A Lonely Paradise

A Lonely Paradise

06/16/2022

“All I have to do is loot a Miami Grill for food, how hard could it possibly be?” All that rushed through my mind were thoughts of who I was doing this for, Emilia. If we do not get this food then Emilia will perish. She is already ravaged by the virus, we are her only chance at saving her life. That affirmation was all he needed, for when Joel set his mind to something, he would most certainly follow through. This could be his greatest strength and or greatest weakness, a true double edged sword, which ironically he used on the first minion. The place was surrounded by guards. Fammed warmonger nicknamed Smoke for his love of Pop Smoke safeguarded this place for a storage of food and medicine. Outside were 4 guards all stationed with laser accurate AR-15’s. On the inside the rest of the guards are stationed throughout the house. I should stand a good chance if I take them out one at a time.

I try to move as quickly as the wind, while being just as silent, taking out the first 4 guards with relative ease. As I move into the compound, I notice the small cameras placed at all 4 entrances, luckily over the years the foundation of the Miami Grill has gotten worse, almost collapsing in on itself, making it easy for me to swim under and in. As I scan the room, I take notice of many objects, such as large food rations and tobacco as well as medicine. Some of this stuff I hadn’t seen in 30 years. The benadryl for Emilia thank god it was right here next to this… wait, something looks off about this wall. Little C4 outa do the trick. BLAM!!! The false wall is shattered to reveal a map? What could this map mean? It looks like it connects through every part of the new Miami Reservoir that was developed after the great flooding. “Smoke, the bastard, he’s planning to level the Reservoir, but why? Why would anyone do that, it would kill his business.” “HEY!” shout some guards. As Joel bolted for the exit he pondered just why someone would want to destroy all the hard work Miami has gone through in reforging anew. How much money Smoke had on the line, it made no sense.

Damn! Those guards sure could run, they should start a little flag football group. Damn, think Joel, no time for jokes. We have to get back to the compound and deliver the benadryl to Emilia before her infection spreads anymore. As Joel is running he takes notice of some stray dogs, the puppies, begging for nourishment. Joel stops and takes a piece of the food rations he just stole. There you are little ones, feed and grow strong, it’s the only way to survive in this cruel, desolate world. The water levels are rising faster than the projections first stated. Over ⅔ of the world is now covered in at least 2 feet of water. They say 35 years from now, in 2125, that will have doubled. Animal life like them will cease to exist, and I am sure we will follow. Wait, there it is, the beacon on the compound. Emilia, darling, just a few more minutes until you are safe and sound, I promise, just hold on a few more minutes.

As I rushed into the compound, my mind was a blur. I bolted to Emilia’s room, however; she was nowhere to be found. I looked both high and low but couldn’t find her. Soon enough I spotted it, her in the corner, giggling under the chair, I forgot we were playing hide and seek before I dashed off. Silly girl. “What are you doing up past your bedtime munchkin?” That was all I could mutter as my fear subsided. “Here, Emilia, you need to take two of these everyday for a week. Can you do that for me?” “What are they?” said Emilia. “Just some candy that will make your fever disappear.” “Listen to me honey, we have to leave here and head to the reservoir in a few days. I have to say hi to an old friend of your Mothers and I. Get some rest, once you feel better we leave, sleeptight pumpkin, I love you.” “I love you too Dad.”
A few days have passed since the incident at Miami grill and I still cannot piece together just why Smoke would want to destroy the reservoir. He has major control over the energy generation in Miami powered by the dams. Maybe he is just going crazy, even when I did private security for him, he would always go one step too far, but; this is just too far. Just why would he want… “Goodmorning Daddy!” blared Emilia. “Sugar what are you doing up so early? You know you have to rest in order to feel better.” “But I do feel better, dummy.” said Emilia snidely. “Oh yeah? I guess you feel good enough for me to TICKLE YOU!.” As Joel and his daughter run around having fun for the first time in what seems like forever, Joel is still focused on just what Smoke’s end game is. If he can just connect his past to his future, Joel knows he can find the answer. “Alright, if you are feeling well enough for a tickle fight then we should hit the road. Honey go down into the cellar and grab Daddy’s special bag and I will get everything into the car.” “Come on Daddy, I like it here I don’t wanna leaveee-” “ENOUGH!” snapped Joel. Jesus what was that, why did I lash out?” “Darling i’m sorry for yelling, we just need to leave, please just do as I say. I promise we will have a whole barrel of fun on the road.” “Pinky promise?” said Emilia. “Yeah sugar, pinky promise.”

As we drove down the long, winding roads, I could not help but let my mind wander. I began to think about the future of my daughter, her safety, her mother, who I loved dearly. I had no idea why all of these thoughts decided to appear, it just so happened that they were there. As am I, as all of us are. The only thing I can do at this point is try and provide for Emilia, to create a better and brighter future. Not for me, for her. As I sit here driving, watching her sleep, calmness washes over me, the only time where this feeling shows its head is when I look to the future. Not the past, never the past. “Look Daddy, that man has a sign saying he needs help, pull over.” “Emilia, we cannot help strangers, he cannot be trusted.” Then I noticed it, he has a daughter too, “Damn.” As I pull over I look to my surroundings, it is a fairly open road as it previously used to be US-1, should be fine to ask a few questions. However, as I pull over next to this man, something seems off, fear is in the air and that is when I notice, a glock-17 is to the girls back and one other thing, we are not alone on this road.

