14. The Miraculous Return of a Pop Idol, Or So We Thought

Aaron

After Riley and Ethan left for Ethan's dad's apartment, I stayed to look after the car. I've seen plenty of movies where you leave a car unattended long enough in an apocalyptic setting and it is gone before you notice. I couldn't believe Ethan grew up in a place like this. Even though the neighborhood looked sketchy, it was pretty quiet. And boring as well.

After a few minutes, Riley came back and took out some water bottles from the back of the SUV and rushed back. I became curious and decided to follow.

As soon as I opened the door, I was nearly repulsed by the smell in the apartment. It smelled like a portapotty from the State Fair in the summer. The fact that the water pressure has been off for a day or so might have a lot to do with it. I heard someone coughing really bad like someone who had lung cancer or something like it.

"How much time do you have left?" I heard Riley ask Ethan's father.

"Four days probably," he answered. "And it will be a slow and painful death for me."

"It doesn't have to be," said Riley. "This drug will put you to sleep and let you die painlessly."

"Thank you," He said to Riley. "And you better take good care of my son, otherwise, I'll kick your ass, even if I have to come back from the dead to do it."

"Deal," I heard Riley say.

"At least now, I can die in peace, knowing my son has someone taking care of him."

"I promise, I'll take care of him until the day I die."

"Now get outta here, I don't want him to see me like this when it happens."

That damned drug didn't work on me and now Ethan's dad was going to take it. But as soon as Riley left for the other room, I heard him cough again. Poor guy had to be in so much pain. I wish the drug works fast for him. I thought to myself.

I took a look around and saw some old photos of Ethan as a child. I noticed that Ethan didn't smile in any of his photos. It made me wonder what had happened to him growing up.

After a few minutes I noticed a new smell, like someone had gone to the bathroom. I looked over and the old man looked like he was sleeping, only his chest wasn't moving. I didn't know what to do or react so I just shouted, "Ethan, I think your dad went on the bed."

Both Ethan and Riley came out of the other room and checked the old man for any sign of life. I have never seen a dead body in person, aside from the ones we passed in the streets, but we were inside a car for those. This one was in the same room as me.

It made me sad that Ethan had lost his father, but Riley looked at me and with a nod, he told me not to say anything just with that knowing look. So I just stayed quiet while we paid our respects.

We spent a couple hours trying to leave Waco and the sun was already setting. We drove in silence, but this time, Ethan was in the back seat and I rode shotgun.I would occasionally glance over at Riley who would look at him from the rearview mirror. From what I can see, Ethan just sat there, looking out the window as if contemplating something. We just let him be.

By the time we got to Austin, it was already dark. Normally, the city at night is lively and colorful with all the city lights illuminating the buildings and streets. But with the power off everywhere, there was nothing but darkness. The only lights in the city were those of the cars still driving in and around the city.

I heard Riley yawn as we passed the downtown area. "We should stop somewhere." He said.

"I think there are some campgrounds close by." suggested Ethan.

"I wish we could stay in a hotel," I said, "That would be pretty nice."

"Yeah it would," Riley said, "But with the electricity down, hotels would be out of commission. What in the…?"

Riley slowed the car down and turned on the hazard lights just to make sure no one rear ended us on the highway. It was then that we saw what caught Riley's attention. A hotel. A fully lit and running hotel.

"How is that possible?" Ethan asked.

"No clue." Riley answered. "Well, let's go get a room."

"Are you serious?" Ethan and I asked together.

"Sure, why not? Besides, we might not be able to enjoy another hotel stay ever. Might as well take advantage."

Riley took the exit leading to the hotel. It was more like a spa resort from the look of it. The building was three stories tall, had a pool facing what would be a beautiful view of the city, and a gated underground parking garage. This place was perfect for us to wind down and have some fun there.

As soon as we arrived, there was a crowd of people talking to three huge security guards. These guys were so built, you would think that they were professional wrestlers. From what we could hear, the people were begging and pleading for the guards to let them in.

"One thousand dollars, per night, per person." I read aloud.

"That's ridiculous!" Ethan said. "These people should know that money is useless now?"

"They probably don't care." Riley responded. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a billfold. "Luckily, I came prepared."

"How much cash do you have?" asked Ethan.

"About ten thousand."

