Deep Shadows (49 page)

Shelby turned so that her knee was propped up on the bumper of the vehicle and she was facing Max. She needed to see him, look directly at him, when she said this. It didn't matter that darkness had almost fallen. She knew Max well enough to read his reactions, even in the dark.

“What if you have another migraine?”

“That's a risk, but there's a bigger risk that you'll be attacked by marauders, or that you'll find a situation in Austin that is untenable. Together? Yeah, we'll get there and get back with Carter's medicine and a small propane refrigerator.”

“You parents have a refrigerator that works. Georgia said—”

“The gas won't last through the winter. We need something smaller. Something just for the meds.”

She considered that and nodded. “I have to find it, Max. I have to. I can't watch my son die before my eyes when there's something I can do to prevent it—even if that something is a long shot.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “We have a little more than a month's supply left. That's it.”

She didn't realize she was crying until he reached forward, cupped her face, and rubbed away the tears with his thumbs.

“God won't give us more than we can handle, Shelby. You can count on that.”

She pulled away and swiped at her nose. “Sounds like something you'd stitch onto a pillow.”

“Well, I wouldn't. I'm no good with a needle.”

Shelby tried to still the fear that caused her heart to hammer. She knew she was doing the right thing. She had cried and worried and prayed since that first night when they'd seen the aurora as they hiked the trail from Gorman Falls. She'd known, even then, that Carter's insulin would be the biggest problem they would face.

She and Max stood there, shoulder to shoulder, as the stars made their appearance—right on time, every night, regardless of the state of man.

Finally, Shelby turned to him and said, “We leave at first light.”

D
ISCUSSION
Q
UESTIONS

1. Even before Shelby fully understands their situation, her first instinct is to check on her child. Our parental instincts are strong, and often they supersede everything else. But as they drive home, she understands the need to stop and get information as well as help others. She has to go against her deepest instincts. The Bible speaks about helping others in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Does this apply even in times of emergency, or should we have a “family first” mentality? Why or why not?

2. Max convinces the grocery store manager to go against company policy, open the store, and sell what supplies he has. Was this a good or bad decision? What might have happened if he hadn't opened the store?

3. When the downtown fire breaks out, the townspeople fight it the old-fashioned way—with blankets and a bucket brigade. Though they are faced with an increasingly grim situation, the people of Abney don't give up. One theme of this story is that there is much we can learn from the older generation. Name three practical things we could learn from our elders.

4. Pastor Tony reminds his congregation that God's love
endures forever
. The world is crumbling around them, but God's love is unchangeable. How does this help us when we are facing tragic situations?

5. This story takes place in a small town, and most of the people attend one of the local churches. The churches, in return, naturally respond to needs within their community. Name some outreach programs your church participates in. What are some needs that aren't being met or planned for?

6. Shelby misses her parents, but she knows she will be reunited with them one day. What things can we be certain about as far as the future? How can those promises help us through any present trouble?

7. Throughout the story we see that some people rise to the occasion—they become stronger, more helpful, and more faithful. For others, though, the emergency is a reason to turn against their neighbor, to put their own needs first, and to step away from their faith. What can we do to ensure that we stay in the first category? Another way to ask that question—how can we be the hands and feet of Christ to others during a tragic situation?

8. As Pastor Tony preaches at the funeral service, he draws their attention to Scripture in Kings and Jeremiah. Actually there are 67 references in the Bible to a remnant. This word simply means “remaining,” so the remnant of Christ would be those remaining in him. Read the following verses: 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:31, Ezra 9:8, Isaiah 10:21, Isaiah 37:31, and Jeremiah 42:2. Discuss your reaction to these verses.

9. Carter's faith is shaky at best. Before the flare, he went to church because his mother went. It's also a comfortable, safe place for him. He hasn't quite worked out what he believes yet. After witnessing some horrific events, his beliefs are shaken to the core. What can a parent do to help guide a child—even a grown child—into the faith?

10. The story ends the way it began—with Shelby worried about her son. The parent/child relationship is one of the most precious gifts we receive from God, and it defines every decision we make. It's a burden and it's a blessing. Share verses of Scripture that help us know how to navigate our family relationships.

A
UTHOR
'
S
N
OTE

M
assive solar flares are not fiction. The Carrington Event occurred September 1, 1859. Aurorae were seen as far south as the Caribbean, and telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America failed. More recently, large solar storms were recorded in 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Research by NASA scientists indicates there is a 12 percent chance a large storm will happen in the next 10 years. This report stresses that while a CME is not physically harmful, it could blow out transformers in power grids and disrupt satellite/GPS systems. A recent assessment by the Department of Homeland Security reported to Congress that a massive electromagnetic pulse event caused by a solar flare could leave more than 130 million Americans without power for years.

