At the End - a post-apocalyptic novel (The Road to Extinction, Book 1) (37 page)

“You need to be with us, Jelly,” Maggy
said.

Penelope squeezed my hand. “Uhrm. Maggy, you
have to stop calling me that. It was . . .” I paused. “It was cute
at first, but it’s not anymore. If you want to call me a nickname,
think of a new one, or just call me Darrel.”

She gaped at me. “You don’t like the
name?”

“I never really have, I just . . . I just
couldn’t gather up the courage to tell you.”

Her eyes saddened. “When are you
leaving?”

I cleared my throat. “A caravan is leaving
in an hour or so, we’re going with them,” I told her.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving, bromigo,”
Félix said, completely shocked. “When will we see you again?”

“Probably when you finish off all the
alions, I’d imagine,” I said. I gripped his arm and embraced him.
“But who knows, man, maybe sooner.”

I hugged Maggy.

“I’m going to miss you, bromigo,” she said
with a snuffle.

“It’s not goodbye forever, just for a while.
We’ll see each other soon enough, you’ll see.”

“It’s just weird to think of you going
away,” she said, grinning. “Especially since we just got you
back.”

I patted her shoulder. “We’ll grow old as
neighbors . . . I’ll save you two a plot of land.” I smiled as we
parted.

“I’ll hold you to that.” Her grin expanded,
enveloping her face from ear to ear.

After the long goodbyes, Penelope and I
packed up some fresh clothes and headed for a jeep preparing to
depart for Santa Barbara. The twins settled, with their bags
stuffed full with new clothes, and a few other things they couldn’t
leave behind.

Shafts of light penetrated the dark clouds.
The sky was mostly black and smoky. I searched the horizon to the
west. “Do you think . . . do you think people fifty years from now
will be playing video games about the invasion like WWII games at
the turn of the century?”

“You can count on it,” Penelope said, gazing
out into the hills. “You can count on it.”

A large black bird flew through a sunbeam,
lit up like some magical creature, then it disappeared a second
later, lost in the shadow that haunted L.A. I smiled, hopeful for
the days when sunshine prevailed, and I could lie outside like a
lizard and bathe in the peaceful warmth with Penelope by my
side.

End of Book One of The Road to Extinction
Trilogy

I would like to thank:

My parents for their continuing support.

My friends and family, who have always been
there for me and endured my prolix talks detailing the world of The
Cry of Havoc.

The fans that have enjoyed my work,
especially to those who took the time to review Life
Descending.

My bromigo Eric Schlect, who read Life
Descending faster than the speed of light.

My bromigo Brett Carlson, whose remarkable
talents as a graphic designer shine with At the End’s cover art and
design.

A special thanks goes out to Dennis Hoff, who
showed me the path of self-publishing, and without whom my stories
might still be collecting dust on my hard drive.

And finally, my loving fiancée Katherine, who
told me that the story was worth pursuing.

Born in 1988, John Hennessy became
entranced by the world of fantasy and sci-fi at a young age,
playing video games and reading books for many long nights/early
mornings. He recently graduated from Western Washington University,
and now lives in the Rose Lands of Portland, OR, at work finishing
The Road to Extinction Trilogy. Visit his website at:
http://www.johnhennessy.net