Last Exit To Springfield Novels & Stories

Speakers, noise, humiliation…an annoyance recipe that forces people out of hiding. She’d be out before 72 hours, I told myself, cold certainty like an order. There was a better chance she’d storm out pissed off than she’d step out because a man in a suit explained his feelings like a charity case. “Get everything we need ready. We will be leaving for Springfield as soon as possible,” I said. Lucas flashed that ridiculous grin that made me want to break his jaw and then reward him for coming up with this genius plan. “Boss… I always knew you were a lover at heart. She’ll be out in no time…trust me!”

“So we could expect anything to pop out at us then?” “I guess so.” She nodded, giving him a second to process what she’d said before she switched topics. “Cass also has a pretty good location on Spittle and most of the other escapees, and she thinks it would be pretty easy to go in and get them. They’re not that far. Lexington? I think that’s what she said. Missouri.” “Right. It’s not that far. Okay.”

“So we are. It appears that everyone in our situation has had the same conclusion that the sooner they leave here, the better.” He glanced at the note, reading aloud to them and shaking his head in astonishment. “St. Louis to New York City. St. Louis to Cheyenne. St. Louis to Kansas City. St. Louis to Chicago. St. Louis to Mobile. St. Louis to New Orleans. St. Louis to Minneapolis. St. Louis to Detroit. St. Louis to Tulsa. St. Louis to Fort Worth. St. Louis to Nashville and Chattanooga. Even St. Louis to San Francisco. All full.” Evelyn’s brows shot up. “Oh my word! For how long?”

After everyone was in, Jasper shut the doors. “Is that all of it?” Clint asked. “I believe so. Thank you for doing this.” I said. “It is my pleasure. This was smooth sailing so far. One last trip and we are done. I’ll have Alpha Colt pick up the walkie talkie at a later date. That way you can still hear we made it okay.” “Thank you so much.” I said as Clint got into the drivers seat. “Be safe!” Emmy leaned forward and yelled at me. “You too.” I gave her a little wave before taking a few steps back and watched as the vans drove out of sight for the last time.

A few miles flew by, and we approached the exit for I465. Then it became clear, as traffic moved over to the exit lane, and one car accelerated toward us. Nathan’s knuckles were white as he gripped onto the steering wheel and hit the gas again as the speed limit increased. The words “Thank you for visiting Indianapolis” flashed by, and we were out of the city. My hands trembled as the safety of population was replaced by the unknown of Indiana’s famous corn fields. Someone had to know. If we didn’t make it, someone had to know what happened.

“Lilly.” I blinked, tearing my eyes from the shimmer. He was watching me, expression unreadable. “You good?” “Yeah.” I forced a nod. “Just… saying goodbye.” His gaze lingered a second longer than it should have, something like suspicion,or maybe concern flickering behind it. Then he looked away. “Let’s move.” We slipped through the gate, stepping back into the wasteland. The road stretched before us, cracked and gray, with the distant outline of Chicago’s ruins clawing at the red tinged horizon.

“Looks like we got sucked into some alien conspiracy. People disappearing at the snap of a finger.” “Or time travelers.” The older son added, “The cab driver said they were dressed funny, more like ancient coarse woolly stuff.” “Whatever it is, your STEP mom found an excuse to leave early.” The grandma raised her eyebrows comically. December 25, 11.30 PM in Hinsdale, a western suburb in Chicago, Illinois Liam was sitting on a couch by the fireplace, staring at the photos on his phone. "Awww... you are looking at pictures with Julia. You saw her only a few hours back," his sister teased him and sat down next to him.

Simon, on the other hand, needed to return to Metropolis. Later, Stephen's friends also came to say goodbye as well. Since Riveria was now in disarray, their families had only given them a few days to attend the wedding before they had to return. Stephen was reluctant to see them go but could only send them off at the airport. Before leaving, Andy glanced at the distant, barely visible Drakthorn Ridge. He would definitely get his revenge for being beaten down yesterday!

“Jericho, you know—” “You have a leak, Jack. Find it and I’ll come in, until then, I’m on my own. I’m dumping the phone now.” I disconnected the call and put the phone off. I broke the sim card in half and threw everything in the trash. I drove over the Mississippi River to East Dubuque and then crossed over state lines from Iowa to Wisconsin. I drove to Fairplay and past New Diggings. I crossed state lines again into Illinois and stopped in Warren to refuel and buy water.

The moment the servants scattered, the last wisp of air left my lungs. My soul drifted weightlessly out of my body. I hovered in a daze, half-transparent, and softly asked the system in my mind, 'Can you transmit me now? I want to go home.' But the system's mechanical voice was flat and unyielding: [Only once the male and female leads acknowledge your death can you exit this world.] I paused for a moment, then let it go. I'd survived decades—what was a little more waiting?