Apocalypse Part of Speech: Noun Definition: Mass Destruction An Apocalypse (Greek: "Lifting of the veil" or "Revelation" is a !

isclosure of so"ething hi!!en fro" the "a#ority of "ankin! in an era !o"inate! $y falsehoo! an! "isconception% i&e& 'he veil to $e lifte!& Ashe to Ashe (hapter ) *efore the Lift 'here ha! $een signs& So"e thought the signs +ere #ust natural or!er to the +orl! cli"ate% to +orl! change that ha! happene! $efore "illennia ago& People of religeon $espoke of the co"ing Apocalypse% an! Rapture% preparing the"selves for the return of the prophets% the return of (hrist&&& the return of &&& so"ething& 'here +ere even a fe+ +ho coul! rea! the signs clearly% $ut +ere thought upon as heretics% charlatans% !oo",sayers% an! on the "ost part ignore!& 'hey +ere all fools% Ashe tol! herself& 'hey pointe! to calen!ars% thu"pe! $i$les% stoo! on street corners an! fortol! of !oo"% the en! of the +orl!& She +atche! the" on television rarely% $ut every so often she +oul! $e accoste! $y so"eone on the street corner in the goo!,si-e! city of Rapi! (ity% South Dakota% an! tol! that the en! +as near& She "erely +alke! past the"% s"iling an! no!!ing her hea! to shut the" up& She thought that they% too% +ere fools% an! i!iots& So "any ha! pre!icte! the ./0 $ug% an! ho+ it +oul! !evistate the +orl! $y "aking all co"puters free-e up or stop +orking altogether% or of Nuclear +ar that +oul! set the +orl! into a post,apocolyptic state% +here everyone +as out for the"selves& None of this ha! co"e to $e in all the years of pre!ictions an! prophesy& 1t +oul! never $e& 'his +as reality& Ashe +as a veterinarian in an area +here vets +ere revere! for their kno+le!ge on health of ani"als% ho+ever% her #o$s +ere $eco"ing fe+er an! further $et+een& She sa+ the far"s in the area !ying out% $eing replace! +ith cattle fee!lots% chicken far"s% hog far"s% an! larger% genetically engineere! foo! corporations& She trie! to keep up +ith the latest in "e!icines% an! ani"al hus$an!ry% $ut it "eant returning $ack to school to learn "ore% an! leaving her

patients $ehin!& 1t +as a catch // situation for her an! her s"all $usiness& She +atche! as fa"ily after fa"ily in the rural South Dakotan area left their far"s% an! "ove! into to+n +here they thought they +oul! have a $etter life% $etter #o$s% $etter pay so they coul! sen! their chil!ren to $etter schools& 2o+ever% she also sa+ "ore people co"e to the +i!e open space of the "i!,+est fro" hurricane,torn southern an! eastern coasts% to fin! reprieve fro" the har!ship there& Ashe actually ha! co"e fro" a large city% San 3rancisco% +ith a Degree in veterinarian "e!icine an! an i!ea that life +oul! $e easier for her a+ay fro" all of the noise% congestion% all,aroun! $a! feeling that the city ha! given her as she ha! gro+n up& No+ she "isse! her ol! ho"e% an! her parents& She sa+ the" once a year& 4very (hrist"as% she +oul! go ho"e to see the"% an! her ol! frien!s& 1t +as co"ing close to that ti"e again this year& She +as e5cite! to $e on her +ay in her truck% to !rive alone the fourteen hun!re! "iles to her ho"e north of San 3ran% +ith only her "usic% her $ooks% an! her e5cite"ent to carry her the length of the +ay& She ha! alrea!y $ought the" nearly a half of a $uffalo in "eat% an! a +hole skin for her father& 'hey love! the gifts she +oul! $ring that spoke of her ti"e in the 6+il! +est6& She +as also please! +ith the gifts fro" the" that e"phasi-e! the life of (alifornia& *athing suits% sun $lock% "ovie posters +ere nor"ally +hat she recieve! fro" the"% an! that nostalgia +as one reason +hy she