The Year That Kept Going

For the first time in a long time, the road ahead was clear.

The electrical storms have been unforgiving. Every time it happened, the air got dusty and murky.

Jade sighed as she turned towards the bedroom.

“Wake up, Jedi, we need to start moving early today.”

Her younger brother rubbed his brown eyes.

“Okay, let me get changed.”

Jade left the room and went to get her boots on.

She knew they had to reach the government post early so they can grab enough goods to last them a month.

Ever since the first EMP attack, everything has been dismal.

They had no electricity and no running water. The convenience they used to enjoy was gone. Everything was rationed.

“What I would give to be back to a year ago.”, she thought to herself.

The government has taken over the food supply and all farms.

Private citizens weren't allowed to drive any vehicles on the road. Those who could - government officials, emergency services, law enforcement - drove old beaters that didn't get affected by the storms.

Most things made of metal were confiscated to avoid accidents.

The press release via the community bulletin was that an enemy released multiple bombs above the country’s airspace and knocked off the electric grid. Since the first bombs, they kept happening monthly. It has started to affect the weather.

“I'm still hoping that mom and dad are okay.”, Jedi whispered.

“They are. I'm sure they're worried about us too, so let's make sure that they find us well when they're able to come home, ok?”

The rest of the walk was silent.

Next weekend is her 18th birthday. She had grand plans of having a debutante party with eighteen candles, eighteen roses, and eighteen gifts. She wanted to wear the pink ball gown she has been drawing for years.

She shook her head as tears threatened to well up in her eyes. Jedi can't see her this way. He is only 12. She needs to be strong.

The line outside the market was still short when they got to the gate. She estimated that they will probably be home before lunch.

“Jade!”, an older woman called out as she signed on the rationing paper.

“Mrs. Vargas! How are you? Everything ok?”

“Yes, dear. I'm on my way home. I just wanted to say hi before I left. Oh and come by the house tomorrow, I found the perfect piano piece for you.”, she smiled as she walked away.

Mrs. Vargas lived three houses down from her but they rarely see each other anymore. She used to go there every weekend for piano lessons with Mr. Vargas, her husband of 40 years. He died during the first storms because he had a pacemaker.

Jedi tugged at her hand and she moved with the line. After a few minutes, they reached the rationing table.

“Supplies for one male and one female please.”, Jade said.

The uniformed man handed her two boxes. They were smaller than last month’s. Jedi was thinking the same, surely, so she gave him the side-eye. He understood immediately.

They've heard rumors about people going home empty-handed after arguing with the officials. They can't afford that.

The walk home was depressing. Lawns were overgrown and the once-thriving town was no more. Everything looked brown and gray.

They entered their home and locked up quickly. Desperation brought out the worst in people.

Jedi knew what to do with their stash. He divided them into plastic containers and hid them in different parts of the house.

Lunch was a can of beans and a piece of bread split between them. She looked at her young brother and couldn't help feeling sad.

No time for that right now though.

“Jedi, I'm going to head to the water pump. After you're done eating, meet me there with the rest of the empty gallons. Make sure to lock the house up.”

She walked down the road and passed Mrs. Vargas’ house. All of her lovely flowers were gone. She saw her sitting in their gazebo and she waved. Mrs. Vargas ignored her.

Confused, she continued walking until she reached the line for the water.

“9, 10, 11”, she counted the people lined up ahead of her.

Jedi reached her a few minutes after. They had twelve gallons altogether. Not enough even for drinking but they had to make do. She has been placing bowls, pots, and vases in their yard to catch rainwater. A rainy day is also the only day they can take a shower.

Their turn came and when they were done, she loaded six gallons onto the makeshift cart they built. She would haul the first half to their house while Jedi stayed with the other half. She then comes back for him and the rest of the water.

The rest of the day went by quickly.

It was pitch dark in the bedroom as her head hit the pillow. She let her thoughts wander as they usually do at this time of night.

She could still hear her parents’ excited voices as they hugged them goodbye. It was their 20th wedding anniversary and her dad surprised her mom with a two-week cruise. The first EMP attack happened just a few hours after they drove off.

“Were they able to leave the country? Did this happen somewhere else too? Do cruise ships survive EMP attacks?”, she has been asking herself these every single night. And she usually falls asleep with these unanswered.

A loud knock jolted her out of bed. It was almost midnight.

“Police! Open the door!”

Jade ran to the front door and saw two officers.

“Do you know a Mrs. Vargas?”, one of them inquired.

“Yes, she lives down the street. The house with the flower beds... Um, I mean the gazebo.”

“When did you last talk to her?”

“At the food line this morning. I also saw her this afternoon when I was walking to the water pumps but I don't think she saw me. Why?”

“She’s dead. Shot herself in the head. We want to know if you know anyone who wanted to kill her though. It will take months for us to investigate this, that's if we are lucky to get ballistics results.”

“What?? No, oh no. She's the sweetest!!!”

“We didn't mean to upset you, sweetheart. Please go to the post if you remember anything at all.”

“Ok, she did tell me to grab a piano piece she found for me. Her late husband was my piano teacher.”, Jade mumbled.

“You can go there in the morning.”, he paused, “Hey, can you help go through her house to pack some things up? We don't have the manpower for it. We will give you an extra box of rations for your time.”

“Yes, sure. I and my brother will go there early tomorrow.”

She locked the door and slumped down to the floor. She couldn't believe it.

She went back to bed with a heavy heart.

She told Jedi the news while they were eating breakfast. He was in disbelief as well. Recent months have hardened them both and the conversation quickly turned into what the plan for the day was.

“Well, I think most of it will be spent there since we are helping pack up. I assume they are planning to use it as a housing facility for visitors because it's a really beautiful house.”

They entered the Vargas home at 830am. She saw the yellow tape around the gazebo and realized that it was the crime scene. She was already dead when she waved at her.

She shook her head and tried to focus.

“Jedi, I will head to the piano room first to grab the piano piece she wanted me to have.”

The room was the way she remembered it and the moment was too poignant. She saw the piano piece and sat down. She started playing it and when she pressed down on the una corda, it didn't budge.

Jade got on her knees and found a heart-shaped locket. It was lodged between the pedal and the floor. She opened it and it had the old couple’s.photos. This was Mrs. Vargas’s old locket. She must have hidden it away instead of giving it to the government.

Jade knows the piano piece was her way of asking her to keep the locket. She needs to hide this now to honor her dying wish.

She grabbed the piano piece and left the room to find her bother packing away in the kitchen. There were still rations from yesterday’s box and he wanted to take them home.

“We need to ask the officers first or we will get into trouble.”

They were allowed to bring home anything they wanted.

“But be sure to leave any metallic things you find.”

These words echoed in her head. The locket was safely tucked in her coat’s inner pocket. She can't believe she got away with it. She was sure they'll notice her sweating with nervousness.

The weeks passed by quickly.

Officers were making rounds one morning and asked everyone to be at the town hall.

The mayor was there and there was a buzz in the air.

“Is this on? Can you hear me?”

The crowd hushed.

“Is the mayor using a mic and speakers???”, someone yelled.

“As of 6 this morning, half of the grid has been restored. We will be going back to normal, slowly but surely. We have several phone lines open for you to use as well, if you need to get in touch with family.”

The entire hall cheered and most of them cried.

“We need to call mom and dad!”, Jedi screamed as he jumped up and down.

They both lined up to use one of the phones.

Jade placed her hand inside her coat and felt the locket.

For the first time in a long time, the road ahead was clear.