Chapter Three

Gloria and Tom, her neighbors were always home. Their collie Lady heard their footsteps way before their house came into view.

“Remember, don’t interrupt Ella.” Holly said as they walked up the steps.

“Mommy needs to talk to Tom and Gloria. You say hi to Lady, and see if you can find her ball while we visit.”

She wanted to make sure she wasn’t over reacting or jumping to the worse possible conclusion, but deep down she knew whatever had happened today wasn’t good.

Then a boom that she felt in her chest, spread across the world. The sound passed through her bones. Assaulted by the sound, Holly stumbled.

There was no doubt now. Ella was standing, paralyzed by fear. Before she started crying, Holly grabbed her and carried her to the door, her hand already raised in a fist at the front door.

Holly caught herself, as she fell through a door that offered no resistance.

Standing there Tom said, “I was on the way to your place.” still staring out the door at the sky. “Tj home?”

“No—” Holly started to say, “at work.” Ella finished for her mom, speaking from under her hair. Her face was hidden, her legs and arms wrapped tightly around Holly’s neck and waist.

Gloria, silent in her chair, looked at nothing. Her face wasn’t exactly calm; more blank. Paralyzed; like Ella had been.

“So I think there’s been an EMP, I don’t know a lot about the specifics of how electronics are damaged, but I know we don’t have electricity, cars, phones, the internet…and maybe bigger issues. Like food distribution, and government…but I know we need to get a game plan for the community. At least talk to the folks on our road. Get people on the same page, and come up with a plan for protecting our families.” she said in nearly one breath.

“Whoa!” hold up a minute, “I think we all better wait a minute; calm down.” “There’s people who handle all that.” said Tom.

Holly knew she sounded a bit bossy. Her mom was often telling her, “I can hear your thoughts, Holly.” Her mom would say sweetly, but directly.

Apparently, most people, kept most of their thoughts, to themselves.

That seemed a rather murky way to get around in life. If you couldn’t get the data, the facts, then all you were doing was guess work.

She had no time to waste guessing. She knew there would only be days before society broke down, and they need to plan.

If they wouldn’t include her, at least she would have tried. Some might listen, and even, agree. Just not out loud, and not with her.