kept going $ack& 2er Gran!father ha! co"e fro" 7yo"ing% an! that +as one reason +hy she chose to visit the vast prairies of the "i!,+estern states& 2e +oul! tell her stories of free ranges% horses% co+s an! the ever popular (o+$oys an! 1n!ians& She ha! $een s"itten +ith the i!ea of life in a +il! country% to take care of ani"als% $ig an! s"all& So she +orke! har! to learn all she coul! in science% "ath% an! literature& She +as the top of her class in al"ost all su$#ects% an! ha! earne! scholarships to veterinarian collages% "aking her parents an! gran!father very happy& 2o+ever% +hen she tol! the" of her plans to "ove to South Dakota% at the age of nineteen% they +ere all very upset% $ut her argue"ents coul!n6t $e !enie!& She re"e"$ere! all of that as she "a!e her +ay to her truck% a large !ual +heele! +ork vehicle that hel! all the e8uip"ent nee!e! to perfor" her !uties as a 9et% "e!icines an! har!+are ranging fro" scalpals to forceps% hypo!er"ics to $an!ages& She ha! $een

a!!ing to the truck +ith every paycheck& 'here +ere spare +heels% chains for poor roa! con!itions an! large insulate! containers that +oul! keep "e!icines col!% or +ar"% !epen!ing on ho+ they +ere nee!e!& She ha! !one +ell for herself an! it sho+e! in her e8uip"ent& She +as rea!y for nearly anything& 2er call that !ay% a +eek $efore (hrist"as% +as to a far"er #ust insi!e the reservation6s $oar!ers% +ho ha! trou$le +ith livestock that ha! run through fenses% an! even a "ilk co+ that ha! $een shot $y a poacher& She "a!e the nearly hour !rive +ith "usic playing% going over each !etail in her "in!% an! co"ing up +ith a first plan& So"eti"es it +as as easy as a first plan% $ut she kne+ $etter than to go in +ithout "ultiple plans for !ifferent situations& 2er tastes in "usic leane! to+ar! classical% $ut on occasion% she +oul! fin! another song or t+o that +oul! "ove her& She listene! to that on the +ay& A techno,type $eat +ith a nearly operatic voice that tol! a story in four !ifferent languages& 2alf of the" she kne+& She s"ile! as she !rove% happy the roa!s +ere clear& She coul! tell +hen the roa!s of South Dakota s+itche! +ith the unke"pt pave"ent of the Pine Ri!ge Reservation& Large cracks line! the shoul!ers% as +ell as tufts of +il! grasses reache! over the $lack roa! as if to !rag it $ack into the +il! prairie& 'he groun! that stretche! out into the *a!lan!s +as froste! +hite +ith a !ull $ro+n tint& 'hey +eren6t calle! the *a!lan!s for nothing& She kne+ !ifferent stories of ho+ $o!ies coul! $e !ispose! of in the *a!lan!s% an! +hen tourists +ent "issing every year& She thought $y no+ people +oul! kno+ $etter than to te"pt the +il!erness that +as the *lack 2ills an! *a!lan!s& 'he roa! to the '+o (ro+s far" +as rough% off the high+ay% an! ruts +ere fro-en over% "aking her +ince every ti"e she hit one& 'he col! of this +inter +as unpreci!ente!% an! of course% conspiracy theories a$oun!e! a$out the glo$al +ar"ing% the apocalypse% all kin!s of things& Ashe #ust kne+ that it +as !a"n col!% an! the "ultiple layers of clothing she +ore !i! very little to cut the $itterness fro" the +in! +hen she +oul! step out into it& She !rove carefully% the heater $lo+ing in her face% an! "usic piping softly fro" her ra!io& As she !rove% she spotte! a pair of scruffy !ogs trotte! on the shoul!er& 'hey +ere all $lack% ri$s sho+ing% an! ears stoo! taller than nor"al !og6s ears !i!& As she !rove $y% they looke! up at her in

