The Darkest Of Days

Chapter 1

Just Another Day

October 22nd

I woke up to hear my alarm clock blaring its annoying electronic tune as it usually does in the morning. after a few years serving in the military you get used to it and can't seem shake the habit. i got up out of bed and headed for my bathroom and splashed some water into my face, then checked myself out in the mirror. I felt I didn't need to shave at least until tomorrow so I hit the shower and went on with my regular morning routine, shower, breakfast, watch a little news and then head on down to the base. While i was watching the news i saw somewhat familiar story, this whole thing about a new strand of flu, but there's always something they come up with involving a new sickness whether something to do with birds or pigs. I paid no real mind to it, sometimes listening to the news is depressing so I went on with the rest of my morning. I looked at the clock, it read 7:30 "I better get going soon." I said to myself. After I got my shoes on I slipped my bomber jacket on and headed out the door.

I turned onto the highway and proceeded to the base. after a minute I heard sirens coming from behind me "Aw shit, what now?" I pulled off the highway into a nearby seven eleven and turned off the engine. Throw the rear view mirror i saw the cruiser number 227."Here we go." I sighed. the officer walked up to my window and asked the usual "license and reregistration please?" i pulled my wallet out and got my license out.

"so what is it this time Trista?" i said handing her the plastic card.

"Thats officer Clifton to you citizen!" she said snatching the card from hand. she read over it and handed it back to me. she lowered her aviator sunglasses and said "Well everything checks out here."

"And the reason you stopped me is....?" I questioned her.

"Oh you know, slow day and I could have sworn you were going over the speed limit back there."

"You say that every time you pull me over in which this is the second time this week isn't there certain things that don't always involve a of-" I was interrupted by her radio.

"Looks like we got a 10-91E near Peachcreek Dr. All officers be on the look out for multiple 91E's in the east Fairfield area." the radio staddicly cracked. Trista clicked her radio and (I could have swore she winked at me) pulled her sunglasses up.

" That will be all citizen, carry on." she said walking back to her patrol car simigly swaying her hips then drove away. I soon drove away to after getting a Slurpee for the gas station. The thing about Trista is I can never tell if she's flirting with me or actually doing the job of a law officer. After sometime I reached the base, parked and headed into the commission office. I was assigned for two practice flights and a cargo drop session. after reviewing my days work I got changed in to my uniform and went to meet my co-pilot.

"Hey, Jackson hows it going?" I greeted

"Hey, Payne you know the deal if it aint on load of shit its a flicking 'nother." we both laughed at this.

"Yeah man, starting to feel like im in a rut wish something would change in this town."

"Well it can't always be good but a new Taco Bell around the corner would be great."

"Alright let's get the beast into the air." I said walking into the hull of the powerful but gas guzzling Globe master. I sat down in the cockpit and started the initial start up process. "This is anarchy three to control tower preparing for decent permission to takeoff?"

"This is control tower you are clear for takeoff anarchy three you may start accent." the radio buzzed. I pushed the throttle up, started down the runway and began accent. It had been almost seven hours since our first accent and I was beat from a day of siting down, silly right but flying a plane is really all mental action, making decisions at difficult times and always being aware. although after my seven hour shift I was left mentally and physically exhausted also hungry. so when driving home I really wished the taco bell Jackson was talking about was really built near the base. as I drove further down the highway I heard sirens from behind but as I looked through the mirror it wasnt Trixie but two ambulances racing for Midtown. I pulled to the side to let them pass with ease. after I pulled into the parking lot of the local In-and-out-Burger to get a Double-Double meal. I ordered my food and got into my favorite seat by the window. as I was eating through the window I must have seen three ambulance's and what looked like our base's whole special medical unit heading towards Vallejo for what I don't know but I just hope im not called out to air drop anything. while I was finishing up my ears were assaulted with an ear-splitting scream and when I turned around I saw a man on the floor with a woman bent over him. she was yelling "call an ambulance!" over and over, then soon I heard sirens and flashing lights nearing the restaurant. I decided it was probably best to leave quick as I did not want to get caught up in whatever was happening. as I was leaving the scene police approached with guns raised but I drove away to quickly to see what happened next.

I pulled into my drive way and opened the garage. the sun was just about down and as I went to get my mail I ran into my neighbor and old friend garret, he was a professional baseball player in training. He walked over to and happily said "Hey, Payne hows it going?"

"Oh just getting off work, how 'bout yourself?" I responded.

"Well I think I finally qualify for the NBL and ive already sent in some registration forms."

"Thats great Garret, say maybe you could get couple free passes down the road, huh?

"We'll have to see about that one, but for now I got to hit the sack, see you around." he said and walked away. I felt pretty tired myself and decided to get to bed also, I had to go over some new shipment plans for a long distance flight all the way to Hawaii. knowing my morning routine was very similar to my evening routine in which I took my shower, brushed my teeth and watched some T.V as I layer in bed eventually falling asleep.