Last Exit To Springfield Novels & Stories

*Isabella* The creak of the wagon wheels’ monotonous lullaby starkly contrasts with the chaotic howls and traditional camp songs that still echo in my ears. Last night, several of the packs travelin’ west got together on the outskirts of St. Louie for a final farewell. Chet and I communicated through the mind-link and stolen glances across the campfire, surrounded by both our families and friends. The wild west feels so close and yet still so far away as we travel northwest through corn and wheat fields today.

With solemn determination, we began the journey back to Casper, Wyoming, our homeland, where we would lay our brave warriors to rest in a ceremony befitting their valor and sacrifice. The journey home was a somber one, even though we won the battle by a stretch and saved my hometown. The air filled with a palpable sense of mourning as we traveled through the night. The fallen warriors were carried on stretchers, their faces looked peaceful in death, a stark contrast to the fierce warriors they had been in life. Each step we took brought us closer to Casper, where a total of five funerals would be held to honor those who had given their lives in defense of my home and friends.

After five years of marriage, even Suzanna never knew it was an emergency communicator. Holding the pendant tightly, I spoke in a hoarse voice. “Mom died because of Suzanna. Please return home immediately. Destroy the Jones family and avenge her for me.”

She kept counting until the last aid wagon reached the mill lane. There was a moment then—small as a blink—when a soldier on the second truck turned his head. He looked at the green leaf flag until his own officer touched his elbow and he faced forward again. The city felt that too. By the time the convoy reached the west bridge, the light had shifted into late day and dust had turned the gray paint honest. The officers at the rear didn’t look back. The aid wagons did. The last driver raised two fingers from the wheel—peace or habit—and crossed the spine of the bridge into the world beyond Garden City’s breath.

This night has been special for the three of us but sadly, we won’t be seeing each other for a long time since all of us will be moving out from Philadelphia. By the time our celebratory dinner ended, we group-hugged for the last time and went on with our lives. But when Connor left first, Jaiden held my hand unexpectedly and told me that we should go to a nearby park. I told my mom and she agreed immediately. She also told me that she will be waiting back in the open bar. We left and walked to a nearby park.

“Well, I don’t know about you but, first and foremost, I am in serious need of some breakfast. I am famished.” “Fair enough. I think we passed a Denny’s on our way in. Then what?” “I think it best we stay on the move. The longer we stay in one place, the faster the Marching Tides will find us. We can either head north to Idaho or Wyoming, or east toward Colorado.” “I vote for Colorado. I have a feeling that a supply of weed will definitely be needed to get me through this ordeal if it’s going to go on too much longer.”

Cars would pass by from time to time, but none of them stopped. It was getting dark. Suddenly, I heard crackling and booming sounds. Then, I saw the fireworks blooming into the night sky and lighting it up. There were plenty of them. Red, green, blue… They looked like flowers in the dark. It was New Year’s Eve. Everyone was gathering with their family and celebrating the New Year. But I died alone at an unknown rest stop. I thought about my parents. They must have reached my grandparents’ place. What were they doing? Did they already have dinner? Did they think of me? Were they worried that Uncle Darren had not come to fetch me?

“You can always reach me through this number. At least you can leave a message when you're out of the country. Make sure you stay safe. And don't stay in the US past today. Get yourselves out, you hear me? He will be searching for you.” We both nodded in agreement, and we said our final goodbyes to him before getting in the car. I fell into the driver's seat and quickly turned on the ignition, and waited for Andy to shut the door. The second she did, I out the car into gear and pressed my foot on the throttle, speeding up and hightailing it out of there. Matt and Cross's mansion, the club… it all became distant. I hoped I would never have to see that place again, not even for s split second.

But honestly, I didn't care about the watch he promised me anymore. That night, I drew another sunflower on the back of the application. Eight days left. - On the third morning, the liaison from the home office delivered my ticket. My departure was right on schedule. I had officially resigned. Mr. Hall must've already spoken to the supervisor, so everything went smoothly. As I was packing up and carrying my box out, I overheard two operators gossiping in the hallway. "Did you hear? Commander Samson wants his childhood sweetheart to work at the station."

Flying back and forth between Westfield and the Springvale three times was exhausting. Though I hadn't really done much of anything. Thanks to Eve's cocktail, the prisoners had been docile and we had no issues. I stretched, this was the last load of prisoners. I watched as they were loaded into the SUVs and the drivers started for Red Dawn. "Mitch, the last prisoners are enroute now. Remember all of them are to be kept separate. Call me when they are secured."