The streets are empty. No-one walking their dog, no kids on bikes… “what the fuck?” I think to myself as I hastily jiggle the key into our apartment’s door. Locking the door behind me, setting the shotgun against a corner, I’m greeted with relief by shannon. “Babe!” with tears rolling down her eyes. Seconds into a loving embrace, here relief turned to worried panic. “I don’t know whats going on. I was watching the news but they’re not saying anything. I ran across the street and got us some water and canned food in case, I don’t know what. I called my mom and she has no clue. you’re sister Vaty and Paul are at La Penca, sheltering in place, they think there was an attack.”
I glance over at the TV, aerial footage of rioting… “calm down, sweetheart. Everything is going to be ok.” I try to console her. “What do we know?” I asked. “I don’t know nothing! I was out delivering bread, and I was coming home, and like 50 police cars flew past me on high st towards the bridge. That’s all I know!” “How’d you know the bridges were up?” I asked. “Facebook.” She answered.
Meet Shannon
Chuy’s sweetheart.
Chef.
Major Hottie.
Weapon of choice: Stick with nail in it.
“Well, we gotta go get Vaty and Paul” I stated. “Do you wanna come, or do you wanna stay here?” I asked. “I’ll come” she replied. “K. you gotta drive”. Choosing to leave the shotgun behind, I grabbed an aluminum bat, and we jumped into Shannon’s truck.
“I shot a cop” I said, as I searched the radio for a news station. “You what?!!” “I had to!” I exclaimed. “Wha-why-What?!” “I’ll tell you after we get’em. Keep the engine running”, and I jumped out of the truck, walking for the front door of the place.
The door creaked loudly as I opened it. All the humming of chatter stopped, and everyone looked at me.”CHUY!!!” I heard my sister yell. They were sitting in a booth. “Vamonos a la chingada” I yelled to her. And they got up and we got out of there.
As we’re walking to the truck I ask them “what the fuck is going on?” Paul replied; “there was some sort of chemical attack. The news said to shelter in place until we were notified that it was safe.” “Well, let’s hurry up and get back to the house”, I said as I realized I might be putting everyone in danger by being out.
Meet Vaty and Paul.
Vaty is Chuy’s sister. She’s a teacher, loves food, and pop culture. Weapon of choice: Aluminum Hello Kitty baseball bat
Paul is Vaty’s boyfriend. He’s a tech whiz, a fountain of knowledge, and is also a teacher. Weapon of choice: Butterfly knife
I tell them all the bridge story on the way home… “What the fuck, zombie tweakers?” Shannon said. “Fuck…” said Vaty, processing what she had just heard.
That evening, at home, no-one rested. We all sat ’round the TV. Listening to the news and checking social media, we all sat sharing information, until one by one, we all fell asleep.
Grizzly De Haro 