BW

Bob was itching to leave. He thought that they had been in this town to long. They had done everything that was needed. Their supplies had been replaced, they had the chance to rest, and they had even managed to pick up a few needed items, such as Todd's' weapons. But, he knew the longer they stayed where they were, the greater the chance they would be discovered. It was time to move on as far as he was concerned. What bothered him the most, was that Michael hadn't returned. He supposed that he should take comfort from that, but after having spent so much time on the run, he couldn't get used to staying put.

It was that same night he brought up the matter to the rest of the group. It was just before the Presidential address.

"I don't know what to think." He told them. "I really believe that we should be moving on, but I haven't gotten any instructions yet."

"Dad, didn't you say that we shouldn't do anything without our guide?"

"Alex is right, Bob. We should wait for Michael to lead the way. After all, The Lord hasn't let us down so far. I'm willing to wait on Him." Kathy said.

"I know, I know. You're both right, I just don't like sitting here this long. What if a helicopter comes by? We've been careful not to disturb much of anything, but still, anyone who looks carefully can tell someone has been here recently. I don't like it."

Tim spoke up, "I'm sure The Lord wouldn't leave us here without a reason. Tell you what. let's listen to tonight's' follies, and then see what we think in the morning."

The 'follies' was the name they had given to the radio address' given by the president. Bob agreed, and the switched on the radio, just in time to hear;

""My fellow Americans. I want to speak to you tonight about the rising level of violence in this land..."

Unexpectedly, the radio went dead. At first, nobody could figure out what had happened. Then, suddenly, in the distance off to the southeast, the night sky became brighter. For a moment, it seemed as if a new small sun had come to life. then, just as suddenly, it dimmed and faded away.

"What was THAT?" Tom asked?

"I think that was Las Vegas." Bob answered. "If I'm right, everything that Dimitru prophesied is happening now."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"If this is what I think it is, Vegas, D.C., New York, what is left of California, and Florida have all been wiped out. Now I know why we have been left sitting here. We have to get ready."

"Ready for what?" Asked Kathy.

"If you were living in a city that hasn't been bombed, say Colorado Springs, what would you do when you find out what has happened?"

"I'd get out of there."

"What about the troops guarding the cities?"

"Nothing would stop me. Not even them."

"Exactly. By this time tomorrow, there are going to be a lot of people trying to do what we've already been doing. A lot of them are going to die. Either by troops firing on them, or from not being prepared for this, they will still die. The ones that make it this far are going to be either lead here as we were, or the toughest people to make it out. They won't be in the mood for anyone telling them where they can or can't live. They are just going to take what they want, and kill anyone that gets in their way. We need to be ready for that."

"Bob. There are only six of us that can fight. How are we supposed to defend this place? More force multiplication?"

"No. That won't work here. There are too many ways into this place. We'd never be able to defend them all. Especially with only six people able to fight. We need another plan. Let me sleep on it tonight, maybe something will come to me."

"What about those people who are running from the cities?" Kathy asked.

"Even if they left right now, they would still take a few days to get here on foot."

"Won't they be driving Dad?"

"Those close enough to the blast won't be driving anywhere. EMP will stop them."

"EMP?"

"Electro Magnetic Pulse. A blast of electromagnetic energy given off by the bomb. It will kill any unshielded electronic device. I'm not an expert, so that is the best I can explain it. But, that includes car ignitions. They will be on foot alright. And if they can get outside the affected area, they will have to fight with the owners of any working cars that are still around, not to mention each other. I think we have a few days to a week to work something out."

"Do you think those who weren't in the affected areas will come this way?" It was Alex. "If they do, how long before they get here?"

"I can't say, Son. But we should be safe enough for tonight. I think we should all try to get some sleep. It just might have to last us for a while."

With that, they all turned in for the night. However it was a long time before they all finally fell into a fitful sleep.


BW, Vietnam Vet