The sun was reluctantly giving up its last for today. I sat staring out the passenger window watching as the already long shadows disappeared to be swallowed by the approaching night. I was lost in my thoughts, wondering what had happened to that guy’s skull, what was going to happen as the night fell and for that matter just what would I find at the hospital? Would my sons even still be there? Lexi had seemed content to leave me to my thoughts or she was lost in her own. Neither of us had spoken since back at the roadblock. The miles were slowly ticking by with just the sound of tires on pavement or dirt like now. I was trying to pretend to not notice how disturbing it was to pass houses that should have had lights on when my thoughts were interrupted.

“I know you must be upset about what happened back there.” I readjusted myself in the seat to get a better view of her, only to see her profile. Lexi seemed to be thinking carefully before she spoke, such a rare thing for her. “But you have to get use to killing now. I know it sucks but that is the way it is now. Shit like that will be common place. Fuck that will probably be tame in months to come.” I raised my hand to stop her before she wasted her breath.

“Let me stop you right there Alexis.” I put my arm down, took a deep breath and realized that she may be my best friend but she really knew nothing. “Let me set you straight on something, I am not upset about having to kill. Far from it as a matter of fact. It was a case of them or us. I am not stupid by any means nor do I nee…” Lexi turned her head to me and was about to interrupt me again “Lexi, don’t! Stop right there. That is what I was about to tell you. You keep treating me like I am some fragile thing that will break. I am not. Sure, I may have some trouble accepting things but you assume too much. You are not me, I have my secrets and I am capable of more than you know.”

“Is that how you feel? That I view you as a china doll?” Lexi asked.

“Yes. And I don’t need you to protect me anymore. So quit it. You’re starting to piss me the fuck off.” I told her calmly, just a statement of facts.

“Fine, if that is how you want it. Then don’t whine later.” I could just make out the tightening grip of hers on the steering wheel as she told me.

Silence once again seemed to reign in the truck. I went back to looking out my little window on the world. I could just make out shapes of houses that were missing their lights. It was disturbing still to see those empty houses. I knew that families should be home, gathered, eating dinner, watching T.V. or at least co-existing in some manner. All I could see however were the skeletons of homes. I knew without being told that the many vehicles, homes and various empty buildings we had already passed were just tombstones of our civilization. I could feel it, something had changed, something large, and world encompassing. It didn’t just take place in our little corner of the world, it was everywhere. I was still waiting for Lexi to tell me what it was that had left little town America a mass of gravestones. Passing one of the gravestones, Joe’s Diner, my stomach announced that I had not eaten since this morning and then empty it unceremoniously after that.

“We’ll be there in a bit. You can grab a bite to eat then and some sleep. Shouldn’t be too long now.” At Lexi’s announcement I laid my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes. My thought was just to take a slight nap.