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took this all in. The only sounds were the birds chirping and Joseph screaming at Alya to leave him alone. “So you think it will be years before the government can get control of the country?”
                  “No.”
                  “You just sai-”
                  “I said if the blast only affected half the U.S. it would take the government years to get everything back up and running. I never said they would take control of the country.” He looked over at Grant and let out a long sigh. You remember that hurricane down in Florida a couple years ago?”
                  Grant nodded.
                  “The power went out and it took the government a couple of days before they could get down there and restore order. After the fact there were people sitting around complaining about how long it took for the government to come down and help them.”
                  Grant waited for more but Jack just stared back at him. “I don’t understa-“
                  “What I’m saying is that there are going to be people who just sit around with their thumbs up their ass waiting for the government to swoop down and save them. We’ve become a nation of people who are used to being taken care of and never having to take care of ourselves. Millions are going to die before this year is over. Hell millions are probably going to starve within the end of this month. When winter comes it is going to take out tens of millions more. Those who do survive the winter are going to have to team up to survive the elements, starvation, and to protect themselves from the dark side of humanity.”
                  Unfortunately Grant was aware of the dark side of humanity. He had been in the world long enough to know what people were capable of when there were laws and consequences to their actions. Without those two things he didn't want to think of what those people would be willing to do. “So what do we do?”
                  “Just try to survive, Grant. That's all we can do.”
     

Alec
                 
                  The morning wind blew in from the north, across the empty fields and through the tall trees that surrounded Jack’s farm. The sun’s rays edged over the tree line giving Alec just enough warmth to fight off the last traces of the cold night still hanging onto the morning breeze.
                  Alec quietly put the water container on Jack's front porch and started to tip-toe away. His father normally dropped off the water but he had been spending more and more time attempting to hunt every morning. Alec found if he dropped off the water early enough in the morning the old man was usually asleep so he could avoid him, not this morning.
                  “Good morning.”
                  Alec cringed and slowly turned around to watch Jack open his screen door. The man took in a deep breath of the morning air as he stretched. “Waking up early to drop off my water are you?”
                  “Yeah, got some things to do today.”
                  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, what's that?” When Alec didn't answer he let out a smile. “Look kid I know the last thing you want is for me to lecture you about anything, let alone about your old man.”
                  “Then let's not.” Alec turned and started walking down the porch.
                  “Before you go let me show you something.” Alec turned around and Jack lifted up his shirt. Small dark marks were littered throughout the man's chest.
                  Alec took a step forward to get a better look. “What are thos-”
                  “Burn marks.” The old man dropped his shirt. “Cigarette burns to be more specific. Funny thing is I never smoked a day in my life. My old man loved himself some cigarettes