Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(73)

“Here we see the beautiful, yet psychotic Amazon named Jenni. Sources tell me her real name is Genevieve Maria de la Lourdes Blakely. I'm sure that is some sort of top secret Catholic Church code...”

The camera zooms in on Jenni who promptly sticks out her tongue and crosses her eyes.

“...this bizarre secret salute once more appears on her face. Whenever I approach her, she immediately signals the other Amazons. But little does she know that with the use of some foil and toothpicks, I have eliminated her secret signal...”

The camera zips around to show Juan looking annoyed as he lounges next to Jenni.

“...as I once more document their top secret meetings...”

Juan looks toward the camera and scowls. “This is not a top secret meeting, Calhoun. We're chilling out together as friends.”

“...is Mr. Juan De La Torre. He's Mexican-American and, as usual, he is issuing denials of his secret activities...”

Juan rolls his eyes and waves the camera away.

“Next is Travis Marcus Buchanan. Now, he used to live in England so I strongly suspect he is a spy for the Queen...”

The picture zooms in on the curly-headed man sitting in a chair looking grim. He sighs and pushes the camera out of his face. “Calhoun, give it a rest.”

“...then his ladylove. The center of this debacle, Kathleen Mathilde Kiel. Her code name is Katie...”

The blond woman looks up into the camera; the light illuminating her golden locks, making her pale face look even whiter. “Calhoun, I know you think you should document all of this, but please aim the camera away from my face.”

“...this one eludes me to her origins...”

Katie sighs and covers her face with her hands.

“...but the truth remains that they sent two men into the wilderness...and one came back...or actually it was his clone...and not a very well done one…It was kinda chewed up and in pieces...”

“Calhoun, put the f*cking camera away,” Juan's voice demands.

The camera turns to show the wizened face of a man wearing a cowboy hat. Calhoun is obviously holding the camera on himself. “I alone seek the truth as the others cower before the powers that be. I will unearth their secrets and reveal in my camera's light...oomph...”

The camera suddenly swings crazily and there is obviously a scuffle. When it’s over, the camera is on Calhoun. He looks very uncomfortable.

“...and this is Crazy Calhoun,” Jenni's voice narrates. “Rumor is that he is an overgrown leprechaun on steroids...”

“Am not!”

“...and that he is spying for the Wicked Witch of the West...”

“I am a proud citizen of these United States and I have never consorted with witches!”

There is another scuffle, then the camera reveals Travis looking at the camera, obviously trying to figure it out. Finally, he adjusts it and says into the camera, “We're going to vote in a mayor and city council. They nominated me.”

Juan's voice says, “And he's gonna freaking win.”

Travis looks annoyed at this. “So, yeah, I'm chilling with my friends and hoping to God I don't get elected.” He hesitates, then adds, “ And I do not spy for the Queen of England.”

The screen goes black.





4. Haunted


It took some finesse escaping Calhoun and his camera. It took a little luck avoiding the little packets of survivors who wanted to talk to Travis about his nomination, but at last, they made it into the elevator.

“You're gonna get elected,” Juan repeated for the umpteenth time.

“You say that one more time and I'm going to deck you.” Travis scowled.

“Play nice, boys.” Katie ran a hand over Travis' curls to soothe him.

“Just tellin' him the truth.” Juan shrugged.

“Which he obviously doesn't want to hear,” Katie answered.

Travis continued to look out of sorts as the elevator dinged its way up.

Juan thought his buddy was being a big baby about the whole thing. It was amusing as hell though. Besides, giving Travis shit was alleviating the tension he felt from Jenni's silence and distant expression. Juan watched the numbers over the door light up. Just a few more floors and he could find out what was wrong with Jenni. She had been putting him off all night. He was tired of it.

The elevator arrived at the next floor and chimed. Travis slid his arm around Katie's waist as the doors opened. Juan took hold of his shoulder.

“You'll win because you're the best man for the job, Travis.”

Travis sighed and opted not to punch Juan's lights out. “We'll see.”

With that, the couple walked away and the elevator doors shut.

Juan looked toward Jenni and smiled. She either didn't see him, or she ignored him. She continued to stare into nothingness, her arms folded over her breasts. He loved her, but at times he felt powerless and incompetent. He could feel her emotions churning just beneath the surface of her eerily-detached expression.

Tentatively, Juan reached out and touched her arm. She glanced at him. Her focus appeared to return to the here and now. She stepped closer and he slung an arm over her shoulders. Her body was very tense. He kissed her cheek, trying to soothe her.

It didn't seem to work.

She continued to stare ahead.