One Second After [88]
"She's a nice girl," Jen said.
"I think she's in love with you, Dad," Elizabeth announced, saying it as if just commenting on the weather or the time of day. Jennifer giggled at that. John looked over at Jen.
"She sat up with you three nights straight. You were in a bad way there, John."
Jen smiled, but he could see she was just about in tears. "What is it, Mom?"
"Oh, nothing," and she turned away. And he knew she was thinking of Mary.
The drive into town things looked pretty much the same, except for the fact that several of the men he passed were toting shotguns or rifles. At the elementary school there was a huge stack of firewood, a number of kettles set over a fire boiling.
"How are things in there?"
"John, people who just can't make it are dying off," Makala sighed. "Hundreds dead, but things are under control for right now."
At the station he found out that Charlie was up in Swannanoa, Tom up at the barrier in the gap. He read the town notice board, printed with red marker on the whiteboards tacked to the side of town hall:
MARTIAL LAW STILL IN EFFECT
John noticed the eraser marks for everything else on the board except for those five words; "Martial Law Still in Effect."
It is estimated that twenty escapees from the interstate are still at large in the region. If they are sighted, apprehend, detain, or if need be use whatever force necessary, then report sighting to this office.
Ration cards will be issued starting today for everyone in the community. If you are a resident with a home and you apply for a ration card, you must submit to your property being searched for food. If food is found it will be confiscated and then distributed to the community. Do not apply for rations unless you are in true need. Starting tomorrow, you will not be issued food at any public facility without presentation of the ration card, along With proper identification.
John paused at that one and thought about it. He realized it was a good decision. No threat of taking food, only if you asked for food. It'd keep hoarders from trying to eat off the public weal while continuing to sit on their own stockpiles. He continued to read.
3. The outbreak of salmonella at the Emergency Refugee Center has
been brought under control. Our thanks to the volunteers from Montreat
College and the staff, led by Dr. Kellor. We regret to report a total of sixty-one dead from the outbreak at the center. Community-wide it is reported that 310 have died from salmonella, with over three thousand cases reported.
The new emergency hospital at the Ingram's shopping plaza in Swannanoa is open. If you need transportation to that facility, a public vehicle will leave here at noon every day hereafter.
Principal Greene, acting now as superintendent of schools for our community, has officially announced that all schools are now closed for the academic year. Classes will resume the day after Labor Day. Upon resumption of school, grades for the previous academic year will be posted.
John found that to be curious, that they had finally gotten around to canceling school. He'd have to tell the girls; they'd be delighted. Also, it was a touch of optimism that some sort of continuity would continue come fall and he was glad to read it.
6. Death notices: eighty-one deaths reported in the communities of
Black Mountain and Swannanoa yesterday. Remember, all bodies are
to be interred at the new community cemeteries, the golf course in
Black Mountain, the upper grounds of the Swannanoa Christian Acad-
emy, above the floodplain for the Swannanoa River. Cause of death
must be confirmed by the physician on duty in the respective town of-
fices between the hours of eight in the morning and five in the after-
noon.
The names were listed and John scanned it. One he knew, a student of his, cute girl, a sophomore, a bit overweight, with a smile that could light up a room. He remembered she suffered from severe allergies to bee stings, a notice having been