Fuse: The Walk, #2

By Debra Rose

Day by day, our community shrinks as people leave for the outpost, and I look over my family with worry.
Hope is dwindling, along with our supplies.
We turn our eyes to the North and wonder if this is the day we abandon the remnant of the old lives we tried so hard to hang on to.
We wonder if this is the day we join the Walk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Writing Roses
• Release date: Dec 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005622343

Debra Rose

Debra Rose is the author of The Phoenix Curse series, a bestseller in Amazon's post-apocalyptic and dystopian science fiction genre. Although she previously published under the pen name D.R. Johnson, all her new and current novels will be published under her full name. Debra is currently pursuing her bachelor's in arts at Southern New Hampshire University, and she lives in Texas with her husband and two children. Debra specializes in science fiction and the supernatural, although she has been known to stray into the realms of fantasy from time to time. Her books have graced the top of Amazon's bestseller lists and continue to captivate fans of the genre. Passionate about her craft, Debra continues to write enthralling stories that focus on character development during apocalyptic situations.

Book preview

Intro

Life has evolved. I have trouble processing the terrors that have spread over the nation these past few months, disrupting and changing so many lives. What was once normal is fading, and now we hold our breath waiting for the next breaking news report that will pile on more horrors. This new normal we are shifting to is unfathomable.

The fire at the nuclear power plant in Comanche Peak was the first time the bugs made national news. The Alabama reactor meltdown was their first big attack. The problem was, we didn't know what caused it. We didn't realize the two tragedies were connected. We didn't know about the spiders.

No one knows where they came from or how many smaller, lesser-known accidents they caused. The first time I remember the spiders interfering in my life was at Vrydek, the office and production plant I worked at as a data analyst for seven years. They shut down my co-worker's computer, hitchhiked home with me, and attacked my alarm clock. All before I ever realized they existed.

The spiders have been with us for a while; little abominations causing interference with radio stations, cell phone towers, and emergency alerts. They were an infestation spreading through the southern half of the United States and infecting us before we knew what was happening. Even if we had known, we couldn't have stopped them. They are small creatures, able to crawl into crevices so tight that no one should be able to perceive their existence.

But I perceive them. I hear them where others can't—a buzz in my head to warn me before the lights go dark. If only I had pieced that information together before one climbed into my car and attacked the electrical board. My car shut down on the highway, sending me into a dirt bank and onto a new chapter of my life. My best friend Cassy Shale took me in while I healed, and the rest of the world fell apart.

The catastrophes blurred together in my mind. From my hospital bed, I saw Corpus Christi destroyed by exploding oil refineries. Then came the meltdown of the second reactor in Alabama, followed by a plane crash over Louisiana with no survivors. The last news broadcast received told us the loss of the reactors in Georgia and Houston set the cities on fire.

Now it's our turn. The State of the Union addressed the shutdown of all reactors in the red zone, including the Comanche Peak reactors that cover most of North Texas. Our home.

Normality is relative, and ours is rapidly shifting to the point the old normal is a memory. I'm beginning to believe things will never be normal again. The spiders multiply and spread, taking away our old life, and I can only wait helplessly for our world to slip into the darkness the spiders bring.

electrical fuse

/fyo͞oz/

noun

a safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level

Grounded

It was quiet in the Shale house. Dark until the sun broke through the windows. The power vanished during the night, but Edith Dawson could not bring herself to leave the bed where her two daughters lay snuggled tight against her. It didn't take long for the blankets to grow warm from the lack of air conditioning, and they were kicked away during the quiet, sleepy morning. After the girls jabbed Edie for the third time, she decided to work out the stiffness in her injured muscles and face the day.

Once Edie made it downstairs and heard Aaron Shale's update on the house's electrical status, her mind was put at ease. He had one solar-powered generator and a gas-powered generator as a backup. Edie had only brought a small gas generator with her that cost nearly a full paycheck. Still, it was nothing compared to the output power that Aaron's generator could provide. The essentials were plugged in; refrigerator, deep freeze, microwave, and coffeepot. Even the water heater was on standby for showers. The water lines were one of the major utilities the city would continue to supply power to, which was a relief.

