[TV News]: …Tom Curon is following a developing news story here in the weather center where it appears the jet streams have stopped. That’s right Karen. Right now we aren’t sure what is causing this. Chancellor Wu is stating that he believes the bombs set off around the globe during this war are affecting the wind patterns, but it is good news as it is preventing fallout from moving to other areas of the globe. That would be good news Tom as an estimated 2 billion people have already died from the Great War taking place right now.
“Jeremy! Jeremy! Come help me sure up these windows.” His mother screeched from the kitchen. “We don’t have all day here.”
“MOM! Come up here!” Jeremy began yelling from the bathroom. He stood, staring at his slender reflection in the mirror. An odd mark like that of a birthmark had appeared on his forehead. Hastily he tried scrubbing with a washcloth as his heart rate rose. Did he have radiation poisoning? Cancer? His mind raced for the worst as his mother began climbing the stairs.
Jeremiah was just sixteen, young by any standards, but with an imagination that could fill the skies. His small, slender physique often fooled adults who’s minds believed he was just a small child. But, hear him speak, and you knew you were in the company of something special. A vocabulary like that of a scholar with wisdom
of someone four times his age. Yet his imagination was getting the best of him as he stared back at himself.
“What is it Jeremy?” his mother did not look amused. “Why can’t you just come down and he… Her eyes widened as she looked into his eyes. Wipe that off your head! That’s not funny trying to scare me.”
“Ma, I’m not!”He began raising his voice, a sound of trepidation inherent in the inflexion. “I swear, I didn’t do it. It won’t come off!”
The nearest nuclear blast was Seattle but that was nearly 800 miles away from their small town of Powell, Wyoming and no reports of fall out had been reported in the area. What was happening to her little boy?
“It only looks like a rash.” His mom tried to comfort him even though in her heart she feared the worst. “You’ll be fine. Now come help me sure up these windows. Then I need you to go help your dad find food.”
Jeremy could see age winning the battle with his mom. In just the last year her face had seemed to age a generation as she struggled to cope with the world evolving around her. Silver streaks were creeping down her shoulders and her eyes appeared dry and tired. He wondered how much more she could take before her body just gave up.