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saw he was sleeping too. Moving across the room, she called. “Jim, Jim. It's time to go to bed.” Reaching over to touch his shoulder,

phone ringing, she reached over and tried to find a pulse. Terror struck her as the unimaginable slam

the sleeper and matching cap she had so tenderly dressed him in earlier in the evening, he wasn’t moving. Th

wing what to do next. She couldn't cry. She tried to pray but she didn’t know what to pray for and for the first time in her life, she did not g

. “I don't know what happened. Jim and Chris are dead. I don't know what to d

it's crazy. I talked to Alecia. She's okay, but everyone else is dead where she is to

wasn’t interested in the classes. She had only gone to college because her parents wanted it so much for her. When her parents died in a car cras

o her baby boy. Jillian had never seen such joy before. The family was everything Tanya had dreamed of. She wasn't rich, but they were comfortable. From their long conversations, Jillian knew that Jim continually surprised Tanya with gifts to show her that he loved he

minister and his wife but… I called and there was no answer. I know this is Satan at work and I need t

e scheduled a call with Alecia at 4 p.m my time. Let'

hen I go out, after what you have told me.” They ended their phone call and Tanya finally, now she had a purpose, felt she could move from the rocker. Gently putting her

tee shirt, she brushed her blonde pixie cut into a semblance of

as full, but she didn’t see a single person until she got inside. There she saw all the customers dead at their tables. The crew was also dead at their stations when she walked to the counter. She ran outside and was sick, again and again. She knew

s of the grocery store, maneuvering her cart around dead bodies. After picking out groceries, she just walked out of the store. There was nobody to pay. What was happening? How

en realized it was time for her 3

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shington DC

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Francisco,

Sadness overwhelmed them. The line went silent as each of the

ny idea what has ha

were we spared?”

survived. I ran into a man who is with me,” Jillian said. Why was s

enagers who are expecti

oming here. Are you bringing the man you

nging him.” J

9 people. That will give us plenty of room. And there are twenty-four more cabins we could expand into if we find others that need a plac

thquakes,” Ji

I think they would be a perfect place if we decide to start a community. And

l, after the cold winter we’ve

think is best

ve an opinion. Jillian realize

ost, and then planned to talk at the same time the next day. They would support ea

ec

the Dar

o Val

house. Dead silence filled the air. She halted at the door of her parents' bedroom and knocked. There was no answer. Forcing herself to go in, she found her parents laying together in their king-size bed, not moving.She moved to the bed and noticed th

, getting an "A" on her history exam, making the cheerleading squad, being accepted to UC Berkeley, and being chosen as valedictorian

l this death and grief. She just wanted to curl up in a ball and hide. But she realized she needed to suck it up and help anyway she coul

ct that her parents would never see her walking down the aisle with her yet-to-be-selected husband. They would not hold th

rs to Hank. “She can't stop crying. And I don't bl

on't understand what’s happening. How can every

seems like a science fiction m

the little man. Let's find somewhere where you can take a nap an

ecky laid on the inviting bed. “Stay with me — I’m not scared

ep on the queen-size bed. She remembered how her mother had decorated the guest room to be ready for anyo

e a retreat from the city whenever she needed it. She had come here to de-stress several times when she first started working in the city. But lately, it seemed like she was always to

the food. The baby was moving, pressing against her stomach. Alecia wasn't eating either, just pushing peas around her plate wi

dered how that could be and how long that would last if no one was manning the power

k had looked at several clocks on the wrecked cars and many had stopped between 9 p.m. and

were home in bed like Mom and Dad. It didn't look like they had suffered, so at least t

spun around and around

e are other surviv

s. In fact, I know we aren’t. When I called my friend, Jillian earlier, she had found anoth

U.S. We don't know that only the Uni

even then, we may never know why this happened. How is this possible? I remember Covid-19 was bad. And the Tri

contemplating the thou

ivors. But right now, I just want to figure out what we ar

ding the dishes in the dishwasher, “We nee

el at night,” Alecia said. “Do you want me to come with you?” She hated

Hank said. “You should use

ld you help me bury Mom and Dad before you go? It would be difficult for

e will,” Bec

fast tomorrow and then we will

and that they would find their parents alive. After Alecia showed the young people where they could find clean towels and toiletries, she went upstairs to showe