unison% eyes "ilky +hite% as if $lin!% $ut they see"e! to look right at her% kno+ing +ho she +as& She shu!!ere! an! continue! to !rive& 7hen she looke! in her rear vie+ "irror% they +ere no longer on the shoul!er of the roa!% perhaps they ha! run to the !itch& 7hen she finally pulle! into Roger6s !rive+ay% it see"e! as if he +as alrea!y in the s"all $arn& Roger '+o (ro+s ha! a goo! si-e! fa"ily living in a house that +as $ut a pair of trailer ho"es hooke! together $y a fli"sy ply+oo! passage+ay& 2e ha! si5 chil!ren% his +ife an! her "other% plus her gran!father living there& 2is o+n gran!"other staye! +ith hi" as +ell% an! all live! in the e8uivelant of a four $e!roo" house& 'he $arn itself% +as another ho$$le! together contraption of ply+oo!% so! an! $ales of stra+& She +as surprise! that any of his livestock live! here% $ut it +asn6t her place to co"plain% #ust to treat the in#ure!% an! "ake the $est of it& All of his ani"als ha! shelter% $ut it +as $arely any $etter than +hat his fa"ily live! in& Roger ha! a pair of "ilk co+s% a $ull an! four horses& 2e6! ha! a s"all flock of chickens% $ut the coyotes ha! +ipe! the" out +hen +inter hit& Ashe trie! har! to treat his ani"als any ti"e he calle! her +ith the least e5pense& She even stitche! up his ol!est !aughter6s han! once +hen she ha! $een careless +hile $utchering a !eer& 'he girl +oul! have a scar all her life% $ut it !i!n6t ha"per her "oo! or her +ork& Plus% she +oul! never "ake the sa"e "istake t+ice& Ashe parke! ne5t to the $arn% an! tightene! the hat !o+n upon her hea!& 1t +as a funny looking hat% yello+ an! orange +ith a tassle top an! tassle ties& 1t ha! $een a gift fro" a +o"an +ho ha! Ashe look at her !og after it ha! $een kicke! $y a horse& Ashe ha! recieve! a lot of really nice things in place of pay"ent for her services& 1t +as a very +ar" hat% "a!e of +ool% an! +ell "a!e% even though it +as o!!ly colore!& She s"ile! an! tie! the hat securely% then e5ite! the truck& She +as only five foot three% very short% an! unfortunately% not petite& 7ith the +earing of all her layers of coats an! long#ohns% she looke! like a little Micheline Man& She6! al+ays ha! a har! ti"e as a ki! gro+ing up% al+ays a chu$$y "onkey% her "other +oul! say% $ut she !i! the $est she coul! to ignore the cruel taunts of the other ki!s& 'he hat covere! her "op of curley $ro+n hair% al+ays so har! for her to keep in line% $ut it +asn6t anything a goo! hat coul!n6t keep !o+n& She sighe! as she caught sight of her face in the si!e

"irror& :ust !o the #o$% Ashe% you can "ope later a$out stupi! stuff% she thought to herself an! close! the !oor& 'he !oor sli! open to the she!% an! Roger steppe! out% lea!ing the t+o horses into the $etter light& Ashe looke! over at the" an! gaspe!& "2oly 2ell% Roger; Di! they go through a "eat grin!er<" she ha! never seen such horrific cuts on horses& 'he slices an! tears +ere clear across their chests an! !o+n their right si!es& *ar$e! +ire +as a nasty thing to have any ani"al run through& 'here +ere even flaps of skin hanging loose fro" the ri$s an! partially on their $ellies& "Da"n "ilitary helicopters fle+ lo+& " Roger sai!% his heavy Siou5 accent clipping angrily as he re"e"$ere! the !ay $efore& "1t spooke! the "ares here& 'he ki!s ha! *uck an! 0it !o+n the roa! an! sa+ it happen&" he tie! the pair to the corral posts& Roger +as angry that since he +as on the reservation% co"plaining a$out the helicopters really +oul!n6t !o anything& *ut since he6! "et Dr& Du$hcott% he kne+ that no "atter ho+ $a! a horse6s cuts +ere% she coul! help hi"& 2is frien!s tease! hi" at +ork a$out the 7ashishu% the +hite veterinarian that +as on his spee! !ial on his phone& 2e #ust +ave! the" off% "She6s $een goo!