by Connor Mccoy
Then she realized she had not paid any attention to the highway. She had been too wrapped up in trying to restart the truck. After turning her gaze to the road, her worst fears were confirmed.
The road was a mess of stopped vehicles from one horizon to the other. It was as if someone had pressed a pause button on a cosmic remote control and frozen everything in place. Domino then noticed that not all the vehicles smoothly stopped. There were at least three rear-end collisions and two more had sped off the highway just as Domino had done.
Brandon crept up to Domino. “Mom.” He sounded quieter, almost younger.
He’s afraid, Domino thought. I understand how he feels.
Cowell wouldn’t stop poking at his phone. “I cannot believe this!” He looked up from his car. He had fed his phone into the car’s cigarette lighter, but it had done nothing to rejuvenate it.
“It’s no use,” Jacob said. “Face it, it’s all dead.”
“Both my phone and my car?” Cowell scowled. “Ridiculous.”
“My phone’s dead, too. Whether we like it or not, this is much bigger than just a simple car breakdown. It’s a phenomenon, something that’s hit a wide area.”
“Phenomenon. What nonsense.” Cowell climbed back into his car. He had discarded his brown jacket on the passenger seat. Without his air conditioner, he was increasingly uncomfortable in the heat. “There is a perfectly logical explanation for this. Someone will be along and will tell us.”
Jacob gazed at the road. Nobody had driven along since Cowell’s car had stopped. “Look, you can do what you want, but I have to catch up with my family. If I run into police, a tow truck, somebody, I’ll be sure to tell them about you.”
“Don’t think this is going to change my opinion of you,” Cowell replied. “Once this…whatever is going on here… once it’s over, I will be interviewing your children.”
Jacob started walking. “Just watch out for the wolves out there!”
“Wolves? This is Virginia, not Arizona!” Cowell barked at him. A few steps later, Cowell added, “A pathetic attempt at a joke, Mister Avery! I’ll remember it!”
Jacob shook his head. “Maybe I should worry more about the animals if they run into him,” he muttered.
It didn’t take long before Jacob ran across another car. Like Cowell’s, it was stopped dead in the right lane. The driver, standing by his open hood, looked at the engine inside with wide eyes and an open mouth.
So, Cowell’s not the only one to break down? No doubt about it, something had shut down electronic devices in this area.
Jacob approached the driver and began chatting with him. The man was understandably frazzled. Additionally, his phone had gone dead at the same time that his car lost power.
Jacob explained to the man that he was going to seek help. The motorist understood and said he would wait by his car. Jacob then continued his journey up the highway.
A few minutes later, things grew worse in a hurry.
The highway was cluttered with stopped or crashed automobiles. Drivers were milling about on the road, talking to each other, exchanging questions, concerns and theories.
Worry was filling Jacob’s mind. There was no way Domino and the children could have reached the hospital before the truck stalled. The mystery phenomenon surely had caught them as well.
“Shit!” Jacob broke into a run. What if they had collided with another car or something that wouldn’t give? A horrible image of his truck smashed like an accordion seized his thoughts.
My God. If I hadn’t let them go on ahead of me, if I was behind that wheel instead of Domino…
However, a fast run down the highway wasn’t in the cards. The mess of the stopped or crashed cars forced Jacob to weave through the mess carefully. Every now and then somebody would ask him for answers or help or anything. Jacob had to politely but quickly urge them to let him pass.
I shouldn’t be too scared. We prepared. Yeah, we prepared for emergencies like this. If they are still with the truck, they should have everything they need…
Domino pulled out her get home bag. She thought she might need it in case of a sudden storm or terrorist attack. She never imagined she would have to use it because the sun decided to pull the plug on everything electronic.
If it was the sun. Domino had learned the sun was not the sole source of a devastating EMP. A nuclear weapon, detonated at a high altitude, could generate the same kind of pulse. But if it was a nuke, then that meant the country was at war, and might be on the losing end of it.
