Somewhere in southern Idaho Andor was on driving duty while Lilli tried to sleep in the passenger seat. They had been without cell reception since the meteorite tore up the night sky and driving with the barely perceptible scratch of static was getting monotonous. They didn’t want to miss any news reports though so they had kept the radio volume turned almost all the way down. *There goes another squadron of military aircraft...* Andor mused to himself as he peered longingly out the window. *They're heading west... Haven't seen any flying back east...* *Fuck! I can’t believe I’m headed east. I should turn around and head back towards home and help.* Andor thoughts the last few hours had been a back and forth of guilt at not helping and being overcome with relief he was getting as far away as he could from the events taking place behind them. *I mean what am I really going to do? I’m traveling with my wife in a beat up sedan. I could link up with the reserve Marine unit in Salt Lake City though. It’s not too far from here… Maybe we should go there?* Thankfully Andor’s conflict and guilt ridden inner monologue was thankfully interrupted by the screech of the emergency broadcast tone emanating from the car's ancient speakers. Andor turned up the radio and shook Lilli’s leg. “Wake up babe. There’s a news broadcast.” <ul>“Good morning, this is Jason Cook[^1] with the Associated Press.”</ul> *Why do I know that name?* Andor thought to himself but the thought quickly passed as the report continued. <ul>“At approximately 11:33 PM PST, a meteor impacted the Pacific Ocean, roughly 20 miles off the coast of California. The impact triggered a massive tidal wave, which has now devastated most of the U.S. western seaboard. Emergency response efforts are underway, while Japan, China, Australia, and Central America brace for the impending tsunami. Authorities have issued tsunami warnings as far as the east coast of Africa as the wave continues its course across the Pacific.</ul> <ul>In a developing crisis, President Velasquez, who was attending a fundraiser in Los Angeles, is currently missing. As a precautionary measure, Vice President Martinez was sworn in as Commander-in-Chief at 2:00 AM until the President’s whereabouts can be confirmed.</ul> <ul>At approximately 11:55 PM, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Station, which was scheduled for decommissioning, was destroyed by the tsunami. The damage led to a catastrophic reactor failure, resulting in an uncontrolled nuclear detonation. Debris from the explosion has ignited thousands of spot wildfires several hundred miles inland, compounding the disaster.</ul> <ul>This is a rapidly evolving situation, and authorities are urging residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately.”</ul> Lilli gasped and then began to sob uncontrollably. Andor reached over and took her hand in his.  <ul>“The nuclear fallout from the Diablo Canyon explosion is drifting southeast, posing an immediate threat to millions. Officials estimate the death toll is already in the tens of thousands, with expectations that the number will rise significantly as rescue and recovery efforts continue.</ul> <ul>Emergency evacuation orders have been issued for all municipalities between Tucson, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV, with residents urged to move north or east immediately to avoid exposure. Meteorological models project that the fallout will reach southern Texas and the Gulf of Mexico by 10:00 AM local time. Authorities are warning of widespread radiation contamination, urging those in the fallout zone to seek shelter or evacuate as soon as possible.”</ul> “Holy Fuck! This is insane!” Andor said under his breath. *I guess we’re not going to Salt Lake City now…* <ul>“Following the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Station explosion has triggered a series of violent earthquakes across the region. Seismologists are investigating whether the meteor impact may have destabilized tectonic plates near the Pacific Ocean floor, where they lie relatively close to the surface.</ul> <ul>Since the explosion, relentless tremors have battered the region, with the largest recorded at magnitude 6.5. The full extent of the devastation is still unfolding, but reports from Mexico and Central America confirm widespread power outages, dam failures, and the near-total destruction of coastal communities.”</ul> The reporter paused and took a deep breath; it was obvious by his voice the gravity of the situation was dire. A moment later he began again.  <ul>“In response, the United Nations has mobilized a multilateral emergency effort, with aid pouring in from across the globe. However, rescue operations remain difficult due to ongoing seismic activity and hazardous conditions.