The Pulse: An EMP Prepper Survival Tale Read Online Free Page A

particular morning he
would try again.
    "I can't go to church today; I got too much
school work to do."
    "Your school work can wait. If it weren't for
church you'd be sleeping, so don't give me that," Christina said as
she placed a bottle of syrup on the table.
    "But ─ "
    "All I ask is for one hour out of the week so
you can set a good example for your brother and sister. That isn't
asking too much," Christina interrupted.
    "It ain't right, I shouldn't have to go to
church if I don't wanna," Richie shot back.
    "Just eat your food. It's not open for
debate," she said sternly. Richie said no more, but it was clear he
was upset.
    "I agree with Richie," Tobias chimed in, with
a mouth full of food. "Church is boring."
    Christina pivoted around
from the counter, holding her coffee mug, waiting for the fresh pot
to brew. "Then I suggest you find something entertaining about it.
Maybe try paying attention for once — an d don't
talk with your mouth full."
    Tobias said no more.
Christina looked to Richie. "See what kind of example you're
setting? You kids need church. It's good for you. When you're
adults ─ "
    " ─ We'll thank you, I know. You say that
all the time," Richie said, looking down at his plate. He barely
had touched his food. His mind was elsewhere: school, his friends,
his girlfriend, the football team.
    "I say it 'cause it's true," Christina
answered. "Now enough griping and eat your food."
    Her children stopped talking; only emitting
chewing sounds. Pop music from a portable radio sitting on the
window played lightly, as breeze swayed the thin curtains above the
sink. The coffee was ready, and Christina poured a cup. She planned
to surprise Terrance with coffee in bed but wouldn't risk bringing
him breakfast; he was too messy.
     
    She was tough by nature, but had grown even
more vigilant over the years. Her role as a sometimes-single parent
had a lot to do with it. Though there was some give when Terrance
came back home, she ran the house unquestioned. Terrance's salary
alone wasn't enough to pay all the bills, so Christina took a
part-time job working the cash register at the Dollar Store.
    Her life had changed
considerably when, after a few weeks on the job, she was held at
gunpoint and robbed by a local hood wearing a ski mask. It was near
closing time when he strolled into the store casually and
unexpectedly. He rushed the counter, stuck the barrel of the pistol
directly against her head, and yelled at her to empty the register.
Her life was on the line. She could see his eyes —b loodshot,
frenzied — and knew
that there was a good chance he would pull the trigger, even over
what little money she had in the register. Her hands fumbled with
the register because she was inexperienced in opening the drawer
without first ringing up a sale. What she was doing wasn't
working.
    "Open the register, bitch!" he seethed.
"Hurry the fuck up!"
    His spittle sprayed her face as he pressed
the barrel harder against her skull. She began to shake
uncontrollably, unable to speak, while desperately trying to remain
calm. Miraculously, the register drawer popped open after a few
tries, not a moment too soon. Fear gripped her further when she
looked into the drawer and saw that there wasn't much money inside.
The other cashier had collected her till just hours before. All
Christina could see were a couple of twenties, fives, and ones. The
man took notice of the paltry score before him. He wasted no time
clutching every last bill before he leaned in closer, his index
finger wrapped around the trigger.
    "Now where's the rest?" he asked.
    "That's all we have," Christina said in shaky
voice. Tears ran down her face. She knew it wasn’t true but just
wanted the man to leave. The rest of the money was in the back
office, but she feared that if he brought her in there, she would
never make it out.
    "Don't lie to me, bitch. Gimme the rest or I
put a bullet through your head."
    "I don't ─ "
    "Last chance."
    "I don't know!" she