“Means I found this gear in the back of a cop car. I’m not a police officer,” Jacob answered.
“Cool, because I got warrants,” the kid said.
The old man snapped the oxygen mask from his face, the sudden movement catching Jacob’s eye. “James, will you shut up? The police ain’t sending nobody out here to arrest you for speeding tickets.” The old man looked up at Jacob. “Pardon my grandson; he tries to play tough, but he’s harmless.”
“Papa, will you stop? We don’t owe these folks any explanation,” James said, looking embarrassed.
“Child, hush, and go get this fella something to eat,” the old man ordered.
Jacob let his arms relax, still not used to the weight of the rifle and tactical vest. Seeing his discomfort, the old man offered him a seat. Jacob moved across the room, pushed aside crumpled blankets and pillows, and sat at the corner of a sofa. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back as the weight relaxed from his back.
“Sorry about the mess; the boys been staying with us and we ain’t got a lot of room,” the man said.
Jacob scanned the space; it was a humble apartment—heirloom furniture, sofa and chairs, a small dining table for two just outside of the kitchen door. The windows had heavy blankets pulled over them, sealing out the light. The apartment door was open, but Jacob could see where furniture had been pushed against it at one point.
Following Jacob’s stare to the front door, the old man said, “We used to keep it closed up but we leave it open ’cause the floor is empty now and the doors downstairs is all locked. Might need to change our policy, though, considering you folks just walked up on us like that.”
James returned to the room and eyed Jacob suspiciously before handing him a plate and a small plastic cup. “Here, it’s just water and a grilled cheese.”
Jacob accepted the plate. “Been a bit since I had a hot meal; thank you.”
“I wish I had more for you. Y’all can call me Ernest, or Ernie; most my friends do. Gas is still on up here; keeps the stove going. Some water pressure from the tank on the roof, but not sure how long that’ll last.”
Jacob took a long drink of the water. He looked at Ernie and nodded. “It’s good; thank you, sir.”
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m Jacob.”
The old man turned his head, stretching to see into the kitchen. “Listen, Jacob, I know what’s happening out there. I been hearing what they say on the radio.”
Jacob looked to the old man. “I don’t have answers, if that’s what you’re asking—” He stopped as the sound of an explosion rattled the windows and shook the building.
The old man shook his head. “I’m not looking for that, Jacob. I need you to get the boys out of here. I already talked it over with the wife; we won’t last out there, especially not on those streets... not in no shelter either. We’ll be okay up here; we got food and water and can get by for some time on our own. I need you to promise that when you leave, you’ll take the boys.”
Tyree walked into the room. “Papa, I already told you we ain’t leaving without you, so stop bothering this man.”
“You got to; these folks will need your help, anyhow.”
Jacob looked at Tyree and noticed the others were now moving out of the kitchen.
“How, exactly, would we need their help?” Jacob asked.
“They know the streets. You’ll find that the roads are all blocked. These two can get you in and out and up to the island—I know that’s where you all are headed; no other reason for you to be up this far.”
Murphy stepped into the room, raising a hand as he swallowed. “What do you know about the roads being blocked?” Murphy asked. He took a seat next to Jacob, holding a half-eaten sandwich.
Ernie grinned and pulled back a blanket on his lap. He had a small handheld police scanner. He held it up and clicked it on; hearing nothing but static, he powered it back off. “It was alive with reports up ‘til about four hours ago. That’s when the fire department called in for help. We heard their distress calls; said they were pulling back to the south. Later, those men out front, they got shot up and their vehicles wrecked.
“That street out front will get you killed. You’re gonna have to stick to the alleys. These boys can help you.”
Tyree raised his hand and stepped closer to face Ernie, moving behind his chair and leaning over his shoulder. “I told you, Papa, we ain’t leaving. Now stop this.”
“It's okay, Ty,” the old woman said. “Your grandfather and I already discussed it; it’s all been figured on. You know I can’t go running and jumping over no fences, and no way I’d go an’ leave him here alone. When you get to the island, you can tell ’em where we be, and they’ll come back for us. I got plenty here to take care of your Papa.”
Tyree looked down and shook his head, then stepped away while looking toward the hall and staring at the door. James moved from the kitchen and hugged the woman. “Don’t make us go, Nana,” he said, his voice breaking.
The old man cleared his throat and looked back at Jacob. “Now, y’all can take what you need. The boys scrounged up plenty from the empty units, but you need to be going quick. It’s been quiet for a couple hours, but you can bet it won’t last.”
“Wait!” Murphy said loud enough to silence them. “Tell me about what happened out front; you saw it?”
Tyree turned away and looked at Murphy. “I saw it… I was on the roof.”
“Who did it, and how?”
“It was a bunch of trucks and a school bus; they were driving down the center of the street, then the people… you know them, the ones
