NASA couldn’t even see it until recently. I can’t help but feel that this might be it for us.”
Sam sat down next to him and lay a comforting hand on Alex’s thigh. He longed for Alex to stop worrying about every little thing. He strongly believed that Planet X was just a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but could see Alex was truly worried.
“Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Stephen was the one who was by Sam’s side when they were left behind by the mandatory evacuations and they banded together to ensure each other’s survival. Sam saw him as his big brother and always felt a bit safer with Stephen by his side. He learned long ago that you should keep your friends close and your loved ones closer and wished he held on to Alex. Ever since he lost Alex, he felt more like a boy rather than the confident man he was before.
Sam turned onto his side and as his hand draped over the side of the bed it landed in water; waking him up with a jerk. Dirty water was almost level with the bed and Sam sat upright as he shook Stephen until he woke.
“Get up!”
“What’s going on?” Stephen asked confused.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”
Stephen edged off the bed and dunked into the water that was knee height. The water was warm and salty to the taste. It took him a moment to realise what was happening and then Stephen spit out the water.
“We need to get going. The sea levels has risen.”
Without second guessing or any questions, Sam got out of bed, grabbed a backpack from the top shelf and stuffed some clothes into it followed by the framed photo. He stared at Stephen; waiting for guidance and then, without a word, the two of them opened the basement door and more water flooded in.
They pushed their way through the waist-level water in the corridor and made their way to the shattered glass doors of the main entrance that must’ve given way underneath the weight of the water. They stepped out into the watery street shadowed by Planet X looming in the sky overhead.
“It’s closer.” Sam finally said.
“The planet will keep getting closer.”
“I mean death… It’s getting closer as that thing in the sky gets closer.”
Stephen could hear the defeat in Sam’s voice and turned to face him. He needed a prep talk and though there wasn’t really time for that, Stephen stepped up and tried to put Sam’s mind at ease.
“You’re not going to die.” Stephen insisted, “You made it this far… think of the odds you’ve overcome. This isn’t the end. The worst is already over – or at least I think it is. The planet will get closer and more and more things will happen to us, but we’ll make it and we’ll be standing there on the horizon; waving goodbye to that son of a bitch as it disappears.”
Sam gulped, pulled himself together and nodded a bit more confident. He couldn’t fall apart now just because of a bit of water. Though he was still scared that it might be another tsunami like the one on the day he lost Alex, he knew the only way to survive was to keep hope alive and keep going forward.
“You’re right.” Sam agreed.
“Are you good?”
Sam nodded.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” Sam asserted.
“Then let’s get going. We can’t stay in the city. It’s too close to the ocean now.”
“You think it’s a tsunami?”
Stephen noted a massive flock of bird overhead flying away from the city and he knew that trouble was on its way. Trouble bigger than a bit of flooding… trouble bigger than a tsunami.
“No.” Stephen said with a crack in his voice, “I think this is bigger.”
“Bigger?”
“I think it’s finally happened.”
“What?” Sam was growing concerned.
“I think earth’s poles have started shifting.”
Stephen was afraid that he might be right and if the poles started shifting it meant that the ice caps would start melting which would cause massive flooding in most coastal areas. They had to get further inland, but how could they risk the soaring temperatures during the day? How could they get out of the city?
As hope started waning, Stephen spotted a small cabin cruiser drifting towards them about a block away.
CHAPTER FIVE
Stephen once promised his daughter, Jesse, when she was just five that he’d take her on a boat trip as she was always fascinated with boats, ships and vessels and said that one day when she grew up she wanted to join the Navy.
With most of the Navy wiped out by the tsunami of January 2017 and the world falling apart at the seams, it seemed like Jesse’s dreams would never materialise… that and the fact that she and her mother was stuck in an underground bunker waiting for their unknown fate.
Stephen steered the cabin cruiser down the ever deepening water of the downtown streets; looking for any other survivors – coming across Jessica who stood on a vendor’s rooftop as it slowly submerged into the rising waters.
A few blocks further down, they spotted a group of five people stranded on the roof of a double-decker bus fearing the rising waters and calling out to be saved, but Stephen was concerned about their own safety. The cabin cruiser was small and already cramped with three people on board and though they could still take on two more people, it was too much of a risk. The panicking people could capsize the cabin cruiser and then they’d all be stuck.
He steered the cabin cruiser left into an intersection and away from the stranded people whose calls for help increased in desperation.
“Stephen?” Sam was dumbfounded.
“We can’t risk it.”
“He’s right.” Jessica said, “They’ll drag us down.”