& 1f she +ere Lakota% she +oul! $e a "e!icine +o"an&" he grinne! to hi"self a$out that& 2e !i!n6t care if she ha! a little pa!!ing on her% hell% a lot of the "ore attractive +o"en in the area +ere the ones +ith a fe+ curves& 2is +ife !i!n6t feel any co"petition% ho+ever% she like! the little% plu"p vet as +ell& "Let6s see +hat 1 can !o +ith these "ares&" Ashe sai! an! +ent to +ork on the"% cleaning the +oun!s% an! stitching the skin +here it see"e! that it coul! gro+ $ack together& She gave the" anti$iotics% vita"ins% an! a sugar cu$e& She took off her gloves an! tosse! the" into the $ack of the truck% "'here ya go% Roger& No+% let6s take a look at the co+&" she "otione! to the $arn% an! helpe! hi" lea! the horses $ack insi!e& She +as thankful for the col!% it kept the horses fro" $lee!ing too "uch% "aking her #o$ "uch easier& 'here +as a 2olstein co+ stan!ing in a corner% the other ani"als stoo! a+ay fro" her% an! her heavy +hee-ing& 2er hea! +as !o+n% an! there +as a gaping +oun! in her chest& "=h Go!% Roger&&& +hy !i!n6t you call "e +hen you foun! her<<" She hurrie!ly "a!e her +ay to the poor ani"al6s si!e%

treat"ents scrolling through her "in! like a rolo!e5% $ut this "ay $e too "uch% even for her e5pertise& She "ay nee! to operate% an! not even that +oul! guarantee the life of the ani"al& "1 calle! the cops on the ki!s that +ere shooting up the place& 'hey +ere arreste!% an! it +as late& 1 thought that if she +as still alive this "orning% 1 +oul! call you% see if you coul! !o anything to help her& She6s the ki!6s favorite% too& " he reache! over an! pette! the ani"al6s hea!% an! she !i!n6t react to the touch& " 1t "ay $e too late% Roger& 16ll see +hat 1 can !o% though&" She sai! softly% an! "a!e her +ay to look "ore closely at the $ullet hole& 1t !rippe! $loo!% $ut the co+6s +hee-ing +asn6t a hopeful sign& She listene! to the chest% +here the nor"al thu",thu! of a heart$eat nor"ally +as% there +as a +hoosh&&&+hoosh& Also% +hen she $reathe!% it +as a heavy gurgle in her lungs& Ashe close! her eyes% "16ll have to put her !o+n% Roger& 1 can6t get her to a clinic to operate& 1f 1 !i! it here% she6ll $lee! out&" Roger no!!e!% an! +ipe! at the corner of one eye% "16ll get the ki!s rea!y to $utcher& 7e can save the "eat at least&" he sighe! in resignation% an! "a!e his +ay to the house& Ashe sighe! as +ell% an! stroke! the co+6s forehea!& "1 +ish 1 coul! take you 8uicker% co+& .ou serve! this fa"ily so +ell&" She +hispere! to her& 'he co+ $o$$e! her hea!% ears t+itching a $it& Ashe patte! her shoul!er% an! steppe! $ack as the co+ see"e! to un!erstan!% an! +ent !o+n to her knees% then laye! !o+ fully% hea! resting on the $loo!,soake! hay& Ashe +atche! as the co+ took one last +hee-ing $reath% an! !ie!& She felt the sa!ness +ell in her heart% an! tears !rippe! fro" her eyes& 1t al+ays $roke her heart to see a $elove! ani"al go% an! especially in this "anner& Roger returne! carrying his hunting riffle% an! the t+o ol!est chil!ren follo+e! close $ehin!& 'hey carrie! rope% knives an! a pair of $one sa+s& 'hey sa+ her kneeling $y the co+% an! the girl starte! to cry& Roger "a!e his +ay to Ashe% an! sighe!% "She +ent 8uicker than 1 thought& Di! you give her a shot to !o it<" he aske!& "No% she #ust laye! !o+n an! !ie!& Let6s get her outsi!e to finish the #o$&" she sai! softly& 'he chil!ren tie! the legs of the co+% an! tosse! the rope outsi!e to pull the corspe fro" the she!& Ashe +ent to her truck% an! $acke! up to the !oor as Roger tie! off the rope& She to+e! the carcass out into the !rive+ay& She looke! out to+ar! the roa!% an!

