Captive Sunset

A national news channel had a breaking story from Chad Griffin, a well known reporter for BNN Bulletin News Network, said “We have the latest from the White House. They are predicting a tough twenty four hours ahead. They warned against trying to escape by running away. There is no where to go, so the official recommendation is to shelter in place. Stay off the roads as much as possible. Some governors took the lead who wanted their populations to move toward the light. This has changed and the federal government asks all to shelter in place now.

It might be there will be a great migration to the lit side of the planet if it is tidally locked to the Sun when it ceases to rotate. The lit side of the planet is as likely to burn up as the dark side is to freeze over so we will have to wait and see. This is what has been predicted by the presidents science advisors.

The global weather could change dramatically and life may not be supported anywhere. We will only be transmitting emergency broadcast from this point on if and when there is any new information. Good luck to you all,” the screen went to a text format with a simple warning of the event.

Inside the White House the president was recommended not to say anymore. The only thing worse than what they were going to experience would be for the masses to uselessly try to escape causing more anarchy and chaos.

“I’m not sure why I should bother. I usually start dinner now. Are you hungry?” said Laura turning the TV off.

“I could eat,” John realized he hadn’t eaten much since her dinner yesterday.

“I can do some hamburgers.” her cellphone rang, it was Will, her son. He suggested that she bring Billy to Portland where there would be more resources. “I don’t know Will. I’m keen on staying put for now until we know more.” She could tell he was agitated, almost demanding it. “I’m sorry but I am going to wait and see for now. I have enough gas to make it there if and when I decide.” The conversation ended and she set her phone down.

“He was my son and you heard my side of the conversation.”

“He might be better coming here. There are no guarantees that any resources will be available if anarchy sets in anyway.”

“If anarchy sets in near Portland? When hasn’t it been there?”

John laughed, “We have to keep our sense of humor through this.”

“Yeah. Right.”

They sat and ate the food provided by her. Billy seemed to know what was going on, but not aware of the real danger. It seemed kind of like a fire drill at school.

“Well, we have enough firewood to get us through. Should we try getting more food before I get back to work?”

“What work?” she asked.

“I didn’t tell you, NASA brought me out of retirement. Shipped me all I need to do research from my home office which happens to be my kitchen table at the moment.”

“Yes, then lets take my truck and fill it up. Billy, I want you to stay here and guard our home OK?”

“Sure,” he liked being responsible.

Sam’s Market had been known in town for years with a good reputation with its customers. At the store, only a mile away, there was a crowd formed in front and the parking was full.

John got out of the truck sitting on the road and approached people in the rear of the crowd. “What is going on?” he asked a woman with clearly an angry scowl on her face.

“Sam has closed the store. Says he is holding onto the food for those that remain behind and need it later.”

“Remain behind from what?”

“Haven’t you heard. The mayor has organized for the towns people to form a vehicle convoy heading toward the coast. Everybody is joining. It’s leaving first light tomorrow. We are going in numbers with our own protection. Everyone will be packing.”

“Why the coast,” John asked puzzled.

“Our Mayor who has been in communication with the Governor said that the best chance will be in a lit zone and the probability is it will be centered over the Pacific. So the coast is as close as we can get. You should come to, traveling alone leaves you open to being robbed of your car and any resources you have. We won’t be robbed.”

“Thank you,” he rejoined Laura in the truck.

“What’s going on? No food available?”

“Not today although I have a feeling violence could erupt here and the store pillaged. Apparently the town folk are planning a convoy to Portland or somewhere on the coast tomorrow first thing in the morning. It sounds interesting and may be safer than traveling alone.”

“Are you suggesting we join the convoy?”

“No, not now anyway. I don’t think anybody knows for sure where Earth’s light and dark zones will be. The light zones could burn up like Venus if they continually face the Sun and new weather patterns don’t bring clouds and rain to cool the surface.”

“Darn,” Laura slams her hands on the steering wheel before putting the transmission in drive.

Back at the house, "Let me do some research and see what the latest predictions are. We can make a plan from that info. Stop over in a while for an update,” John said as he cracked the passenger door open with a loud squeak.

She continued to sit in the truck watching him go up the steps to his porch and into the home. She leaned over and opened her glove compartment and pulled out an unopened package of Salem cigarettes which she kept for emergencies. These have been in there for over a year. She usually smokes the pack until finished, buys another pack and stores it in the compartment for the next stressful event. Kind of like the alcoholic keeping a bottle in plain site somewhere in their home, only they never resort to opening it.

