Two weeks had passed since the Deep Freeze began, and Ethan Parker had settled into a grim routine. Each morning, he would wake to the frigid air of his bunker, the temperature outside now colder than an Arctic summer. He would prepare his breakfast, listening to the national weather alert radio station as it continued to downplay the severity of the storm.
"Temperatures remain below freezing. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to restore power," the radio droned on, the same lies repeated day after day. Ethan knew better. The power had been lost within the first 72 hours, and despite the best efforts of Entergy's crews, the temperatures kept plummeting. By the third day, the cold had become unbearable, and now, two weeks later, it was a fight for survival.
Ethan had heard the chatter on the short-band radio, a new addition to his bunker that he hadn't had in his previous life. The emergency crews had given up, retreating to their families to make the most of the few days they had left. Many were planning to head to the nuclear power plants at River Bend Station and Waterford, hoping to use the electric heaters and other devices to keep warm. They spoke of masking off the fronts of their vehicles, keeping the engines running constantly to prevent them from freezing.
Ethan found himself drawn to their stories, the snippets of conversation that painted a picture of desperate journeys through the frozen wasteland. He listened intently, fascinated by the details he had never known before.
"Bringing the family to River Bend tonight. Got the heaters packed, just hope the roads hold up," one voice crackled through the radio.
"Waterford's our best bet. Got a convoy heading out at dawn. Stay safe out there," another replied.
Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for these people, risking everything to protect their loved ones. He had been alone in his previous life, unprepared and unaware of the true extent of the disaster. But now, he had a second chance, and he was determined to make the most of it.
As he sipped his coffee, Ethan's thoughts wandered to the future. The world outside was a frozen wasteland, but he had hope. He had prepared for this, and he was ready to face whatever came next.
"Stay safe out there," he whispered to the voices on the radio, a silent prayer for those brave souls venturing into the unknown.
With a deep breath, Ethan turned his attention back to his routine. There was work to be done, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.