Chapter 2
In the pitch, that's where we were in that prolonged half-second. Many of those lit blue screens elevated in a flash. Others were shadowed momentarily as their owners reached for their loved ones. A few, like my own, doused - a throwback from my military days. I see you. You there, in the darkness. Others, like me, moved in silence to place their backs against a wall, away from the others. The idea: they can't sneak up on you that way, or at least, you can see them coming.
"Everyone, remain calm."
"Where are the emergency lights?"
"What's going on?"
"Really! This is ridicu…"
"Everyone rema…"
"YOU remain calm! Turn on the damn lights!"
Shouting. Crying. A threat of bodily harm. Someone ran past me, one of those silent guys, only he was going the wrong way. I know because of my habit. A fun little game. I scan every corner. Find two exits as soon as you enter a room. And I quietly turned right and began walking calmly to one now. This was going to turn ugly real quick.
I squeezed my ph…
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