A/N: so I feel my last chapter ended on an awkward note; and that maybe just maybe I should of taken it just a little bit further, I don't know. LOL. But, that chapter is what it is; and I'm moving onto this Chapter. Besides; if I gave everything away in one Chapter; what would I have to tell in the next chapters?

Please Read and Review; they are much appreciated.

Amaroqwolf.

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Phil winced as he slowly pulled up the jean's his mom and had brought over to the hospital for him. He sighed softly fiddling with the Zipper and buttons.

"Need some help?" Randy asked from the doorway.

He finished buckling them before turning around. "No, I'm okay." he said shaking his head looking down; his long hair falling in his face as he worked on the belt.

Randy couldn't keep his eyes from traveling over the brightly colored ink that swirled along his arms and chest. "How ya feeling?" He asked.

"Like I survived a fatal car accident; followed by a nuclear apocalypse," He mused dryly glancing up his green eyes searching Randy's face.

Randy chuckled; "Well, you did, imagine that,"

Phil sighed and grabbed the T-shirt pulling it over his head he looked back at Randy. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I came to see how you are," he said truthfully.

"You really don't care Randy, so why even bother pretending?" He asked.

"Because; I'm the reason you left town," He said.

"No, I left town because I never belonged here," He said shaking his head.

"You belonged here, you belonged here with-"

"No, I didn't Randy just...let it go alright, we need to focus on the here and now; not what happened five years ago." He said. "So tell me what's going on?"

"Your dad has them cleaning out the old fall out shelter downstairs." Randy said around a sigh his blue eyes dancing down to the floor then back up again.

"Probably a good idea," he said. "Do you know where it is?" He asked.

"Yeah, follow me I'll show you," Randy said turning and leaving the room.

"Yeah, okay," Phil sighed and followed Randy, the ride down in the elevator was painful and quite, but once they stepped off they could hear all the buzzing of machines and talking of the small crew that was rushing to get the shelter into working order. Phil limped slowly down the hallway to the heavy metal door and looked inside. "Damn, that's small," he commented.

"Yeah; half the town isn't bloody well gonna fit in here," Wade Barrett commented squeezing past Phil and into the shelter. "Here, Jay,"

The smaller blond smiled and took the bottle, took a quick drink then dove back into the filtration system. "I can't believe," His voice echoed out. "How much they let this go, there was stuff stored in here from the 60's," He continued on. "I'll be lucky if I can get the filtration system going," he called.

"You can do it," Wade commented before picking up a power drill and going over to a shelving unit and went back to reinforcing it into the wall.

"I hope so, the worst of it is the pipes that burst in the back of the room, right through the damn wall, we've had pumps running all day, and there's still at least a foot of water back there, maybe more." Jay grumbled. "I can't fix those pipes until the waters gone,"

"You should ask my dad for the pump from the barn," Phil offered. "Its bigger, economy size, we used it to drain the horse pond once a year," he suggested. "it'll drain a foot a minute,"

Jay pulled up out of the Filtration system and looked at him. "Could you ask him?" He asked.

Phil nodded. "Yeah sure, no problem." He paused and looked at Randy. "We can use yer truck to bring it in, come on," He said turning and heading for the elevator again.

"Yeah, sure don't even ask,"

"Shut up Randy, your a deputy you gotta do this shit now," Phil smirked at him as the elevator headed up.

"bite me," Randy grumbled.

Phil stood there quietly for a minute then just before the doors opened he leaned over and bit Randy's arm before limping off grinning the whole way.

"Ass hole," Randy snapped.

"Nah, just doing what you asked me to do," He responded with a grin.

"Yeah, yer still an asshole," Randy responded following him as he rubbed at his arm. "Lets go find your Dad," He sighed.

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Mike sat silently in the driver seat of the cruiser looking out to the north, even though the sun was well up, he could still see the red glow on the horizon. That glow gave him the chills, there had been no further updates from the government, which in his head meant they were still struggling to figure out what was going on.

He shifted and sighed scanning the sky again, jumping about a foot when the radio crackled to life. "Mizanin how does the weather look?" Sheriff Brooks called out.

He grabbed the handset and push the button. "Still clear, just that red glow in the north," he said he couldn't bring himself to say where Chicago used to be.

"No clouds at all?" He snapped.

"Nothing, sir, its clear as a bell out here," He responded with a sigh shifting in his seat.

"Alright, you keep an eye on that sky; don't you be sleeping out there!" He said.

Mike glared at the radio for a second before responding. "I wouldn't do that sir," He said with a sigh.

"good, " He responded. "Morrison should be out there in about an hour to relieve you,"

"Alright sir," He said with a nod. "I'll be here," He said.

"okay, talk to you when you get back in," he responded and the radio silence resumed.

Mike sighed and picked up his bottle of water taking a sip he stared back at the horizon, this was the most surreal thing he'd ever gone through, He never ever thought someone would attack them with a nuclear device. He rubbed his forehead and looked back to the north, the sky still red tinged, he bet if he was closer he could smell things burning; people burning.

