Sample page 12/18

“Come on now, Jenny. You must keep up with your brother and me” says Clare hurriedly. The three then move through the mostly deserted streets, only a few buildings are still occupied. With the large exodus of people from coastal cities years ago, they had become empty and hollow places. Those remaining had been allowed to live in only certain sections where water and electricity is still supplied. But within those areas, one could pick anywhere they want, squatters’ rights, and one may find themselves the only residents of a three story apartment building like Clare and her family.

Storefronts lie abandoned as normal commerce had ceased. Small business had disappeared years ago with the failure of local economies. Consumerism had stopped being a life pursuit but had also ceased being the economic engine that had been the driving force behind misdirected economies in the past. The production of unnecessary and unneeded material goods had finally been stopped, out of necessity and out of reason. But it had come too late, it had come too late.

Jenny goes skipping by her mother and brother, a young girl with the immediacy of youth protecting her from a fear of the future. James is older and knows the score but both he and his mother take comfort and joy in the innocence of the other child. “Hey speedy, I’m going to have to chase you down,” says James. Catching Jenny, he grabs her around the waist and spins her around several times until both are dizzy and fall to the ground, laughing. Clare smiles to herself as she enjoys the moment and now hurrying herself, she walks briskly to catch up.

“Alright, you guys, James, pick up your bag. We need to keep moving.” And the family continues down the street. Turning the next corner, they see two figures coming toward them from about three blocks away. “Quick, get in here with me,” says Clare, ducking into a darkened doorway. Holding still and listening intently for a minute, the family looks out as the men pass by, walking in the center of the street.

“Hey, why don’t you let me carry that bag,” James says to his mother when they are gone. “You can take Jenny’s hand then.” And the boy who was forced to quickly become a man is looking out for his women.

After twenty minutes more, they arrive on the street where the Brannans reside. They live in an older home with a large porch and a gated front yard. At one time, Mr. Brannan had owned four houses in the area and because of this was allowed to stay and live in one of them. It is the only section of the city with single family homes that is still provided water and electricity.

Pushing the gate aside, Clare, James, and Jenny make their way up the steps to the front door. Clare gently knocks and then waits, no response, so she knocks again. Not knowing if they are home, she leans to look in the window when Clare notices the curtain being pulled to the side and a face peers out.

“Hello, Mr. Brannan?” she calls out. “It’s Clare Thompson.” The door opens slightly and Sophie peers out at them through the crack. “Sophie, is that you?”