jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第29章

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　John　didn't　answer　right　away。　He　didn't　know　how。　Ever　since　he　could　remember　he　had　always　preferred　to　believe　in　things　he　could　sense。　John　had　always　described　ESP；　and　all　that　paranormal　stuff；　as　crap。　He　stopped　short　of　calling　God's　judgment　crap；　but　he　still　had　trouble　believing。　The　forest　around　him　was　physical；　and　that　meant　real…according　to　John。
　Cubby　was　different。　The　supernatural　came　easy　for　him。　Divine　intervention；　God；　the　Holy　Spirit；　sanctification；　all　fit　together　like　so　many　pieces　of　the　same　puzzle。　Together　they　made　a　picture　of　a　spiritual　realm　that　was　as　real　to　Cubby　as　the　forest　was　to　John。　To　Cubby　the　forest　was　physical　proof　of　a　spiritual　truth。　It　was　as　easy　for　Cubby　to　believe　that　the　forest　was　an　act　of　God　as　it　was　for　John　to　believe　that　it　came　from　the　center　of　the　earth。
　〃Hey；　Ripman　disproved　your　theory；〃　John　argued。　〃We　didn't　find　the　topless　joint；　remember。　Besides；　I　thought　God　was　going　to　use　fire　or　something　to　destroy　the　earth。　Where　in　the　Bible　does　it　say　people　are　going　to　be　eaten　by　dinosaurs？〃
　〃Scripture　isn't　easy　to　interpret。　If　you'd　ever　read　any　you　would　know　that。〃　Cubby　spoke　thoughtfully；　not　in　a　mean　way。　After　a　few　minutes　Cubby　talked　again。
　〃Maybe　God　did　do　something　like　this　once　before。　A　couple　of　months　ago　my　father　did　a　series　for　his　radio　show　on　the　Tower　of　Babel。　You　remember　that　story？　The　people　of　earth　had　bee　arrogant　and　were　trying　to　build　a　tower　to　reach　God。　To　punish　the　people；　and　stop　them；　God　gave　them　all　different　languages；　they　couldn't　talk　to　each　other　anymore。〃
　〃Cubby；　I　can　still　understand　you。　I　mean　I　know　what　your　words　mean；　it's　the　bination　that　doesn't　make　sense。〃
　〃Yeah；　but　if　we　meet　some　dude　hunting　dinosaurs；　wearing　a　skin　and　carrying　a　spear；　I　bet　you　can't　understand　him。〃
　〃Your　theory's　thin；　Cubby。〃
　〃Thinner　than　UFOs　from　the　center　of　the　earth？〃
　Because　John　didn't　quite　believe　his　own　theory；　he　couldn't　argue　it　seriously；　so　he　changed　the　subject。　〃Cubby；　did　those　dinosaurs　look　right　to　you？　I　mean；　they　didn't　look　like　any　dinosaurs　I'd　ever　seen　before。〃
　〃Jeez；　John；　you've　never　seen　a　dinosaur　before；　only　pictures。〃
　〃You　know　what　I　mean。　That　little　one　that　was　being　chased；　its　head　was　too　small　and　too　pointy；　and　its　legs　were　too　big　for　the　rest　of　its　body。　And　the　big　one　didn't　have　much　of　a　tail。　I　thought　they　fought　each　other　with　their　tails　and　stuff。〃
　〃I　didn't　see　much　of　the　big　one；　but　the　little　one　did　look　funny。　All　those　pictures　of　dinosaurs　in　books　are　just　guesses。　Maybe　when　they　tried　covering　those　dinosaur　skeletons　with　skin　they　got　it　wrong？　Or　maybe　the　dinosaurs　that　were　chasing　us　were　different　from　the　ones　in　the　museums。　They　were　around　for　millions　and　millions　of　years。　Maybe　we　don't　have　any　bones　of　ones　like　these。〃
　John　and　Cubby　didn't　sleep　or　talk〃　much　after　that。　Cubby　mumbled　prayers　most　of　the　night；　sometimes　loud　enough　for　John　to　pick　out　names　and　words。　Cubby　was　praying　not　only　for　his　family　but　also　for　John's　and　Ripman's。　John　wanted　to　thank　him　for　his　prayers。　But；　reluctant　to　disturb　his　friend；　instead；　John　lay　silent　listening　to　the　sounds　of　the　forest　and　worrying　about　his　parents。
　
　26。　　STREETS　OF　THE　NEW　WORLD
　
　Never　was　there　a　thunderbolt　to　match　that　to　e。　Italy；　Spain；　and　the　English　will　tremble。　And　the　whole　world　will　never　be　the　some。
　…Nostradamus
　
