Chapter 5

Last of the American Girls

Summary: Tori's no longer alone.

There was no one outside so I walked into the darkened house. "Jade?"

From the near sofa, came the reply, "Correct."

I heard rustling and knew she did that freaky standing up without using her hands thing. I had to smile, despite the situation, at the image. Then she broke the spell, "Learn to lock your doors, Vega!"

Then I saw her glaring at me, "Where were you?"

I turned on the lights as she looked down at my empty hands and waist, gestured towards the arms on the kitchen table, then yelled, "And why didn't you take at least one of THE GODDAMNED GUNS?!"

In a small, ashamed voice, I replied, "I went to try to find Trina at my aunt's in Rancho Palos Verde. Guess I forgot to bring a gun..."

"Forgot to bring…" Jade sighed, pinched her nose then asked, "Did you at least find the Screech Box?"

Pain in my soul. Deep in me. The look on my face - Jade later described it as shattered - told her all she needed to know.

"Okay, sorry. I didn't… I'm s-sorry." She sounded strangely contrite before she yelled, "But you went out without a GUN!? Do you have any idea how bad it is OUT THERE?!" She waved her arm dramatically towards the back window and the view of Los Angeles at dusk.

That view was marred by more plumes of black smoke. Later, after dark, we would quietly note more, and larger, areas without electric lights.

At the time, I couldn't look at her. She was right, even before I left I knew, but ignored, how bad things were becoming and I left any protection on that table. In a small voice, I replied, "I do now."

I couldn't hold back any longer and broke down with heaving sobs. Completely out of character, Jade came to me and held me, albeit loosely. I embraced her, sobbing out all the pain and the fear and the loss from the past few days. Her arms slowly tightened around me as I cried on her shoulder. I think she sobbed a couple of times too.

Finally, we broke apart. "Jade, you're the first living person I know that I've seen since Trina yesterday. And before that she was so sick and... Anyway, I've been... Oh God, its been so lonely and scary and..."

Jade nodded and cleared her throat.

"Yeah, I've been scared too, Vega. And not the good kind of scared," Jade said. I looked and she had a weak half-smile on her face and I knew she was trying to lighten the mood. I nodded in acknowledgment, even trying a half-hearted smile, appreciating her attempt at humor even if it wasn't that funny.

In a hoarse voice, I managed to ask, "You hungry?"

Trying to sound jaunty, she said, "I could eat. Whaddya got?"

We went into the kitchen and threw some food together. Before I followed her in, I saw my note to her on our table, the one that I'd left at her house. I smiled at that.

As I said, we threw some things together. Mainly Progresso soup (light creamy potato with bacon and cheese I think) along with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and nacho chips. Also, we drank the last of my pink lemonade.

"Well, it ain't Maestro's. Or even Nozu," Jade said as we ate, referring to a high-end restaurant and a mid-range Asian cafe. Then, with an appreciative smile, she added, "But it's pretty damned good." Then the totally unexpected, "Thank you."

After eating, we settled on the couches (we had two that could and often were merged into a 180 degree arc). We didn't waste time with the TV as all broadcasts were done except the automated emergency broadcasts. We took turns talking about our friends and family. I let Jade go first.

Jade's parents were out of town - her father and his second wife were vacationing with her kid brother on the Big Island of Hawai'i. (Part of me couldn't help but remember Cat calling it Hawa-eye-eye.) Her mom was back east on business. She managed a strong voice when she said she hadn't heard from any of them in several days and that she knew she was alone. I reached across the gap between the sofas and gently clasped her hand in reassurance. Surprisingly, she turned her hand so she could grip mine, our fingers intertwined.

My voice wasn't so strong. Even though, as far as I knew, Dad was still alive, I broke down when I told her about Mom, Trina and Aunt Sonya. Jade actually came over to my half couch, knelt and held me again. She even apologized, "Sorry about that Screech Box comment earlier. And I'm sorry about your mom, she was a good lady."

Now sitting next to me on the sofa, Jade started to cry a bit when she told me about going by Beck's trailer. She found her ex-boyfriend, our very good friend, and wrapped him in a blanket then buried him in the Oliver's back yard. She didn't go in the house. She reluctantly admitted, "I...I was too scared of what I'd find." Then she snorted, even as the tears fell and said, "They didn't like me anyway…" She paused then said, "Sorry. Trying to rationalize my fear, I guess.