“Get down Emilia!” That was all I could say before a hellfire of bullets rained on the car. I threw her into reverse as fast but it turns out that the blindspots on my SUV were big, however; not as big as the massive concrete pillar that we hit. All I remember hearing were the screams… and then… darkness. I awake in a vile cesspit, Christ it smells like something died twice in here, just where the hell could I be. “Rise and shine Joel.” Says a mysterious voice. “Who is speaking to me! Where is my daughter?” “Oh Joel, you shall know all in due time, for now, just sit back and relax. Try to enjoy the show that will take place momentarily.” Joel tries to call out for help but it is hopeless, no one can hear him all the way in this dungeon. However; when things seem darkest, Joel springs into action. Dislocating his wrists, he is able to free them from the cuffs. Breaking apart a piece of pipe on the wall, Joel breaks through the cell door using the handcuffs and bar as a makeshift way to apply immense pressure, causing the bars on his cell door to snap.

“EMILIA!” Joel shouts. “Emilia, where are you!” Damn, there’s no way that she can hear me through this thick concrete. I need to get a bird's eye view of this place, it's like a never ending labyrinth. Using the maintenance elevator to ascend to the top of the building, Joel surveys his surroundings. He comes to the sudden realization that he is on the coast of Miami. This is… this is the old office. Where it all started and ended. This is the reservoir. Damn, that must have been Smoke earlier talking to me how could I not place his voice. The show. Smoke’s gonna blow the reservoir soon, trying to take down Emilia and I in the process. I need to find him and stop him without a moment's hesitation.

“Shut up girlie!” Says a Smoke thug. “When do we get to leave, it's about that time.” “Not yet! You heard the boss, we stay here and guard the kid until a few minutes before detonation, we cannot leave sooner in case you know who shows up.” “Who would that happen to be?” says Joel from the corner. I lept on them, swiftly elbowing one in the nose and roundhousing the other in the sternum. “Daddy!” yelled Emilia. “Don’t worry darling everything is going to be okay, we have to get out of here, I want you to run to the entrance using this map I found, I will meet you there.” “But… but what if you don’t come back, please don’t go Dad.” “Child, I’ll always come back for you, now quickly, run.” I need to stop Smoke before he blows the Dam to smithereens, if I was a maniacal evil boss, where would my lair be? Lobby… no, first, second, third floor… nada, ah wait how could I have missed the button that says lair.

As the elevator door opens, I am immediately surrounded by goons, damn there has to be at least 50 armed men. “Welcome my dear friend, sorry for being quite rude. It is just, precautions; you know how it is.” Says Smoke. “Aw Smoke, you always did know how to make me laugh, thinking that these men will stop me from walking over there and kicking your ass.” “Oh Joel, I don’t think Courtney would appreciate that kind of language, you always know how she was.” “You bastard! You dare speak her name!” “Listen Joel, I have no time to talk right now, for I am about to revolutionize the power industry around the globe. You see, I wish to blow this dam in order to bring a new flood.” “Yeah I got that far but why do it Smoke? You ave everything to lose you blind idiot.” “FOOL!, I have everything to gain, for you see I finally finished that prototype Courtney dreamed of so long ago. A brand new way to use reverse-osmosis to create energy from salt water at a cost so low it will blow every competitor out of the water. Luckily, the only downside is the massive amount of emissions and the horrific pollution of the world's oceans but we are already too far gone. Don’t you see, it doesn't matter anymore Joel! The weak will die, and the strong shall persevere until this planet's bitter end, it is the law of nature and man!” “You psychotic animal, how could you care so little for this planet that has housed you for years or all the people you will kill.” “Oh Joel, it really is a small price to pay but I am willing and I think we will start with you.” As Smoke cocks his gun to shoot Joel, a few frag grenades fly in from the vents. It seems Emilia has found a way to climb the vents and save her father just in time. “Emilia! I’ve never been so angry yet so proud of anyone before. What are you doing here, sugar?” “Daddy I got scared and came back, I already lost Mom, I can’t lose you too!” Emilia says crying. “You stupid little girl. You ruined the control panel for the bombs. Now I have to arm them manually. You know Joel, I think because your daughter inconvenienced me, I will do the same to her, By killing her.” Smoke says maniacally. “NO!” shouts Joel. I didn’t think, I just lept towards Smoke and pummeled him with everything I had. I had to save her, I just had to. Joel leapt forward in a flash suddenly and menacingly, attacking Smoke with his full might and pushing him over the edge of his top story penthouse into the dam below. “Damn you Joel! Damn youuuuuu!” Smoke said in a panic. “Daddy!” Emilia yelled. Emilia… Emilia… damn why can’t I speak. Why is my chest on fire? “Emilia” Joel said weakly. “Daddy, please, you said you wouldn’t leave me.” “Darling, it may just be my time, but at least you are safe pumpkin.” “But… but I can’t do it on my own-” “-YES YOU CAN” Joel said with a renewed vigor. “It is up to you now, to make the right choices, to do the right things. I know you and your generation can grow up and save the World and you will have my love with you each… and every… step of the way….”