Who Ya Gonna Call? (Pt. 2)

Stan noted with concern that his gas gauge still worked accurately, as the indicator tilted far to the left, hovering precariously close to “E.”  He had planned to get gas anyhow, but he didn’t realize they were so low. This is no time to be out of gas, Stan fumed, frustrated that Christine apparently hadn’t filled up the last time she was out. Why can’t that woman get it through her head—gas isn’t always available these days! We have to get it when we can. Stan whipped the car out of the apartment area and headed toward his usual service station. Even at this hour, the roads leading toward L.A. were congested.

Sure enough, as the gas station came into sight, the right lane of traffic slowed to a crawl, then a stop. Cars lined the roadside for nearly half a mile, waiting for their turn at the pump. Stan’s parents had told him that life now was reminiscent of the gas lines they had experienced during the Arab oil embargo in the early 1970s, when gas prices had sky rocketed while available supplies plummeted. This time, however things were even worse. In an attempt to service as many customers as possible, many gas stations limited the amount of gasoline they sold to each customer. No more than ten dollars’ worth could be purchased on good days, five dollars’ worth when the station’s supply was running out. Some days, a handwritten sign alerted customers to the bad news: NO GAS TODAY.

Just as Stan inched the Chevy across the gas stations property line an attendant came out to the sidewalk and put up the dreaded sign: NO POWER, NO GAS. TRY TOMORROW. Tomorrow! Stan cringed. I’ll be lucky to make it home tonight! And I still have to get to the grocery store!

Although the gas pumps were turned off, the snack bar and convenience store portion of the station remained open, lit by battery-powered emergency lighting. Stan couldn’t help noticing the unusually large number of people congregating inside the store, in front of the food area. Many were buying whatever staple food items they could find on the shelves, but a large number of people were simply milling about as though shell-shocked. It looked as though they were gathered around a radio, listening.  Some were crying; others sat dumbfounded outside on the sidewalk curb, as though they had been suddenly over-taken by a dizzy spell and sought the first available place to sit down before they fell down.

Something strange is going on, Stan thought. Stan pulled hi car over to the station parking area and turned off the ignition. He hopped out of the car and gingerly walked toward the crowd. The closer he got, the more he felt like he intruded on a funeral procession.

Everyone wore somber expressions. Many people wept openly. Others stared blankly into nothingness. Several women huddled together, arm in arm, swaying precariously, looking as though the entire group might tumble to the ground if even one of them let go.

A man and two teenage boys stood to the right of the store entryway. Stan noted with bewilderment that they were praying. Praying at the gas station? For what? Asking God to miraculously send a fresh supply of gasoline? Ha! Stan chuckled at the thought.

Stan walked past the praying fellows and entered the station. The interior of the convenience store section of the gas station was surprisingly quiet, especially considering the large number of people in the building. People pressed against a counter, focusing their attention on a small radio behind the counter. “Turn it up!” A large disheveled-looking woman called from the isle next to the darkened ice cream freezer.

“The volume is up as high as it will go,” a man behind the counter replied. “My batteries are getting low. I’ll replace them in a few minutes, but I don’t want to miss anything right now. Just try to keep it down in here, and we’ll all be able to hear.”

Stan nudged a middle-aged fellow dressed in Jeans and a sweatshirt.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re about to give the latest death toll,” the man replied sadly.

“Death toll? From what? Is something wrong? Was there an accident? A wreck on the freeway? People just need to slow down a bit when we have these brownouts …” Stan shook his head disgustedly.

“This is not just another brownout,” replied the man in the sweatshirt.

“Oh?”

“Do you mean you haven’t heard?”

“Heard what? What are you talking about? Our power has been out in our apartment complex, and I haven’t seen a television or heard a radio broadcast all day. What’s happened?”

“There was an earthquake in Los Angeles, a big one.”

“So what’s new?” Stan answered flippantly. He quickly sobered. He didn’t mean to sound so callous, but earthquakes in California were nothing new, especially these days. According to recent reports, seismic activity was so rampant that the needles on the recording machines were having to be replaced regularly.

The man glared back at Stan as though he had insulted his mother. “Loa Angelas is gone,” he said icily.

4 thoughts on “Who Ya Gonna Call? (Pt. 2)

  1. Well written Jim..this is what it will take for many people to see what is happening…this type of catastrophe to happen..I pray we as a nation wake up before something like this happens….we need to be doing what God wants us to do and be where He wants us to be…then whatever happens we will have the peace that only God can give our hearts and minds. God bless you for your willingness to do as He asks you to do and for being the watchman that you are ….God bless you and your family…

  2. Pastor Bakker can the generator run a small fridge and how many times can the generator be recharged before the battries are no good lov yall ………bob knox 4/22/2012

  3. Who Ya Gonna Call? – Pt. 2

    Hello Sir,
    This story is the beginning of a very interesting book.
    I think in real life, calamities could happen through a combination of events, like economic crisis causing lack of food and fuel then the individual areas around the globe hit by natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. Revelation prepares us for these up and coming events I believe sir.
    Looking forward to the next parts. Thank you sir.

    God bless.

    Stephen
    Stoke-on-Trent
    UK

  4. Jim, Honored to be first to comment. Spot on! I’m afraid the church system satan has such a hold on has been fed such a watered down story that may sell lots of left behind books and give spiritless pastors something to comfort the luke warm last days church, and it pains me to be speking this way, however this is not the church Jesus said would be without spot wrinkle or blemish. That church is only a remnant of true believers who are being pulled by the Holiness of His Spirit to go much deeper in the Word, the Word that has increased knowledge in these last days, these are the peoples with ears that hear and eyes that see, the ones who know we are not simply just going to disappear to watch the tribulation from the 50 yard line bleachers, Jim, please pray as hard as i know you can, that the people will stop just taking someone elses word on what the last days hold and read it for themselves. People, time is short, when the poop hits the fan and everyone weak in the faith is subjected to live for the antichrist or die, well very few will be dying since they couldn’t die to the flesh there whole lives nothing will change when a gun is to their heads. Its all in the Word people The Word was God the Word is God the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The only thing that goes on forever is His Holy Word. Praying without ceasing for all to repent and come back to Christ with a fullness of His Spirit. Love you both Jim and the Mrs.

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