"There was no response at Andre's house or at Robbie's. Again, I just couldn't go in. When I got to Venice and Cat's place, I finally forced myself to go in. God, it was hard! But Cat has been my best friend for...for so long…and I forced myself to go in. God, what a relief to see that she and Sam had grabbed some stuff and left."

We were sitting facing each other but I don't think either of us saw the other as we both had fixated on our experiences. Suddenly, I remembered, "Oh God! Jade, I'm so sorry. Hey! I'm supposed to call Cat after I tried to find you."

"Cat's okay?"

I nodded as I hit Cat's speed dial on my PearPhone. "She and I talked while she was skirting Frisco. She was taking Sam back to Seattle in Nona's car..."

Jade said, "Don't get your hopes up. I doubt the network is still intact."

I agreed silently but then heard ringing. "That means the signal got through, right?"

Before Jade could reply, we both heard, "TOREEE!"

I quickly switched to speaker so Jade could hear everything, not just the shouted greeting. "Hey Cat. Jade's here with me."

"JADEEEY!"

"Don't call me that!" Jade said but with a pleased smile.

"How are you Cat?"

"I got to Seattle but..." An audible sob came over the speaker. "Sam didn't make it. An Army man told me to… So, I took her to the harbor to... To the...you know..."

The body disposal site. I knew what she meant. Obviously, Seattle was also dumping barge loads of corpses at sea, like L.A., Frisco and New York and God knows how many other port cities. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm a little tired but I drove almost non-stop. And, after that, my back and my butt are kinda sore. Oh! I said 'butt'!" I could see her giggle as she covered her mouth with both hands. I decided to ignore the worries I felt about what she said – sounded too much like the Fever's initial symptoms - and instead concentrated on her trip.

"Cat, that's over eleven hundred miles!"

"I know, right? I'm pretty impressive! Yay me! Anyway, I ran into Freddie. You know him, Jade, Sam's friend? We met during that weird tuna fish thing?" I also remembered Freddie and his friends, the internet stars Carly and Sam (Cat's late roommate) at a party at Kenan Thompson's house – Kenan was a big time television comedian. "Anyway, Freddie had taken his mother there too. You know, the harbor and the disposal thing... Anyway, we're getting out of town. He knows a place near Mount Rainy."

"Mount Rainier?" I suggested.

"Yeah, that's it." Cat coughed. Right after, we heard someone, presumably Freddie, cough a couple of times.

"Cat, you sure you're okay?"

"Oh yeah! I was sick but I got better. So did Freddie. And everyone knows you can't get sick again when you get better."

Jade looked sadly at the phone. Barely trusting my voice, I just replied, "Yeah, I heard that too.

"Anyway, Cat, I'm leaving L.A. too. I'm going up into the Sierras to a summer camp I went to when I was a kid. Camp Sutter. Can you remember that? If you come back south, go to Camp Sutter. It's north of Yosemite. Up into the Sierras. From Stockton, it's northeast past Chinese Camp and Sonora and beyond Strawberry, near Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus Forest. You got that?"

"Yeah, Tori. I have you on speaker and Freddie wrote it down. Camp Sutter, Stock Town, China Camp and Sonora then Schnozberry and Pinecrone Lake in Stanislav's Forest."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Stockton, Chinese Camp, Strawberry, Pinecrest Lake and Stanislaus but yeah. Cat, if you come south, please find us."

I heard Freddie say, "Got it!"

Cat asked, "Jade is going with you?"

I glanced at Jade hopefully. She stared at me then nodded, saying, "Yeah, Kitty-cat. I'm going with Vega."

"YAY!" We both heard a chuckle from Freddie at Cat's shout.

"Tori?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you. You're one of my best friends ever!"

"I love you too Cat."

"Jadey?" The signal was fading.

With a small, half-hearted growl, Jade responded, "Yeah?"

"I love you too! You've been my bestest friend ever since we were little."

Jade actually teared up as she smiled, saying, "I love you too Kitty. Be safe please. Come find us."

"I'll try."

"Before I kill Vega," Jade snarled. In jest, I hoped.

Cat laughed too, "Oh Jade! You're so funny!"

I could see the signal bars dropping and I quickly said, "Cat, we're losing you. Be safe. Come find us if you can."

"I will Tori. You both take care of each oth..."

The signal cut off. I suddenly felt a deep chill and a sense of loss that was almost as intense as it was when I found Mom, and later, Trina.

"Tori?" Jade's face showed uncommon concern.

"Jade?"

