Ruination

© Copyright 2021, Tyler Dean Milligan. All rights reserved.

Year 2045

(Old Divide, Colorado)

It’s been 20 years since the United States was hit by an EMP (Electromagnetic pulse). In the first year alone 90% of the American population had died. After the EMP, people couldn’t simply flip on a light switch anymore. No running water, food, or Medicine. No computers, or cell phones to hear if your loved ones were ok. No GPS to tell you how to get to the nearest grocery store. In order to survive, most people had to band together. Survival groups were the best way to ensure one’s safety.

By the second year, things seemed Hopeful, when surviving radios broadcasted that out saying that our allies in China were coming to help with humanitarian aid. Which meant food, water, and medicine. But all that was just a ruse. The United States Was ripe for the picking. The Chinese government came in and started taking over everything west of the Mississippi. But they were not the only country taking advantage of the crippled superpower. Russia also came in and took over the eastern half of the United States. China and Russia both being nuclear powers; a Cold War was started.

Over the years both countries came to a truce and learned to work together enslaving the American people to work on what became known as the farm. The farm was a giant concentration camp that the Chinese and Russians collaborated on. The farm encompassed the entire Midwestern region. It was the main food source for the Chinese and Russians. The black and fertile soil that once was the bloodline of the American population now fed the Chinese and Russians. For most of the surviving Americans, it was no choice at all, work the farm or starve to death. It was the only way to easily obtain food, so most people turned themselves in. On the farm, they worked extremely hard, but at least they were provided with a lot of food. But you had to give up all of the rights you once had as an American. Some people, like Duke Hollander, would rather die than be a slave.

Duke Hollander was in prison in the EMP first hit. He was able to escape his confines when a plane crash-landed through the prison. As he made the 600-mile journey home to Colorado Springs, Duke slowly saw Society unravel. The people of the United States lost their humanity. Food, water, shelter became the only things that mattered. Duke made it home to his wife and kids, but that was short-lived when their food and supplies ran out. Duke blamed himself for their deaths. He should have been better prepared. He turned into an emotionless heap of his former self.

It’s been many years since the death of his wife and children. But even so, they were constantly on his mind. He lived in the mountains with a dog he found named Elvis. Elvis saved Duke mentally. Duke didn’t realize how badly he needed companionship until he found that dog. It is the only thing in the world that truly showed him unconditional love. Duke found his humanity through Elvis. Duke actually cared about something again.

The Chinese and Russians reintroduced a lot of animals and fish to the region, repopulating the devastating numbers from overhunting. For the most part, Duke and Elvis tried to stay out of sight. One way or another everybody goes to the farm. But Duke was determined for that never to happen. But sometimes they had to take risks in order to get supplies. The main cities and towns were occupied. There were several old ranches and farmhouses left untouched by the Chinese. Most of them were cleaned out but every once in a while Duke and Elvis would find something special.

Duke and Elvis were out on a supply run trying to find buildings they had not searched yet. They were in the old Divided, Colorado area. The Chinese population just inhabited the cities. Rarely did the Chinese live by themselves outside of the city limits.

Every building had a story to tell. It was either looted, riddled with bullets, or burned. But every single one of them was covered in dust and hasn’t been touched in years. Rundown and broken, much like Duke, as he always thought to himself when he was rummaging through the old buildings. They usually didn’t have anything inside of them, not at this point. But that didn’t deter Duke and Elvis from venturing out to see what was still out there. The only Americans they ever saw were the ones that handed their rights over to the Chinese government in order to eat. Duke could tell who they were by the patch or sleeve they were forced to wear to identify themselves. Duke understood why they did it but just couldn’t do it himself. Especially having Elvis by his side. What would happen to him if he gave up? Most likely he would die alone, or be eaten by the Chinese as they had a taste for dogs. They even celebrated a Dog Meat Festival every year. There were a few reasons why Duke would never give up, and Elvis was one of them.

They came across a typical rundown cabin in the forest outside of Old Divide, Colorado. Duke and Elvis carefully scanned the area circling the cabin to see if there was any movement or activity. They knew most likely there was nobody but it was better to be safe than sorry. The Chinese military still roamed the streets and countryside along the main roads and highways to see if there were any unmarked American citizens. Duke didn’t have any guns to protect himself with. Those were rare items and long gone. It didn’t matter if you found one anyway, the bullets for them disappeared long before the weapons themselves did. But Duke did have an old hatchet that he’s been taking care of over the years.

Elvis was well trained. He did not bark unless he was told to. With the hatchet out Duke tactically moved towards the cabin. He slowly walked up the porch steps and opened the door. The door noisily creaked open from the years of neglect. Duke quickly cleared the three small rooms that made up the entire cabin.

