Annihilation (The Seamus Chronicles Book 1) by K. D. McAdams Page B
Authors: K. D. McAdams
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in the stores will expire today or tomorrow. The last time it was stocked was probably over a week ago. We don’t have a cow or even know how to care for or milk a cow.
It’s bigger than milk. Stuff is running out and the people that make and deliver that stuff are not around to replace it. Today it was milk, but soon it will be meats, fruits and vegetables. Maybe Dad’s sit-tight policy is not as successful as he thought it would be.
“You better eat every drop of that cereal, young man.” My father says in an angry voice.
Why is he mad at me? Somebody had to use the last of it. He never warned me to save milk for someone else. What was I supposed to do, let it go bad in our fridge?
“Enjoy the last milk on the planet son,” he says with a smile.
I don’t get why pretending to be mad at me is funny for him. Maybe he was mad but realized halfway through that he had no right to be. Then he tried to turn it into a joke so we couldn’t see how reactive he really is? I don’t get it, but it seems like his lame humor has snapped everyone back to their food.
“I think we should keep track of the time since most of the population died. I have been referring to Sunday as the day of the apocalypse and the days since as Post-Apocalypse Day x. That makes today Post-Apocalypse Day three, which I abbreviate to PAD-3.” I offer this, trying to take advantage of the relaxed but quiet period.
I’m very proud of my new system. It is clear and simple. You can always work your way back to the beginning and there is no ambiguity from repeating the names of days.
“You mean like change the names on the calendar?” Liam asks, a confused look on his face.
“Well, we don’t need to even keep a calendar. For example we are leaving on PAD-5. There is no confusion about when that is. It’s two days from today. I spoke to Mom on PAD-2, which was one day ago. No confusion about this Friday or next Friday, yesterday or last Tuesday. My new system is very clean.” My pride is showing in my voice.
“I get it. Kind of makes sense.” Sofie is on board. Her smile gives me a confidence and warmth I’m not familiar with.
“I’m surprised, Seamus.” Dad does not seem open to my idea. “The calendar is a measurement tool that has been in development for over two thousand years. Leap year is a little bit of a kludge and I can agree to get rid of daylight saving time, but on the whole, the current calendar is a system worth keeping.”
I’m impressed and embarrassed at the same time. He’s right, and he made his point the same way I would have made mine: Concise, accurate and with complete disregard for the other person’s feelings.
“We should mark the day, though.” Grace is trying to help me save face. “I think Seamus is right, last Sunday, October 5, 2014, should be remembered as the day of the apocalypse.”
Nods all around. No new calendar, but we have the first post-apocalyptic holiday recorded.
“Change of plans,” Dad says as he cleans up his empty lunch plate. “Seamus, I need you to look at the connection to the power grid at the gas station. I want you to understand how to connect your power pack or some other generator to get the pumps working. When the power plants eventually stop working, having access to gas will make our lives much easier.”
Is he punishing me for not telling him where I was going? If I were an adult, there would be no punishment. Maybe I should tell him that if he wants us to act like adults he has to treat us like adults even when we screw up.
“Liam, I need you and Grace to start organizing our stuff. Lay things out in the dining room in order of priority. Water, food, sleeping bags, and so on. There are five of us, and I want the food and water to last five days if it has to.” Dad is moving on. I hope that he doesn’t become irrational and leave out my lab to prove a point. That would be ridiculous.
“Sofie, I’m sorry, but I need you to hang out at the gas station with
It’s bigger than milk. Stuff is running out and the people that make and deliver that stuff are not around to replace it. Today it was milk, but soon it will be meats, fruits and vegetables. Maybe Dad’s sit-tight policy is not as successful as he thought it would be.
“You better eat every drop of that cereal, young man.” My father says in an angry voice.
Why is he mad at me? Somebody had to use the last of it. He never warned me to save milk for someone else. What was I supposed to do, let it go bad in our fridge?
“Enjoy the last milk on the planet son,” he says with a smile.
I don’t get why pretending to be mad at me is funny for him. Maybe he was mad but realized halfway through that he had no right to be. Then he tried to turn it into a joke so we couldn’t see how reactive he really is? I don’t get it, but it seems like his lame humor has snapped everyone back to their food.
“I think we should keep track of the time since most of the population died. I have been referring to Sunday as the day of the apocalypse and the days since as Post-Apocalypse Day x. That makes today Post-Apocalypse Day three, which I abbreviate to PAD-3.” I offer this, trying to take advantage of the relaxed but quiet period.
I’m very proud of my new system. It is clear and simple. You can always work your way back to the beginning and there is no ambiguity from repeating the names of days.
“You mean like change the names on the calendar?” Liam asks, a confused look on his face.
“Well, we don’t need to even keep a calendar. For example we are leaving on PAD-5. There is no confusion about when that is. It’s two days from today. I spoke to Mom on PAD-2, which was one day ago. No confusion about this Friday or next Friday, yesterday or last Tuesday. My new system is very clean.” My pride is showing in my voice.
“I get it. Kind of makes sense.” Sofie is on board. Her smile gives me a confidence and warmth I’m not familiar with.
“I’m surprised, Seamus.” Dad does not seem open to my idea. “The calendar is a measurement tool that has been in development for over two thousand years. Leap year is a little bit of a kludge and I can agree to get rid of daylight saving time, but on the whole, the current calendar is a system worth keeping.”
I’m impressed and embarrassed at the same time. He’s right, and he made his point the same way I would have made mine: Concise, accurate and with complete disregard for the other person’s feelings.
“We should mark the day, though.” Grace is trying to help me save face. “I think Seamus is right, last Sunday, October 5, 2014, should be remembered as the day of the apocalypse.”
Nods all around. No new calendar, but we have the first post-apocalyptic holiday recorded.
“Change of plans,” Dad says as he cleans up his empty lunch plate. “Seamus, I need you to look at the connection to the power grid at the gas station. I want you to understand how to connect your power pack or some other generator to get the pumps working. When the power plants eventually stop working, having access to gas will make our lives much easier.”
Is he punishing me for not telling him where I was going? If I were an adult, there would be no punishment. Maybe I should tell him that if he wants us to act like adults he has to treat us like adults even when we screw up.
“Liam, I need you and Grace to start organizing our stuff. Lay things out in the dining room in order of priority. Water, food, sleeping bags, and so on. There are five of us, and I want the food and water to last five days if it has to.” Dad is moving on. I hope that he doesn’t become irrational and leave out my lab to prove a point. That would be ridiculous.
“Sofie, I’m sorry, but I need you to hang out at the gas station with
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