Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) by Bobby Akart Page A

towards the garage and back to the front door. Nothing. He relaxed and approached the porch, where a rock was placed on top of a handwritten piece of copy paper.
    “Colton?” yelled Madison through the window.
    “It’s okay,” he announced. “You can open the front door.”
    Madison slowly opened the door, and the girls cautiously peeked out.
    “Seriously, y’all,” said Colton. “It’s safe. We’ve got mail.”
    Madison and Alex joined him, nervously looking around the yard. Colton read the note aloud.
    “The Harding Place Association of neighbors will be meeting today at noon at the Brileys’ former residence located at Trimble and Lynnwood. We encourage everyone to participate as we discuss the power situation. It’s signed Shane Wren, President of the HPA.”
    Colton handed it to Madison, who read it to herself under Alex’s probing eyes. He glanced at the cheap Timex watch he’d purchased at T Ricks. They had an hour.
    “Where is the smoke coming from?” asked Alex, as she looked up at the black smoke clouds drifting overhead. She instinctively covered her mouth.
    “I noticed it this morning as I did my final walk around the house,” replied Colton. “It seems to be coming from the west toward Highway 100.”
    “It stinks.”
    “Come on, guys, let’s get back inside and talk about this meeting,” said Colton, leading them into the foyer and locking the door behind them. He took the notice from Madison and examined it again.
    “Should we go?” asked Madison.
    “You know, just like before the solar flare, I’d rather avoid these things like the plague,” said Colton. “I guess, under the circumstances, we should check it out, if for no other reason than to learn what they’re up to. After the other night, I’ve got no use for Shane Wren and the rest of his cronies.”
    “You should go,” said Madison.
    “Me too,” chimed in Alex.
    “I don’t really think this will be appropriate for—” started Madison before Colton interrupted her.
    “It’ll be fine, Maddie, and instructive. Alex can see how these types of meetings are conducted. Also, another set of eyes and ears will help.”
    “Yeah,” said Alex as she ran to find her shoes.
    When she returned, she kissed her Mom on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom. I really want to help, but I also need to get out of the house. I’m getting cabin fever.”
    “Good grief.” Madison laughed. “After one day. Are you guys leaving already?”
    “Yeah,” started Colton. “I wanna check on Mrs. Abercrombie, and then I might pick up the Youngs and Kaplans on the way to the meeting. I love you.” Colton kissed Madison on the cheek. He and Alex were off on their father-daughter afternoon. The usual afternoon of golf together was replaced with checking on neighbors and neighborhood association meetings.
    Colton and Alex spent about five minutes knocking on Mrs. Abercrombie’s doors and walking around her home. She never answered. The doors were locked, and there were no signs of a break-in.
    “This is weird, Daddy,” said Alex. “Mom and I saw Mrs. Abercrombie getting her mail tw days ago. Surely she didn’t go anywhere, right?”
    “I don’t see her car, and everything else seems to be okay,” replied Colton. “Maybe she got spooked by the news and went over to a friend’s home for safety.”
    Alex shrugged and led the way to the Youngs’ front door. Nobody was home, but their note, if they received one, was missing. As they walked back across their front yard towards the Kaplans, the smell of smoke became more intense as the hot winds picked up.
    “Daddy, it hasn’t rained in a week, at least,” started Alex. “I remember because our match got rained out.”
    “It’s a bad situation,” said Colton. “I’m sure other transformers exploded Thursday night. Those fireballs could have gone throughout the city, catching houses and trees on fire. With no firefighting equipment available and no water being pumped, the fires will burn