December 24th 2020 9:45 a.m.

Mandy Lace Shawnever POV

Bob steps off the chair and backs slowly away from the TV as if a little distance will bring some clarity. He bumps into Kyle.

''Yo, am I the Invisible Man here? Do you have a phone or not?'' Kyle asks as he peels a five-dollar bill off a serious wad of cash. That gains Bob's attention. Bob snaps the money out of his hand.

''In the back past the kitchen. Make it fast.'' Bob says. Kyle hustles past Percy.

Charlie is standing by the Anderson's table, clearing dishes. Everybody's eyes are locked on the TV.

''If there's a real emergency, aren't they supposed to give us some information about what to do?'' Sandra asks.

''I'm sure it's a mistake.'' Howard says.

''Hey, Percy, give that old radio of yours a shot. Maybe they got some news about the TV.'' Bob says.

Percy grabs an old battery powered radio off a kitchen shelf. He puts it on a counter and switches it on. Static is all we hear. He spins the dial until he reaches a clear signal. The same hollow tone of Emergency Broadcasting. Station after station is the same thing. The diner is overwhelmed by a chilling chorus of hollow tones. Everyone goes very still and I have to calm Hope down.

Kyle Williams POV

''Let me talk to him...'' I tell my ex as I sit at a messy desk in this dark, wood paneled back office, phone to my ear.

''Cuz a father should be able to talk to his son, that's why. Now put 'im on the phone.'' I wait and then ''Is that my little man...? Yeah, well I'm working hard, so that I can be with you. You bein' good?'' I ask. But then I hear static and the call is being disrupted.

''Wait... You're breakin' up. Hello...? Shit!'' I say as I hang up in frustration that my call was interrupted.

I stew for a bit before picking up the phone to redial. But the odd thing is I don't hear a dial tone.

''What the hell...'' I say. I keep trying but nothing, nada, zilch.

Hope Grace Constance POV

''Maybe there was an earthquake?'' Howard states/asks and everyone looks at him, dad with a glare that has him shaking.

''They keep saying we're overdue for a big one.'' Howard states, teeth chattering and looking anywhere but at my 6'0 father.

''Lot of folks could he hurt.'' Percy says. Bob clears his throat and pointedly looks at me so they know not to talk about it but apparently, they didn't hear him.

''Not if it was centered in the desert.'' Bob whispers or tries to. He sucks at it.

''Exactly. Could be nothing to worry about.'' Howard says.

''So then why's the tv out?'' Sandra asks.

''Maybe it just hit the relay stations. Aren't those usually in remote areas?'' Howard asks.

''Yeah, 'cause of the radiation they give off.'' Bob 'whispers.'

''There ain't no radiation comin' from those things. Plus, that don't explain the radio being out too. Some of those stations broadcast over hundreds of miles. Any quake that big and we would a felt it.'' Percy says.

''Percy's right. I didn't feel nothing.'' Charlie says.

''Maybe it's a terrorist attack or something...?'' Audrey says/asks.

''Oh god...'' Sandra says, covering her mouth as everyone starts taking in the possibility and I start to panic but mom quickly calms me down.

''Well, for cryin' out loud. There's no use in speculating. I'll just call my brother up in Needles. He must a heard something.'' Bob says loud and clear so everyone will stop making assumptions and making a pregnant woman panic.

''I don't think so.'' Kyle says as he comes back into the diner and I have a bad feeling.

''Whaddya talkin' about?'' Bob asks.

''Phone's dead. Just tried to make a call.'' Kyle says.

''You're shittin' me.'' Bob says but Kyle shakes his head and sits at the counter. I close my eyes, hands shaking as I fear for my dear Corbin.

''Oh, this is just great.'' I hear Mrs. Anderson say.

''Relax, Mrs. Anderson. Nothing to get excited about. Probably just working on the lines.'' Bob says. ''Sides, I'm sure Jeep'll have your truck fixed up quick as can be, and then you'll be on your way.'' he says, trying to calm the situation.

Outside the diner

Jeep POV

I'm buried under the U-Haul's hood, working at something with a socket wrench. It's not going well.

''Damn it!'' I say.

I pull myself up. Grease covers my face and hands. The sound of a car approaching catches my attention. I watch as a beat-up '80s Cutlass Supreme pulls off the highway and rolls to a stop at the pumps. It's a mystery how anyone could see through the layer of dust on that windshield.

After a moment the car door pops open and the legs of an elderly woman swings down to the ground, followed by the metal frame and wheels of a walker. The little old lady gets out of the car, steadies herself on the walker, and then slowly makes her way toward the diner with the rickety frailness of an old turtle.

I watch her disappear inside. I then look towards the horizon again. The wall of dark clouds are growing ever closer.

Jonathan Ashur Shawnever POV

I hear a jingle as an old lady enters. She surveys the scene as if feasting on paradise. Maybe her eyes aren't so good.

''Have a seat wherever you want, Ma'am. Specials are on the board.'' Charlie says.

''Thank you dear.'' the old woman says.

The old lady settles at a table across from the Andersons. She smiles at them pleasantly. Charlie is about to hand her a menu, when she speaks.

''Oh, I already know what I want.'' the old woman says.

''Okay, what'll it be?'' Charlie asks.

''I'll have the steak, please.'' the old lady says.

''And how'd you like that cooked?'' Charlie asks.

''Rare if you would. And water, no ice.'' old lady says.

''Coming right up.'' Charlie says.