Countdown to Doomsday Begins: A Tale of Hope and Despair
Will this be how the world ends? JL and his wife, Lisa, are on the run as if their lives depend on it. And it does. Navigating through a world of famine, death, war and pestilence, they search for a safe place, as their Florida home becomes too dangerous. In Louisiana, a young woman is on the run for her life. Will their paths ever cross? Stay connected for each new chapter.
Countdown to Doomsday Begins: A Tale of Hope and Despair
Chapter 2: a way out?
What if the very streets you once called home turned into a maze of shadows and danger? Embark with us on a tense journey through the dystopian landscape of 2035, where light is scarce, and trust is a rare commodity. In this riveting chapter, "Four Volcanoes and the Tiki Hut," we follow JL and Lisa as they confront a world where survival is not just a skill but a necessity. Their decision to escape a tightly controlled environment leads them through treacherous terrain patrolled by militia, where the streetlights have long gone dark, and nature has reclaimed its throne with giant gators and monstrous pythons.
Join us as we uncover the clandestine encounter with the enigmatic Resistance, a group offering a glimmer of hope in an oppressive world. With whispered promises of freedom, our protagonists navigate a river fraught with peril to reach a scruffy tiki hut—a beacon in their quest for survival. The episode paints a vivid picture of courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It's a tale of calculated risks, where every paddle stroke could be their last, as they strive for a future beyond the grim reality that surrounds them.
Welcome back to a new chapter, as always ad-free, curated just for you. Those of us at the Leaping Cat Studio want to thank a new sponsor helping produce each episode of Countdown to Doomsday, keeping it ad-free. And now follow the journey. Chapter 2, four Volcanoes and the Tiki Hut, 26 July 2035.
Speaker 1:Jl and Lisa paused at the top of the port steps. Are you sure, jl, you're the one who thought we should stay and you know tough it out. Viperbite was the tipping point for me. But what chance do we have of making an escape to get away? There are guards at exits and perimeter fencing is under constant patrol. What do we know about survival skills? So many questions, questions. What about all those skills you learned in the army? It's been years since I left the military, lisa. I'm not sure a background in military intelligence brings much body conditioning to the table. What do we have to lose our lives? Lisa said we don't even bother locking the door. What is there to steal? I know let's go meet someone who may help. Jl looked around. It's well past curfew If we're stopped. He didn't need to finish. I've never seen dark like this. We can avoid any streetlights still working, but the militia patrols are unpredictable. That will give us our edge. Let's go If you're ready, jl, tell me again how you found out about this guy we're meeting.
Speaker 1:There's a tight-knit group at the food market, the one at the corner of Oleander and Virginia. Marty is the acknowledged leader and we share secrets about where to get the jump on food and water. You know stuff like that. Anyway, she told me about a group that helps people escape. You trust her, I do, but we have to take the chance regardless. What's the name of the group? The Resistance, lisa said. She called it the sacred resistance. We are supposed to meet someone who will hopefully approve us. Gl wrapped himself in a hug, a reflex to ward off the evil spirits. Streetlights were distant memories and since this zone did not get power, the only light came from a house on the next block where flickering candles cast eerie shadows.
Speaker 1:They walked south to Midway Road and once a busy thoroughfare, now trees pushed up through cracks in the tarmac. Marty told me to walk along the edge of the road, JL, to avoid discovery. It's only a three-block walk to the river and the park. Our contact will meet us there, where I think it was, where the old boat ramp used to be. Let's go JL, without incident.
Speaker 1:They made it to the bridge but couldn't enter White City Park because of the high water, spanish moss draped from live oak trees filtering moonlight a ghostly scene. And both wanted to admit they were a bit nervous, but they kept it to themselves. Approaching the designated place, the bridge over the North Fork, they heard soft coughing, a man's cough. Jl figured the man was well past, due for a death notice. How is that possible, he wondered, avoiding the death notice like that, he wanted to ask, but it would have been unseemly this way. The man whispered, holding out a hand to help them into the crudely built canoe, handing them each a paddle. He directed Lisa to the middle, jl to the front.
Speaker 1:The splash of what had to be a huge, powerful gator reminded them who ruled these waters. Jl felt the beast brush past his paddle as it swam by. Without natural food supplies, gators are growing to enormous sizes. The man said. We're next on their food chain. I suspect their new size comes from the humans they've already consumed from their menu In this environment. Who would want to know why somebody disappears? Same with the Burmese pythons, the man said. Back in the day we thought a 25-footer was a big one. Now I've heard of the snakes, at least 10, maybe even 20 feet more. Jl looked back at Lisa. He recognized the look. She was terrified but doing her share of the rowing.
Speaker 1:Two hours of paddling brought them to a fork in the river. Jl saw a scruffy tiki hut on the right bank. Their guide steered the canoe towards the bank. That's where you meet the man who decides if you qualify for the risk. Get out of the boat quickly, I'll be back. Before they could ask questions, the man back-paddled the canoe through the night curtain, disappearing into the darkness. They walked to the hut and sat at a picnic table. So wobbly it seemed ready to collapse. I'm terrified of snakes, jl whispered, and those bird noises make this seem like a set for a jungle film. What the fuck are we doing here?
Speaker 1:Tiki Hut, lisa and JL both jumped startled by the appearance of a man with a mane of white hair who suddenly appeared holding a lantern in his outstretched hand. Will you be our guide? Jl's voice gave away his nervousness. If you are accepted, think of what we do as a modern version of the Underground Railway guiding slaves to freedom. The man said Only, we call our guides Sherpas instead of conductors. What's the difference? What's the significance of that name? Lisa wanted to know. Sherpas got their name from the Tibetan word for Eastern people. Luckily for anyone trying to climb Mount Everest, they are strong and thrive on climbing into high altitudes. They served as porters and guides. We use the term to describe our members who guide citizens like you to safety. If such a place exists, will you be our Sherpa? Lisa sounded like she was pleading.