there +ere the t+o !ogs% sitting there% staring at her once again& She sco+le! an! close! her eyes% the fatigue of a heavy heart see"ing to get to her& She opene! her eyes% an! the !ogs +ere gone& As the '+o (ro+s fa"ily $utchere! the co+% Ashe +ent into the stall to "uck out the $loo!y hay an! so!& 7hen she +ent insi!e% there +ere the t+o !ogs% lapping at the $loo! on the floor% an! che+ing on the hay% as if to get every $it& She picke! up a pitchfork% an! shoute! at the"% "Get out; =ut of here% you "utts;" she +ave! the pitchfork at the"% an! they looke! up at her& 'heir ears +ere perke! up% an! the "ilky +hite eyes stare!& 'hey !i!n6t gro+l% or $ark% an! Ashe felt a chill run !o+n her $ack& ".ou ok in there<" ca"e Roger6s voice& She turne! to the !oor% an! ans+ere! ".eah% there6s t+o !ogs in here" she sai!% then looke! $ack at the !ogs& 'hey +ere gone& As if they +ere never there& Roger +alke! in% carrying the rifle once "ore& "7hat !ogs<" he looke! aroun!& 'he ani"als in the $arn !i!n6t see" upset% or spooke! in any +ay% an! that "a!e Ashe fro+n& "Never"in!& 2o+ are they taking it<" she aske!% looking out the !oor& "'hey are very sa!% $ut kno+ that +hat lives "ust !ie& 7e +ill "ourn a frien! that +as a pet% as +ell as provi!er to the fa"ily% $ut she +as a$le to provi!e one last ti"e& 2er "eat +ill fee! us this +inter% an! her hi!e +ill keep the el!ers +ar"& 7e are thankful for you co"ing% Dr& Du$hcott&" he hel! his han! to her% +hich she shook gently& "Sen! us a $ill% you +ill get your "oney&" he sai! +ith resignation& "16ll see +hat 1 can !o for you% Roger& Let "e kno+ if those "ares nee! any "ore help& 1 !on6t have any appoint"ents +eek after ne5t% so 16ll $e han!y $y the ti"e they "ay nee! it& Alright<" she s"ile! +eakly at hi"& 2e no!!e!% an! $oth left the she!% closing it $ehin! the"& 'he chil!ren ha! "a!e 8uick +ork of the co+% piling the pieces up in an or!erly fashion% on tarps an! in $uckets& 'hey looke! up at her +ith large% sa! eyes% $ut s"ile! at her nonetheless& "'hank you for saving Rose an! San!y% Dr& Du$hcott&" the young +o"an sai!% "7e kno+ they +ill heal fast&" 2er $rother "erely no!!e!% an! +ent $ack to $utchering& She left 8uietly% heaving a sa! sigh as she left the little far"& 7hat +as the +orl! co"ing to< She thought to herself& 'hen she

sa+ the !ogs again% trotting !o+n the roa! in the sa"e !irection she +as !riving& An! these !ogs; 7hat the hell are they< She aske! herself% pulling up $ehin! the" in her truck% an! pulling to a stop& 'he !ogs stoppe! as +ell% an! turne! in unison& 'his creepe! her right the hell out& 'hey +alke! to the front of her truck% an! sat% staring at her% un$linking% +ith those "ilky +hite eyes& She !i!n6t e5it the truck% an! in fact% pulle! a s"all han!gun fro" her glove$o5% as +ell as a tran8uili-er !art she store! close to it& 'he !ogs #ust tilte! their hea!s% an! see"e! to +ait% +atching% +on!ering +hat the hu"an +oul! !o ne5t& She +oul! sho+ the" +hat she +oul! !o ne5t& She rolle! !o+n her +in!o+% an! took slo+ ai" at the closer one% an! cocke! $ack the trigger& 7hat happene! ne5t% she never 8uite un!erstoo! until "any "any years later& "My na"e is Death% an! the en! is here&" a voice that see"e! to co"e fro" the ra!io% $ut she ha!n6t turne! it on& 'hen the !ogs vanishe!& She looke! $ack an! forth% $ehin! the truck an! aroun! the si!es& Nothing& "2oly fuck&" she +hispere!% an! rolle! up her +in!o+& She tore out of her parking spot% an! spe! for the city& "1t "ust $e the col!&&& an! the stress&" She trie! to tell herself% $ut !a"n&&& the Dogs;< 7hat the hell +as that<< 2er hair felt like it +as stan!ing strait on en!% the curls felt as if they lost all springiness% an! she looke! "ultiple ti"es in her "irror to see if her hair ha!n6t gone stark +hite& She !i!n6t scare easy% $ut this !ay&&& this !ay scare! the $a#ee$us out of her& She !rove through to+n% the clou!s o$scuring the houses on the hills% soft flakes floating !o+n on the +in!& She pulle! into a Perkins Parking lot% an! turne! off the engine& She sat for a fe+ "o"ents% taking !eep% even $reaths& She shook her hea! an! patte! one cheek sharply% then e5ite!% "aking her +ay to the resteraunt& (offee an! pie soun!e! like a goo! thing right no+& 'he +aitress le! her to a si!e $ooth% looking out of the $ig $ay +in!o+s at the ensuing stor" as the +in! picke! up& 'here +ere fe+ others in the resteraunt% a fe+ college ki!s on the no+ !efunct s"oking si!e% rea!ing $ooks% chatting% !rinking coffee% an! a couple on the opposite si!e of the roo" fro" Ashe% en#oying coffee an! pie as +ell& Across fro" her +as a s"all fa"ily% "other% father an! young son% eating an! laughing% the chil! only a$out > years ol!% giggling an! +aving french fries in the air& She s"ile! an!

