Down In Ohio - Chapter 3

As Tony looked up at the blond girl standing in front of him, he couldn’t help but recall everything he knew about her. This was Ember Lynn, the girl who would one day be known as the Buckeye region’s Lightning Princess. Although he couldn’t remember what nickname he gave her, her face and real name were burned into his memory. She had saved his life and looked after him far more than he had ever deserved. Around the camp survivors, her name was practically revered like a god.

Even before the Awakening, Ember Lynn was an impressive person. She came from an extremely wealthy family made up of politicians and entrepreneurs, so she was the closest thing to royalty that the Midwest ever had. She lived in a massive mansion, wore the finest clothing, and even had a trained body guard that tailed her at all times.

Speaking of which, Tony’s eyes couldn’t help but scan the room, finally falling on a sour-looking boy their age, wearing a suit with his arms crossed as he watched them with a frown. His name was Brian, and he hated Tony. Admittedly, Tony didn’t remember much of his relationship with Ember Lynn or Brian before the Awakening. It was over ten years ago, after all. However, after obtaining Perfect Memory, Tony remembered every detail vividly.

Brian had begged Ember frequently to kick Tony out of their survival group. It was around the time rumors began to spread that Brian and Ember were in a sexual relationship that she officially turned her back on him. Brian had also been behind a lot of the bullying Tony faced in camp until he was inevitably kicked out and left to die. At the time, Tony would have done anything to kill him.

A lot of time had passed since then, and Tony didn’t despise him as much as he once had. He understood that Brian was acting out of jealousy. He was obsessed with Ember, who had ignored the advances until he finally managed to wear her down. Of course, Tony could understand someone, and that didn’t mean he’d forgive them. He still disliked Brian greatly, but he also understood that Brian’s protection early on was a lot of what allowed Ember to eventually become the Lightning Princess.

“Anthony?” Ember tilted her head, waving her well-manicured hand in front of my eyes.

Tony blinked, coming out of his daze and looking up at her with a smile. “What were you asking?”

“That smile’s too dangerous,” she whispered as her cheeks turned rosy. “Um… I was just wondering why you’re in a library.”

The way she asked it irked Tony a bit, like suggesting the very idea he was in a library would be unreasonable.

“I could ask the same thing about you?” he responded. “I would have thought that mansion of yours had a private library.”

“It does,” she said simply, not taken aback at all by the slight tease. “However, I needed access to public records. I’m looking into my family history regarding some things.”

“I see…” Tony replied. “Well, I was just looking into some local… anomalies…”

“Like… a missing person?” When Tony blankly stared at her, she pointed at the newspaper in front of Tony.

Tony glanced down to see the face of a student on it. She was somewhat pretty, at least in the photo her parents had selected to give the press. The headline said that she was a high school student who had gone missing. As Tony looked at it, a distant memory came rushing back. Right before the Awakening, there had been a great deal of talk about this missing girl. There had been search parties and everything. The assumption was that she had been murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

“Yes…” He looked back up at Ember. “Yes, recently, I have been interested in missing cases.”

She let out a giggle. “That doesn’t really seem to be the kind of hobby I’d see you doing…”

He frowned. “What kind of hobby would you see me doing then?”

She blinked, a bit surprised he had asked. “I mean, I thought you’d be more into… I mean…”

“Preening myself?” I raised an eyebrows.

“I-I wouldn’t say that!” She shook her hands frantically.

The truth was that she didn’t really know enough about Tony to know what he would like. She probably had thought something like getting a manicure, but kept her mouth shut so that she didn’t offend him. Yet, the him who was like that was so long ago, all Tony could feel was a bit embarrassed, and not even personal embarrassment. It was like it happened to someone else.

“Alright, let me ask another question.” Tony cut her off as she was still trying to explain herself. “Let’s say that you knew for a fact the world was going to end next month. Some catastrophe will happen that destroys all civilization and leaves survivors fighting for their lives. What would you do?”
Ember glanced back at Tony, and began to consider his question carefully. “I would make sure to prepare.”

“Prepare, huh?”

“I’d gather as much food and supplies as I could, create a stock that could last me. I would find a place that was safe and defensible and then fortify it. I’d also condition my body and mind.”

“Condition your body?” Tony said.

“I would make myself stronger and faster. I’d put on muscle. I’d also study. I’d try to master any survivalist training I could. I’d practice the techniques and make sure I had what I needed to use them. It’s better to learn that stuff safely before the end, as you probably won’t have the time and resources to learn it later.”

“Would you try to tell anybody? To help them prepare?”

“No,” she responded, causing Tony to look up. “There would be no point. Many of them wouldn’t even believe me, and it would be a waste of my time and effort to try to convince people who will only make it harder for me to survive. If there is a limited number of resources, then everyone else who is prepared has the potential to become their own faction, and as a result, direct competition. I’d essentially be raising my own future enemies. It is preferable for me to worry about myself, and those whom I care about first. Once others have accepted the situation, they can either join me or get out of my way.”