Sam nodded in silence and stared back at the group of people as they disappeared around the bend and out of sight. He’d never leave people behind as he too was once stranded and somebody came to his rescue – the same somebody who now turned his back on those in need, but there was no point in arguing as he knew that once Stephen had his mind made up there was no changing it.
“So where are we heading, skipper?” Sam finally asked.
Stephen’s uncertainty shined through in his silence, but he kept his head high and protruded the confidence they needed to trust him.
“Somewhere safe.”
“And where’s that?” Jessica asked.
“We’ll keep going until the water subsides and we’ll see fr
om there.”
Jessica wasn’t fooled by his calm exterior and knew he didn’t have a clue what he was doing, but she was there on his grace and didn’t want to wear out her welcome by arguing with the clearly confused skipper. No matter where they went they couldn’t outrun the global effects of Planet X as it was everywhere. Months ago it was on the news as a phobia in outer space and then without warning it was at everyone’s doorstep. How do you outrun a planet? She knew all too well that running was only delaying the inevitable.
CHAPTER SIX
Nine months ago
Jessica and her mother, Agatha, sat huddled together on the sofa and watched with eager eyes as the anchor-man on the news updated the nation about the evacuation procedure that would take place in the next couple of days.
With the howling wind of the storm outside and the rain furiously banging against the boarded-up window, Jessica had the volume turned up to hear what was being said. The only thing more dire than the storm outside was the way her mother tightly clasped her hand – so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
“The president has declared a state of emergency in light of the increasingly violent natural disasters that are currently ravaging the world as Planet X approaches earth. The intensity of its gravitational pull will continue to disrupt earth’s rotation that will cause longer days as well as affect earth’s inner core from spinning slower which will cause the electromagnetic field to weaken and allow the sun’s harmful rays to slowly cook the earth.
“It is estimated that over a third of earth’s population will perish in the coming months as the rogue planet approaches and once earth is stuck in its gravity, another third of humanity may perish due to the elements. It is because of this that governments around the globe, including our own, started to construct underground dwellings to house its people. These underground havens, however, come at a price and only those who can afford it will be allowed to enter.”
Agatha switched off the TV and the two of them sat in silence for a moment; listening to the pounding storm outside – each one too afraid to say what they were both thinking. They knew that with no money, it was the end of the line for them both.
“It has to be the end of days.” Agatha finally said with a heavy sigh.
“Mom… we’ll be alright.”
A tear ran down Agatha’s cheek, “How? We have no money. I can’t even save you from this.”
“We don’t need their underground bunker. We’ll make it on our own.”
Jessica wrapped her arm around her mother’s shoulders and pulled her in closer for a hug; swaying her back and forth like her mother used to do when she was little.
“I read somewhere that if this thing’s orbit around the sun is really a couple of thousand years, the last time it entered our solar system was in the time of Noah which may explain the great flood.”
“Let’s talk about something else?” Jessica insisted with a warm smile.
“There’s nothing much else to discuss. It’s been raining furiously like this for three days. What if our sandbag barrier doesn’t hold?”
She kissed her mother on her forehead and embraced her tightly just as thunder roared and lightning lit up outside; sending rays of light in through the cracks in the window boards.
“They’ll hold.” Jessica said, “They’ll hold…”
Swaying back and forth with her frail mother in her embrace, Jessica glanced at the boarded-up windows; unable to see what kind of horror was lurking just outside. She could hear the ferocity of the storm and hoped to God the tightly stacked sandbags would withstand the rising waters. She packed them just as the Youtube video explained and her hunky gym-instructor neighbour helped her, but she was just as worried as her mother.
The sandbag barrier, however, didn’t hold…
CHAPTER SEVEN
The skipper stood at the helm in nothing but his boxer-shorts with his wet shirt tied around his shoulders in hopes of cooling himself off a bit, but it was basically futile. Sam came up the narrow cabin stairway with two glasses of ice water and joined Stephen in the small bridge of the cabin cruiser. He stared at the city street that was now a canal and handed Stephen one of the glasses as he took a sip of refreshingly cool water.
“Thank you.” Stephen said, “Where’s Jessica?”
“She’s asleep downstairs in the berth.”
Stephen nodded and steered the cabin cruiser through the few obstacles still peeking out of the rising water.
“We were over a hundred miles from the actual shoreline.” Stephen said, “Who would’ve thought the sea levels would rise again?”
“You know; we could’ve tried to help those people.”