</ul> <ul> Scientists are cautioning that the amount of smoke and debris in the atmosphere could jumpstart a nuclear winter as the planet could cool off significantly in the coming days and weeks. Meanwhile, the nuclear fallout continues to drift southeast, threatening millions. If you are in its projected path and unable to evacuate, authorities urge you to shelter in place—stay away from windows and, if possible, get under—”</ul> Then without warning the radio transmission stopped. “Turn it back on!” Lilli yelled as she reached for the radio “I didn’t turn it off.” Andor replied as his hand gripped the steering so tightly his knuckles turned pale white.  “Do you think we are safe?”  “I don’t know… the reporter said to go north or east. We are going both north and east, so I think we are as safe as we can be… For the moment.” Andor said suddenly overcome with the desire to vomit. “Are we dreaming?”  “I don’t think so babe… I don’t think so.” Andor said as his voice trailed off. “We’d be dead right now if we had stayed.” Lilli said with a shudder. --- By the time the sun was beginning to set Andor and Lilli had crossed into Wyoming.  “We are going to need to get gas soon.” Lilli said with a sigh.  “Ugh yea, let’s make it quick okay? I don’t like the idea of having to stop. There are a lot of desperate people on the road and desperate people do crazy things.” Lilli just nodded. A few minutes later they pulled into a *Flying J Travel Center* and Lilli pulled up to an open gas pump. It was cold and windy. The area was a ghost town save for a steady armada of cars traveling north no one was out.  “At least gas is cheap, I bet in a day or so the prices are going to skyrocket.” Andor said as he pulled out his wallet. The gas tank in their little sedan was small and it filled up quickly.  “Let’s go inside and get some snacks.” Lilli suggested. Getting road trip snacks was one of her favorite things. When they got inside though the shelves were bare. Even the bottles of windshield wiper fluid were gone. From behind the register came a gruff voice “We got cleaned out hours ago. I put a sign out says 'all we have is gas' but the damn wind keeps blowing it down.” “Oh wow!” Andor said, looking around and rubbing his neck.  “You folks are from California right?” “Yea, how’d you guess?” Andor asked a bit inquisitively. “Your plates….” the fat balding attendant said matter of factly. He was wearing overalls and a bright red t-shirt which looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks.  “Oh right… yea we are. Got out just in time.” Andor said as he took Lilli’s hand and began leading her towards the door. He didn’t like the way the gas station attendant kept staring at her.  “Don’t know why everyone is so panicked. The nuclear fallout hasn’t made it north of Vegas. Yet folks just keep driving north. Been hearing a lot about people’s cars getting hijacked and folks getting murdered. If anyone comes in here and tries anything well they’ll have to answer to ole-bessy.” The man said with a big grin as he pulled a sawed off shotgun out from under the countertop.” “Well let’s hope it doesn’t come to that...” Andor said as he and Lilli walked out the door. “No more stopping alright, not till we get to my folks cabin.” “Yea, I agree. That guy was creeping me out!” Lilli said with a shiver. They hopped back into their car and headed south to get around the southernmost portion of the Teton Mountain Range. --- As the moon rose over the hills of west Wyoming Lilli was finally able to fall asleep. It was a short nap though when she was awoken by the sound of crunching gravel. "Where are we?" she muttered as she rubbed her eyes and peered out the window into the blackness. "We just made it to my parents cabin." Andor replied as he put their car in park and turned off the engine. The sky was ominously dark. In the distance they could see an unholy conflagration of lightning spewing from the angriest looking storm clouds either of them had ever seen. In silence they stared at the apocalyptic storm surging towards them. It was like they were being sucked into a black void, and there was nothing they could do to stop it.  “The storm is gonna be here any minute. Let’s get our stuff and get inside!” Lilli said with a groan as she opened the car door and eased her tired sore legs out of the cramped car. Andor took a deep breath of the pine needle scented mountain air and stretched. “Oh my god, it’s so good to be here. I missed this place.” For a moment he forgot all about the carnage and destruction as his mind began to remember simpler times when he was a kid growing up in these woods. “I wish we’d have brought more…” Andor said wistfully as he surveyed the few bags in their trunk. All that remained of their possessions in this world. “I really didn’t think anything was going to happen. I thought we’d be back home in a few days laughing about our paranoia...”  Lilli didn’t say anything. For a moment she stood still on the front porch of the cabin, then dropped her bags and wrapped her arms around Andor as he walked past her. “I’m just thankful to be alive, and here right now on this old cabin’s porch holding the man I love.”  