Merlin's Revenge Chapter 8
Time to check up on Shelby.
She was forced to slow with the crowed as they came to the edge of the tunnel. It seemed that when the pulse had hit those drivers that were on the road had collectively decided to put it in neutral and roll forward just a little. With the downslope leading to the floating bridge that had left a clear area in the roadway. Now that clear area was filled with pedestrians. People filled the bridge.
From listening to the gossip flowing around her she wasn't the only one to think the power wasn't coming back any time soon. Seeing the familiar skyline to the northeast beyond the rise that formed Lake Washington as she made her way out of the tunnel Shelby felt the last little bit of positivity evaporate. Smoke rose from the skyline in so many small columns it gathered into a thin dense cloud over Bellevue. The rise behind and above her prevented everyone from seeing Seattle but she thought the chance of a similar sight about fifty-fifty.
Those around her moved as if in shock. Most had simple carry bags like hers but there were more that were either rolling carry-ons or carrying suitcases. Several families were in evidence. She was in the middle of an exodus, and considering the direction her thoughts were trending that was the last place she wanted to be. In less than a quarter of a mile they would be over water. The span after that allowed no options other than turning around or going forward. Should something happen, and at that moment Shelby had lost trust in the potential mob of people around her, she'd be in the middle of it. She made her way to the side of the roadway and started climbing the rail on top of the barrier.
Dropping into the trampled ivy that covered the hill along the freeway she started trudging toward what looked like a biking trail. She had no idea where the path led but it had to be better than in the middle of a crowd when it felt to her they were walking into a trap. She'd never explored the neighborhoods around Seattle and was now paying for it. For all the people continuing on across the bridge only one or two out of a hundred were opting out as she was.
Following the much thinner stream of people on the path Shelby looked back only once. Shivering at the association of a movie she'd only watched once she sped up her steps. The path lead to a residential street with well kept houses to either side. Following her fellow opt-outs ahead of her she soon found herself walking into what looked like a park. As those she followed slowed and started meandering she picked a spot and sat against a tree trunk.
It felt good to be off her feet. She wasn't as exhausted as those around her appeared to be but she still needed a break. It was giving her time to think. She'd been certain that staying in the city too dangerous. It wasn't so much that without power and water pressure the buildings were a matchstick waiting for a light, it was the overcrowding. She had seen on the news shows on those occasions when there were too many people crammed in tight spaces with nothing to occupy their time.
As she plucked a blade pf grass Shelby thought that was being kind and followed the train of thought to its conclusion. There had been shows, movies and books speculating on how everyone would react when the things everyone took for granted were removed. She was now getting a firsthand lesson. Using what she'd watched and read as a basic guide and a bit of thought Shelby decided her best course of action would be to find somewhere to hunker down and ride it out. A thinly occupied neighborhood like the one she was in would be best, but not one so close to an evacuation route that was carrying herds of people. The park wouldn't do either, too many people would collect here.
She got up from the tree and started walking, casually making her way to the south and west. Leaving the park she crossed streets and kept to the sidewalk. Eventually she came to a familiar landmark. Crossing Martin Luther King Way she started heading almost due south. She came to the entry of a Lowes only to see it was being looted. She turned and recrossed MLK Way in the opposite direction. She walked through the neighborhood around the store being gutted like a fish looking for signs of occupancy.
The newly found extra perception was coming in handy. If she concentrated Shelby could sense people inside every house she passed. In this area it seemed most had either reached home or those homes had become occupied. It was three blocks before she sensed a house that was left unoccupied, for the moment. There was no hesitation, she'd already made the decision.
Crossing the lawn she went to the side of the house and reaching over the side gate found the latch with her outstretched fingers. Stepping into the backyard and closing the gate after here she watched the front of the house to see if anyone had followed her. After ten seconds of seeing nothing she made her was to the back of the house. Screened from view by the fence and trees she broke in.
She searched the house finding it a two bedroom. While it looked to previously been fairly well kept it also looked to have been ransacked in the last few hours. The kitchen had seen extra attention. Not a scape of food was left. She pushed the debris from the counter and set her carry bag down. After a moment of rummaging through it she brought out one of her Cliff Bars.
After eating she found water in the bucket that held melting ice cubes in the freezer. The excess water half filled a two liter coke bottle she found in the recycle. She wandered through the house doing her best to not feel like an intruder. The daylight was starting to fade when she sat on the end of the sofa to watch the front of the house. With the sun perhaps half an hour from setting there would likely be others looking for a place to shelter. Strangers seeking a safe place in a stranger's house.
Less than fifteen minutes after Shelby began her watch she noticed three men who were slowly coming up the street looking at every house and talking amongst themselves. She'd been playing with her new ability to see the vague mist that seemed to be everywhere. She watched as they paused in front of the house she'd taken. All three looked around as if seeing if anyone would see what they planned next.
“Stay away." Shelby muttered under her breath. She could see the misty fog of her breath as she spoke the words. This time the spectacle was different. Instead of the faint vapor of normal breathing her breath as she spoke was easily visible. Her exhalation, bright with purpose hung in the air before her and did not evaporate. Inspired by something new to her, she took a deep breath and focused on the still glowing puff of breath in front of her and spoke again. “They are to stay out."
Again her breath when she spoke puffed out bright as if she expelled a tiny cloud that joined the first. It was almost cartoonish. “Stay out." again she spoke with the determination that they were to obey her demand and watched as another bright puff of mist came out of her and joined the one already in the air. She reached out trying to touch or feel the now large cloud of puffed breath. She didn't feel anything but her hand pushed it before her. It made contact with the window and quickly spread over the glass and as she watched seemed to seep into the pane and disappear from her sight.
Something led her to believe that the three men that were now approaching the house would not enter through the window that she had affected. Staying low and out of sight she went to the front door and stood. Leaning close she focused and with purpose said “Stay Out."
The cloud of her breath made contact with the door and instantly seeped into the painted surface. “Stay Out." She repeated for good measure. Staying low she made her way to the side window of the living room and repeated the spell, for now that's how she thought of what she was doing. Having lain a spell on three points of entry she heard the three men climb the steps of the front porch and start arguing. One tried the doorknob but by the sound it was a halfhearted attempt, as if just checking to see if it were locked.
Barely breathing she stood and listened as the men descended the steps of the porch, still arguing. Standing at the side of the front window careful not to show herself she watched as they went back to the street and after a few seconds of argument continued on their way.
Shelby spent the next hour laying spells on the rest of the windows and doors. When she finally lay down to rest she didn't so much dream as have a vision. A mighty vision.