place! her or!er for coffee an! apple pie& 'he stor" $re+e! on outsi!e% "i5ing sno+ +ith rain no+% +hich fro-e to the +in!o+s as soon as it hit& Noone see"e! to +ant to leave the resteraunt% the col! +as "ore than enough to !eter the" fro" "aking their +ay to their cars an! trucks& Ashe sighe! as she finishe! her thir! cup of coffee% an! picke! up the ticket& She !i!n6t +ant to leave% $ut she ha! to get ho"e% fee! her !og% an! "ake sure the +ater +asn6t fro-en in the s"all house pipes& She s"ile! an! no!!e! to the fa"ily +ho +atche! her go to the front of the resteraunt +here she $egan to check out& She $egan to feel !i--y% an! a +ave of nausia tore through her gut& She !ou$le! over as the +aitress approache! to collect her pay"ent% then all +ent $lack& 11 'he 9eil is Lifte! Ashe6s eyes fluttere! open +hen she hear! the $leep $leep $leep of the 40G% reali-ing she +as in a hospital $e!% not in the Perkins on ?th Street% +here she ha! $een& She looke! aroun! slo+ely% the light in the roo" o!!% an! the clarity of the o$#ects +as "uch sharper than she thought she ha! seen $efore& She "ust have left her contacts in% she thought% an! slo+ely touche! at her eyes to see if they +ere in place& She fro-e +hen she sa+ so"eone else6s han! co"e to+ar! her face% as if they kne+ she +ante! to touch her eyes& She shirke! a+ay fro" the rising han!% even going to $at at it +ith the other& She "a!e a soft eep +hen she sa+ so"eone else6s han! s"ack a+ay the first han!% feeling a sharp pain as they colli!e!& "7hat the fuck<" she +hispere! an! raise! $oth han!s in front of her face% seeing that they +ere !efinately her han!s% $ut% they +eren6t& 'hey +eren6t the pu!gy% ru!!y fingers +ith gna+e! nails% $ut long an! elegant& 2er fingers splaye! out in front of her% curling an! uncurling& 'he skin +as a nearly transluscent pale +ith "atching pale nails +hich looke! as if they ha! #ust ha! a pain, staking "anicure& She touche! at her face% an! $linke!% feeling high cheek$ones% nearly sunken cheeks% an! a long chin +ith a +i!e% full,lippe! "outh& 2er han!s +ent to her hair% no curls% $ut strait% thick&&& an! as she pulle! a ten!ril to her line of sight% as +hite as platinu" freshly

polishe!& 2er ears felt long an! pointe!% an! poke! out of the hair al"ost t+o inches& 'he hair% s"ooth as silk% fell through her fingers& She cra+le! out fro" un!er her $lankets% a nee! to fin! a "irror scratching at her "in! like a cat in $o5% an5iety floo!ing her hea!& 'he nee!les in her ar"s +ere painfully tugging at the skin an! !igging into the flesh $eneath% so she re"ove! the" as e5pertly as she coul!% consi!ering they +ere not in so"eone6s $elove! pet% $ut her o+n ar"s& She let the tu$es fall to the floor% +here her feet lan!e! soon after& She sat for a "o"ent% then stoo!% +eaving $ack an! forth% catching herself on a rail to keep fro" tipping over& 2er eyes travele! aroun! the roo"% until they fell on the sink in the corner% a$ove that% a "irror& Ashe Screa"e!&