In 2014, an explosion in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City leveled two five-story apartment buildings, killed eight people, and injured at least 70 others. According to city officials, the blast was caused by a gas leak.

Basilar migraines occur in 1 of 400 migraine sufferers. They are a disturbance in the brain stem. Symptoms include dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, temporary blindness, loss of balance, and loss of consciousness. Migraine specific medications are avoided for these types of migraines because they may constrict the basilar artery and lead to stroke.

E
MERGENCY
P
REPARATION
L
ISTS

Foods with a Long Shelf Life

• Maple syrup

• Honey

• Salt

• Rice

• Corn starch

• Sugar

• Vanilla extract

• Vinegar

Medicinal Herbs to Be Added to Tea or Other Drinks

• For a cough, add rosemary

• For stomach cramps, add mint

• For menstrual cramps, add oregano

• For achy joints, add curry powder

What to Pack in an Emergency Kit
*

• Water—one gallon per person, per day

• Food—easy-to-make and won't spoil

• Manual can opener

• Flashlight

• Battery-powered, solar, or hand-crank radio

• Cell phone with chargers

• Extra batteries

• Health and safety supplies, including a first aid kit

• Medicine (7-day supply), other medical supplies, and paperwork about any serious or ongoing medical conditions

• Emergency blankets

• Soap, toothbrush, and other personal care items

• Family and emergency contact information

• Multipurpose tool

• Copies of important documents such as insurance cards, immunization records, etc.

• Extra cash

• Map(s) of the area

• Extra set of car keys and house keys

Basic 3-Month Emergency Food Stash
**

• 50 lbs. white flour, or 100 lbs. if you can't grind the 50 lbs. of wheat berries listed below

• 50 lbs. wheat berries (to grind into flour)

• 10 lbs. dried corn (popcorn works great) to be ground into cornmeal as needed, or 10 lbs. cornmeal

• 25 lbs. oatmeal

• 20 lbs. white rice (brown rice turns rancid sooner than white)

• 15 lbs. pasta noodles (or 15 lbs. durum wheat berries to grind and make homemade noodles)

• 25 lbs. mixed dry beans and legumes (such as pintos, white navy, red kidney, lentils, and split peas)

• 20 lbs. sugar

• 5 lbs. salt

• 3 lbs. dehydrated whole eggs if you don't raise chickens

• 5 lbs. butter powder

• 1 gal. cooking oil (olive or vegetable, or a combination)

• 2 large jars peanut butter

• 12 lbs. powdered milk (comes in 4-lb. boxes)

• 1 lb. baking powder

• 1 lb. baking soda

• 5 lbs. yeast

• 1 gal. vinegar

• 1 lb. sprouting seeds (alfalfa and broccoli seeds are small, tasty, and easy to sprout)

• 1 gallon water per person, per day minimum (More is better, especially if you live in a hot climate. Also think about storing additional water for washing up.)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 bar soap

1 c. baking soda

⅓
c. salt

2 c. water

Grate the bar of soap. Mix soap, baking soda, and salt. Add the water and mix in a large bucket.

Homemade Toothpaste

2/3 c. baking soda

1 tsp. sea salt (optional)

1–2 tsp. peppermint extract or peppermint oil (see
How to Grow a Victory Garden
)

water

Mix first three ingredients, then add water until you reach the desired consistency

*
per the Center for Disease Control

**
Used with permission from Georgia Varozza's blog. More details at
http://georgiaplainandsimple.blogspot.com/p/expect-unexpected-emergency.html

H
OW TO
G
ROW A
V
ICTORY
G
ARDEN

• Choose a place to plant your garden. Consider your backyard, side yard or front yard. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well. Window boxes, containers, and even rooftops are good places. Most plants need at least six hours of sunlight, so plan accordingly.

• Determine what plants grow well in your area to increase your chance of success. Remember to include herbs and medicinal plants.

• Create compost using grass clippings, produce scraps, layers of newspaper, etc.

• Prepare your soil with homemade compost.

• Choose healthy plants or start seeds indoors. Make sure the room is warm (such as a bathroom) and well-lit. If possible, choose a room with a south-facing window.

• No space? Ask your local city offices if there are any community gardens, or help a neighbor who has growing space in exchange for a portion of the harvest.

• Tend your garden every day. Remove pests and dead leaves. Water as needed.

H
OW TO
P
ERFORM
CPR

How to Perform CPR on an Adult
^*

1. Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone.

2. Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.

3. Position your body directly over your hands.

4. Give 30 chest compressions. These compressions should be fast and hard. Press down about 2 inches into the chest.