Strangely, reassuringly, she said, "It's just reception. If she's heading into the Cascades, I doubt they have a lot of cell towers there. Or, more likely, the network is collapsing. And she has Sprint which isn't always good outside of more populated areas. Anyway. she'll be okay. That Freddie's a techno-nerd but he's not real-world stupid like most of them. You know that Cat's really pretty smart when she has to be too. They'll will be okay."

"I know." I did see my signal bars had been dropping. Instead, I asked, "But what about a relapse of the Fever? Like Trina? That's what it sounded like."

"NO!" Jade almost shouted. "We can't think like that! Just remember, Cat is okay. It's already been a couple of days since she recovered... And she should be safe with Freddie. Just remember that. Pretty soon, there'll be a lot of little ditzy nerds running around the mountains, scaring Bigfoot."

Gratefully laughing at the imagery, I could only nod. She was right. There was too much darkness in the world so I opted to grab on to the few rays of light and hold on tight. The idea of little Freddie and Cat kids running around sounded great. So, I decided to accept it, even if I had to lie to myself.

We sat silently for a long time after that.

Then Jade said, "Have you tried your dad's cell?"

"Not lately."

She stared at me with an arched eyebrow. Her eyebrow piercing gleaming in the light increased the intensity of the stare.

Nodding at my own stupidity – I'd been doing a lot of that kind of thing lately, far too much - I dialed Dad's cell from the home phone. There was a dial tone so the land lines were still working. Once the call went through, there was an automated beeping indicating the signal wasn't going through. I also called the precinct, but I got a busy signal. Like that morning, I tried 911 even though, this time, I didn't have real emergency – compared to others out there – but got the same automated recording that my call was important and would be answered in the order I called. Dialing 311 was a similar waste of time.

With a sigh, I hung up the phone. I tried with my cell too as I got two bars again and the same results. I sent him a text but didn't expect much.

Dad, going north with Jade. Come find us please!

Normally, Dad didn't text. But he sent a brief reply:

OK. I'll try. B careful. I 'heart emoji' U.

I laughed. Dad spelled out the words 'heart emoji' rather than trying to find it. He was hopeless with texts…

But the important thing. Dad wasn't dead. I knew he was okay. I just didn't know why he hadn't tried to contact me.

Another text. Real b-z Lots of guys out Call when I can

Jade said, "See Tori? It's got to be overwhelming for the cops. They were already out-manned by the gang bangers alone, much less the rest of the population. But he'll be okay. If he's not sick yet, he won't be. And he knows what he's doing. Probably busy keeping our lame-ass mayor safe or something. And he knows you can take care of yourself." Then, glancing at the guns on the table, she smiled and teased, "You can take care of yourself?"

I glared at her before walking towards the dining table. I took the Glock apart then reassembled it and dry fired it – shooting with an empty chamber. I repeated that with one of the AKs. She nodded approvingly which warmed me inside for some reason.

"You gotta teach me how to do that," Jade said. I beamed, pleased I could do something important that Jade couldn't. Still, rather than gloat, I nodded with that warm feeling again. Now I knew it was the fact that Jade actually valued me and my abilities.

"Watch and learn." I picked up the Glock again and took the pistol apart slowly and reassembled it, explaining each step. Then I did the same with the Kalashnikov. "Got it? Don't worry, I'll make sure you can do it."

"Thanks, Vega," Jade said simply. Then she added, "So, we're leaving town?"

I nodded again, "Yeah. Even with the huge funeral pyres and the mass burials at sea, the city will be one big morgue soon. And once the bodies start to decay..."

"Yeah, it'll start to stink to high heaven alright."

"Not just the stink. Diseases like typhus and cholera will be soon be roaring through the survivors. We need to be away from here before that happens. Even if Dad doesn't return home."

"Yeah, yeah. I know about the diseases. Thanks for trying to make me feel stupid, Vega."

"That's the Jade I know!"

"Alright! Satisfied? Now, what's this plan for Camp...Sutter?" Jade turned away and, in an oddly small voice that reminded me of that weird trip to Yerba, asked, "Am I really included?"

I reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder, "Of course you are! I need you with me. Really,"

"Thank you," came in the same small voice, surprising and delighting me.

Then I had to get in a dig, "Anyway, I promised Cat…"

That earned me the Jade glare that caused freshmen to pee in their pants. I had to laugh and, finally, she joined in.