Domino next removed Jubilee’s bag. She urged her daughter to remain in her seat. The open truck doors kept the air circulating as much as possible.
“Mom.” Brandon slipped on his pack. “What are we going to do? If the cars don’t work anymore, how is Dad going to find us?”
“Knowing him, he’ll be hiking this way. He should run into us.” Domino checked the direction from where they had come. Still no sign of him. “We probably should walk back the other way and try meeting him.”
“Mom…” Jubilee huffed. Her breathing sounded a little more labored. Without the air conditioner, the injured girl was gulping in hot outside air. In her state, it had to be taking a toll on her. God only knew how she could talk amid the searing pain in her arm.
Domino cringed. “God, I don’t even know if you can walk. A doctor. Maybe there’s a doctor out here who can do something for you.”
It sounded like a ridiculous hope. There were probably no more than thirty people milling about the highway. What were the odds that any of them was a practicing doctor?
Still, Domino asked around. To her disappointment, but not to her surprise, she didn’t find a doctor among the stranded motorists. Not even a nurse.
Dejected, Domino staggered back to the truck. “I guess that was too much to hope for.”
“But we have to help Jubilee. Can we still make it to the hospital?” Brandon asked.
Domino grimaced. “If the power’s out there, it’s going to be much, much worse. You’re going to have tons of people outside trying to get answers. It’s going to be a boiling pot of problems.” Then she clutched her chest. “Sheryl. Oh my God. She’s there in the middle of it all.”
“Mom, I don’t feel very good,” Jubilee said.
Her options were almost nil. Meeting back up with Jacob seemed like the only possible course of action
“Excuse me.” Domino turned around.
A middle-aged woman came strolling over to her. “I overheard you asking about a doctor. What’s the problem?” Then she noticed Jubilee and her wound. “Holy mother of God. No wonder you’re looking for a doc.”
“Yeah, and we really could use one ASAP, but it seems like the world just decided to go to Hell on us,” Domino said with a nervous laugh.
“Well, I know of one doctor who is close enough if you’re walking. He’s Doc Sam. Lives in Trapp. Helped me out once. He’s a stand-up guy. He can help your little lady, but you may want to get going soon.”
“Doc Sam,” Domino repeated. She never had heard of him. “Can you give me an address? I can’t Google anybody right now.”
“Sure. Got a pen and paper?”
Brandon dug out a pad from the truck and wrote down Doc Sam’s address along with directions to get there and to get to Trapp from their current location. Domino thanked the woman before she left.
Brandon nearly tripped while carrying the folded-out map. He had retrieved it from the truck’s glove compartment. “Trapp’s still going to be a little while if we have to walk there.”
“It’s our best shot,” Domino said as she brought Jubilee her bag. She took it but didn’t look very enthusiastic about their impending journey.
Domino helped Jubilee out of the truck. Her legs quaked, and it took a moment for her to steady herself.
“Alright.” Domino looked back to the road. Still no sign of Jacob. “We can’t just go off without your father. He’ll never know where to look for us.”
“We could l
eave a note in the truck,” Brandon said.
“Sweetie, I don’t want to take that chance. Someone might steal it. You don’t know what kind of nuts are going to be out here now that things have gone south.” But as Domino looked at her daughter’s pale face, she wondered how much longer she could stick around here.
“Hey!” Brandon plastered the map against the side of the truck. “Check this out.” He pointed to a canal that jetted across the highway. “This is back the way we came, and it leads right to Trapp. If we hurry, we probably could meet Dad before he gets there!”
Jacob wiped fresh sweat from his head. He had to be closing in on his family. There was no way they could be much farther. If the truck skidded to a stop, he should spot it soon. He remained furious, though, at all the delays he had experienced along the way. He could not blame the stranded motorists for looking for help, but he constantly had to explain that he had no supplies on his person and didn’t know where to find help.
