Back inside the gas station, I sat the cat on the counter next to the cash register and hacked half a lung of smoke into my T-shirt. My heart raced and my vision blurred as I tried to get a grip on myself and what had happened.

The nuclear freaking bomb! That's what happened.

Had World War III come to the middle of Iowa? Obviously, it had. Hence the mushroom cloud hovering in the sky miles away. Had I breathed in more than smoke? Was I contaminated with radiation? Was I a deadman walking? Only time would tell.

I paced back and forth, wringing my hands through my hair, trying to figure out what to do next. By chance, my gaze flicked over to the black cat, which still sat on the counter staring at me. Its yellow eyes didn't communicate much, except possibly wondering why the human was so distraught. The cat seemed content as it breathed through its nose, not bothered by the polluted air outside.

I paced over to the refrigerated units, opened a glass door, and pulled out a bottle of water. After downing half of it to help clear my throat, I dropped it and let the rest of it spill out on the floor. I wasn't distraught. Panic was more like it.

"Get a grip on yourself, Cal." I walked up to the cat and glared at it. "How can you be so calm?"

The feline continued to inhale and exhale. Not a fear in the world.

My eyes snapped open wide with a thought. "Harvey's survival stuff." He had a gas mask and other gear stored away in his office in the back of the store. If I could get his door open.

If...

A nuclear bomb went off outside. A little force was warranted.

I stormed past the arcade room and made a bee-line to Harvey's office. Using my shoulder, I rammed against the door, which wasn't good enough. Again, a lot harder. A pain shot down my arm, but the jam shattered and the door swung open.

Inside, the closet was locked but I found a key in Harvey's desk drawer. Although my boss was resourceful at times and bullheaded, he wasn't the brightest guy. I yanked on the string hanging in front of me and the light turned on. Harvey had a gun rack with a sawed off shotgun, a high-powered rifle with a scope, and a small and large handgun. I didn't know much about guns; I mean I worked at gas station and I was almost thirty. What did that say about my life. I was fortunate Sara even gave me time of day.

Thinking of her made my stomach ball up in a knot. She was gone. I had eaten lunch sitting across from her when she was on break. The memory of her green eyes, warm personality, and generous smile made me throw a hand out on the wall for support. When I opened my eyes, a single tear slid down my cheek. That's when I spotted the footlocker on the floor.

I fumbled through the keys until I found the right one.

Down on a knee, I inspected the contents of the locker: lots of ammo, a backpack filled with supplies, and a gas mask. I suspected Harvey had a lot more survival stuff at his house, if it was still standing.

I snatched up the bag and the mask. After a quick contemplation, I determined I didn't need a gun. I didn't even know how to load or shoot one. Honestly, I was afraid I'd shoot myself.

Back up front, I filtered through the backpack and found a canteen. I filled it with bottled water, hooked it on the side of the bag and shouldered it.

The cat just stared at me, blinking occasionally.

I went to push through the front door but it wouldn't budge. "What the—"

I tried again. Who had locked it?

I squinted at the gap between the two doors and didn't see the deadbolt engaged. It should open but it wouldn't. What was going on here?

I bulldozed into the door but bounced off of it and landed in the floor. My shoulder was hurting even worse now.

After picking myself up off the floor, I dropped the backpack and examined the door. It wasn't locked but it wouldn't open. I shook it but it wouldn't move an inch. It was like it was concreted shut. I picked up the block on the floor we sometimes used to prop the door open and stepped back. With a strong windup, I threw it at the glass... and it bounced off like it'd struck a brick wall.

I walked up to the glass and didn't even see a mark on it.

I'm dreaming. This has to be a nightmare.

Outside, the smoky haze still lingered. I still couldn't see past the gas pumps.

I took a few steps back and almost tripped over the backpack on the floor.

The cat wasn't on the counter anymore. I scooped up the bag and slung it over my shoulder. I was about to try ramming the door again when I glimpsed the furry creature slinking around near the arcade room. Then it disappeared down the hallway. For some reason, I couldn't stop myself from following, despite the Doomsday video game chiming out, "Ready player one in three, two, one...

I didn't have time for games.

The cat turned a circle in front of Harvey's office door. Right past it was the short hall that led out back... to the rear entrance.

What's wrong with me? Of course I could get out through the back door. Couldn't I?

The cat led the way.

At the rear entrance, I jerked on the door and it opened with ease.

I stumbled backward. I was supposed to be staring at the parking lot and the dumpster, but all I saw was a shiny elevator door. I was about to make my way back up front to try the glass door again when the elevator opened.

The cat walked in, and for some stupid reason, I followed.

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