Get To The Choppa!

As soon as we stepped outside we could feel the heat. Everything was on fire, buildings, cars, and people. I smelt burning rubber, hair, and I think flesh. I mean, I never smelt burnt flesh before, I m just assuming. I take my shirt and cover my mouth and nose. Now it smelt like coffee, blood and all that other burnt s**t. Cindy was gripping my hand with all her strength.

'What is going on?!' Cindy shouted.

I wish I had an answer. I was trying to collect my thoughts. We needed to find the police. I pulled Cindy and just started moving, keeping low and away from any flames. If I learned anything from apocalypse movies is.. Be aware of your environment and s**t blows up all the time. As we started moving I felt a sudden vibratuon . S**t! Was it another earthquake?
Suddenly, a gun metal helicopter flew overhead heading west. Military, maybe? Wouldnt have been able to see it if it wasnt for all the fires throughout the city.

'Was that a helicopter?' Cindy shouted.

With my ears stilling ringing it sounded like she said some about a lobster.

S**t. Were they evacuating people from the city? Were things that bad?

I couldnt rationalize any further as gun shots began to ring out. I felt Cindy yank my arm as we scurried behind the nearest car.

More shots were fired, they were close. I slowly released Cindys hand and motioned for her to stay still as a krept towards the hood of the car. As I pressed against the side door I could feel warmth as the metal began absorbing heat from the surrounding flames.

I slowly lifted my head just enough to get a look at who was shooting.
One more shot rang out, this time I could see the muzzle flash in the alleyway directly across from me.

I listened for more rounds going going off and instead I saw a shadow of a person appear along the wall of the alley. As the shadow shrank a man appeared. He was running, gun in hand. He turned the corner and knelt with his back to the wall. While he caught his breathe he began reloading his fire arm. He was wearing casual clothes, jeans, running sneakers, and a shirt. He looked about my age or a bit older. He looked around frantically, scanning the area for any threats.

I looked over at Cindy and mouthed the words 'Stay there'. With wide eyes she just nodded her head in compliance, with a bit of confusion on her face.

Slowly, I raised my hands above my head and started waving them a bit. Not moving from cover, in case the guy decided to open fire.

He spotted me and immediately raised his gun.

'Stay where you are! Take that s**t off your face!."

At least thats what I imagined he said. His expression was a mixture of fear and anger. Not entirely my fault but mostly directed at me.

"Mime...mumarmed!"

I took my short off my face.



'Listen, man.. I'm unarmed! I'm just looking for some help. Have you seen any police around?!"
I shouted.

When I finished my sentence, the man, slightly lowering his gun, took a minute before answering my question.

"Negative! All communications are down! Can't reach anyone!"

"Yeah, I know! We tried too!"

"Look, all I can say is.. Head for Saint Vincents Hospital! The Coast Guard should be there assessing the situation!"

"Do you know what happened here?!"

I asked before the opportunity passed.

'I've no f*****g clue! I was at work and all of a sudden that Earthquake came out of nowhere. Lasted about 60 seconds, then thats when all Hell broke loose!'

I wondered what job required him to carry a fire arm while wearing casual clothes? Military? Cop?

'If you mind me asking, you a cop?'

This time he smirked a bit.

"Maybe! Why?! Did I throw you in the hole or some s**t?!"

"Nah, man. Just wondering about the gun, I dont see a badge. And how would you know to head to Saint Vincents?!"

"Got me there!"

He reached into his shirt pulling on a lanyard revealing a badge at the end.

"Not that it matters anymore but yeah, I'm a cop! Undercover, narcotics division!"

I kept silent for a second, I was acknowledging the fact that something was going my way tonight.

'Cool! You minding showing us the way to Saint Vincents?!'

'Us?!'

'Yeah. Me and a friend, her names Cindy!"

Slowly Cindy stood on her feet and stepped on the curve giving a large wave.

The cop began nodding his head again while pursing his lips.
Then, he holstered his gun in his belt.

"No can dd! I have to make my way back to the precinct and regroup. See what condition everyone is in. And seeing as I have no vehicle, I gotta run 5 bblock!"

Damn it. We finally find someone who can help us and he refuses.

I considered my options. Either I can ask this guy to accompany him to the precinct, we'd definitely be safe there.. If it was still in one piece, or make our way to the hospital.

"How far till Vincents?!"

"4 blocks West! Follow the helicopters!"

Then it dawned on me.

"By the way, what were you shooting at over in that alley?!"

"I think they were looters! After the quake it seems like some people went crazy!".

I wanted to tell him about the bar, about what Cindy and I saw. I thought about Marco again. Just a few hours ago we were just shooting the s**t. Now he's dead amongst dozens of other bodies. I felt the saddness creep up my spine, I shook it off. I didnt have time to mourn.

"Hey, man! One last piece of advice, make sure you bring a weapon with you. I think things are going to get worse!"

Thats the last thing I wanted to hear, amongst other things like the world was ending.

I just nodded my head.

The cop broke off in jog heading East.

I had no idea at the time, but man was he right about things getting worse.

I wonder if he ever made it to the precinct.