“What the fuck is that?!” the question escaped my lips before I could edit myself. I was shocked at the sight before me.

“Ha ha. That is my Baby.” Lexi replied rather proud of the machine before her. “Get in daylight is burning. We can have that talk on the way.” she finished while opening the door to her ‘baby’.

My feet took a moment to respond before I finally descended the stairs of the deck. Parked as it were, in the driveway was Lexi’s baby, a hulking military style Humvee. It looked loaded with more than military issue items. The color for one was not the usual tans and brown camo but of blacks and greys. I could see various antennas and satellite dishes as well on this monstrosity. It looked to be over ten foot just to the roof, not counting the additions. Under normal circumstances climbing into this monster would be a feat for my 5’5” frame; today it would be impossible. I walked over to the passenger side hoping to find something, a ramp, ladder, or chair even for me to climb onto to get into it. I popped open the door to be surprised yet again when a step came out somewhere from under this contraption for me to use. I look up to find not only a vertical handlebar in just the right spot but Lexi’s big grinning face.

“That” she said pointing to the step “was an expensive addition to my Baby. I was willing just in case. Now get your ass in here. And don’t think I forgot your little verbal slip earlier.”

“I was hoping you did not notice that.” I told her as I climbed into the seat. Now I noticed a new problem, a racing seatbelt. “Really, Lexi? What the hell have you been doing?”

“That answer will have to wait, buckle up bitch. And ya, of course I noticed. You don’t drop the f-bomb anymore. Just wait till I tell the boys.” After that she started laughing.

“You know you are an evil little….” I never finished because Lexi quickly shifted into reverse and slammed on the gas with a grin cutting me off. She whipped the vehicle around once we were clear of the house making me jerk in my seat and thankful for the seatbelt. Then it was off down the road towards the hospital I hoped, and answers to my questions.

We had been on the main road out of town heading toward the interstate when I finally noticed the bag of food and coffee mugs. “Ahh…Cofffee.” I sighed. It had been days since I had a cup and I missed it. I reached for the one closest to me and took a few sips. I could feel muscle relax that I did not know I had tensed up. “I missed that.”

“Thought so. There’s some sandwiches in the bag. When you feel like it, eat some. I have a thermos packed with more coffee, so don’t worry about savoring that one.” She spoke while keeping her eyes on the road.

“If I did not know you better I would say you were prepared for this.” I responded with my eyes closed inhaling the aroma of the coffee.

“Hmph. Well, I’m going to give you a heads up. We have to take a few back roads to get to the city. The main highways and interstates are not safe right now.” I looked at Lexi as she told me this, confused. She held up her hand as if to stop me before I could start. “Now I know I said we would talk, and we will. A lot of shit happened while you were out Angel.” She took a deep breath in before continuing “You missed more than going to the hospital that day. The World itself went to shit. Things, hell people are different now. You have to give me a moment to figure out how to tell you.”

“You just tell me. What is there to figure out?” I asked.

Lexi pinched her nose with one hand and took a deep breath before continuing “okay, remember you asked. You have a problem dealing with things that are outside what you think is logical. That makes this a problem right now. I can’t afford to have you breaking, your sons can’t afford it either. So, I have to find a way to tell you what happened without you trying to be all logical and shit.”

Before I could get my chance to respond Lexi slammed on the brakes. Before us in the road was a massive wreak. I could see at least eleven various vehicles involved in the accident but it looked to be days old. There were no police or road crews of any sort in sight trying to clean it up. I looked back at Lexi “Why haven’t they cleaned this up yet? This is days old Lexi. Is this why we have to take the back roads? Tell me what is going on now!”

“Damn it. Shit, Shit triple shit. We are going to have to backtrack a bit. And yes, this is partly why we have to take the back roads. No one is going to clean it up because they can’t or don’t want to. Now, stop with the questions for a sec, I didn’t plan for this shit.” she retorted with a look of frustration.

She shifted the truck into reverse and began backing up. I sat back in my seat nowhere near content with the lack of answers I was getting from her. She was forever treating me like some fragile thing that would break at a moment’s notice since she took the kids and me in years ago. Why can’t she get that I am not that broken woman anymore, I wasn’t that broken then either. I sat and stewed when Lexi slammed on the brakes again while we were still backing up. I looked back to see what was the problem as she let slip, “Mother fucker, damn humans. Always wanting something” under her breath.

“Do you think they need help?” I asked, ignoring what she muttered.

She turned and looked at me with a smile, “Sure, they want help. They want what we have. You wait here, I’m gonna go and correct them on it real quick. Shouldn’t take but a second.” She unbuckled herself and reached behind the seat to grab what looked to be two 9 mm handguns. I watched as she checked the clips before saying anything.

“I could help you, if you need it. I am not some weakling.”

She looked back at me with her hand paused on the door, “Are you fucking kidding me? You, twenty years ago maybe, but you now. Fuck and no. Stay put. There’s too many for me to worry about keeping you alive out of this thing too.” with that she opened the driver’s side door and hopped down. As she slammed the door shut I could hear some voices already demanding that she give up her truck and anything we had on us or else.

I sat still for a moment, weighing my options; I could stay in the truck or go help her. Lexi was trained by her dad and his army buddies to fight and she had other talents. She had plenty of secrets but so did I. After moving down here I started taking defense classes at different martial arts studios after work. I was determined to not let anyone hurt me or the kids again. I never managed to get a black belt or anything like that but I was capable enough. I never let anyone know what I was doing; I just told them I had to work late on those nights.

I carefully checked the mirrors and windows to see how many assailants there were along with what weapons they may have. I could still hear Lexi and what seemed to be their leader trading verbal blows on the other side of the truck. On my side there seemed to be three guys spread out on the road with one positioned on the other side of the guardrail. The one closest to my door had a knife and the other two had guns, the man furthest away I could not see what he had however. Situated at the back of the truck spread out looked to be seven additional guys armed with an array of weapons from guns to baseball bats; it was the one holding a baseball bat that was arguing with Lexi. On her side of the truck however were two more guys. If they had any other hiding in the woods or behind the small foothills I could not tell. It seemed they had ridden up on a eight mix of ATV’s and Gators that were parked a short distance behind us.

I decided that I could take at least the guy with the knife and use him a shield for bullets. So, I carefully undid my seatbelt, slowly so as not to attract attention. I was going to treat them as wild animals at first. Once I knew the ones guarding me had not noticed my movements I reached for the door handle, it was then hell broke loose.