As the minutes wore on and he encountered more stalled vehicles without spotting a single operating one, his personal dread increased. Anything strong enough to knock out this many cars and take out electronics was unusually powerful. It couldn’t be localized to just this part of Virginia. Hell, it might be nationwide, or even worldwide.
If it’s that bad, then no help is coming.
First thing’s first. He had to locate his family. The future meant nothing if he faced it without his loved ones.
At this point, the highway extended across an overpass that overlooked an irrigation canal. The overpass was clear of cars. Thankfully, none had stalled here. However, it was not totally unoccupied. Three figures just now were stepping onto the overpass on the other side.
Jacob’s eyes widened. One of the pedestrians was a woman. Another was a boy. The third limped along beside the female. That was a female teenager. Could they be?
“Domino,” he said with a whisper. “Brandon.” He started running. “Jubilee?”
His weariness from the past hour of walking did nothing to slow him down. He ran until he confirmed, to his great relief, that the three were indeed his family.
“Dad!” Brandon called. He extended his arms. Jacob quickly caught them and hugged his son.
Domino laughed. “Jay! Oh, thank God!” She bent over. Jacob quickly released Brandon. Domino was not only carrying her pack but Jacob’s as well, and the toll had exhausted her. Jacob slipped the bag out of her hands and then hugged her.
“You’re all safe,” Jacob said through heavy breaths. After a protracted embrace, he turned to his daughter. He lightly held her by her back, avoiding her wound. Jubilee just lightly smiled. Otherwise, she looked dreadful. Her skin was pale, and her right arm even was turning a little green.
“Jay, we found out about a doctor.” Domino pointed to the canal. “He’s not far. We can make it, but Jubilee…”
“She looks too worn out. Don’t worry. I’ll carry her all the way. I don’t care how far it is.”
“The doctor’s in Trapp,” Brandon said.
“Good. I know that town.” Jacob looked down at Brandon. “You think you can carry my stuff?”
Brandon snapped his hand into a salute. “You bet.”
A soft rustling turned Jacob’s head. Someone was in the area, and Jacob frowned when he identified the visitor. Alexander Cowell was approaching across the bridge.
Chapter Five
“I don’t believe this,” Domino said.
“Easy,” Jacob replied, “He’s in the same boat as everyone else. He broke down shortly after we had our little talk.”
Cowell was staggering. Jacob figured the man was not used to long walks, and the bitterness on the man’s face confirmed the social worker’s sour mood. His tie was gone, and his shirt was unbuttoned down to the middle to expose a white undershirt. Spots of dirt coated his neck and face, possibly blown onto him by the wind.
The closer he approached, the more Jacob could hear his heavy breathing. Cowell locked eyes with Jacob from several paces away. This guy was pissed. Jacob made a mental note to watch himself. Cowell had been content to throw his weight around as long as he thought he had the power of the law behind him, but how would he act if he realized he did not possess that power any longer?
“So, here’s the whole Avery flock,” he said as he slowed down and took a look at each member of the family. When he spotted Jubilee, his eyes widened a tad. “What’s this? What’s wrong with your daughter?”
“She was hit with an arrow. A hunter who had no business being on my property was shooting arrows and one hit her,” Jacob replied.
“Is that so? So, your daughter was struck by Robin Hood, is that it?”
“The damned arrowhead is still in her arm. I’m trying to get her to a doctor to get it taken out,” Jacob replied.
“Then why didn’t you call the police?” Cowell turned to Jacob. “This is a criminal offense. Your alleged shooter should be in custody by now.”
Jacob admitted silently that Cowell had a point. If he had been thinking clearly, he would have called the police instead of pounding Cribber with his own fists. He had lost his head, plain and simple, though he also would argue that since his daughter was attacked, he had a right to respond in self-defense.
Admittedly, it was a stretch. But Jacob was used to fending for himself. That included defending his family and property without relying on law enforcement.
“Well?” Cowell asked.
