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 4: Escaping the Fury: A Journey of Survival and Hope
Imagine being caught in a storm with no safe haven, battling nature's fury while making a desperate bid for freedom. That's the relentless reality for Jl, Rosa, Lisa, and Marcy as they embark on a treacherous escape through harsh landscapes, relying on Charlie's brave efforts to create an opening for their journey. As Rosa leads them with urgency and precision, the group faces fierce weather and the looming threat of militia pursuit. Meanwhile, Cat's parallel journey at a bus stop in Alabama unfolds with its own emotional storm, as she heeds the guidance of her ancestors and resolves to find safety for her unborn child. The episode paints a vivid picture of their struggles, drawing you into a world where every step is a perilous leap toward salvation.
Their path is fraught with challenges, from Marcy's worsening limp, which threatens to slow them down, to the ticking clock of a bus departure they cannot afford to miss. Lisa's unwavering determination becomes a beacon of hope, propelling the group forward even as they grapple with physical and emotional obstacles. This episode masterfully intertwines their stories with themes of resilience and the indefatigable spirit to survive against all odds. Join us as we explore the strength of human spirit and the unyielding quest for freedom amidst turmoil, sparking reflection on what it truly means to persevere through adversity.
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. Countdown to Doomsday, chapter 4, point of no Return. Jl knew there was no turning back. As he struggled to follow Rosa through the tall sawgrass, he felt Lisa's finger hooked on the belt loop of his jeans. You're not getting away from me, big guy. She hollered over the wind and Marcy has a death grip on my other hand, jl whispered.
Speaker 1:On missions in the army we were issued jungle camouflage in the desert, desert uniforms in the jungle and the Arctic was a laugh. There weren't enough white uniforms to go around Hush. Rosa pointed to a kiosk and barrier gate. It was at the intersection of State Road 70 and the header canal road. The guard station was strategically placed just past the pedestrian overpass that used to lead to the abandoned county fairgrounds. She paused as a gust of wind swept her words away. That gust has to be the first feeder band pushing this kind of wind. And, as if on cue, the wind strengthened, adding heavy rain to the mix. I'm guessing it's close to 100 miles per hour at least. What Isn't that your scooter? Marty said pointing. Marcy said pointing.
Speaker 1:As the rain cleared they saw Rosa's yellow scooter turning from Midway Road, approaching the kiosk and the guards the wind wasn't kind to the scooter blowing it over just as the driver approached the barrier gate. The driver stood up, pushing off his indignity, the militia guards having a great laugh at his expense. Who's that? Jl whispered, that's Charlie. He'll be providing a distraction. And on cue they heard one guard call out hey, old man, what you doing out in weather like this, staying inside the kiosk sheltered from the wind? It was clear they were not about to help the driver. Right, the scooter. Look, the driver is heading to the kiosk. Looks pissed off. Jail said. Clouds swept low as the sky turned an angry, purple black. They watched as charlie the driver began raising his right arm. Two bright flashes pierced the inky landscape. The echo of matching gunshots followed.
Speaker 1:Charlie flashed the signal that it was safe for Rosa's group to leave. Why did he do that? Jl wanted to know. He did it for us. Rosa said Marcy, are you okay to run? Marcy tried to look brave, but JL saw her fear. That man shot those other two men. Lisa stroked her hair and pulled Marcy close.
Speaker 1:What happens now, rosa? Jl asked Once we get past this place? Well, there's a 25-mile buffer running the length of the administrative perimeter fence. It follows from what used to be the Jupiter Lighthouse north to Sebastian. Beyond that is the free zone. The militia rarely goes there unless they get the warning in time to make a quick arrest or killing. Even in this filthy weather they might send out a special tracker unit. Rosa was smirking. Charlie made sure those two didn't have time to sound a warning. Can't say. What he's done to them bothers me so much.
Speaker 1:Jail was trying to process what happened, as Lisa said that she didn't want anyone's death on her hands. But she shrugged and asked what happens now? Rosa, let's go. We can't wait for the rain to stop. Dead is dead. Charlie gave you a chance for life and freedom. Lisa, deal with it.
Speaker 1:The tone in Rosa's voice told everyone they couldn't afford to be squeamish. How far, jl asked. We'll follow this road until we get to a lane leading back to an abandoned cell phone tower. Just a tad over five clicks, rosa started laughing. We need to get there quickly. Everyone I've guided tells me they can walk long distances. This is where we find out if you three are up to it.
Speaker 1:Jl turned to see Lisa, rain-soaked, her long hair waterlogged. She didn't bother to wipe the rain from her face. When the words came, they brought the poignancy of her thoughts. I'm crying and nobody can see my tears from the pain, but I'm laughing because storms, snakes and gunshots. Now you ask me to walk a few miles. I've got your fucking few miles, and then some. She turned and started walking, her show of determination on full display. Stop. Rosa cried out what do you want now? Lisa snapped the words over her shoulder like a whip. You'd be going in the wrong way. Girl Marcy ran over and grabbed Lisa's hand. It's okay, lisa, we can do this together In Louisiana.