While Aaron was running her through his setup, she also caught sight of his food storage. It put hers to shame. Her one measly case of MREs didn't compare to his five, and that one case had been an extravagance she could barely afford. She had more canned food, which consisted of soups, beans, and chili, although they didn't last as long as the MREs. Edie thought her ten-pound bag of rice was a smart buy, but it looked small next to the two twenty-pound bags the Shale's had bought, and the flour... She hadn't considered stocking up on flour and sugar. Edie blinked in astonishment and avoided commenting on the hoard of food.

Wes and I brought back a lot, but we left a lot too, she told Cassy, her best friend and Aaron's wife, as the woman joined them in the kitchen. It hadn't entirely made it to mid-morning, and the open windows and fans were barely keeping a comfortable breeze in the already warm house.

We'll go pick up more soon, Aaron answered from across the table. He fiddled with an old CRT television that had not picked up a signal for two days. Edie didn't think it was going to start working now. I don't want to chance anything. I thought I was being overly cautious, but the news warned us to prepare for the extended power outage.

Edie thanked him, remembering how hard it had been to convince him something terrible would happen. Now that it actually had, he was more prepared than anyone.

We can go now, Cassy offered.

I want to go too, Mom, Kylie said, having overheard them. Without a constant distraction, Kylie heard everything and considered herself old enough to join their conversations. The girls were bored. Kylie had her phone, which could be charged with the solar chargers, and Anisa was using Cassy's old tablet, but no high-speed data connection existed anymore. Everything was slow to load if it loaded at all.

Edie looked at Cassy and Aaron, wondering if it was safe to let them tag along.

Take the Escalade. You can haul more back in that if you need, Aaron said without looking up from his work.

Cassy, however, was giving Edie a strained look. Edie took a deep breath and made her decision. She gently put her hand on her friend's arm and said, It'll be okay.

Edie's stomach turned just thinking about it. She was relying on something she barely understood. She would have time to tell Cassy to stop, as long as she could trust the phenomenon. The bugs buzzed when they attacked electronic devices, and Edie could hear it, but no one else could. Edie ignored the cold chill that crawled through her, refusing to tell anyone her secret.

Cassy appeared reluctant, but Edie's surety kept her from arguing. They made it back to her house to find everything safe and locked tight. The tense mood and news broadcasts made Edie think there would be nothing left but busted windows. Seeing it with her own eyes helped calm her nerves. So far, the news had reported no thefts or break-ins, but that was probably due to larger disasters taking priority. However, they gave the warning multiple times, continually repeating it during every broadcast.

The trip was made more difficult since Anisa and Kylie wanted to grab everything they could. Edie had to remind them that food and necessities went in first, and then toys. Anisa particularly didn't like it, and it took Edie some extra time to reason with her five-year-old. Eventually, she reached a compromise with Anisa. Edie allowed them to bring most of their DVD and Blu-ray collection, which would be hours of entertainment. Cassy had a few movies, but not the extensive library her girls had collected. Anisa would never part with her Swan Lake DVD.

As the girls rummaged through their things, fighting over which object was more precious, Edie turned to Cassy to tell her the plans she had made with her mother.

Cassy frowned at her. How long are you going to be gone? What about work? What about the girls' school?

Edie glanced down, not sure how to answer the questions. Both school and work had been temporarily shut down until they figured out how to get electricity back on, but Edie wasn't sure how temporary the situation was.

Edie? Cassy said, reaching out to grasp her shoulder. When Edie met her eyes, Cassy let her hand fall. You aren't coming back, are you?

Edie still couldn't find the words to answer. Cassy's eyes glistened brightly, and she turned away. Edie said, Maybe you should come with us.

Cassy rubbed her temple, pausing before she spoke. Aaron would never abandon the house.

You should talk to him. Edie refused to give up so easily. My mom and dad's house is just outside the red zone. It might not affect them.

Cassy brushed away tears and met her eyes again. A thoughtful expression crossed her face before she said, I keep wondering if things are going to get back to normal here, but it just doesn't feel like it will. Aaron was so focused on not letting things get out of control, but now he's acting like it's the end of the world.

They fell silent as the girls shrieked with laughter in the other room, oblivious to the plans Edie made for them.

Edie said, I've lost my car. I can't live in my house anymore. They shut the office down. It just makes sense for me to go home.

Cassy exhaled and brushed her honey-colored strands of hair from her face. I wish I had a better argument against it other than I don't want you to go.

