the lighter fluid.
" Police, sheriff deputies, and emergency ambulances are literally deafened with calls for help. The scene can best be described as mayhem. "
Ben got the fire started, then collected the lighter fluid and returned to the living room. He grabbed a large armchair and dragged it over toward the front door.
" Mayors of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Miami, along with the governors of several Eastern and Midwestern states, have indicated the National Guard may be mobilized at any moment, but that has not happened as yet. "
Ben dowsed the chair with lighter fluid, shaking the fluid over it and then finally squeezing the can into a stronger stream, thoroughly soaking the seat cushion and arms of the chair to the point that the fumes made him a little lightheaded.
" The only advice our reporters have been able to get from official sources is for private citizens to stay in their homes, behind locked doors. Do not venture outside for any reason, until the nature of this crisis has been determined, and until we can advise what course of action to take. "
Moving to a window, Ben jerked one of the curtains free from the rod, then knelt on the floor and tore off a sizeable strip of fabric. He had never actually tried this sort of thing before, but he had seen it done in the movies and was confident it would work.
" Keep listening to radio and TV for any special instructions as this crisis develops further. "
Ben wrapped the torn cloth around the thicker end of one of the remaining dining table legs, twisting the cloth tight as he carried it back into the study.
" Thousands of office and factory workers are being urged to stay at their places of employment, not to make any attempt to get to their homes. "
Thrusting the wrapped end of the table leg into the fireplace, Ben was encouraged to see the fabric catch fire in an instant. But when he withdrew his makeshift torch, he was startled by how much noxious smoke billowed from it.
Holding the torch away from his face, he headed back toward the front door.
" However, in spite of this urging and warning, streets and highways are packed with frantic people trying to reach their families, or attempting to flee just any where. "
Knocking aside lumber that blocked his way, Ben unlocked the front door, then took stock: Was he ready for this? Was everything set?
" We repeat: The safest course of action at this time is simply to stay where you are. "
Easy for you to say, buddy!
Opening the front door, Ben pushed the chair outside ahead of him, not stopping until he reached the end of the porch.
The things — maybe five or six of them now — immediately focused from wherever they were gazing to the house, to him. Where the hell were they coming from? They didn’t speak, barely made any noise at all, so how the hell was "word" spreading to come here?
He had no answers, and suspected that none would be forthcoming. The important thing was to keep them away from the house until he could finish barricading it, and, if at all possible, away from the truck.
Ben touched the torch to the chair, and it went up like a bonfire! One or two of the things actually moaned in apprehension, fire once more wringing more emotion from them than anything else. He kicked the chair hard, sending it toppling over into the front yard, eliciting more groans from the things as they backed away.
He tossed the torch toward them for good measure, stepping back into the doorway as he watched them. As he had hoped, their retreat carried them away from the truck — they no longer acknowledged anything save the fire before them. With luck, the chair would burn and smolder for a while to come.
Withdrawing into the house, he closed and locked the door.
" Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve just received word that the President has called a meeting of his Cabinet to deal with the sudden epidemic of murder which has
" Police, sheriff deputies, and emergency ambulances are literally deafened with calls for help. The scene can best be described as mayhem. "
Ben got the fire started, then collected the lighter fluid and returned to the living room. He grabbed a large armchair and dragged it over toward the front door.
" Mayors of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Miami, along with the governors of several Eastern and Midwestern states, have indicated the National Guard may be mobilized at any moment, but that has not happened as yet. "
Ben dowsed the chair with lighter fluid, shaking the fluid over it and then finally squeezing the can into a stronger stream, thoroughly soaking the seat cushion and arms of the chair to the point that the fumes made him a little lightheaded.
" The only advice our reporters have been able to get from official sources is for private citizens to stay in their homes, behind locked doors. Do not venture outside for any reason, until the nature of this crisis has been determined, and until we can advise what course of action to take. "
Moving to a window, Ben jerked one of the curtains free from the rod, then knelt on the floor and tore off a sizeable strip of fabric. He had never actually tried this sort of thing before, but he had seen it done in the movies and was confident it would work.
" Keep listening to radio and TV for any special instructions as this crisis develops further. "
Ben wrapped the torn cloth around the thicker end of one of the remaining dining table legs, twisting the cloth tight as he carried it back into the study.
" Thousands of office and factory workers are being urged to stay at their places of employment, not to make any attempt to get to their homes. "
Thrusting the wrapped end of the table leg into the fireplace, Ben was encouraged to see the fabric catch fire in an instant. But when he withdrew his makeshift torch, he was startled by how much noxious smoke billowed from it.
Holding the torch away from his face, he headed back toward the front door.
" However, in spite of this urging and warning, streets and highways are packed with frantic people trying to reach their families, or attempting to flee just any where. "
Knocking aside lumber that blocked his way, Ben unlocked the front door, then took stock: Was he ready for this? Was everything set?
" We repeat: The safest course of action at this time is simply to stay where you are. "
Easy for you to say, buddy!
Opening the front door, Ben pushed the chair outside ahead of him, not stopping until he reached the end of the porch.
The things — maybe five or six of them now — immediately focused from wherever they were gazing to the house, to him. Where the hell were they coming from? They didn’t speak, barely made any noise at all, so how the hell was "word" spreading to come here?
He had no answers, and suspected that none would be forthcoming. The important thing was to keep them away from the house until he could finish barricading it, and, if at all possible, away from the truck.
Ben touched the torch to the chair, and it went up like a bonfire! One or two of the things actually moaned in apprehension, fire once more wringing more emotion from them than anything else. He kicked the chair hard, sending it toppling over into the front yard, eliciting more groans from the things as they backed away.
He tossed the torch toward them for good measure, stepping back into the doorway as he watched them. As he had hoped, their retreat carried them away from the truck — they no longer acknowledged anything save the fire before them. With luck, the chair would burn and smolder for a while to come.
Withdrawing into the house, he closed and locked the door.
" Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve just received word that the President has called a meeting of his Cabinet to deal with the sudden epidemic of murder which has
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