“Looks like we’re good, boy”, said Duke patting his friend on the head

Elvis sat down and watched the door like he was trained to. Duke systematically checked the rooms for items that might be of use. But as usual, this place was covered in dust and empty. He was about to leave when he noticed that Elvis wasn’t where he left him.

“Elvis where are you boy?” Duke said in a loud whisper

Duke’s heart started pounding and he started frantically looking for his friend. Duke found him in one of the rooms, scratching at the wooden floorboards.

“What are you doing? Supposed be watching the door.” Duke snapped hugging his companion with relief.

“What are you scratching at boy?” asked Duke, stepping on the area that Elvis was pawing.

Duke noticed there was a small hole in one of the boards. He stuck his pinky in the hole and shook the board loose. He could see an old metal cylinder container. He grabbed the container and pulled it through the floor. It was an old coffee can. Duke examined it, he could hear something inside of it. Inside was an oiled cloth. As he unwrapped it, a hand-forged metal heart-shaped locket was revealed. Duke opened up the locket and expected to see pictures but instead saw words. He read the words out loud to share this discovery with Elvis.

“If found return home” Duke read on the left side of the locket

“Home is a Cavern with a breeze” Duke reading the right side of the locket

“What the hell are we supposed to do with that? It’s just some old homemade trinket.” Duke said frustrated throwing the locket across the room

Sitting down with his head hung low. Elvis tried getting Duke’s attention.

“I’m sorry boy. I’m just tired and frustrated.” Duke said without looking at Elvis

When Duke raised up his head to love on his friend, he noticed Elvis retrieved the locket as it was hanging from his mouth. Elvis dropped a locket on the ground and started barking at Duke.

“Quiet boy, what has gotten into you?” Duke said in a loud whisper picking up the locket.

He opened it up and repeated the words over and over again.

“Home is a cavern with a breeze”

“Home is a cavern with a breeze”, Duke repeated.

As Duke was trying to figure out what the locket meant, he noticed on the other side of the board he pulled up was paint. One red stripe, one white stripe, and one blue stripe. Duke’s old patriotic heart started beating rapidly once again.

“Home is a cavern with a breeze”

“What is a cavern? It’s a cave”

“What’s another word for a breeze? Wind!” Duke said almost shouting

“Cave of the winds!” Duke shouted while jumping up in celebration

Cave of the winds was an old local tourist attraction. But the question rolling around in Duke’s mind was how long ago did someone put it there. Were they still alive? Didn’t matter, the first time in a long time Duke felt like he had a purpose other than just trying to survive. He knew the likelihood of the locket maker being alive was not probable, but that was not going to stop Duke from trying to find out.

“Come on boy. We have a long walk ahead of us”, said Duke Picking up his backpack.

Moving through the woodline was the only way to avoid detection. Most of the trip was uneventful until they were caught by a surveillance drone.

“Sit, stay. Good boy.” Duke said softly while peering around a big boulder

There were three armed guards. Sweat was pouring off of Duke’s face. He has gone all these years being extremely careful not to get caught. He could hear the soldier’s footsteps close by. Right before the patrol passed the boulder Duke was hiding behind, a flock of birds was sent flying up into the air, cawing madly as something crashed in the forest. This got the patrol’s attention and steered them away from Duke’s position. When the soldiers were long out of sight, Duke hugged his canine friend with tears in his eyes.

“Come on Elvis were almost there,” Duke said regaining his composure

They finally arrived at the Cave of the winds. As Duke and Elvis walked through the cool moist cave, they could hear drops of water echoing in the distance. The cave was dimly lit from the openings. They looked everywhere in the cave and could not find any signs of life.

“I’m sorry boy, but at least we tried”, said Duke the dog’s head.

Elvis started scratching the base of a stalagmite nearby. Duke caught a glimpse of words on the stalagmite.

“Home is where the heart goes”, said Duke reading the words out loud.

Duke noticed at the top of the stalagmite was heart-shaped. He instinctively placed the locket inside of the shape. As soon as he did this a seamless door disguised as a cave wall popped open inwardly. He grabbed the locket and cautiously walked through the door. Through the door was a spiral staircase. At the bottom was a metal door, a small slot on the door slid open with eyes studying him. The door swung open and was greeted by a large man and dozens of people standing behind him in a brightly lit room. Their mouths were wide with anticipation.

“American?” Ask the man with teary eyes

“American,” answered Duke choking on the word

The whole room burst into cheers.

“Welcome home,” said the man.