Her voice had taken an impassioned tone. Tony couldn’t help but smile as he looked at her.

“What?” she asked, blushing again.

“Nothing…” Tony chuckled to himself.

She was exactly like he remembered. She still held the convictions she held back then. It was probably this attitude of hers that allowed her to stay alive in the early days in the first place, and that same demeanor allowed her to lead a group of survivors. It seemed like it wasn’t the Awakening that turned her into a leader, but that she had always been that way, and the Awakening only gave her the opportunity to shine.

It was perhaps that way for most people. Everyone used to fantasize about what they’d do in an apocalypse. They imagined themselves rising to the top and being some kind of hero. Yet, when the day actually came, most of them scurried around like terrified animals. Tony knew this best. He had been one of those animals struggling to survive.

It turned out that the people who rose to the top in times of crisis were often the same people who rose to the top in polite society. An accomplished person didn’t lose all of their accomplishments when the world collapsed. They simply adapted and made new accomplishments.
Where does that leave someone like Tony?

Tony wasn’t so sure. He had lived through it all before, and he knew he wasn’t the same person as back then. He looked down at the stuff around him. Training his body and his mind? Perhaps… there was a way… He began to pick up all of the stuff he had gathered and put it away. Ember looked a bit surprised.

“Anthony?”

“Maybe you’re right,” Tony said. “It looks like… I need a weapon. Do you know a place?”

She tilted her head, and then nodded. “There is a shop. Do you want me to take you?”

He smiled. “I’d love it.”

“Miss Lynn.” Brian approached at a gesture from Ember.

“Bring the car around. We’re going to Defense Outfitters.”

“That place?” He frowned, glancing at Tony. “Didn’t you have plans for today?”

“My plans have changed,” she responded simply, glancing at Tony. “This seems more interesting.”

“Miss Lynn…”

“I’ve made my decision.” Ember stared at him coldly.

Although Brian looked unhappy, he still turned and left. Tony and Ember headed to the entrance together, walking slowly so Brian had time to get the car and meet them at the entrance. Ember shot Tony a few tentative looks but remained silent.

This was to be expected. Tony had grown up with this kind of treatment from women. All he had to do was mention a place he wanted to go, and women would line up ready to take him there. Ember had just been one of countless women who had thrown themselves at his feet. Of course, when the apocalypse came, she was the only one who was still useful to Tony, and he had used her shamelessly.

Although Tony felt he had grown from then, he still had to abuse this reality for a little longer. At the moment, he had no choice. He had no money and no rides. How was he going to be able to execute a survivor’s plan like that? Instead, he couldn’t let shame hold him back. He had to act like he did post-awakening. He had to do everything in his power to survive, just like then.

As the pair reached the entrance of the library, Tony turned to Ember. “I hope I’m not being too much of an inconvenience.”

Ember’s expression turned strange. “Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?”

Tony smirked. “Why? Would you take care of me if I’m injured?”

She opened her mouth, but then turned away from Tony. Their conversation ended in an awkward silence. Tony wasn’t unused to this behavior either. Women were always content to flirt or chase after Tony openly, but the second he responded in kind, they often grew silent or despondent. This was part of the reason Tony had grown to be cold and disinterested in women. As long as he never gave them too much attention, they would do whatever he wanted. Just as the car drove up in front of the library entrance, Tony heard her whisper something under her breath.

“I care for you always…”

Before he could respond though, she darted out to the car. She ended up taking the front passenger side, leaving Tony to sit in the back. He sat there in silence by himself as Brian drove them both to the place she had mentioned. Brian looked at the silent Ember, and then glared a few times at Tony through his rearview mirror. Otherwise, it wasn’t too long until they found themselves pulling up in front of a large store called Defense Outfitters.

“This place sells any and all survival equipment. They don’t just deal in guns, but swords, knifes, and everything in between,” Ember said as Brian exited the car and walked around to get the door for her. “It’s also got practice range, if you need to test anything.”

“Guns?”

“It also has an archery range, knife throwing, and even a dojo.” She stepped out of the car eloquently as Brian opened and closed the door for her.

Tony waited for him to open his door, but Brian only grunted and walked away. Tony let out a soft chuckle and then got out, quickly catching up to Ember who was standing at the entrance of the store with a confused expression on her face. Tony joined her walking into the store. As soon as she walked in, the man behind the counter held out his hands.

“Ember Lynn! My dear… it’s been a long time.”

Tony glanced over at Ember, who blushed. “They teach self-defense and survival classes here. It is a tradition in my family that everyone knows how to protect themselves just in case.”