Speaker 1:This meeting is to decide your commitment and ability to the undertaking. We've already completed a background check. The journey you face will be dangerous. Your Sherpa face is instant execution for helping you. This is not something you turn back from. Are you ready? Are you sure? The man sensed a look of hesitation on Jail's face. Are you ready? Are you sure? The man sensed a look of hesitation on Jail's face? Are you ready? Yes, jail assured him. If we need any more motivation, we've received our death notice. We would rather die trying than just giving up. Lisa said.
Speaker 1:The man with no name stood looking intently at JL. You're a retired career army officer. What did they teach you at the academy about obligation Not to waver? Jl said when in charge, take charge and don't hesitate. Do you know how to get to the old Sears Mall on US 1 near Virginia Avenue. They both nodded. Yes, we use military time. Wait behind the strip mall. Someone will meet you there at 0300 and take you to your Sherpa. You won't have the luxury of a rearview mirror. No, looking back. Follow instructions to the letter or they will leave you at the side of the road. Clear, clear JL, said Harry, and the bow of the canoe crunch against the bank, ready to give them a ride back to the park. Prayers abide, the man said. Remember that Godspeed.
Speaker 1:25 July 2035, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices in Melbourne, florida. This can't be right. Look at this, tim. Carmen heard her partner swivel in his chair to see what she was pointing out on her computer screen. Look at those outer bands, she went on. I noted the first sign of circulation less than an hour ago. The eye of the hurricane is small and those outer bands are spreading as I watch. I think we're looking at the birth of a monster hurricane. Where's the center of the eye? Ten nautical miles west of Allistown in the Bahamas.
Speaker 1:The supervisor joined them. It just pinged an alarm on my monitor. He said hurricanes don't develop that quickly. What's the weather temp there? Carmen opened the second monitor. Oh, the temp is off the charts. The temperature of the water there is 120 degrees Fahrenheit, 43 degrees Celsius. That's hot enough to send warm, moist air rising faster than usual. Her supervisor was frowning. There hasn't been enough cooler air in years to ignite a cyclone like that. Tropical waves are a thing of the past.
Speaker 1:Carmen zoomed in on another monitor and pointed those thunderstorms are new, stretching from Allistown to Fort Lauderdale. Shaking her head in disbelief, she read out the wind report. The eye is a pinhole less than a half mile wide. She pointed at the wind readout. Back in the day we would have considered anything over 157 miles per hour or higher as a major hurricane. The three meteorologists watched in disbelief at the speed flashing on the screen Winds exceeding 265 miles per hour and growing almost double the old threshold. Sir Carman said I've established a trajectory. The initial estimate moves north, northwest at 20 miles per hour. It's going to scrape the entire east coast of Florida. Unable to reach the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Speaker 1:The supervisor initiated the international warning system. There won't be a house or structure left standing after this beast blows past. He looked around the room and shuddered. I heard a lecture several years back. The guy said this might be the scenario with rapidly progressing climate change. I remember most of us scoffing. Who knew? He said Well, we'll just better turn out the lights. Best go home and look after our families. The Edge of the Storm.
Speaker 1:Jl woke hearing gunshots in the distance, the temperature at its usual unbearable level. He pressed his face to the floor to draw as much coolness as possible from the wood surface. He silently mouthing to his morning mantra why the fuck did I ever move to Florida? It did not surprise him to see Lisa still on the floor on her side of the bed, as a loud tone chirped from their respective mobile devices. Oh no, lisa, shouted.
Speaker 1:Jl looked at the message. It's nothing more than a weather warning, a hurricane. How close. Jl squinted as he read, refusing to reach for his glasses. Holy bat cave. He shouted. Winds are over 250 miles an hour. Where is it heading? Jl almost let the phone drop from his hand. Almost let the phone drop from his hand. We have 24 hours. It's screaming up the east coast with water levels already, but they're mobile. The voices chimed as a second toad.
Speaker 1:This is turning into a shitty day, jl said, ignoring the sweat from the rising temperature. Wiping his eyes with a washcloth, he stared. It's a reminder of our death notice and how we're supposed to report to the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce the day after tomorrow. I got the same. Lisa cried between sobs. She said how much more can we take? We have to leave. Jl held her close, stroking her hair. As soon as I'm dressed, we're off to find our Sherpa. I know we should have left long ago, as you wanted. I know this. I don't want us dying in Florida. Will they find a way out?
Speaker 1:Jl was out of breath as he opened the door. It's arranged. He told Lisa she expected one of us to make contact. She, yeah, rosa, our Sherpa is a crusty 50-something and looks like she would be at home living in the Everglades. Anyway, she told me, the approaching hurricane is a blessing. It will afford perfect cover while we make our escape. So when do we leave? They expect the outer bands of the hurricane will reach us early tomorrow. She told me to be ready as soon as tonight's cover of nightfall.
Speaker 1:We have nothing to barter with, no money, no resources. What are we going to do? Our Sherpa told me we will all be in the same boat. We in the same boat we Well. She's going to be our guide and join us to the first connector. At some point we will get passed along to the next Sherpa. She told me about resistance members providing safe havens along the way. I hope you believe this is the right choice. Jl, there's no choice. Lisa, should we pack? He saw the look on Lisa's face. She knew he was joking. There was nothing to pack. I'm taking my electric shaver and case. Shaver and Case. Thank you for listening to another episode of Countdown to Doomsday. What's in store for JL, lisa and Kat in their next episode? We welcome your comments and you may contact us at chuckwaldercom. Narrated by me, chuck Waldron. Produced by Edna Francis.