Black Out

By Suze E Prescot

The world was adapting to global pandemics; it affected all aspects of our lives. Some of us, it helped; more of us, it hurt. We had a new normal, and how we lived and worked had changed. I wasn't blind to the unexpected good fortune which befell me, nor was I unaware of the suffering of others. Now I had a new job and a great place to live and a workplace crush which brightened up my existence; it was a shame he was dating someone else. I also had a problem; another colleague who had chosen me to harass, and a boss who seemed to look the other way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suze E Prescot
• Release date: Jul 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223644729

Suze E Prescot

Suze E Prescot is a former teacher and university lecturer.

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NB: The author is English, so language and spelling is, generally, UK English.

Black Out

Life Post-virus.

A Novel

by

Suze E Prescot

This is a work of fiction.

Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

First edition. July, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Suze E Prescot.

Written by Suze E Prescot.

Cover; Suze E Prescot using Canva

Black Out

1.Now

The fourth power cut of the day hit around eight at night. The time didn’t really make any difference to us as we were working underground anyway, but trouble on the streets got worse the later in the day it was. Fewer police and fewer witnesses meant that those intent on taking advantage of the loss of surveillance cameras and alarms came out in force.

I knew the drill. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut to help them adjust more quickly to the darkness, and then tried to visualise my desk as I had last seen it. Carefully I started collecting the ledger sheets together, being cautious in case there was any cash left on the top although I didn’t think there would be. I tried to remember to keep everything neat and logical, but the pressure of my work meant that I sometimes forgot.

Once I had the pages ordered I felt around for the loose cash. Mostly I bagged and boxed as I went along. Since the blackouts had started more frequently five weeks ago, everyone had had to adjust and for me that meant steadily filling the bank boxes as I went along and placing them into the safe at regular intervals; it was a choice between breaking my train of thought with regards to the totalling up and being left surrounded with piles of cash when the lights went out. The trouble was that having gone through three power cuts so far today, I had become a little complacent, certain that there wouldn’t be another.

There was a loud bang on the door behind me making me jump.

Mags! You okay in there?

It was Gray.

Yes. Just sorting everything.

Word is it’ll be a long one. We may be here some time. Light your candle.

Will do.

I wouldn’t. Not yet anyway. I only had a stub left and candles were hard to come by since the cuts began. At home, I was making my own; I had wiped out every shop I could find of wax crayons - candles having long since sold out - and so I was burning the most colourful candles you could imagine. Any scrap of wax I could find went into them too. I would peel drips from bottles and holders wherever I went, filling my pockets with them hoping I would remember to take them out before washing my clothes. The trouble is that the candles I made didn’t last too long. Something to do with the type of wax in the crayons I think, and I had difficulty getting rid of air bubbles which meant that while they looked stunning – honeycombed and colourful – they burned too quickly.

I ran my hands carefully over the old desk, wary of splinters but needing to check I had left no coins or notes behind. My hand snagged on a paper clip but that was all. There was no feel of anything else, no tell-tale sound of a coin falling to the floor. I had carefully piled the sheets and the boxes and bags beside me on the floor. Now I had to negotiate my way to the safe with