　The　disasters　came　in　three　waves。　The　immediate　losses　of　land；　crops；　buddings；　and　people　were　the　beginning。　Shortly　thereafter　came　the　secondary　effects。　With　roads　and　bridges　gone；　and　sections　of　track　missing；　cars　and　train　wrecks　piled　up　all　over　the　country。　Along　foggy　highway　1　in　California　thirty　two　cars　drove　off　a　cliff　before　a　slow…moving　Winnebago　stopped　in　time。　In　other　parts　of　the　country　dams　that　had　disappeared　into　the　night　released　their　waters；　and　towns　and　villages　were　washed　away　in　unprecedented　deluges。　Fires　spread　in　some　areas；　growing　into　firestorms　that　the　survivors　were　ill　equipped　to　fight。　Numerous　avalanches　of　rock；　snow；　and　mud　poured　down　from　the　hills　and　mountains；　some　onto　people　and　houses。
　The　third　wave　of　destruction　was　the　most　frightening。　The　breakdown　of　civilization　came　slowly；　but　inevitably。　Those　regions　without　power　were　the　most　dangerous。　With　no　lights；　no　burglar　alarms；　and　the　police　needed　everywhere；　the　professionals　went　right　to　work；　breaking　and　entering　at　will。　But　soon　the　looters　appeared；　mon　folk　who　blended　anonymously　into　crowds　and　began　to　help　themselves　to　the　luxuries　of　life　that　had　eluded　them。　Other　less…noticed　tragedies　took　place　with　increasing　frequency。　People　died　waiting　for　transplants　that　never　came；　or　for　surgical　teams　that　no　longer　existed。　Blood；　at　first　ample；　quickly　became　precious　as　those　suffering　from　the　disasters　were　ministered　to。　Medicines　too　quickly　became　as　rare　as　blood。　Some　pharmaceutical　panies　were　gone；　others　lost　stock　or　couldn't　get　supplies。　Those　that　could　deliver　found　the　interstate　system　shredded　with　precious　few　alternatives。　Deaths　from　formerly　curable　diseases　began　to　mount。
　Unlike　a　drought；　or　storm　damage；　people　were　more　affected　than　crops。　Concentrated　in　cities；　people　were　lost　by　the　millions。　Some　canned　and　preserved　foods　were　lost　with　warehouses；　but　more　problematic　was　distribution。　Food　shortages；　unheard　of　in　the　United　States；　became　mon　as　panicky　citizens　stockpiled。　Those　with　much　had　to　make　do　with　little。　Those　with　little　soon　faced　hunger。　Those　with　nothing　faced　famine。
　
　New　York　City
　POSTQUILT：　SUNDAY；　8：10　P。M。　EST
　
　Luis　watched　his　kids　sleep。　He　was　using　a　candle　for　light；　and　its　flickering　gave　the　room　an　eerie　look。　Everything　in　the　room　was　normal　though。　His　kids　were　doubled　up　with　their　cousins。　Ramon　was　in　with　Randy。　Just　the　same　size；　the　five…year…olds　had　giggled　for　an　hour　before　falling　asleep。　Jose　was　on　the　floor　in　a　sleeping　bag。　Though　the　nine…year…old　went　to　bed　with　a　worried　face；　he　slept　soundly　now　on　the　floor　next　to　his　cousin　Nicky。　Luis　went　next　door　to　check　on　Charlotte；　who　was　in　a　trundle　bed　next　to　her　favorite　cousin；　Mindy。　They　were　still　awake　and　talking　about　boys。　At　eleven　and　ten　they　were　each　other's　best　friend　at　family　gatherings。　Katrina　was　in　a　sleeping　bag　near　the　far　wall。　She　had　no　cousin　to　match　her　three　years；　but　she'd　gone　to　sleep　easily　enough；　listening　to　her　sister　and　cousin。　That　left　only　Cinda；　who　was　asleep　in　a　dresser　drawer　in　the　room　Luis　and　Melinda　would　share。
　Luis　returned　to　Melinda　in　the　living　room；　assuring　her　about　the　children　with　a　nod。　Placing　his　candle　with　the　others；　he　flopped　down　on　the　couch　beside　her；　his　head　on　her　shoulder。　Melinda　began　stroking　his　head。　They　sat　silently　like　that　until　Melinda's　brother　and　his　wife　came　in　with　coffee　heated　on　a　propane　stove　and　homemade　zucchini　bread。
　〃Sounds　quiet　in　there；〃　Steve　said。
　Luis　sat　up　taking　a　cup　of　coffee　from　Tanya。　〃The　little　ones　are　asleep。　I　know　ours　were　exhausted　by　the　walk。　It's　funny；　I　thought　Charlotte　and　Mindy　would　be　scared　the　most；　but　you　know　I　think　Jose　was。　He　hardly　said　a　word　after　we　saw　the　dinosaur。〃
　〃I　still　can't　believe　it；〃　Tanya　said。　〃I　mean；　I　believe　you；　but　I　can't　believe　it　happened。　You　know　what　I　mean；　don't　you？〃