Edie rubbed her face with both hands, trying to wipe away the stress. Then a thought hit her, something she had never told Cassy, and she barked a bitter laugh. You know, it's funny, but Malcolm offered me a promotion the last day we were at the office.

What? Cassy asked, surprised by the revelation.

Edie nodded. I'm now the Vrydek supervisor over the data team.

Cassy's eyebrow rose before her face broke into a smirk. Well, congratulations.

They both laughed, and it wasn't as bitter as Edie's previous attempt. I haven't even called Malcolm since I was in the hospital. I doubt it's still on the table.

Well, Cassy said, moving to load the Escalade. If it's off the table, it's nothing you did, trust me. Malcolm knows you're okay. He talks to Westley every day.

Have you called Owen?

Not today, Cassy answered as she sorted through the items, searching for the most useful to pack away. He said don't worry about calling when he sent me home yesterday. We'll touch base again on Monday, but I don't know what we'll be able to do.

Alright, Edie said. I'll get the girls together, and we'll head back. At least they think it's an adventure.

Anisa does, Cassy said. Kylie knows.

Edie sighed again. I know. I just hoped I could shelter them for longer than this.

I think that time has run out. Come on.

The women finished loading the items while the girls played. When it was time to go, they grew somber, looking through the house like they would never see it again. Edie laughed, trying to dispel their fears, but even she wasn't sure. When she did come back, it was likely to say goodbye forever. She planned to book the plane tickets that afternoon.

The drive back was bug-free and uneventful.

As they walked in, Aaron met them at the door and sent the girls to the living room where he'd hooked the PlayStation up to the generator. They squealed with delight, and Aaron smiled as he gave them a warning. You can only use it for a little each day, so have fun while you can.

He took the basket that Edie held and motioned the women into the kitchen with a wave of his hand. The look on his face turned dark as soon as the girls were occupied. Cassy nearly jumped on him when she realized it.

Her voice was tense. What happened?

They lost two more planes, and... Aaron trailed off, taking in a breath to steel himself for what he was about to say. Houston's gone.

What? The word came in unison from both women.

Aaron dropped into a chair at the table, his voice low as he spoke. The oil refineries there, they exploded like the ones in Corpus Christi. It's been a dry spring so the fires are spreading. The semi-good news is it's moving to the east with the wind, away from the major part of Houston, but they're completely dark. The explosions killed hundreds of people. More if they can't get the fires under control.

There was silence for a moment as the women sat to process the awful news. Edie squirmed, the seed of panic she kept buried inside suddenly sprouted through her body. The planes?

One from Dallas, one Georgia. All flights have been grounded.

Edie gasped, falling back in her seat. Did they say for how long?

Indefinitely from what I heard. They're blaming the bugs but can't find them.

Edie couldn't speak. Cassy reached over the table, grasping her hand and squeezing it, but it didn't help fill the void that bloomed inside her. Finally, the tears came, and Edie excused herself. She retreated to the guest room, threw herself on the bed, and cried as the walls closed in around her.

Nest

Edie refused to give up. She believed Aaron, but she had to try. She spent over an hour on hold with the airline, not counting the times the call dropped. Despite her attempts, the conclusion was inevitable. The airline put Edie on a waiting list that could take days to weeks before she received a callback. Her escape slipped through her fingers.

When she called her mom to break the news, the conversation was solemn and short. They already knew. North Carolina had power, and they saw for themselves what was going on in Texas. As much as Edie didn't want to let her go, she didn't want to expose her mother to her pain. Edie continued to drown herself in her misery afterward, selfishly using all the hot water and forcing the generators to reheat it.

Although no one said anything, a shower rule went into effect shortly after. Anisa and Kylie could bathe together, and the adults would shower every two to three days. Since the gas remained on, they started heating water on the stove to avoid taking a shower until necessary. Edie felt gross more often than not, but no one complained. They had it better than many people who hadn't prepared as well.

On Monday, after a full weekend with no power, Cassy dragged Edie out for a walk. At first, Edie declined, wanting to continue to wallow in her depression, but the girls overheard Cassy's plans and begged to go to the playground until Edie relented.

Edie's soreness from the wreck was all but gone, as long as she was diligent about taking her ibuprofen on schedule. The bruise on her chest was ugly—turning a sickly yellow around the edges—but Kylie was recovering faster. She had been cooped up since the accident, and Edie couldn't bring herself to say no.

