***

 

Smith charged out of the capitol building, his face flushed red with anger. Jake followed him down the steps and around to where he knew he was heading: Jones's office.

 

“How the hell did he get those swing votes?” Smith said.

 

“I don't know, sir,” Jake said.


Jake skidded forward from Smith's abrupt stop. Smith pushed his finger into Jake's chest, wrinkling the checkered tie he was wearing.

 

“I want to know how it happened, and I want to know now,” Smith said.

 

“Yes, sir,” Jake said, burying himself in his phone, searching for answers for which he had no idea where to start looking.

 

When Smith made it to Jones's office, Cindy stood up to try and stop him from entering, but Smith shoved the doors open and saw Jones sitting leisurely at his desk, smiling.

 

“Hello, David,” Jones said.

 

“What did you do, Raymond?”

 

“I think it was more of what you did than what I did.”

 

“Did you threaten them? Hmm? Was that it?”

 

Smith had both fists knuckling into the wood of Jones's desk. He could feel the bones in his hands crunching and scraping from the pressure he applied to them.

 

“Well, whatever you did, you better hope you have more in the tank, because I will fight this bill and push back its Senate date until next year. This bill will not go into law until I stop breathing,” Smith said, pounding the desk before he turned to leave.

 

“The bill will be signed into law before the day is done,” Jones said.

 

Smith had his hand on the doorknob when he froze.

 

“What?” Smith asked.

 

“The Senate is voting on the bill as we speak.”

 

“That's impossible.”

 

“An extraordinary session enacted by the president, which is well within his authority.”

 

Smith felt his legs go heavy, like they were pulling him down, trying to drown him under the sea and bury him in the sand in the depths of the ocean.

 

“Troops are already being called back from the Southwest, and patrols have been deployed along the United States’ new western border,” Jones said, smiling.

 

Smith's tongue and lips felt numb. He tried to find his voice, but only hoarse whispers would leave him.

 

“You're a monster,” Smith said.

 

Jones threw his head back, his mouth wide open as his laughter erupted into the room. He clutched his belly and tilted his chair back.

 

“No, David. I'm necessary,” Jones said.

 

Chapter 10

 

Emily stirred, mumbling something, pushing herself off the sleeping bag. John helped her sit up, and Brooke dropped the circuit tools she was using.

 

“Em, how are you feeling?” Brooke asked.

 

“Thirsty,” Emily answered.

 

John poured a cup of water from one of the jugs and handed it to her. Emily grabbed it with both hands and drank greedily.

 

Emily lowered the cup and rested it in her lap. Brooke brushed Emily's hair back, feeling her forehead. She was still warm, but nowhere near the level of before.

 

“What happened?” Emily asked.

 

“You were stung by a scorpion. Do you remember that?” Brooke asked.

 

“Kind of. I remember something burning my hand, and then I started getting dizzy. After that, I don't know what happened.”

 

Brooke kissed Emily's cheek, and John rubbed her back.

 

“You had us worried,” Brooke said.

 

“Sorry,” Emily replied.

 

“I'm glad you're okay,” John said.

 

“Where are we?” Emily asked, looking at their decrepit surroundings.

 

“We're at the solar station,” Brooke said.

 

“Cool,” Emily said.

 

Emily tried standing but lost her balance. John caught her before she fell and rested her back on the sleeping bag.

 

“You should still take it easy,” Brooke said. “We'll stay here for the night. I think we could all use the rest.”