　Melinda　smiled　at　her　sister…in…law。　〃Yes。　We　can't　believe　it　either。　You　should　have　seen　it；　though。　First　the　city　out　our　window　was　gone　and　then　this　huge　monster　came　walking　through　the　grass。　It　was　bigger　than　any　animal　I've　ever　seen。　And　more　terrible…looking　than　any　dinosaur　I've　ever　seen。　I　mean　seen　in　movies　and　books。〃
　Steve　began　munching　on　a　piece　of　the　zucchini　bread；　then　started　talking　with　his　mouth　full。
　〃You　know；　it's　almost　worth　going　back　over　to　see　it；〃　he　said。　〃If　we　had　some　power　I　could　probably　see　it　on　TV　by　now。　The　only　thing　we're　picking　up　on　the　radio　is　there's　been　a　blackout。　Nothing　about　a　big　chunk　of　the　city　disappearing　and　especially　nothing　about　dinosaurs。〃
　〃If　you　really　want　to　go；　you　can　e　with　me；〃　Luis　said。　〃I've　got　to　go　back。〃　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　〃No；〃　Melinda　said　immediately。　〃You　can't。　It's　too　dangerous。　You　saw　what　the　streets　looked　like。〃
　〃You　know　I've　got　to。　Mrs。　Weatherby　is　there。　She's　got　to　get　out。〃
　〃No。　You　asked　her。　You　tried　to　help　her。　You've　got　no　reason　to　feel　guilty。　Did　Mr。　Moreno　offer　to　help？　Did　the　McGregors？　No。　You　did；　Luis。　God　will　love　you　for　it。　Now　God　wants　you　to　think　only　of　your　family。〃
　〃God　wants　or　you　want？〃
　〃Luis…〃
　〃Mrs。　Weatherby　is　a　nice　old　lady　who　is　defenseless。　How　can　I　leave　her　there？　I'll　go；　I'll　get　her　。　。　。　carry　her　out　by　force　if　I　have　to　。　。　。　and　then　I'll　e　back。　Can　I　bring　her　here；　Tanya？　Only　until　we　find　her　family。〃
　Tanya　started　to　answer　yes　but　Melinda　talked　over　her。
　〃Luis；　you're　scaring　me。　Don't　leave　me　and　the　kids　alone。　What　if　you　don't　e　back？　What　would　we　do？　Cinda　would　never　remember　her　dada。〃
　〃It'll　be　okay；　Melinda。　I'll　be　extra　careful。　Just　right　there　and　back；　I　promise　nothing　will　happen　to　me。〃
　Luis　was　only　stubborn　when　it　came　to　his　honor；　and　somehow　this　was　the　honorable　thing　for　him　to　do。　But　she　managed　one　last　concession。
　〃You'll　wait　till　morning？　Not　in　the　dark；　Luis；　it's　just　too　crazy　out　there。〃
　〃Not　until　morning；〃　he　conceded。
　Then　they　snuggled　together；　both　secretly　worrying　it　could　be　their　last　night　together。　Then　Steve　put　out　the　candles　and　opened　the　curtains　a　little。　The　street　below　was　empty　but　in　the　distance　they　could　see　fires；
　〃Don't　go；　Luis；〃　Melinda　whispered；　then　took　his　hand　and　squeezed　it。
　Luis　put　his　arm　around　her　shoulder　and　pulled　her　close。　He　never　answered。　He　didn't　have　to。
　
　Luis　left　the　next　morning　by　himself。　The　street　was　sprinkled　with　abandoned　cars；　the　streetlights　off。　There　were　no　cars　moving　on　the　street　but　Luis　could　hear　the　sound　of　traffic　somewhere　in　the　distance。　He　didn't　bother　to　try　the　subway；　they'd　discovered　the　day　before　the　trains　weren't　running。
　He　walked　the　streets；　watching　the　shadows　and　avoiding　the　alleys　and　dark　doorways；　but　he　made　good　time。　The　apartment　building's　doors　were　closed　and　curtains　drawn。　The　corner　groceries；　video　stores；　and　delis　were　locked　up　but　intact。　The　only　businesses　open　were　the　two　bars　he　passed。　Luis　gained　confidence　with　each　step　through　the　quiet　streets　until　he　turned　a　corner　to　face　unbelievable　destruction。
　The　street　was　filled　with　broken　glass；　pieces　of　concrete；　and　goods　looted　from　the　stores。　In　the　distance　Luis　could　see　a　smoldering　overturned　car。　A　few　people　were　milling　around；　looking　through　the　loot　in　the　street　or　shop　windows。　Luis　thought　of　finding　another　way　to　Mrs。　Weatherby's　but　whatever　had　happened　here　was　over；　and　the　people　in　the　streets　looked　anything　but　dangerous。　Besides；　he　reasoned；　he　knew　what　was　in　these　streets　but　he　had　no　id