Ready for the Storm

Jack and his eight-year-old daughter, Gwen, are survivors of the Big War. They stand hand in hand, watching the war-induced storm clouds approaching. This cloudbank is too wide for them to run from, and there is no shelter to be had. The multicolored clouds contain incredible bolts of lightning, great winds, and sizzling rain that burns on contact with anything. Jack has the idea that he will save his daughter from certain death by lying on top of her, thus protecting her from the lethal, pelting rain. He was unable to save his wife and son when the bombs fell, but he will do this. Gwen protests. He orders her to obey. He tells her that after the storm passes, he will be dead or very close to it. Nothing more than a burden to her. She should run as far and as fast as she can to find other survivors. Even though they haven’t seen any other people for weeks, there must be some. She can’t be alone in this nightmare world. If she can help others, maybe they will help her. As Jack shields his little girl from harm, the sizzling rain falls, burning through his ragged clothing, his skin, and into his bones. Gwen is largely protected from the rain’s effects. With every pained scream of her father, she winces – dreading his passing and her future, solitary life.