End Times

What follows is a true and often harrowing first hand account of yesterday's downtime event

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The good lady came downstairs after putting the kids to bed. She stopped in astonishment at the doorway to the lounge.

What the hell is going on here?

I looked up from where I sat on the floor.

Whatcha mean, sweet potato pie?

She waved a hand weakly, like a pigeon in a plastic bag.

This? This... Mess?

Mess baby? This ain't no mess?

I went back to the task at hand.

She ventured a few steps in, placing her feet carefully around the stuff that surrounded me on the floor.

Are you ok?

She ventured.

I looked up, a puff of solder smoke curling around my head.

Steemit's down baby. Gotta try and reach the outside world.

But, but, I don't understand... What are you doing?

I chuckled like a llama standing on a penguin.

Short wave radio. Gotta contact the outside. See if there are any other survivors.

I waved an antenna at her like a magic wand.

Eh, survivors?

Others like us. Don't worry baby, I have prepared for this for a long time. The garage is full of beans, flour and beer.

She sat down beside me.

But everything is fine, I was just messaging my brother.

I shook my head.

You mean it sounded like your brother...

I flicked a button on my now fully assembled short wave radio kit.

There.

I turned the dial.

The little speaker hissed and crackled. White noise no matter which way I turned the dial.

Dammit.

I muttered softly.

I turned to her. My face bleak as if i had come home from work and found my cat wearing my clothes and smoking a pipe.

There's no-one there lass. I will check in every hour. But this is bad. Very bad.

Facebook still works?

She said tentatively.

Oh baby.

I reached out for her and held her in a tight embrace.

Steemit's down baby. There is nothing else.

She let out a whimper.

I held her even tighter.

We'll get through this baby girl. We'll get through this...

Outside a dog howled.