The Dragon and The Dove

Jack pulled out onto the scorched soil with caution. The truck handled just fine so Jack accelerated slowly. They were just right outside of the rich green tree line of the forest. On one side of them was their forest home and on the other side was desolate, black, burnt ground as far as the eye could see. Sure enough, in front of them was another group of bodies lining the ground like a border between two very different worlds. Jack kept driving trying not to look at the horror outside the truck. Ryan was looking hard out his window to try to find any sign of life in the scorched mounds, but so far found nothing. They drove in silence, their own minds wondering, searching for possibilities, some explanation for the devastation around them. In contrast, their forest was looking incredibly alive and healthy. Maybe because of all the death the forest was more inviting than usual. Jack spoke unexpectedly, “This is the same scene for miles. We’ve gone what, eight or ten miles? Should we keep going?” “Well, it’s looking like we’re making a slow arc. Let’s keep going because we should come to Rayburn Rd. soon, then I guess…I don’t know…something’s got to give here. Unless everything outside of the woods is gone we should see something eventually. Right?” Ryan replied with a questioning look. They drove on, waiting for something, anything. An hour later Ryan spoke, “Hey, you know, we’re making a big circle. I’d say we are about, what? A twenty mile radius from the house, judging where these forest roads are marked. Cause, Rayburn Rd. comes out about ten miles from the house and Forest Road 252 comes out about twenty-five miles from the house. Yeah! We’ve made almost a complete circle!” “Holy shit! Ryan, have you noticed, the bodies are in clumps coming in from the direction of the closest towns?” “If that’s the case, then it looks like our patch of forest is all that exists for hundreds of miles. That’s impossible!” Ryan declared. The two men looked at each other in utter shock. They drove quietly for about ten minutes until Jack broke the silence. “We’ve got to get back to the house. I didn’t realize how late it was. Cherie must be worried sick. I told her we’d be back for breakfast and it’s almost 4:30.” Looking at his watch Jack glanced at Ryan waiting for a response. “Well, there’re too many bodies to bury them all, so we might as well go home for the night and go get the gear in the morning, then we can at least cover the graves with soil. I would feel okay with that since we can’t bury them all.” Jack nodded in agreement. They knew all the roads so well they hurried home as the sun started to settle in the evening sky. -------------------------------------------------- Their bellies were rumbling by the time they pulled into the driveway. The headlights gleamed through the windows on the house. The lights inside were dim and warm. Instantly the aroma of grilled pork chops, roasted potatoes and roasted tomatoes topped with blue cheese dressing enveloped the two weary men. Jack and Ryan melted into the blanket of comfort and for a moment forgot about their day. Cherie’s cooking was incredible, one of Jacks favorite things. The men walked through the entry, took off their boots and proceeded in for their greeting. Rogue was the first for the new attention. Cherie stepped around the corner from the kitchen with a worried look on her face. When she realized everything was okay she said, “Dinner is almost on the table, you have time for showers if you want. You must be starving.” With concern she approached Jack and touched his cheek, “You okay?” Then she looked over at Ryan. “You both look exhausted.” “Yeah, let’s hit the showers. I’ll take the upstairs. Ryan, you can take the downstairs.” He kissed Cherie and they walked off. “I’ll get you fresh towels,” Cherie called after them. She could tell Jack had a lot on his mind. Cherie and the kids were waiting for them at the table when they came in refreshed. Cherie had opened two bottles of wine, knowing full well they would need a third before the three of them would call it a night. Other than small talk and listening to the twins ramble on about their day, Jack and Ryan focused on their meal and were pretty quiet. The table was cleared, Nicole and Jared were tucked soundly into their beds and Rogue settled under the table at the feet of the three uncertain adults. For awhile they drank their wine in silence just being with their thoughts. “Have you checked the Internet?” Ryan looked at Cherie. “Yes. Nothing,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the solar power we put on the house, we’d be down too.” Cherie looked at Jack. “Well, I have those generators in the stock cellar, so I think we will be fine until this situation is fixed. I’m sure we’ll hear from someone out there soon.” Jack was not reassured by his words, neither was Cherie or Ryan. The three sat in silence for quite awhile. “I’m tired. I’m ready. That wine has me relaxed.” Jack’s eyes could barely stay open. Waving good night, Ryan went out to the guest house as Jack and Cherie climbed the stairs. Their eyes were closed as soon as their heads hit the pillows. The forest was still. The only soul stirring was right outside the tree line taking deep, silent breaths.