The girls skipped ahead as the women ambled behind. It was mid-morning, but the sun was already hot, beating down on their shoulders and causing sweat to seep from Edie's pours. She did her best to ignore it, turning to Cassy and asking, Did you call Owen?

Yes. He didn't even go to the office, Cassy answered. He said he'd call me if things changed.

And no one's heard from Griffin?

Cassy met her eyes and shrugged, a worried frown creasing her brow. Edie swallowed and stared ahead, letting the conversation drop. She was thankful her friend was keeping in touch with everyone because she didn't have the energy. This upcoming Friday was payday, and Edie feared what she would see when the check cleared. That was a question no one could answer since Griffin was still missing.

Kylie interrupted her thoughts as she approached, holding something behind her back. Edie pulled her mind out of the mire and forced a smile for her daughter. Without a word, Kylie whipped her hand in front of her, presenting Edie with a long-stemmed, purple flower. It was pristine. A genuine smile pulled at Edie's lips, and her eyes darted to the neighbors' yards. There was no way this flower grew wild. It was plucked from a flower bed.

Thank you, Edie said. It's beautiful.

Not to be outdone, Anisa skipped up behind her sister with a white flower of the same caliber. Cassy laughed while Edie told her girls she loved the flowers, but she didn't need anymore. Both girls smiled and turned away, content with their gift-giving presentation.

Don't worry, Cassy said after they were out of earshot. I doubt anyone's worried about a couple missing flowers. They won't even notice they're gone.

Cassy motioned behind them, and Edie looked back, spotting the house where the stolen flowers belonged. She relaxed after seeing the mass of the flowers that took over the entire lawn.

Geez, Edie said. How did I miss that?

You've been in your own world for the past two days. It's about time you crawled back out.

Edie plucked absently at a petal and said, It was safer there.

No, it wasn't. Cassy's voice was flat and unamused. Your plans fell through, but there are still things you can do here, and your parents are safe.

Edie's jaw snapped shut, and she stopped walking for a second. Cassy stopped beside her, waiting for her to process the harsh words. Edie wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but the expression in Cassy's eyes was hard and angry... No, not angry. Cassy was upset. Upset she was losing her best friend to hopelessness and grief.

Edie began walking again, and both women remained silent. However, Edie made it a point to pay more attention to her surroundings. Cassy's neighborhood was finer than any she ever lived in. Edie knew this, but it was a detail she never dwelled on. Strict HOA rules were tightly enforced, sidewalks lined both sides of the street, and alleyways allowed for garage access in the back. However, that didn't stop a number of cars from parking along the curb. All the well-manicured lawns were filled with people doing yard work or chatting. From outside, it looked like a typical weekend. It disguised the lack of power, the lack of jobs, the lack of structure in the crumbling world outside the little community.

An older couple was approaching them, walking their fluffy Pomeranian on a leash. The cream-colored ball of fur proudly led the way as they drew closer.

Hey, Travis. Dollie, Cassy said in greeting, then paused to kneel as the dog came to sniff her. It dodged from her hand and yipped at her before allowing a good head scratch. Hey, Brutus.

Brutus gave Cassy's hand a good lick but decided he wasn't interested in her and moved on to sniff Edie's shoes.

At least the weather's nice, Travis said as Brutus finished his inspection. The dog pranced down the sidewalk, and the couple let him lead the way. I'm going to enjoy this little vacation.

Same here, Cassy said with a wave. Stay safe.

Edie watched them over her shoulder, having only waved a greeting as they passed. Who were they?

They live just a few houses down from us, Cassy answered. They're good people.

Cassy turned down another street, and Edie called the girls back to them. They had ranged ahead, picking up a neighborhood friend as they went. They followed behind for a while, before racing ahead when they spotted their destination—the neighborhood park and playground.

Morning, Edie. Morning, Cassy, came a voice she recognized, but not right away. Edie turned, surprised to see Malcolm walking toward them from the community building.

The pause before she spoke was enough to give away her surprise if he didn't hear it in her voice. Morning, Malcolm.

Malcolm chuckled. I'm here with Westley, he pointed back towards the building, "But he's preoccupied at the moment. Slipped my mind that you lived in the same neighborhood. How have