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Franktown, CO
Laura was sitting at the kitchen table, when her father came up from the basement. His face was lined, but now the lines were deep with grim news. Her father had a CB radio in the basement, it was inside, what he called a faraday cage. To her, it was just a small closet. She didn’t really understand but watched as her father walked to the stove and picked up the still warm coffee pot and poured a cup of coffee. He walked over to the table and kissed Laura on the head and took a seat. Just then, the girls came running in and hugged each grandparent, then ran out to the back screened in porch. There was a wooden dollhouse set up out there.
Laura saw the smile that flitted across her father’s face, then disappear.
“What’s wrong dad?”
“Since the power went out, I’ve been monitoring my CB, I’m careful with the battery, so I don’t turn it on much. Haven’t heard a peep on it until today. I’m not sure, mind you, and a lot could just be rumors and speculation. It seems that North Korea dropped a bunch of nukes on the United States. Most of them dropped on the western side of the country, essentially dividing the country in half.”
Milly choked on her coffee and looked to Laura and then Bart.
“Jesus Christ. What the fuck?” Milly expostulated and it shocked Laura. Her mother rarely swore, but she knew her mother was a prior-marine as was her father. The color washed from her mother’s fair complexion, leaving her looking older than her sixty-two years. Bart nodded his head and took a napkin and handed it to Milly.
“Okay, so here is what I can make out, through what I’m hearing. There was a nuke detonated in the atmosphere. Now that would have caused us to lose power and electronics. Just as Donny had told you. EMP, electromagnetic pulse. The other nuclear bombs were dropped all over, so those areas are what is called dead zones out there, where there are lethal levels of radiation. No one is clear on where those locations are, but that they are spread from California to Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas and below as far as Texas.”
“Christ, so, if we haven’t been radiated, then we’re trapped here, in the middle. Essentially hemmed in.” Milly breathed, the cup in her hand shaking. Laura’s heart was racing.
“There’s no way for Hogan to get home, no matter how bad he wants to, my god, and if he is trying, he might well run into a dead zone. Unless he can identify a route that is safe.” Laura said, sorrow nearly choking her. Her eyes stung and her parent’s blurred before her. She felt her mother take her hand and squeeze.
“Do you think we’re affected with any kind of fallout, Bart?” Milly asked.
“I don’t think so, but honestly, there’s no way of knowing. I don’t have a geiger counter. I’d almost say no, if they did hit Denver, I don’t think it would have made it out this far. We’re pretty far from the city’s center. Besides, I suspect that many military bases were hit, or pipelines, or power grids. I’m hearing a lot of nothing though. The government isn’t telling anyone much.” Bart grumbled.
“So, we’re essentially trapped here. There is no way to go to Kansas City. And there is no way for Hogan to come here.” Laura said numbly.
“Unless the government does something, like evacuation. But that would be on such a massive scale as to be impossible. The government won’t spring for that and I’d say, consider us a loss, casualties of war. We’re on our own. The thing is, we need to get ready. Anyone surviving will be on the move soon, looking for food and shelter. Denver will only have so much food and once that’s gone, the people will be spreading out, if they already aren’t. It’s been a week now, and I’m pretty sure a lot of the food has been taken or eaten.” Bart said grimly.
“It’s a good thing we have JoJo and Jenny. They can at least be an early warning for us.” Milly said, her mouth flattening out.
“Still, we’re gonna need help to hold this place. I think I’ll take a trip over to Quinn’s house. You remember Quinn?” Bart asked Laura, who shook her head.
“He took over Robert Liery’s farm. Liery had sold off most of his land but left about five acres and the house. Quinn Stapleton bought it about ten years ago. Good man, jarhead too. His wife died three years ago, cancer. Very sad. Anyway, I think I might invite him to come and stay with us.” Bart said, scratching his bewhiskered cheek. It made a soft rasping noise.
“Where on earth are we going to put him, Bart? I agree, but do you think he’d want to come. He’s been kind of a shut-in since Zoe died.” Milly asked, getting up and pouring another cup of coffee. She walked over with the pot and poured more for Bart. Laura shook her head. She couldn’t drink coffee like her parents, it made her too jittery.
“We can put him in the study. The couch is a fold out. I’ll go talk with him, see if we can’t bring along his things. I’ll get the old tractor and drive over there.” Bart said.
“You got enough diesel?” Milly asked, doubtfully.
“Sure do, honey bunny.” Bart grinned.
“Mom, how long is the propane going to last?” Laura asked nervously.
“Should be quite a few years dear, don’t worry. Your father had a new tank buried last year. The old one had to be replaced, so your father went big and bold on it.” Milly grinned.