Andor squeezed her back “Me too. Me too babe.” then a nasty gust of wind buffeted them with pine needles and dust as the storm swept towards them with remarkable speed.  “Let’s get inside and get a fire going.” ![[familyCabin-ii8.jpg]] “Looks like the power is out.” Lilli said as she flicked the light switch up and down.  “I’ll head out to the shed and see if I can get the generator going.” Andor said as he dropped his load of packs and bags on the ground by the door. As he turned to open the front door there was a loud crash and a bolt of lightning tore up the dark night sky and shredded a two hundred year old cedar storm in front of their cabin in a horrendous roar. A few moments later the obliterated trunk crashed into the ground sending a few particularly large shards through their sedan's windshield. “Holy FUCK!” Andor shrieked as he stumbled back from the open door as the blast of electrified air slammed into him. Lilli who was in the kitchen looking for a box of matches let out a scream of terror. “Fuck that, we can live without power tonight I think.” he said as he shook his head and rubbed his eyes. “Oh my god! Babe! Are you okay?” Lilli yelped as she scurried over to Andor and wrapped her arms around his shoulders instinctively covering his body with her’s. “Ummm… Yea, I’m alive I guess but holy shit that was close.” Andor yelled. Between the ringing in his ears and the ever crescendoing roar in the background it was nearly impossible to hear. “What is that noise?” Lilli yelled over the maelstrom. Andor stood and walked towards the front door which was swinging wildly back and forth as the winds from the storm were seemingly trying to rip it off its hinges. “Oh my god! Look at the hail…” Andor said pointing at the porch as a barrage of hailstones the size of golf balls pelted the deck mercilessly. The couple clung to each other and watched the carnage unfold their mouths agape as they witnessed the destruction. Huge branches were being ripped from the trees and lightning was striking the ground all around them. A moment later the thunder would boom so loud the windows rattled so hard many of the glass panes shattered. Slowly, the hail eased up and then it began to rain - a torrential rain that was harder, louder, and stronger than any rainstorm they had ever seen before.  *This is how we die…* Andor thought to himself. *I guess deep down I always wanted to get taken out by something extreme. I never wanted to die tripping and falling down the stairs or getting hit by a car walking to the mailbox. It felt more appropriate to die from a volcanic eruption or an avalanche while climbing an obscure mountain in the Himalayas. Well... I guess a storm caused by a nuclear winter as a direct result of an asteroid impacting planet earth is about as extreme of a death as possible…* Lilli’s face was buried in Andor’s shoulder; she could not bear to watch the carnage unfold any longer. *I always wanted to be a mother - I guess that’s never going to happen...*  “What is that!?” the two yelled in near unison. A moment ago all had been still but now their little cabin floor was vigorously gyrating. Andor took Lilli’s hand and ran to the back of the cabin. They had to open the back window to see out because the glass was shattered and impossible to see out of. “What is it!?” Lilli asked as a pit of dread deepened in her stomach. “The creek is flooding. Watch…” Andor said pointing.  Below their cabin was a tranquil placid small creek. Then from just up the canyon they heard an ever growing roar. Suddenly from around a bend in the canyon there leapt the most terrifying wall of mud, with whole trees protruding from its mass.  “Holy shit!” Lilli shrieked “Is it going to take out our cabin?”  “I don’t think so…” Andor replied as he wrapped his arms around Lilli.  They stood there helplessly watching the monstrous wall of mud racing pell mell down the canyon devouring trees and boulders the size of cars in its path.  *I hope drowning in the flood would be quick and painless.* Lilli thought to herself as a tear rolled down her cheek.  “Out of the pot and into the frying pan…” Andor muttered to himself. Lilli didn’t hear him though because the freight train roar of the flood wall as it tore past and just below their little cabin was so loud she wouldn’t have been able to hear Andor if he was yelling directly into her ear.   *There’s nowhere to go.* Lilli realized as another lightning bolt struck a tree next to their cabin. She could still hear the rain and hail slamming into the roof. *It’s better to stay dry and hold on to Andor as we meet our end.