I unfolded a highway map of California and traced out our trip. "The freeways are pretty much out. And I want to avoid population centers as much as possible anyway, when and where we can. Even if the Fever doesn't hit them as bad, survivors will become pretty territorial. If this plague is a virulent as Dad thought, the smaller towns in the country, especially small, isolated ones in the mountains, might not be too much of a problem. Still…"

"Agreed." Jade then asked, "Vega, I never knew you could be so sensible! Even if you forget to arm yourself."

I glared at her but, inside, I had to agree. I was surprising myself. She went on, "So, what did you have in mind?"

"Sutter's a Catholic youth camp I went to when I was a kid. About the middle of the state, up above the Central Valley along the western slope of the Sierras, just below the tree line. It was called Camp Sutter after Sutter's Mill which was near there. Here..." On the map, I pointed out the general location of the historic gold strike. Then I pointed to the approximate position of Camp Sutter about twenty miles to the southeast, "This is our destination."

With a sigh, Jade said, "I got the Sutter reference. I wasn't sleeping in history class, just resting my eyes." I chuckled even as she went on, pointing at small dots on the map, "What about these towns here and here and..."

"Many are little more than resorts – summer and especially winter sports destinations with some small general stores or even just convenience stores. Like I said, Jade, if the Fever is as virulent as we've heard, most of those will be ghost towns soon, if they aren't already. Maybe one or two survivors. At most a handful of people in the larger towns like Sonora… Anyway, I thought we'd go up the east side of the Sierra Nevada Range. It's pretty much desert with a lot fewer people. So here's the route I thought we'd take..."

We spent the next two hours discussing the best ways. Surprisingly, Jade didn't argue even as she had some great ideas.

Jade hadn't been too far north of L.A. except along the coast - Monterey, Carmel or Frisco. But not in the mountains or even the Central Valley. Actually nowhere beyond Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains or other resorts in the Angeles National Forest just north of the L.A. metro area.

Even so, she did have some reroute suggestions that were better than a couple of routes I'd decided on as I had earlier planned for the time I was finally leaving the L.A. area. We agreed on the route and decided to get some sleep and an early start.

For an hour or so, I lay awake, even after the exhausting day I had - physically and emotionally. But I couldn't help wondering about how clinical I sounded ignoring or talking about mass death so casually as I had when we were planning our trip.

At one point, I got up and walked to the large patio door in my room, looking down at the lights of L.A., essentially the same view from the back window in the living room. I noticed several large, dark areas. And, in a few areas, I saw more concentrated light from large fires burning out of control – some of the dark areas were from the smoke plumes I realized once I noted the fringes of the darkness shift, revealing sporadic lights.

I was worried enough to think about suggesting we leave then but decided – hoped - we were safe enough for the night. If this had been a year earlier, when the area was bone-dry, I would be on the road in a half hour. But we finally got some much-needed rain over the winter so wild fires were less likely. I hoped.

And, we needed our sleep.

I was sure Jade was equally restless in the guest room but we stayed to ourselves for the long night.

Eventually, trying not to cry over Mom, Trina and Aunt Sophia, I returned to my bed for the last time and finally fell into a dreamless sleep.

We were up early on Saturday. Water and electricity were still working – for how long was anyone's guess - so we each took a shower and took care of other things one does when they wake up. We both ended up shaving our legs and armpits, and other areas, for what could be one of the last times for a long time. Luxuries like a lot of personal grooming for vanity's sake would definitely be on a back burner for a while. Part of me remembered the process of laser hair removal but I never... Forget it.

Finished with showers and such, we started to load Mariska until, finally, the last of the supplies were in the back of Mom's SUV, including a much more substantial amount of canned goods, water and ammunition from our family emergency cache than I really expected. Not that I wasn't grateful for Dad's foresight. I also packed a couple of photo albums and a few framed pictures of my family and our gang. I thought I caught a smile on Jade's face when she saw those being slid in alongside a carton of bottled water in the immediate back seat.

I smiled as I recalled that, when I was still in grade school, I started calling Mom's SUV Mariska from the TV show. Told that to Jade and she just looked at me blankly. I tried to explain, "It's from the TV show…"

"I get it, Vega. It's still stupid!"

With a sigh, I grabbed another box of supplies to load into Mariska.

We covered the supplies with a tarp and made sure our guns were loaded and ready. The Magnum felt heavy on my hip, but I knew I'd get used to it.

Did I want to?

But, I really didn't have a choice, did I?