“I don’t have time to play games with you. My daughter is hurt. That wound can become infected if it isn’t already. I have to act fast,” Jacob said.
“As I thought. Why do I feel you’re covering up a stupid accident that took place on your property? No wonder you tried to keep me from trailing your family.” Cowell wiped sweat from his face. “I warned you against messing up. Well, you have messed up in spades. I will definitely have a court order to have your family investigated. You can expect to have a judge breathing down your neck—”
“Really?” Now Jacob could not take it any longer. “When do you think the courthouse is going to be open? Tomorrow? Next week? Do you realize what the hell just happened?”
“Evidently some kind of storm has broken out, something I’m sure will be explained when the authorities let us know.”
“Well, it’s probably going to be a long wait.” Jacob eyed the skies. “I hope to God I’m wrong.”
“Jay,” Domino began.
“I know. You’re thinking the same thing, too.” Jacob turned from Cowell, back to his family. “So, looks like we’re headed for Trapp. But the only turnoff I know that gets us there is back that way.” He pointed to the road behind him, over Cowell’s shoulder.
“I know how to get there!” Brandon pointed down the canal. “That way! It won’t take long.”
“Just a moment, Mister Avery. It sounds as if you’re taking a chance with your daughter.”
Cowell advanced on them, so close he nearly butted in between Jacob and his wife. The near intrusion caused Jacob to clench a fist. This guy was overstepping his boundaries, and Jacob would not hesitate to let him know.
“You ought to be looking for a clinic, someplace reputable, or somewhere like a police station where they can get in touch with a doctor,” Cowell said.
“I will deal with this in my own way. Now do us a favor and get the hell away from us,” Jacob said with all the calm he could muster. Then he crouched down, allowing Jubilee to climb onto his back.
“Wait!” Cowell waved his hand at the packs on Brandon’s and Domino’s backs. “You have packs. Did you know about this?”
“We prepared. We never took anything for granted.” Jacob started walking across the overpass.
“Don’t walk away!” Cowell shook his finger at them. “I want answers! What did you know about this? What’s going to happen now? Damn you! You’ll tell me what’s going on here!”
The Averys trekked alongside the canal with Jacob in the lead. The journey would have proceeded
at a faster clip if the land was more level, but Jacob had to be cautious. One trip could not only send Jacob falling but Jubilee as well.
The group had remained quiet this whole time. Perhaps it was weariness, or shock. Both Jacob and Domino suspected what had happened but did not want to voice it for fear of confirming what they believed.
It was hard, though, for Jacob to push his worries about the world aside. Every now and then he would gaze up at the sky. Usually, several times a day, he would hear a plane soaring overhead on their way to the airports in the D.C. area. That was not the case now. For the past couple of hours, he had not heard a thing overhead except the occasion cawing bird.
It wasn’t long, however, before the end of their journey loomed in sight. A small town stretched out before them. The irrigation canal joined with a second one in a T-intersection. While the next canal seemed to bar their way to the town, an old wooden bridge across it instantly offered a solution. They would be in Trapp soon.
Soft crunching sounds drew Jacob’s attention. Turning his head, he discovered that Cowell was trailing them from a distance. He was not making up much ground as he stepped gingerly, keeping his gaze mostly to the ground.
“Dad, the cyborg’s back,” Brandon said.
“I know,” Jacob said, “he wants answers. He doesn’t know what’s going on and he thinks we do. He’d have left us behind if he did.” He directed his attention forward. “Doms, keep an eye to our rear, just in case.”
Domino, nodding, flashed an acidic look at the man following them.
As they crossed the bridge, an additional thought chilled his bones. His sister! She was in the D.C. area. She would be in the middle of a densely populated area with no electricity. Jacob had read studies on what would happen to society if there was a complete loss of power and electronics. It wasn’t going to be pretty. The best bet in the initial aftermath would be to flee from any large population centers and find refuge out in the countryside or sparsely populated areas.