* Lilli thought as she summoned all the dignity she could muster. Then, there was another bright flash of lightning and Andor spotted something which made his blood run cold. The bridge, which they had crossed to get to his parents cabin, was floating down the canyon! As it floated down the tumultuous torrent there was a screech of ripping steel. One of the bridge's girders had caught a hold of the cliff lining the far side of the creek, which pivoted it around. There were two large I-beams protruding from the base, from what was originally a pylon. They swept around with such speed not even full-grown cedars stood a chance. Lilli screamed as the tops of the trees were cut off like spindly blades of grass. "It is coming straight for us!" Andor screamed as he dragged Lilli into the bathroom. Lilli screamed again and just as the steel girders hit the side of their cabin Andor pushed her into the tub and jumped on top of her. The I-beam lobbed the roof off the cabin with such force the cabin hardly shook. They only knew the roof was gone when they were soaked to the bone by the torrential rain.  “Fuck!” Andor swore as a hail ball slapped him in the back of the head and then another bit his ankle.  “Holy shit, the rain is COLD!” Lilli gasped in shock. “We need to get out of here NOW!" screamed Andor over the din of the flood and pouring rain, hail, and peels of deafening thunder.  *But where? This is worse than when our base was attacked... back when I had two arms...* Andor thought to himself Andor took Lilli’s hand, helped her to her feet and grabbing a piece of the roof that was laying on the floor she held it above their head to protect them from the hail. Together they ran towards the small shed a little ways up the mountainside behind their cabin. Thankfully, the hail was smaller now, but a few good-sized chunks hit them as they ran, which made them both scream in pain.  A small tree had fallen against the doorway. Andor placed his back against the trunk and, with a hearty shove, was able to move it over a few inches. Just enough for Lilli and he to squeeze through the door. The shed was not much; it had its own power supply though - a small generator with the exhaust routed outside. The generator provided enough power to run a light, an electric heater, and a small array of power tools. "Get your wet clothes off and get in this sleeping bag," Andor said as he pulled a plastic bin off the shelf and ripped open the lid, pulling an old, mothball-smelling bag from inside. Lilli, teeth chattering and shivering violently, needed little prodding and immediately began peeling off her drenched clothes. Beside the occasional flash of lightning it was very dark in the shed. *I don’t think I’ve ever been more terrified in my life!* Lilli thought to herself as she climbed naked and dripping wet into the smelly sleeping bag.  "Let me see if I can get the generator running," Andor stuttered through his chattering teeth. The roar of the wind, the flood, and the rain was deafening and once again Lilli didn’t hear him.  The cabinet door which enclosed the generator popped open easily, and after clearing the cobwebs out of the way, Andor gave it a jostle. _Yup, it's got fuel. Let’s see if it is any good still. Flip the choke, prime, give it one hard pull, then a short one, followed by a...._ The generator whirred to life, the light flickered on and off for a few seconds, then came on fully. A power tool which had been left on and plugged in rumbled to life then fell to the cold hard concrete floor, pulling the plug out of the socket as it fell. Andor kicked it out of the way under the workbench. With the light on and the heater cranking, everything seemed just a little less foreboding. Andor stripped off his wet clothing and draped their sopping wet attire over the workbench, close to the heater. He pulled out another sleeping bag and zipped it together with Lilli’s and crawled inside. Glad to finally be getting warm, he scooted over so he could see Lilli. Her lips were no longer cyanotic, and her shivering had subsided somewhat. "I am scared." "Me too, sweetheart. That was the only bridge in and out of here. We are completely cut off." "What are we going to do?" Lilli asked. "Once this generator runs out of gas, it is going to get cold. The well up the canyon has probably been destroyed by the flooding, so we won’t have any fresh water either. Our cabin has been destroyed, and there is no way we are driving out of here. We have a stock of canned food in the pantry, enough to last a few days. Once it is gone, we are going to need to find more food." Andor said aloud. He thought better when he talked out loud. "It sounds like we are in a lot of trouble." "We are okay for now, and that is all that matters. There is no sense in worrying about tomorrow. We will take it one step at a time. Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Andor said as he stroked the damp hair out of her face. "Will you leave the light on while we sleep, please?" Lilli asked as she yawned. "I am exhausted, but it is too creepy with the lights off." “Yea it is. I’ll leave the lights on…” Andor replied through a long yawn. They kissed each other, and then within a few seconds, they were both snoring, curled up on the cold floor with the rain pounding against the windows. They were safe from the flood... At least for now. [^1] ### Next Chapter: [[17 - The Manila Envelope 📔]] ### Previous Chapter: [[15 - The Pontiac 🚘]] [^1]: [[5 - Tremors 🫦]]