Jade looked quite comfortable with Dad's .38 slung low on her hip. She looked even more like a total bad ass. It was definitely kind of hot. A thought that surprised me even as it popped up in my head.

Shaking my head at the thought, I was so glad she was with me. The Glock, my grandfather's .45 automatic, his M-1 rifle, two more .38s, and the assault weapons were stashed around the front seat area with some of the ammo readily available behind the seat backs. We had enough weaponry for at least ten people but I still wish we had more. A LAWs rocket or twelve…

Another poor attempt at dark humor. Sorry. LAWs were a portable, collapsible Light Anti-tank Weapon that fired one round of explosive force. Easier than older bazookas to use but not common outside military compounds.

As I said, the ammunition was also packed near us so we could get to it if necessary. I hoped it wouldn't be. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a fire fight or anything else outside of maybe some car-jacking type encounter.

The weapons and ammo were Jade's suggestion. I liked Jade and had wanted to be her friend for so long but I was still feeling a bit uneasy around her. Her long-time, apparent darkness was more than a little intimidating. To be honest, I always felt more comfortable around Cat. But now, given the current situation, I was actually glad I had Jade with me. More than any of our other friends, I had to admit. But, of course, that brought sadness as I recalled our lost friends.

We walked back into the house. Jade looked around with what seemed to be a wistful look on her face. The house had become our gang's go-to place and had a lot of memories. Unfortunately for Jade, not all were pleasant. She later told me the good times far out-numbered the bad - even the break-up with Beck.

But, at that time, for myself, I grew up in that house. It was home to me. I hated to lose that connection to my life. I internally railed at the fucked-up world that was taking my past from me.

I went from room to room - saying goodbye, I guess. Arguing internally that I was making sure we didn't leave anything we might need. Or want.

I left a note for Dad confirming where I planned to head without really giving anything away:

Dad,

Jade and I are getting out of the city, like we agreed.

Going to the place that had me in tears when I was ten.

I hope you see this and come there too.

I love you Dad. Please be safe.

I love you,

Tori

Jade made me smile when she added:

I'll take care of her, Mr. V. She'll be okay

until you get there. And even after.

Jade

Ignoring the tight, warm feeling in my chest at those words, I stepped out into the backyard and went to Mom's grave. I didn't say anything. I just stood there and got wrapped up in my memories. Jade stood off to the side, gazing out at the view of Los Angeles and the increased number of smoke plumes.

Finally, Jade's hand on my shoulder brought me back. I blinked back my tears as she softly said, "We need to get going, Tori."

Nodding, I followed her back into the house. I made sure the doors and windows were all locked then we went to the garage. The power was still on and the door opener worked - fortunately. I was glad. It's a heavy double door.

I slapped my forehead, I forgot my glasses. I had packed my contact lens solutions and such (contacts were corrective lenses the fit over the eye) but completely forgot about my glasses. I'd've been very short-sighted in a month or so otherwise. Fortunately, Mom had an obsession with back ups and I actually had four pair. Grabbed all of them, in their cases, knowing I'd need them later. Jade was actually nice about it, "Your nerd look isn't that bad... Some might even think it's hot."

I invited Jade to use our garage. She pulled her beautiful, black, classic Challenger into the garage next to the Batmobile - even with the body damage, I couldn't leave it in the driveway.

Jade's car was the same model the assassin team drove in that great old movie 'Bullitt'. Even if no one ever saw it again, better in there than on the street.

I suddenly had the image of Fred Astaire, from On The Beach, locked in his garage with his Jaguar-D racer, killing himself with CO emissions before the deadly radiation cloud covered Australia.

God, I had to stop thinking of old apocalyptic movies. Shaking my head, I made sure the garage door was closed and locked. It was no guarantee of the safety for the car or even the house but, psychologically, we both felt better.

Then we finally hit the road.

As usual, the best-laid plans... Thanks in part to my…sentimental mood and our depilatory activities, it was nearly 9:30 when we left my house, rather than the 8 AM start I planned. Still, I thought we should still be able get out of L.A., if not up into the mountains, before it got too late. But first another delay…

We drove to Dad's precinct. It had been one of the plum assignments – the Hollywood Division. I just had to see that he was okay. It was a couple of miles away to the west. Pulling up at an Army checkpoint, basically a Humvee blocking the street and three soldiers armed with automatic rifles, at an intersection over a block away, I tried to tell the soldier who I was and why I was there.