Speaker 1:At the bus stop near Mobile, alabama, cat closed her eyes hearing rain pellets beating against the side of the bus stop. She realized the note the old man gave her was getting soaked, so she carefully placed it in her jacket pocket and waited for a man to ask her that strange question about west to east. Cat had her answer ready, looking both directions, not a vehicle in sight. Cat wondered how the mystery man would find her. Cat swayed, moaning and wrapping her arms tight, seeking calm. When she relaxed the tension in her arms and shoulders, she realized she was on the edge of a mighty storm, a storm of nightmares and thinking about her grandmother and the Mississippi levee.
Speaker 1:To Cat, the stories about the levee holding were night terrors. To come to life, she heard murmured words creating a voiceover, telling her the new life inside was special, whatever it takes Cat. The murmured words echoed save the child you carry. Cat wanted to ask the dream voice for help to make sense of the dreams. Instead, she heard words employing her to keep moving north. Look to the North Star Polaris and use it as your compass. Follow the drinking gourd, as your people once called it. All thoughts and memories of the dreams vanished when a gust of wind caused the glass to flutter. Rolling thunder followed a split second later, the glass enclosing the bus stop. The shelter surrendered to the wind and Cat had to brush glass shards away. Cat had to brush glass shards away.
Speaker 1:As the thunder faded, a motorcycle slid to a stop and the rider took off her helmet and brushed back her hair. Will you be off, or from who are you? I'm brenda, the harley girl. The writer said as she dismounted I'm in the sacred resistance and my job is to take you to the next station. What's your name, cat? Everyone calls me cat.
Speaker 1:Reaching into the storage box, brenda handed Cat a helmet. You ever been on a Harley Cat? Never been on any motorcycle? Is it safe in this weather, especially the wind? I've got this, brenda said. Wind and rain can be a challenge but, good news, there's nobody else on the road.
Speaker 1:Brenda reached into the storage box A second time, unfolded a jacket. It looked like a wet cat Cat. Brenda thought that was funny. Let's see if we can outrace this storm. Well, what about the militia checkpoints? Not to worry, cat, we only have two checkpoints to deal with.
Speaker 1:The Mobile Alabama detachment is often short-staffed and that will be an easy one to avoid. The harder test will be the state line into Georgia. Sometimes the militias on both sides like to try and outdo each other. If I'm right, they will concentrate on the main roads and, need be, this bank will handle a detour that I have in mind. Can I ask where? Where are you taking me, brenda? Brasstown, bald, the highest point in Georgia. It's an assembly point for special refugees. You will join up with a group. You ready to go? Is that an actual place? It's a real mountain Kat. It's known to indigenous Cherokee peoples as Enotaw. How long will it take us to get there? I'm guessing 10 hours, with luck. Hang on. Kat grabbed onto Brenda as the bike lurched ahead. She didn't realize how tightly she was gripping Brenda until Brenda said Ease up, cat, I can't breathe if you hold me like that. Cat did her best to relax but held tight every time a gust of wind would threaten to push them off the road.
Speaker 1:Back in Florida, walking west on Route 70, jl felt rain whipping against his back, driven by near-hurricane-force winds Wiping his eyes. He watched Rosa in the distance. She set a wicked pace and was well in front of Lisa and Marcy. Rosa kept turning to urge them on and Jail's limp became more pronounced as they walked. He wanted to shout for Risa to stop and take a break. Truth was he didn't want to admit he couldn't match her pace. Still, his right hip felt like someone was stabbing it with hot needles. He silently cursed the doc who botched his hip replacement.
Speaker 1:As JL pushed himself to walk faster to catch up, like those long hikes during basic training, he thought one foot in front of the other. Right, left, right, jl looked around, remembering what it was like once driving this highway Green fields and pastures for herds of cattle, fattening up the cattle for the market as palm trees lined the highway. I remember he says the water used to fill swales along the road, likely home to a gator or two. No worries about gators tonight, he thought. Even in the darkness of this night he could see the swales were nothing more than trenches of cracked blocks of red clay. The once green fields were now caked and baked. They looked like old photographs of the Bonneville Sot Futs in Utah. How long has it been? He tried to remember how many years since this part of Florida recorded such high temperatures and when the thermometer started to reach over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. But the heat today, combined with a three-year drought, turned central Florida into a vision looking like the surface of the moon.
Speaker 1:Hurry. Rosa's voice pierced Jail's thoughts. Everybody into the swale, hurry. She rushed back and led them down the embankment. Don't move. Calm your breathing. What is it? Lisa asked.
Speaker 1:Drones this far? Jl said the Moluscia must have heard about us by now. They won't send troops out this far, but they love those nasty drones. How did you realize they were so close by? Rosa held up a small device. This is a detector of a drone's specific signature. There are two circling this area and one came very close to where we were walking. Rosa Lisa said what'll happen if they find us We'll be dead.
Speaker 1:Rosa listened to the device and told them it was now safe to keep moving. Let us rest. Yale said, especially Lisa and Marcy Ha, I've watched you walking. Your limp is getting worse and we all want to rest. But we have to meet the bus in. Rosa looked at her watch 37 minutes. This is one bus you don't want to miss. Jl turned to Marcy Are you up to walking that far? Marcy's stink eye warned him to stop. I think I just witnessed Marcy's superpower. He thought At least the reins stopped. Lisa said, holding JL's hand on her left, marcy's hand tightly in the other. 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.