From the Diary of Jennifer Saunders
18 August 2035
I was grateful that I had been made aware of the bombing of various cities throughout the world as they took place. My early knowledge of the situation had given Tom and I the opportunity to be front runners in the exodus away from the city. My digipad was not working properly so I was thankful that Tom was able to read a map with co-ordinates. He helped me to plot a route to a remote farm house in Scotland owned by a friend of mine. I was sure that Glen, a previous colleague and old friend of John’s, would help us.
As I drove through the quieter back streets, leaving the growing panic further behind us, Tom kept up a constant monologue about the implications of the dropping of the bombs for people living in the targeted cities. As far as I was aware, London was the only city in the United Kingdom that had been hit to date, but that could change at any moment.
“The people and buildings within the hypercenter of the explosion will be completely vapourised. People and infrastructure in a thick band outside the vapourisation circle will be completely destroyed due to the blast effect,” he said.
“Blast effect? What’s that?” I maneuvered the car carefully around a truck that stood stationary in the middle of the road. The driver attempted to flag me down but I averted my eyes and drove on.
Tom sighed and looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “A blast wave, Mom, is an area off pressure expanding supersonically outwards from the centre of the explosion. The blast wave is followed by a blast wind of negative pressure that sucks items back towards the centre. The blast wave weakens the infrastructure and the blast wind then tears the buildings and structures apart.”
How does he know this stuff, I wondered for the umpteenth time.
“The amounts of damage caused by the bomb then reduces in circular bands moving outwards from the hypercentre. That is why we need to get as far away from any potential targets as possible.”
Tom’s monochromatic way of thinking always surprises me. Everything in his life is black and white, there are no shades of grey. His attitude towards the bombs was simple, stay inside the outer limits of the circle of potential damage and be harmed or get outside that band and don’t be harmed. If only life was that simple.
Of course, Tom’s attitude towards surviving this crisis should not have surprised me. I had been living with his obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms for years. He had seen numerous doctors and psychologists and none of them made the slightest difference to his approach to life. His compulsions had to be performed. No arguments, fact patterns or any other persuasive techniques could deter him from his habits and needs. It had taken me years to accept that OCD is not rational. Sufferers might be the cleverest and most innovative people in the world, but, when it comes to their metal illness, nothing can penetrate their viewpoints and deter them from their chosen paths of rituals and compulsions.
This story was written for Sue Vincent’s weekly photo challenge – Monochrome. You can join in here: https://scvincent.com/2019/05/02/thursday-photo-prompt-monochrome-writephoto/
roberta-writes.com 
I hope Jennifer and Tom are able to get far enough away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Priscilla.
LikeLike
Intriguing story. Hopefully it never comes to realization.
I always find it amazing how the young think. They are often more prepared for the crises that may arise.
Regarding your story, could Tom’s approach to life be part of a greater story where he could sense these things coming?
Really good write. Perfect start to a larger story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that the young are very adaptable. They also live in the “now” and are very close to topical issues. I see that with my own two sons. What comes as a shock to me would probably be less of a shock to them.
LikeLike
I do like where this is going. You’re doing a great job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. I am having some fun with this although it is based on the three major concerns for a Fourth Industrial Revolution.
LikeLike
Great job of the diary series, Robbie! It’s getting interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam. I am having some fun with this.
LikeLike
They are very interesting, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another very intriguing cameo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. I’m amazed at how I can get the various prompts to fit in my with story. It is a lot of fun.
LikeLike
The mond makes connections beyond the obvious 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is true, Sue.
LikeLike
It might be better if my fingers were doing their job right on the keyboard 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your novels are going to support your family one day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be so nice to change my day job, Annette. I live in hope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am loving this and want to read more. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you are finding it interesting. I have never read much sci-fi but have suddenly developed an interest in it.
LikeLike
It’s great that you’re continuing these characters, Robbie. Very engaging. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan. This story has been in my head this week and all of the prompts played into it nicely for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love serendipity! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
a great series Robbie and this is amazing.. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sally. I am pleased you like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person