The idea made his stomach roll and he barely made it out of cruiser before he lost his lunch. He was still spitting into the bushes when he heard the other cruiser pull up next to his. "Mike?" Johns voice came over towards him. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he gagged and spit one more time before straightening up. "Just," He sighed.

"A lot to take in," John nodded softly.

"Yeah," Mike grabbed his water bottle rinsing out his mouth before spitting in the bushes again. "God, this sucks," He said softly.

John nodded. "It does," he said softly. "But, we gotta roll with the punches remember," He responded softly.

"I know, but," Mike trailed off and nodded opening his mouth again but was silenced when a low rumble filled the air. Both men turned looking in fear towards the north. "I think that was thunder," He whispered.

John nodded. "Yeah," he whispered back.

They both stood there starring at the northern sky silently. There were a few white Cumulus clouds floating on the air above them. The same red glow coming from the northern horizon. Mike sighed and shook his head. "Maybe not," he responded.

Both men jumped at the loud crack of thunder that echoed off the sky now. They spun around to the east and stared at the heavy clouds building up. "Uh...shit," They said at the same time.

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After helping Jay set up the pump, Phil had limped his way back outside. He squinted up at the sky as the wind seemed to have picked up. He sniffed the air and sighed and limped up the street towards the Sheriff's office. He paused at Randy's truck starring at it silently for a minute before making his way inside.

"Phil, did you get that pump installed?" Jack brooks called from his office.

"Yeah, its working dumping out into a basin right now," He responded.

"Good, good, come on in were making plans for evacuation right now," Jack said waving him into the room.

He was uncomfortable but limped into the room; looking around offering a nod to the faces he knew, and studying the one's he didn't. His Dad stood up and pushed him gently into the chair. "i'm okay," He mumbled.

"Sit down you were in a car accident yesterday," Jack ordered.

Sighing Phil slumped down his eyes trailing to the map on the wall. "alright," Jack said looking over the small group.

"Right now we've split the town and farms into two, The people north of the red line, need to come to the hospital shelter," He said with a nod at Mike. "You and John go out in the cruiser and announce this over the bullhorn." He stated. "People don't have to come, but make sure they know that the option is open to them," He paused. "There are 15 elderly people in that area, make sure they know what's going on," He said. "if you have to go to their doors to inform them, do it." He said.

Mike nodded. "Yes sir," He said getting up John following him, as soon as they were gone Jack continued.

"Jericho, I want you to take the south side of the red line, same orders," he stated. "except they need to evacuate to the high scool gym," He continued. "There are 3 Elderly people on your side, make sure they know what's going on," He repeated himself. That covers the town,"

Chris nodded and got up, "i'll take Dolph with me," he responded getting up and taking his leave.

"What about the farms?" Phil asked studying His dad's face quietly.

"I'm heading out in a few minutes," Randy responded. "To tell the Farmers where they can go, or what they can do to prepair their homes for the storm," He said.

"How long do we have before the storm hits?" He asked looking from Randy back to his father.

"Probably an hour at the most," Jack said calmly. "So get cracking Randy," He continued waving him off.

Phil was quite for a minute while Randy got up heading for the door then he jumped up. "I'm going with you Orton," he said hurrying as fast as he could after him.

"I don't, know if that's a good-"

"Don't argue with me Randall, you never win," Phil smirked walking past him heading for the truck outside.

Randy sighed and followed him. "Fine, but let me do the talking," He argued.

"Yeah, yeah I will." He grinned.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Randy asked getting into the truck.

"Don't know Han, why?" Phil asked snickering as he climbed up beside him.

"Ha ha, very funny," He snorted putting the truck in gear and heading out towards the farms.

Phil leaned back and stayed mostly quite as they drove from farm to farm; watching the heavy clouds barring down on the town. He let out a soft sigh and Randy glanced at him climbing into the truck. "That's the last farm," He said with a sigh watching the 3 member family load up into the car after locking the dogs in the house.

Phil nodded. "Yeah," He responded.

"What's bothering you?" Randy asked backing up then turning back out onto the road heading for town.

"I'm supposed to be in Chicago right now," Phil responded. "not here, not dealing with the stares from all the people around me," he stated.

"They never expected to see you again Phil," Randy responded.

Phil nodded then laughed shaking his head looking at Randy. "Yeah, I never expected to come back here," He said truthfully.

"Where did you go?" Randy asked watching the road.

"places," he stated looking away but not before Randy saw the haunted look in those bright green eyes.

"What did you see?" He asked.

"Things, I never wanted to see, Things I don't want to talk about Randy," He said softly.

Randy glanced at him then sighed softly nodding. "yeah, alright." he said coming to a stop at the Y.

Phil looked towards Colt's farm. "Are they still in town?" he asked furrowing his brow.

"Yeah, why?" he asked.