"My father is a detective with the LAPD and… That's his station house. I really need to see him…"

"Sorry Miss. No one gets past without the proper papers."

"Where do I get the papers?"

"At the station."

I stared at him. Bureaucratic insanity at the end of the world. A real-life Catch-22. Why was I surprised?

Catch-22 was a darkly humorous military novel and movie in the 1970s that showcased the insanity of war. Like the then current papers situation at the checkpoint.

"Can I send a message to him? Detective David Vega?"

The soldier paused then nodded and I quickly wrote a note. He passed it to another who walked up the block towards the station. The two remaining started to talk quietly to each other. I overheard, "You hear about Pyle? He was assigned to the Rose Bowl. Man, I heard that was worse than the Coliseum or Dodger Stadium..."

The other MP nodded in agreement then coughed several times. "Don't worry, just allergies…"

They moved to the Humvee and out of earshot so Jade and I just waited.

Seemed we waited for an hour, but it was really only about twenty minutes or so. The first soldier came back and whispered to the one I had talked to.

I was frustrated, "WELL?!"

"Sorry Ma'am. Detective Vega is downtown at the Parker Center. If…I mean, when he gets back, he'll get the message."

I growled some swear words at him even as Jade nodded but pulled me back to Mariska.

"Let's go. Maybe we can get to the Parker Center."

The Parker Center was the LAPD's headquarters in downtown L.A. It was named for William Parker. The LAPD up through the 1930s and '40s was noted for corruption. Parker, when he became police chief, made a point of cleaning up the department. The building was a standard establishing shot for any cop show for years, including Perry Mason, Columbo, Hunter, and the movies Blue Thunder and others. Not to mention the original classic cop show Dragnet - the early 1950s and 1960s episodes were all approved by Parker himself or subsequent police chiefs.

Anyway, driving there, I wondered if I'd have any better luck. Most likely less though. Turns out I was half-right.

As we headed towards downtown, Jade and I both saw the huge black plume to the south - from the Coliseum. In the other direction was the heavy, black cloud from the Chavez Ravine pyre in Dodger Stadium.

Even with the windows rolled up, the smell was there.

Echoing my sentiment the day before, Jade growled, "I'm never having barbecue again..."

Before we could even get close to the Civic Center or even Little Tokyo, we got stopped by a more intense checkpoint in front of Union Station. Here was a tank, I think an old Army Reserve M1A1 Abrams, and a half-track (which I didn't even know the Army or the Reserves still used) with three Humvees and several soldiers, all Military Police, like the guards at the station house.

A sergeant came up and I explained who I was and why I was there. He was less curt that the Army cop in Beverly but only let me send an oral message. Dad sent a written note.

Sweetheart,

Get out of town. Now. Don't

wait for me. I know where you're

going. I'll move heaven and earth

to see you again.

I love you, Tori

Dad

"He's still alive?" I asked, fearfully, even as I recognized his handwriting. I still have the note and treasure it.

"Yes, Miss. Based on this response, I'd say yes. Now, you have to move along. I gave you some leeway - especially given the hardware in your truck - but I can't let you stay here."

Feeling defeated, I nodded and wrote another, short note. It was basically the same that I left at home and one I left with the MPs at his old station house. The sergeant agreed to send it on then insisted I move along.

Part of me was ready to be arrested. Maybe I could see Dad then. As if she could read my mind, Jade muttered, "No, Vega. They don't have to take prisoners. You'll be just as likely to be put up to a wall and shot."

The sergeant overheard part of that and added, "Miss, your friend isn't correct but, if you are taken into custody, there's no guarantee your father will even know. The Rule of Law... Hell, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are suspended right now. I really hope that changes but for now, I would have no choice. I would suggest you go where your note didn't specify and hope for the best.

"I…I lost my daughter already. And my wife…" His stoic face faltered for a minute then he took a deep breath. "I wish they could go with you so, for your own safety, and your father's sanity, get the hell out of the city!" He turned away then glanced back, "Avoid Pasadena. The Rose Bowl is…horrific."

I stood there for a long minute before I nodded in resignation. We drove away from the Army, the stench and the dying city.

Note: The Parker Center was the headquarters of the LAPD from 1955 to 2009. Ground was broken in 2007 for a new HQ. In this universe, I opted to stick with the original headquarters - maybe the city paid for upgrades when the upgrades were cheaper than building a new office block? Whatever... This is, after all, a What If? story.

And, again, my gratitude to Lognx5 for help with this story.