“Don’t start…”
“There’s enough space on this boat.” Sam insisted, “There are six bunk-beds downstairs. It might’ve been cramped, but—”
“But nothing. Do you actually think they would’ve picked us up if the tables were turned?”
“Yes I do.”
“You’re sadly mistaken.” Stephen said, “I know from experience people don’t just help strangers.”
“You helped me…”
“That’s different.”
“How?” Sam insisted.
“It just is. Can we just drop this? What’s done is done.”
Sam nodded in silence, but wondered how someone so caring could turn so cold so quickly. If mankind was to survive, they needed to stick together – not leave one another to die at the mercy of Mother Nature.
“What the—” Stephen said; staring off into the distance.
Sam looked up and spotted an obstruction further on up the watery road what looked like a beaver dam wall constructed from wood, rubble and traffic signs. It wasn’t clear whether it was the product of flooding or whether it was manmade so they approached with caution.
“What do you think it is?” Sam asked as the boat slowed down.
Stephen glanced back over his shoulder at the lengthy city block behind them; it would cost valuable time turning around and going back – time he wasn’t sure whether they had to spare. They had to continue – through or over the blockade.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” Stephen uttered.
The boat came to a complete halt a few feet away from the barricade and the two of them stared at it from behind the bridge window; scrutinizing it to figure out what it was and what to do next. The world around them was quiet – too quiet. Even in an apocalyptic world you’d hear something other than the tranquil waters splashing against the boat with subsiding ripples.
Stephen switched off the engine and stepped out from behind the bridge to get a better look. The rubble were stacked tightly together almost as if forced into place – begging the question; ‘who built it and why?’
Jessica came up the cabin stairway; asking, “Why did we stop?”
Sam gestured for her to stay back and she stopped halfway up the stairs; staring at him – waiting for answers, but the two men stared out in silence at the object that stood between then and safety.
“Stay hidden.” Sam cautioned.
“Why? What’s going on?” Jessica whispered.
“We’re not sure, but it looks like trouble.”
A loud splash next to the boat made Sam turn around with a jerk to find Stephen afloat in the water; wiping droplets from his face.
“What are you doing?” Sam gasped.
“I’m gonna take a better look.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Me neither.” Stephen agreed, “But at least the water’s refreshing.”
Stephen smiled at Sam who folded his arms across his chest in protest and then swam towards the obstruction. He grabbed a hold of it and tried to yank it, but it was sturdy and unable to budge – making Stephen realize that it was put there on purpose.
Stephen turned around to face the boat, “I think it was put here for a reason.”
Without warning, a noose slipped around Stephen’s neck, tightened and
lifted him out of the water; dragging him halfway up the impediment as he struggled not to be strangled.
“Stephen!” Sam cried out horrified.
“We’ll be taking your boat.” They heard a thunderous voice say.
Sam noticed a bare-chested, muscular man covered in tattoos standing on top of the obstruction with a gun in one hand and a devilish sneer on his face as one of his comrades reeled Stephen in. Stephen’s fingers were digging into his neck in an attempt to free himself and his face was turning purple from suffocation.
“Don’t make me tell you twice.” The man insisted he cocked the gun at Sam.
Sam slowly raised his hands in surrender as Jessica warily made her way up the stairway towards the hull. There was no telling what the men would do, but she could tell they were in serious danger.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sam and Jessica huddled together in the corner of the dark and damp room as a muscular comrade dragged Stephen in and tossed him in their direction. Stephen landed on his side and gasped for air as he removed the noose from around his neck. Sam crawled closer to his aid.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Stephen coughed.
The comrade didn’t look back as he walked out, picked up a wooden plank and shut the iron door. From the sound of it, they used the lumber to barricade the door from the outside and then there was utter silence. Sam aided Stephen to sit upright against the clammy cement wall.
“I knew this was a bad idea.” Sam said.
“I told you; people don’t help strangers.” Stephen insisted, “Not nowadays anyway.”
“What do they want from us?” Jessica wept, “They’ve got the boat. Why won’t they just let us go?”
“They’re pirates.” Stephen realised, “And they don’t want us to tell people about the operation they’ve got going here.”
“So why not just kill us?” Sam asked.
“I’m not sure. Where are we?”
“It’s an old bomb shelter in the basement of a building.” Sam said, “Barricaded with sandbags.”
Stephen slowly staggered to his feet and walked over to the door. He inspected it and then with all his might he slammed his shoulder into it; hoping to budge it.
“You’ll just dislocate your shoulder.” Jessica said, “It’s not budging. We’re stuck down here.”