Metafire

Then Hiroshima was hit. A sixth. The world shuddered.

Still, the television did not explain. Erisa did not relate to any of this at all. It was like when she was growing up. She couldn't connect, but she stayed pleasant. She would go about her day, cleaning around her friend's house. She kept very clean and very quiet. She spent most of her time watching TV and day dreaming. She would sit out near the edge of the woods behind the house and close her eyes for hours. Pete was gone. She had no future. During this time she didn't think much. She didn't have anybody to help, but she didn't feel safe to move on.

The United Nations established a one billion dollar reward to find the culprits that built or bought the bombs. Erisa imagined that the terrorists would certainly be found. The bombs were plutonium devices. They were small and sophisticated. But the pattern seemed totally random. It was as if it were an act of terrorism against the world. But the reason wasn't clear. She wondered if the people who did this were proud or ashamed. What could the possible motivation be for all the destruction?

The panic was clear. The cities were emptying into the countryside. Erisa's friend, Paulette, was more than happy to have Erisa there. Together they had a small wooden house on two acres with a big Propane tank, a well, and a septic tank. The radiation clouds were south of Machester by a dozen miles. Power was on and the phone worked to keep in touch with family. But, after her first call, her family, mainly in St. Louis, was now calling her. They had left their homes for the countryside, too.