by Arwenel » May 31, 2011 8:07 pm
~Day One~
~Brink City~
At first, Michelle had argued with her brother about leaving - but then their neighbor, Alice Murrow, had come over to see if they were all right.
"We're both fine," Michelle had answered, trying to sound upbeat. "I guess whatever happened out there knocked out the power for a bit. It'll probably be back up in an hour or so."
"An hour or so?" Mrs. Murrow repeated, her voice higher-pitched and faster than normal. "My dear, don't you know what's going on?"
She sounded like it was the most obvious thing in the world, so Michelle felt a little embarrassed when she answered, "No ... do you?"
There was a pause, in which Michelle imagined the older woman was staring at her. All she could hear was Mrs. Murrow's breathing - quick, heavy breaths.
As if she could hardly bear to say it, the other woman said in just above a whisper, "The end of the world."
Josiah came into the room at that point, and firmly but gently - not quite gently enough, in Michelle's mind - sent Mrs. Murrow out. "You've been keeping things from me again," Michelle said flatly, trying to keep a tremor out of her voice. It didn't work.
Her brother sighed. "I - I heard a few reports about something - a supernova - happening sometime soon in a nearby system, but it didn't sound serious at the time. The government didn't think it was anything to worry about, and I didn't want to upset you."
Michelle felt a mixture of anger, exasperation, and fondness well up inside her. "Well, I'm upset now."
"I'm sorry, Mish." He pulled her into a hug, like he always did when he wanted to distract her from his non-answers. Still, a physical display of affection from Josiah was rare enough that she simply wrapped her arms around him and hugged back. "I don't know what's going on here, but I promise, whatever happens I'll keep you safe. Always."
I'm not a little girl anymore, Siah, Michelle thought, but she had said it enough times already in their lives, and if the end of the world couldn't change her brother's mind, she doubted she could.
****
In one way, Josiah was almost grateful for Mrs. Murrow's visit, in that afterward Michelle didn't complain about packing up and heading for Parksville.
Choosing what to take was a nightmare. They had a car in the garage, but he hadn't filled it up on the last trip, and if anyone was still selling gas, it was probably going for an arm and a leg right now; so anything they took they had to be able to carry. They would need food and water - nothing perishable, or that needed to be cooked first, since there was no telling when they would have access to fire or a working stove-top. And of course there were all sorts of other things they would need to bring, like clothing, personal items, rope, knives, perhaps screwdrivers even, or hammers ...
In the end, there were four suitcases - Michelle insisted she was able to carry two, and they had so little as it was he didn't argue with her - two backpacks, and his guitar; one way he was sure they could make money, if nothing else.
Josiah locked the door behind them as they went out into the streets. "Stay close to me," he told Michelle, then started down Castle Road.
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind
Some come from above, some come from behind
But I've bought a big bat, I'm all ready you see
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
~ Dr. Seuss