"Someone's at their house," he said nodding towards the house.

Randy turned his gaze to the 2 story farm house at the top of the hill. Studying the old beaten up car sitting in front of the porch. "you think we should go up there?" he asked.

"you got an extra gun?" he asked eying the shot gun behind them.

"yeah, glove box," He said turning towards the farm and heading up the road slowly.

Phil leaned forward popping the glove box open, pulling out the Glock, studying it silently he loaded the .40 caliber rounds into it before looking up at Randy. "This is one of my dads," he said calmly.

"Yeah, he gave me and Jericho each one," Randy responded parking the truck turning off the engine, the only sound now the wind which was getting even louder. "Ready?"

Phil shook his head. "No, but lets get this over with," he said calmly pushing the door open and moving to get out just as the windshield glass exploded inwards. He hit the ground and rolled instinctively under the truck, glancing over he saw Randy's boots hit the dirt and heard the loud report of the shot gun. Phil crawled army style under the nose of the truck and eyed the house searching out the shooter.

"Phil?" Randy yelled just as gun fire exploded from the house again.

"Got ya," Phil mumbled rolling onto his back and aiming at the window where the shots were coming from and the gun fire stopped.

"Phil?" Randy called again.

"I'm okay," he responded. "You?" He asked.

"I'm good, trucks dead," He responded.

Phil cursed and crawled out from under the truck and looked at Randy then back at the truck he'd taken cover under. Bullet holes riddled the hood, he glanced up at the windshield and starred at the hole in the headrest of the seat he'd only been seated in a few minutes ago. "Shit,"

"I thought you were dead," Randy stated reloading the Mossberg quickly.

"Takes more then someone shooting at me to take me out," He responded

Randy nodded and kept the shotgun raised as he headed for the front door. Phil chambered his round and came after him. The two men climbed the front steps and slowly pushed the front door open. Phil ducked under Randy and spun around facing the window where he'd shot.

"he's down," he said walking towards the downed man, he kneeled down and felt for a pulse. "Yeah, he's down." He said softly before flinching as a crack of thunder ripped apart the sky and rain began to pour down.

Randy hurried over pulling Phil up, "Lets go down to the basement," he said. "it'll probably be the safest place for now," he said.

Phil nodded glancing out the window, the sky was pitch black and being ripped apart by bright white lightening. "Yeah, alright come on," he said heading for the basement door, as something outside was struck by lightening and exploded shaking the house.

"Fuck move!" Randy shoved him the two men running for the basement and down into it as the house shook again and another loud crash of thunder roared over head. "Jesus Christ," Randy whispered panting as they stood in the dark.

"That's man made, not Jesus made," Phil responded walking around the basement slowly. A few minutes of listening to the storm rip the world apart above them, and then a dim light flickered on illuminating Phil's face. "better make ourselves comfortable," he said softly. "Were gonna be here for awhile,"

Randy nodded and slowly sat down in an old rocking chair taking a deep breath. "You think everyone made it to town?" he asked.

Phil shrugged slumping down on a cot, letting his back rest against the wall, laying the clock on the mattress pad next to him. "Don't know, I hope so." He said looking around the room.

"Yeah, me too." Randy mumbled.

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Dolph stood in the bedroom; of the small apartment above the bar, watching the heavens weep. He licked his lips and turned his head at the creek of footsteps behind him. "Why didn't we go to the shelter?" He asked.

"Because, we prepped the bar and apartment, and the bar is the first place someone's gonna break into if they find the town empty during the storm," Chris responded walking towards him. "You hungry?" he asked rubbing the younger mans shoulders.

Dolph shook his head watching the storm silently, his blue gaze sweeping back and forth. "something's burning," he said nodding out towards the edge of town.

Chris moved in closer looking out the window, watching the black greasy smoke rise up from the edge of town. "Looks like it might be one of the farms," Chris said moving back to go look at the map.

Dolph turned looking at the map with out moving away from the window. "Were in trouble aren't we?" He asked.

Chris looked over his shoulder at him for a second then turned back to the map silently. "No, we're not," He responded. "Nobody but us knows you're here," he supplied.

"Yeah, accept now I'm working for the Sheriff," He responded.

"Dolph, you worry to much, nobody is going to ever know you're here, nobody is ever going to find it," Chris said putting a hand on Dolphs arm. "You are safe,"

Dolph sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I hope so, I didn't want to endanger you, I just...I didn't know what to do," He said softly.

Chris nodded hugging him. "I'll keep you safe, okay." He said gently.

Dolph nodded. "All right," he whispered taking a deep breath flinching a little when thunder cackled across the sky. He leaned against Chris closing his eyes.

TBC...

A/N: Thank you to Detective Brian Dobson for the information on the Police issued guns in the small town in IL I grew up in. It really helped me keep the reality in this story real. And as I told one of my faithful reviewers. Every Character introduced at this point in time, are very important for keeping the story moving forward. As always, Read and review! I Need to know how I'm doing!