Epilogue

The world was a blur. My vision was a long tunnel within a thick haze. I passed through the camp without a thought towards my colorless surroundings. I feel nothing yet I feel everything. There were no obstacles in my way…at least ones that weren't met with a bullet to the head.

I was invincible again like fucking Superman. That emotionless feeling seeped its way back into my consciousness. I flew out of the camp and down the ravenged streets. Meanwhile, the fight between the rioters and FEMA officers had found its way down the street.

Where they all came from and how long they would last didn't really matter. They would all find themselves at the same fate. I was going to end this here and now. All the lives that had been taken in this godforsaken world would not be in vein. In the distance, a tower stood above the rest. One of the three FEMA headquarters in the country. I will not be stopped.

I made my way into the chaos that insued around me. Waves of blood and smoke slapped my mask and hugged my clothes. Screams shrilled through the air. Commands and threats barked below them. Projectiles went every which way and bullets sunk into flesh like parasites. As I snuck through the mayhem, I heard the ring of a tiny child's voice.

"MOMMY!" she wailed, "I WANT MY MOMMY!"

"GET DOWN! GET DOWN NOW!" barked an inhuman FEMA officer, "I WILL USE DEADLY FORCE IF YOU DO NOT GET DOWN NOW!

The child continued to scream and cry. The rifle rose to her head. Her screams only grew louder. I tried to get a clear shot on the man. I hear her last scream and then a silence as a bullet passed through her head. He didn't even care.

With a pull of my trigger I ended his tyranny between the eyes. His lifeless body fell into the heap of others. Like I said before, consider me an agent of Karma. I continued on until I found my way at the front gate.

With guards already occupied, I entered with little resistance. I saw the Regulator convoy outside the main building. Gun shots polluted the air and men from each side fell. Dirt leaped up into my face as I slid into the side of the convoy next to a group of soldiers.

"Y-your back?" one spoke in shock.

"Yeah, let's not get pussy-foot here," I joked, "Where's Pike?"

His head sank a little, "Gone, sir."

"Then that means I'm your leader now! Get a regroup here now!" I commanded with a feeling of reflection from my past.

After the remaining guards were disposed of, the men gathered around me. This was my destiny. My purpose from God and my journey of Karma. They all believed in me and I had come to do the same in them.

I began, "Look, I know I haven't been the nicest guy in the world, but that's war. It doesn't make you a sandwich and kiss your forehead. You have to be tough in the shit of a world. But I believe in you men as I know you feel the same. Someone tell me the plan Pike had and this nightmare will end today!"

"Well, we were supposed to plant these explosives on the top floor. That's where the hard-lines, communications, and all that shit are located," he said, "But the problem is that the detonation is set to blow within 15 seconds of activation. No one would have a chance to escape."

"Give them to me. You just get everyone out of here," I spoke, "It has been nice working with you sorry Sons of Bitches."
With a salute, I took the bomb and began to the darkness that was the building. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me….I still remember that from Sunday school.

I took out my pistol and left my rifle in the doorway. I only had twelve bullets. That was more than enough. I walked through the seemingly desolate rooms. Nothing yet. The first few floors I met nothing more than dark and unused offices with a few unarmed workers.

I felt calm and collected. I felt no fear. I felt no pain. Nothing can stop me. It wasn't until the second to the top floor that I met armed guards. I exited the elevator gun barrel first. They had been waiting for me. Three guards stood weapons aimed high.

Bang! Bang!

Two were hit between the eyes and I leaped forward into the third. With a pull, the bullet was released beneath his chin. The room was dimly lit and offered much solitude. I took the stairs up to the final floor.

Here I was met with an entirely different world. Monitors glowed all over the room. Tiles and server wires were anchored like tree roots into the ground. The FEMA Southern Division mainframe stood in the middle of the room. To my right stood an enormous window. I could see the bleak and gray world beyond it.

Suddenly five men leaped out from behind the mainframe three were dressed in full FEMA gear. I fired off as quick as I could and took out two before they could even fire. Yet a familiar stinging fire entered my shoulder and side. It instantly went cold then lukewarm with blood.

I spun into the pain and removed the lives of the other three with three or four quick shots as I fell. Goddammit. I hate getting shot. Maybe thats why I always did my best to keep that from happening.

I picked myself up from the floor. I drug myself over to the bulk of metal. The source of all data and communications in the Midwest. It is time to help right the wrong of this world. Even if it wasn't all that major, it was a start. The pain was gone. Everything was gone. I set up the explosives and took a breath.

Beep. Tck tck tck tck tck tck….

I walked over to the window and looked out upon the landscape. Smoke waved its way along the skyline while the ruins of buildings stood among the background. I thought of all the things that have happened to me.

Tck tck tck tck tck…

I remembered the sting of the Gas Chambers and the foul stench of death. I removed my mask and through it down. I ran my fingers through my scarred face and couldn't help but reflect on the face of Jennings. His snarl….my tormentor.

Tck tck. tck.

I then though of the good time in my life. The Marines. My Talk Show. It flooded back to me. The feeling of hope. God, you never let it leave me. It saw me through. As I thought, my ears chimed to the last two ticks. I raised my arms to await my fate.

Tck tck…

My ears no longer worked. My eyes closed. A behemoth of flames engulfed my entire. being. I felt myself exit the building through the window. I was burning alive yet I felt the breeze cool my soul. I was flying.

I opened my eyes for the last time. I could see her face. My Jessabelle…the source of my hope. Thanks for never leaving me. I'm coming to see you soon I hope. Just wait abit longer for me to get there.

Then, a smell entered my nostrils…Death? No. It was the smell of Despair as it exited my body, leaving behind only the smell of hope…..It has a smell too.