Читать книгу The Barkuu - Lauren Wright - Страница 12

With less than two hours before the first impact rolled across the planet, the Cloud had already been the single most unifying event in all of human history.

The stillness of the air was preternatural; again, a worldwide quiet had ensued. This time, rather than in the wake of tragedy, it was in anticipation of one, much like when the most prominent nations stood poised to destroy one another with nuclear arms.

At that time, all across the globe, people waited on a few men to determine the fate of all humanity. This time we wait but have no say in our fate. It is an eerie sinking feeling, helpless; we are adrift in empty space.

All over the world, people stood still, humanity as one, quiet, awake. Never before has all of the human race shared a waking consciousness, uniform attention on a single idea — united by simultaneous hope and dread, regardless of understanding, beliefs, culture, or geographical location.

Humanity's nine billion people were indeed one. The most brutal rivals forgave one another and joined hands, their anger and hatred replaced with fear and uncertainty. Huddled masses gathered in the millions, wailing, praying, and singing, foregoing the safety of the underground and banking on prayer.

Empty freeways and office buildings, stopped trains, grounded airplanes, and ported ships roused no sound as the planet drifted ominously toward the Cloud. Even in the Dark, people waited patiently to be dealt their hand.

"BREAKING NEWS, CLOUD IMPACT IN 22 MINUTES" trailed across the bottom of the screen, alternating with, "FIRST CLOUD TO TOUCH DOWN OFF THE EAST COAST OF BRAZIL AND AMERICAS."

"That's right, Dawn; the Cloud is supposed to touch down starting just before the eastern seaboard of South America, and then throughout the United Americas."

The Announcer chimed in, "We here at Channel 9 will be staying with you, and on the air from our bunkers for as long as we can. Cameras have been strategically placed worldwide, and we will stream the footage as the Cloud begins to rain down."

"Now Jeff, we're told that the impact should fill the sky from north to south, as far you can see. It will further create a massive wall of smoke and fire."

"Again Jeff, we believe most of this debris should burn up in the atmosphere before it reaches the troposphere." The Announcer added, "The troposphere is, as you know, now the portion of the atmosphere that we live in."

"However, we believe there are some large chunks we are going to have to watch out for. Plus Jeff, remember, we don't know what the Cloud is composed of, so we really can't say for sure that it will do anything."

"That's right, Dawn, as we understand it, the cloud should begin a cascading meteor shower as far the eye can see in either direction and sweep west across the planet like a massive tidal wave."

Warnings continued to flash across the top of the screen, encouraging people to make their way to underground shelters as soon as possible.

The Announcer continued, "The cloud will touch down just before dusk, and the two will roll over the earth together, leading with the most elaborate, exciting, and spectacular fireworks show ever to fill these skies and trailing with complete darkness."

The parallels to life are everywhere here, Kelly thought to herself. The reporter continued, "Because as you know, Jeff, most of the world has shut down its non-emergency power-grids to help preserve them."

Kelly sat with Mika, holding her tight. The news channel was unnerving but necessary, joining the world together to watch the event spread and unite humankind under one uniform blanket of terror.

"What's going to happen, Auntie? Are we going to be okay?" Mika asked with fear in her eyes. Kelly gazed into those wondrous and frightened eyes, trying to find the words to comfort her.

Realizing they were hiding in a basement with all the entrances heavily barricaded, and surrounded by weeks of food, water, and comforts for a long haul, Kelly worked up a smile.

"Of course we are, my sweet girl; everything is going to be just fine."

"It's okay to be scared Auntie K," Mika said. "I'm scared, but I know you will keep me safe." Kelly's heart dropped, then wrenched, and tears flooded her eyes.

"Oh my baby girl, you are so brave. No matter what happens, we will be together. I will never let anyone take you from me." Kelly wiped the tears from one side with her wrist, squeezed her tight, and stroked her hair.

When she was sure Mika could not see her face, it settled back into the dreadful worry that would surely have terrified her. With a now steady stream of tears running down her face, she silently wished she had the confidence of little Jelly Bean.