Free Endings: Dystopian Post Apocalyptic Zombie Thriller (Parables From The Apocalypse Book 1) by Norman Christof

from surprise to skepticism.  "You wouldn't quit.  You couldn't.  They wouldn't let you.  I know how bad things are there."
    "Nobody let me, Abby, I just left … it's really good to see you."
    Abby looked down. "Chaz, we're not doing this.  Not today of all days.  Things aren't going very well.  Maybe another time."
    Ignoring her, Chaz continued. "Where are the kids? Are they there?  I need to talk to them."
    Abby look off screen, then looked down before turning back to Chaz. "That would just be too confusing.  I can't do that to them right now."
    "Abby, I'm really sorry, I just wanted a chance to say goodbye.  I know you've all moved on, and that any hope for reconciliation is long past.  I just wanted to see everyone one last time, before ..."
    Abby moved in closer to the screen. "Before what?  Has something happened?  I've been trying to contact my mom, with no luck.  She's not answering her phone or emails.  It's been weeks, and that's totally unlike her.  Do you know something?"
    Chaz paused for a moment, then started to speak, but hesitated.
    Frantically, Abby said, "If something happened to my parents, I need to know … Chaz?"
    "There was an incident up in Washington this last week.  The White House and the Pentagon were attacked.  To be honest, I haven't been following it.  As far as I know, nothing happened near your parents.  But I have been out of the loop for a few days."
    Abby leaned back, her shoulders slouching.  "I'm really worried about them.  I could see my laptop account online, and I was hoping it was them.  That's why I started this call. I thought maybe they went to my old place and had the computer on."
     
    Chaz smirked and scratched under his chin. So much for my theory as to why she left the
    computer behind, thought Chaz.
     
    Abby narrowed her eyes.  "You think that's funny?  My parents missing is funny?"
    "No, no, no," he replied.  "Something else just came to mind.  I can likely go look for them in a few days, right after finishing up this one mission."
    "Thought you said you quit."
    "Just some loose ends that need cleaning up.  Nothing important."
    "And once the loose ends are taken care of, then what?"
    "I haven't really planned much further than that."
    "That's not like you, Chaz.  What's going on?"
    "I just need a change, I suppose.  The whole world is changing, and not always for the better. I just need to look for a better way to fit in to whatever's left of it."
    Abby crossed her arms.  "How bad is it up there now?  You guys, the military, I mean … you're winning again this time, aren't you?"
     
    Chaz looked up to Alex, who was motioning it was time to go.  "Where are you now, Abby?  In Peru?"
    "I'd really rather not say.  We came here for good reasons. You could say that we needed a change too, especially Shax."
    "Shax?  Why? Is she OK?"
    "She's alright, just the usual teenage girl stuff.  When you combine that with all the unrest up there, it was getting difficult for her.  Cai thinks it's great being here; he acts like it's just one big adventure.  Sometimes, she seems the older of the two."
    "Is there any way I could just talk to them ..."
    "Not this time, Chaz.  They're not prepared for that.  Give me a call back when you find out about my parents.  I'll talk to the kids and let them know what's going on, then go from there.  I'll let them decide if they want to talk."
    "I'm their father, Abby; why wouldn't they want to talk to me?"
    "It's been a while, Chaz, and they've changed.  Kids grow up fast, and they're hard to read sometimes.  I promise I'll talk to them, but I need to go."
    "Just a few more minutes; there's still more I want to talk about."
     
    Chaz's words echoed against a blank screen as Abby signed off.  Dammit , Chaz thought.  That didn't help.  I was better off not knowing what was going on than hearing all that.  They sound worse off than when we were all together.  I need to find a way back to them.
     
    Alex