That made sense. Although she said she would prepare if she knew the world was ending, the truth was that no one had known. Her families training also probably helped her survive in the beginning.

“I also trained Brian here… how you doing?” The man laughed, coming out and slapping Brian’s shoulder.

“Fine, Master.” Brian gave him a respectful bow.

Ember turned to Tony. “Your best bet at protection is a firearm. Brian can help you pick one out. He’s been trained in a variety of weapons.”

A smug expression appeared on Brian’s face as he glanced over at Tony. Tony didn’t really care, because it wasn’t a gun he was looking for anyway.

“Actually, I was thinking of something a bit more close and personal,” Tony responded, feeling a bit nervous.

He wasn’t completely disinterested in guns. They had their uses in the beginning of the apocalypse. Most people who survived that long did so because they were able to get their hands on guns. However, the reason guns were less popular was that as time progressed, the monsters grew stronger and guns became increasingly less effective on them. They were never drop items, so the only way a gun could get stronger is if someone used certain gifts on them.

However, in a world without production, guns were finite, as was ammo. Eventually, guns became completely useless. If you had depended on guns like the old man, your combat ability would have continued to drop year after year until you ended up like him. Tony was naturally tempted, but he also knew he couldn’t become dependent on them. He had to maintain his sharp edge, and that meant he needed a weapon he was comfortable using.

Brian gave a snort. “You? A hand-to-hand weapon? Aren’t you worried about scaring that pretty face of yours?”

“Brian, stop talking!” Ember ordered him coldly, causing Brian to look away like a child who had just been scolded. “Anthony, are you sure about this?”

“Yeah, I don’t want something so long that it can’t be used indoors, but no so short that I have no range. I think a sword would be too long. Is there some kind of long knife?”

The store owner was listening as we spoke, and he gave a nod. “It sounds like you want a dirk. I have just the thing.”

He walked behind his counter and a few moments later brought out a large shiny blade with a divot in the center and a thick wooden handle covered in a rubberized surface. Tony instinctively reached out and picked it up. As soon as he touched it, he realized this was perfect. It felt very comfortable in his hands.

“I like this…” Tony muttered.

“It’s a sixteen-inch tactical dirk.” The store owner spoke. “Reinforced high carbon steel blade, rosewood handle. It can cut through just about anything.”

Tony continued to analyze it, looking at the sharpness and the handle attachment. Many weapons were replicas or fakes, not intended to be used, but he could tell this was different. A failure of a weapon could be death, so Tony had become accustomed to checking equipment before going into dangerous situations.

“Oh, please…” Brian seemed to have enough. “You might as well hand a chimp a gun. I don’t know if anyone has told you… Anthony, but hand-to-hand combat takes years to perfect. You’re insulting everyone here by playing around with things you can’t use without combat experience.”

“Whoever said I didn’t have combat experience?” Tony finally flipped the blade in his hand, causing it to spin smoothly.

“How long did it take you to learn how to do that?” Brian sneered. “If you’re so confident, why don’t you prove you can fight?”

“Brian, that is enough!” Ember’s face was red, and her eyes were nearly sparking with electricity.
A small smile formed on Tony’s lips. “Accepted.”

“Wh-what?” Ember blinked.

“You want to spar? I heard there is a dojo here? Can we use weapons?”

“I have padded practice weapons.” The store owner crossed his arms, an amused expression on his face. “They’re not as well balanced, but I can’t have you using real knives. You can fight there.”

“Anthony, you don’t have anything to prove.” Ember turned to Tony. “He’s been training daily since we were kids. He knows several martial arts and has trained in multiple weapons.”

“Now, now…” Brian cut in, a cruel smile on his face. “If he wants to fight me, let him.”

“It’s okay.” Tony put his hands on her shoulder and smiled. “I know what I’m doing.”

She looked away, her cheeks turning from red to pink. “Even if you smile at me…”

“You ready to go then?” Brian sneered, causing Ember to lay an angry look at him that he ignored.

“Let’s make this interesting.” Tony shrugged. “There is no point in fighting if there are no stakes. Don’t you agree?”

“A bet?” Brian frowned.

“If I win, then you pay for my shopping trip here. I want the dirk, the best gun you can recommend, ammo to practice it, and… throw in the armored tactical vest over there.”

“That’s nearly a thousand dollars’ worth of stuff!”

“I thought you worked for a wealthy family? Are they not paying you well?”

Brian’s expression glowered, but then he snorted. “Fine! However, if I win, you’ll leave Ember Lynn alone. You won’t speak to her again.’

“That’s not your position to-”

“Deal!” Tony agreed, eliciting a glare from Ember toward both of them.

“Boys!” she hissed under her breath.

“Let’s go… shop owner, will you be our referee?” Tony asked.

“Hehe… I look forward to it.” The man responded with a glint in his eyes.