She lit one and took a drag. Her face showed a distaste for the stale old cigarette but she continued. The smoke went all the way down to the lower volume of her lungs and then exhaled through a combination of her mouth and nose while she watched the streams crossing each other in a pattern. And then another….

The smoke probably reminded her of better times more than gave her enjoyment alone. What difference did it make now anyway. She would never do it enough to get cancer in the next twenty four hours. She left the pack in the glove box.

John logged into his work site and went back to work.

Will called and spoke with his Mom again. He wants Billy on the caravan. Laura is unsure about everything. Should she send a son to be with his father in this doom scenario. Should she go to watch over him even though she doesn’t want to go or should she tell Will to come get him. There is enough time. Will got angry with her when she didn’t answer.

“OK, I will think about it. Are you happy now?”

“Call me when you get in the area and I will come get you.”

“You know you could come here and get him and then I wouldn’t have to make the trip. We don’t know where it will be safest. I want to be in my home when the end comes and I would like to see you. Hello?” The call was disconnected or he hung up. A mother wants to love her son but, it shouldn’t be this hard she thought trying to hold back tears. She decided to discuss the situation with her renewed friend, John. She knocked but there was no answer so she let herself in. She heard voices coming from the kitchen. He had invited her so she walked in quietly not wanting to interrupt his important conversation.

“GAIL, I wonder if you could tell me your latest prediction of Earth’s slowing?” he said hard at work in his kitchen as the world was falling apart around him.

“It has been so nice to here from you again John since you retired. I’m always here for you. You know that.”

“Yes.”

“Your location might be as good as it gets. The Sun will likely appear to stop movement near your western horizon late tomorrow afternoon. It will seem like an ordinary day until then, except the Sun will never move beyond where it sits at around 1700 hrs. I’m guessing it will remain ten to twenty degrees in the sky permanently.”

“Good to hear. Can you tell me your calculations for the climate here?”

“As I said, it may be better than most other locations. The sun will shine always but in a low light scenario. There are two latitudes I see having this condition. Your trailing dusk location and the other end of the leading light field or dawn where the Sun is just coming up which will be the latitude passing through the Middle East from eastern Iraq to Jerusalem. Midday will be worst over Japan. I believe the constant light will burn up most of the exposed day field with the edges being the exception. You are in the trailing edge. The other half will suffer in the constant dark field where it will become too cold with no plant growth and no sustainable life.

It is hard to predict how life in general will react over time in the Goldilocks zones. Plant life will no doubt vary. Some will do worse or not live at all. Others may survive with some possibly excelling and producing more.”

“Hi, I did’t want to interrupt,” said Laura standing behind John.

John turned seeing her, “No problem. Have a seat,” he pointed to other chairs.

“My son Will called and he wants me to bring Billy to Portland on the convoy?” she looked at him shoulders raised unsure.

“GAIL, meet my new neighbor Laura who used to be my old neighbor here in my home town.”

“Hi Laura, so nice to meet you,” she said inquisitively.

“Hello,” Laura replied thinking GAIL was one of his co-workers.

“I’ve got to go for now. Will you be available later?” John asked.

“I’m always here for you, John.”

Laura wondered if John had a relationship with her.

John logged off the GAIL site and turned toward her, “It’s hard to say if that is a good move or not. Presently I would warn against going anywhere from here until we are sure of the Sun’s final position. Have you asked him to come here instead?”

“He says he has too much on his plate out there right now. He didn’t say, but probably has a girlfriend he is worried about.”

“Over his son, really?” He went back to typing on his keyboard.

“He got so angry when I questioned him about it. I guess I’m going to turn in. Got to get some sleep if I’m driving to the coast in the morning. You can join us tonight if you want.” She looked around his bare kitchen. “Our home is a little more alive.”

John looked at her again, wondering what she was suggesting.

“I just meant we could hold each other, nothing more.”

“Oh. Well I was planning to stick with this. Every minute that goes by the data becomes more solid.”

“OK, well if you change your mind my door will be open.” She gazed at him with her inviting eyes as she stepped backward out of the room, thinking she may never see him again if she leaves early in the morning.