Read Online Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) by Bobby Akart - Free Book Online

appeared to be a year or two younger than Alex. Alex turned her attention to Wren as he started the meeting.
    “Thank you, everyone, for coming this afternoon. I see a lot of familiar faces, but for those who don’t know me, my name is Shane Wren, and I live through the backyard behind us on Westview. My wife, Christie, is at home with our two young daughters. In my prior life, which was, well, a couple of days ago, I was a professor at Vandy.” The group laughed with Wren. Alex didn’t, and she noticed that her dad wasn’t laughing either.
    “I’ve been the president of the Harding Place Association, or the HPA as we like to call it, for almost two years. In the past, my job was to organize activities and deal with issues surrounding our restrictions. Today, we face an uncertain future and a crisis never before experienced in our country.”
    Several people mumbled their acknowledgement of the situation and nodded as Wren continued. A few attendees carried notepads and used them as fans to cool their faces.
    “I would like to introduce a couple of your neighbors. This is Adam Holder, who used to work for First Tennessee Bank.”
    Holder stepped forward. “Hello, everyone.”
    “Adam lives down on the cul-de-sac at Sheppard Place,” started Wren. “Also, please meet Gene Andrews, who lives right up the street. Gene has an announcement to make, don’t you, Gene?”
    “I do,” said Andrews. “I was formerly director of compliance at the IRS office here in Nashville. I’m pleased to announce that we won’t be collecting taxes for a while.” The three men laughed and several in the crowd joined in.
    “Our life is over and they want to spew a bunch of jokes,” said the teenage boy into Alex’s ear, startling her. She jumped and turned toward him.
    “You scared me!” she exclaimed.
    “Sorry, dude,” said the boy. “I didn’t mean to.” He cut himself off and hung his head. Alex picked up on the fact that he was sensitive to being scolded.
    “It’s okay,” she started. “I’m a little jumpy, you know. My name’s Alex.”
    “Hi. My name is Jimmy.” He hesitated for a moment. “Jimmy Holder. That’s my stepdad up there—the one with the sport coat on.”
    “It’s a little hot for a jacket, isn’t it?” asked Alex as Wren continued.
    “He’s a banker, whadya expect?” Jimmy replied, drawing a laugh from Alex. Jimmy kicked a small rock and chuckled under his breath.
    Wren spoke a little louder. “Make room for these new folks who’ve just arrived, if you don’t mind.” The outdoor room became more crowded as a few more joined the group. Alex estimated forty people were crammed into the small space.
    Wren continued. “Until the government gets things squared away, we’ve decided to meet here every day at noon. Of course, attendance isn’t mandatory, but we hope all of you will play an active role in binding our community together. We have every confidence that FEMA will be reaching out to all of our neighborhoods.”
    Spontaneous applause erupted from much of the room. Alex smirked and shook her head. They don’t know that for certain.
    Jimmy must have noticed her reaction and quietly spoke to Alex. “They’re blowing sunshine,” he started. “My stepdad says the power may not come on for years. He’s worried about the fact we don’t have much food.”
    “You don’t?” asked Alex.
    “He’d usually eat out after work, while at the bar,” said Jimmy. “He’d make me fend for myself when Mom was traveling.”
    “Where is she?” asked Alex.
    “D.C.,” he replied. “She’s a bank lobbyist.”
    “Oh,” said Alex. She studied Jimmy. He seemed troubled and distant. Alex had met kids like him in the past. Broken homes often didn’t work out for the children. Parents couldn’t get along, split up, and then remarried. Some kids took it in stride—many couldn’t cope. Jimmy seemed to fall into the latter category.
    Wren continued speaking. “Our President wants us to