Deep Shadows Read Online Free

crashing? Falling into our fields and highways?”
    â€œI don’t know, Mr. Bowman. I realize your son is a pilot. It’s possible that he found a safe place to land or that he wasn’t in the air at the time.”
    The old man nodded and stared at the floor.
    â€œThat last explosion wasn’t a plane.” This from a middle-aged woman in the middle of the room. “I heard it all the way from my place on the east side. Folks are saying two of the freight trains collided. What would cause that? And what if those trains were carrying hazardous materials?”
    Toby looked to Sam Collins, who stood and cleared his throat.
    â€œI believe it was two trains, and I can’t tell you why they crashed into each other. I’ve owned this shop since I was a twenty-two-year-old pup. Never went to college and sure couldn’t fly a plane or drive a train.” Sam ran a weathered hand up and down his jaw. “There’s going to be a lot of questions about this thing and precious few answers. I can’t tell you what was on those trains or why they collided. We’re going to have to deal with problems one at a time, as we receive information about them. But if we focus on what we don’t know, this thing is going to beat us before the first night has passed.”
    He sat down, indicating that Toby should continue.
    â€œIn some places power is out completely. Other places it fades in and out.”
    â€œWe’ve been without power before,” someone called out.
    â€œFrom what I’m hearing—the big transformers are going down, one by one. That has never happened before, and according to the experts it means the power could stay down for some time.”
    â€œBecause of this?” Another elderly man pointed out the window. Though it was now nearly ten in the evening, the cars were bathed in the red light of the aurora.
    â€œThere’s all sorts of theories,” Toby said. “Solar flares, grid overload, EMP attack…”
    â€œWho would attack us?” the woman with the shotgun asked.
    From the opposite side of the room, Max heard someone mutter, “Want a list?”
    â€œCould be domestic, could be foreign.” Toby hitched up his pants. “I can’t tell you, and there are too many theories coming over the ham to make any sense of it.”
    â€œCould be the aliens have come to fetch D.J. back to their ship.”
    This was said by a tall, gangly boy, who was apparently standing next to D.J. The teenager beside him slapped the first on the back of the head, and then they both laughed.
    It eased some of the tension in the room, but not much.
    Sam stood back up. “I suggest everyone go home and try to get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow is apt to be… challenging. Keep a watch out for strangers.”
    â€œAny strangers appear on my place, and I won’t bother with a warning shot.” The woman sitting on top of the cooler patted her shotgun. “And don’t bother telling me I can’t. I know my rights.”
    â€œWe have a right to defend ourselves,” Toby agreed, trying to quiet the group.
    But suddenly everyone was talking, and it all sounded reactionary to Max. He glanced at Patrick, who shook his head once, his eyes still scanning the crowd.
    â€œCalm down, folks.” Sam raised his voice to be heard over the crowd. “The last thing we need is for everyone to panic and start shooting the first person they see. More than likely that will be one of your neighbors coming to ask to borrow something.”
    â€œBest make yourself known before you step on my place.” An old man from the back stood and walked to the front of the room. He wore faded dungarees and a soiled ball cap. “I’ve been warning you all for years, but no one would listen to me. You made fun and talked about my conspiracy theories.”
    He paused to spit into a cup. “Mind you, there are those who will take