Chapter 13: Lights in the Dark

For a few months, Julie, David, and Gunner lived together in harmony. They needed that time to rest. To eat. To somewhat feel at ease.

They couldn't gallivant through the end of the world without regaining strength.

A pink sky greeted Julie. The morning breeze was chilly. Dew covered the grass.

Her clothing was fresh out of the dryer, her bags packed. She packed the jeep full of bags of food, cleaned the cabinets of the home, and jugs of water.

Every ship which flew overhead caused Julie to tense, not in fear, but anger.

Exiting the home, Gunner approached Julie. He didn't look like he slept. Maybe his species didn't sleep..

"Do you guys sleep?" Julie asked slamming the trunk of the jeep.

"We more or less shut down. Like a computer. Our organs shut down until we naturally wake." Nodded Gunner. "If we find humans-I hope they don't shoot me on sight."

"I'll make sure of it, pal. You risked your life for David. I'm forever in your debt." She pats Gunner's shoulder, reaching on her tiptoes to do so.

The jeep drove with ease, the scanner was placed in between the driver seat and passenger seat.

These roads were unknown to Julie but having Gunner by her side and David in the backseat created a calmness for the war-torn woman.

Finding life could truly be a turning point for us. The evilness of the alien invasion could come to an end if we all band together and act smart and resourceful.

If Gunner is against the torture and horror-filled experiments of our people, then maybe other Barg are as well. Maybe more will be like Gunner and I. Fighting for one cause. Sounds too good to be true. Humans of different religions can barely get along-creatures from a distant planet probably have no chance.

So be it. I'll be the change I want to see.

Due to Gunner's height and long limbs, he had to recline his seat all the way back. He was too scrunched in the trunk, so he had to make do with lying back the entire trip. Aliens don't get carsick, though. So maybe it wasn't so bad.

Leaning his head on the window next to him, David watched the land go by. The broken billboards, the busted-up cars, the buildings which were crumbling.

The dead bodies on the side of the road were nightmarish to behold. Humans who had escaped the Barg but had no food or water.

***

Nearing closer to the destination, Julie parked the jeep at an old grocery store. A small detour to the group of humans. Resources were resources. To skip a large store during the end times would prove to be a foolish move.

Crickets chirped.

The sky was dark blue.

Going in on the cover of night was perhaps the best option.

Julie duct-taped a small flashlight to the end of her shotgun and slowly approached the doors of the building.

The flashlight cast shadows along the empty aisles of the store.

The fluorescent lights hung from the ceiling. Some of them flickered off and on, the buzzing of the broken light fixtures was heard faintly.

She heard a nearby can move, instantly she aimed her weapon at the item, expecting to find a Barg.

A raccoon skittered across the floor. Her flashlight followed it back to the shadow from once it came.

She sighed in relief.

Julie walked slowly, past the cash registers, past the shelves. Her gun was ready to fire. Her arms and legs tense. Not knowing what could be behind her. A Barg could be here. A robot.

Once she reached the back of the store, she decided to check out the freezer room, where meat was once hung.

Entering the small room through a metal door that swung, she shivered. No meat was here, even if it had been here, it would've been well past rotted.

Something glowed. Like someone left on a small, blue light in the corner of this dark room.

With caution, Julie approached the item.

It could be a trap. It could be a bomb ready to detonate. I don't know if I should touch it. What if it's some weird tech left by one of the aliens? Something that could kill me.

The sound of a gunshot outside caused Julie to race from the freezer and bolt outside.

Julie aimed her gun at the four men standing outside of the jeep. These men were perhaps 6ft tall, well built, all except one had beards and long hair. Wearing camo outfits, holding shotguns.

"Lady! We're not gonna hurt you!" Yelled one of the men, keeping his weapon at his side, but keeping it visible to Julie.

"Where's my son?" Julie shivered. Fearing the worst.

David ran out of the jeep and into his mother's arms. She looked at these newcomers, worry and fear could be read.

"Who are you?" Julie kept David to her side, her shotgun pointing at the four.

Behind one of the men, was Gunner. Tied up by a thick rope, a ball gag in his slimy mouth.

"Let him go!" Yelled Julie, her heart beating fast.

"No can do. I'm Earl Grey. Guess I'm the leader of this little group of fighters." Earl stood beside three other men. He clearly was the biggest. Had a large shotgun and pistol by his side. His hair slicked back. His face was clean-shaven.

"You can't just tie Gunner up. He's our friend." Julie approached Earl, shotgun aimed directly at him.

"He's a Barg. Responsible for the torture and slaughter of millions of American citizens."

To one corner, were five other large pickup trucks with huge wheels and bright floodlights on their roofs, which cascaded over the group.

Gunner tried to struggle from his bindings but was punched by one of Earl's men. He fell to one side, coughing.

David ran to the alien, Earl let him. David was a scrawny teen. Harmless to the big, burly men holding guns.

"Please. Stop hitting him." David knelt next to Gunner who bled from his nose.

"We're gonna get you and your mom a home. With food, water, new clothes. A community of people." Said the guard, looking down at David.

"It's fine, Dave. I'll be fine. Go with them." Gunner spoke weakly, breathing slightly heavy.

Earl brought David and Julie into his truck. Treating them with kindness, looking around to make sure no ships were overhead.

Gunner was haphazardly thrown into the back of a separate truck, driven by one of Earl's men.

The trucks drove down the empty highway, their engines fading slowly into the distance.

Julie held David's hand tightly.

Gunner shivered in the bed of the elevated pickup truck.