"Who carries that much money on them?"

Riley smiles back at Ethan and just said, "I pulled out some cash just for emergencies."

"This isn't an emergency," said Ethan.

"But as you said," Riley replied, "Money is useless, so let's get rid of it." Riley looked over at me with a look of someone who won a jackpot in Vegas.

"I'm down." I said as I backed up Riley.

When we approached one of the guards, the guard said, "Are you staying or just stopping by?"

"We plan on staying."

"We accept cash or supplies. Cash is one thousand dollars per night, per person. Supplies, just fill up this box, and I do mean fill it." The guard showed us a large tote if we were trading supplies.

"We'll pay cash." Riley told the guard.

"This way," The guard motioned for us to follow him towards the gate to the garage. "Bring your vehicle here and I'll let you in."

Riley brought the car and the guard opened the gate as he said he would. Once inside, the guard closed it as three or four people tried to follow us in. The guard pushed them away and allowed the gate to close, keeping them out. An Argument ensued and we could still hear them as we left the vehicle.

The guard came back and just said, "Go straight through that door and talk to Ana or Tosh. They'll get you a room."

"Thanks." We all said together.

"Enjoy your stay." the guard said as he returned to his post.

As soon as we walked into the hotel, we were amazed. This place is easily a four star hotel. The lobby was very luxurious and the staff was well dressed. We were met with a friendly Asian gentleman, about Ethan and Riley's age. "Hello there, gentlemen. Welcome to our hotel. I'm Tosh and I will be assisting you today."

"Good evening, Tosh." Riley answered. "We would like a room."

"I'll be happy to help you with that. You are aware of our pricing, right?"

"We sure are," Riley replied as he was pulling out his money. "Three thousand for the three of us."

"Excellent," said Tosh, "Allow me a few minutes to get you registered."

I had to ask the question in all our minds. "Why do you need money if the world is ending?"

"The world is not ending." said a tanned Hispanic woman. "That's fake news."

"Forgive my wife," Tosh said, "She is very outspoken."

"I'd like to hear her view on this." Ethan said. Tosh and Riley looked at Ethan with a God help you look.

"Well, for starters, the meteor is a hoax. It's just a ploy to get all the sheep to fight for resources after everything shuts down. The only ones who will be left would be the elite and those smart enough to keep going like nothing is going to happen."

"Ana," Tosh said to his wife, "We've talked about this."

"Toshiko, honey you know how the government likes to spread fear through conspiracies and lies."

"Anyway," Riley interrupted, "I'd like to know how this place has electricity."

Ana answered Riley's question, "We are totally off grid. Completely solar since 2009."

"Here are your keys and if you need anything, please let me know." Tosh said with a look telling us to get out as fast as we can to avoid chatting with Ana.

"Thank you." Riley said as he took the keys and we proceeded to our room.

"What is wrong with them?" I asked.

"There are some people like that." Ethan answered, "People who try to find some excuse to find an explanation they can accept."

Once we got to our room, we were surprised to see we had a suite. There was a bed, a huge living area and a private bathroom. I checked the couch and saw it was a pull out sofa.

"This place is amazing." I said.

"I guess it pays to be prepared for the apocalypse." Ethan said toward Riley, who just bumped him in response.

Our revelry was short lived with the sound of an argument.

"Let me go," shouted a girl. "Leave me alone."

"Seriously?" the guy said, "You're just going to leave me high and dry?"

"I didn't agree to this."

We opened the door to see some poor girl in a hoodie being harassed by this asshole. He was pinning her to the wall trying to force her to go inside his room.

"SOMEBODY," she shouted, "HELP ME!"

"HEY!" I shouted.

"Mind your own damn business you brat." He said to me,

Before I could respond, the girl knees him in the groin and breaks free. "This way, come on." I said.

She came into our room and as soon as she was in, we closed the door locking that jerk out. Riley and Ethan try to shut the door while I tended to our guest.

And then, I saw her. It couldn't be. My Pop Goddess. It was her. I couldn't believe it. However, she didn't look at me. She saw through me and saw someone else.

"Riley?" she asked. I heard something drop to the floor but I'm pretty sure it was whatever Riley was holding.

The next thing I know is that Riley and I said the same name at the same time in disbelief. "Dani?!?!"