World War III by Heath Jannusch Read Free Book Online Page B

walked out. “Hey pal what’s your problem?” he bellowed, when he saw Mason putting out the fire he’d just built. “We’ve got cold women in here in need of warmth!”
    “Then use blankets or body heat,” replied Mason, without so much as looking at the man. “The chimney opens to the outside you fool! Do you want to get sick?” Mason used several layers of the duct tape in an effort to keep out as much radioactivity as possible. When he was finished he said, “Tape the door again after I leave!”
    He then darted back across the courtyard to the large event hall where the majority of the people had taken shelter. Once inside he examined the building, making sure that enough tape and plastic bags had been used to protect them from the radioactive storm outside. When he was satisfied that they were as safe as they could be, he went to the bathroom to wash off as much of the radioactive rain as he could. Then he put on some new clothes and put the contaminated clothes in a trash bag and tied it shut. He drank a little iodine, laid down on a blanket in the corner of the room and, before long, was fast asleep.
     
    *******
     
    It had been raining for several hours when Mason awoke to the sound of shouting. He was surprised that he’d been able to fall asleep at all, especially with what was happening outside. Yet the peaceful sound of rainfall usually did that to him, apparently even when the rain was radioactive. Mason slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes before glancing around the large ballroom.
    Everywhere Mason looked he saw women and the elderly, as well as the older children who’d not vanished with the rest. Many of them were lying on the hardwood floor, huddled together for warmth. Rupert, the town’s preacher, was sitting cross legged in the center of the room with a group of children sitting in a circle around him. He was holding the Bible in his hand, while telling the children the story of Noah’s ark and the Great Flood.
    Across the room near the front door, was where the commotion was originating from. A small group of people including Alfonso, Shiloh’s hired hand, were gathered around someone who was trying to open the door and leave. Mason quickly stood up and crossed the room to where the group stood huddled together in an argument.
    “What’s going on?” he demanded, as he approached the group.
    “He wants to leave,” explained Alfonso, nodding towards a middle-aged man named Henry.
    “No one is leaving until the storm passes,” stated Mason.
    “The hell you say!” screamed Henry, as he lunged for the door.
    As usual Mason was the first to respond. He grabbed Henry by the shoulder and spun him around. The wide eyed fear on the man’s face was becoming contagious, and if allowed, would spread like wildfire. Mason drew back his fist and punched Henry with all his strength. The sound of his fist coming in contact with the side of Henry’s head made a loud thump in the otherwise quiet room. The force from the blow sent Henry to the floor utterly unconscious.
    “You didn’t have to do that,” hissed Daisy from behind Mason, rushing to Henry’s side. “He just wanted to find his wife.”
    “I believe I did have to do that,” replied Mason calmly. “And just think how happier his wife will be knowing that her husband is alive with a headache, as opposed to being dead from radiation poisoning.”
    “Whatever!” Spat Daisy, full of disgust.
    “What should we do with him?” asked Alfonso, looking down at Henry.
    “Keep an eye on him,” answered Mason, “and let me know when he wakes up.”
    “Si Senor,” said Alfonso, “I’ll watch him.”
    “Thanks,” said Mason, before turning and walking away. “A bunch of women, children and elderly,” he mumbled under his breathe with a chuckle, “yet most of the trouble keeps coming from men.”

Radiation Poisoning
     
     
    World War III – Day One
    The Sierra Nevada Mountains
     
    A few miles northwest of town, Ian and the