Outage 5: The Change by T.W. Piperbrook

She'd only known them for a day, but she already felt a bond with them.
    She thought of the hospital where she'd met them. In her mind, her place of employment had become a ravaged, vile place, filled with creatures and remnants of her coworkers. Recalling Tabatha and Sigrid, she bit back her emotion. She hadn't known them long, but they were good people that hadn't deserved to die. Neither had Abraham or Sally.
    Or Tom.
    The bunker settled into nervous silence. Other than the occasional crackle of the radio, they might as well have been at a funeral. Their conversations about lasting the night and finding help had been exhausted hours ago. A few games of Go Fish had provided a temporary distraction, but nothing more. Mike fiddled with the radio settings while Flannery cleaned his gun.  
    She thought of her apartment on the west side of town. A few weeks ago, Kelsey had rented the place through an ad in the paper. Her belongings were still in boxes; she hadn't had the chance to unpack. In fact, she'd only been in Connecticut for the amount of time it took her to find an apartment and a nursing job.  
    At least I don't have to worry about my family. They're still in Kentucky, far away from what's happening.
    She'd fly out and see them, as soon as she got the chance. Hell, maybe she'd even move back.  
    She couldn't face another storm.
    Not after this.
    "Kelsey?" Silas asked, clinging to her shirtsleeve.
    "Yes?" She stared into the little boy's eyes.
    "I'm thirsty," Silas admitted, a guilty look on his face.  
    She patted his arm. "Don't worry about it." To Mike, she asked, "Would you be able to get Silas a drink?"
    "Sure," Mike said, setting down the radio while he retrieved some water. "I'll get some for all of us. We might as well stay hydrated. We're going to be in here a while."
    Kelsey opened a bottle for Silas, who took it appreciatively. She watched as he gulped it down. "Don't ever be afraid to ask. Okay?"
    He nodded and smiled as silence spread across the bunker. The survivors looked at each other with grim smiles, watching Silas drink. When he was finished, he turned the bottle in his hands, fidgeting.  
    The crackle of the radio made them jump. They stared across the room at the device, which Mike had set on the table. A voice echoed off the bunker walls.  
    "This is Sgt. Greenwood. Is anyone there?"
    Mike and Officer Flannery sprang for the radio. Getting to it first, Mike grabbed it with shaking hands. Catching his breath, he answered, "Yes. We're here. This is Mike Tancredi from the Plainfield Fire Department. Can you hear me?"    
    Silence returned over the room. Mike exchanged a glance with Officer Flannery, as if he might've mistaken the voice. But he hadn't. Kelsey had heard it. The hopeful expressions on Katherine and Silas's faces showed they'd heard it, too.
    "Hello?" Mike repeated. "This is Mike Tancredi with the Plainfield Fire Department. I'm with several other survivors and a police officer."
    The radio was so silent that for a moment, Kelsey thought it was broken. Mike stared at it with a furrowed brow. Hope turned to frustration as he repeatedly tried to establish contact with the person. No one responded. He handed the radio to Officer Flannery, who tried without success.
    "That had to be the army," Flannery stated adamantly.   "It's been a few days. They would've mobilized by now. Help has to be nearby."
    Despite his optimism, Kelsey heard doubt in his voice.  
    "Let me try again," Mike said, taking the radio back. He tried a few more times, giving the address where they'd parked, the information about the bunker, and the people he was with. When he was finished, he sat back and looked at the radio, as if it might come to life.
    It remained hopelessly silent.

Chapter Thirteen

    Tom stared at the baby in the man's arms as if it might be an illusion. But it was real. The baby's cry and its kicking legs were proof that it was alive. The man held it close, shielding it from the bitter wind.