Remnants — Episode 30

He looked out the kitchen window into the backyard and spotted a cellar. Its door was shut. Bobby had an uneasy feeling about that.

As Bobby explored the Santa Fe outskirts, he began to realize that the area was deserted. Mounds of flowing white sand covered large areas, both in the streets and the yards that fronted single and two-story pueblo homes.

He exited his pickup outside a small store. A strong wind blew the gritty sand into his face and clothing.

Most stores had been looted and depleted weeks ago. Exceptions were often surprising. In convenience stores, it seemed that water, beer and cigarettes had been the first to go, followed by fast foods and candy. Often left behind were canned goods strewn across the floor, abandoned wherever they rolled. Beans, vegetables, meats.

Bobby’s backpack was soon as heavy as he wanted to carry. Since this part of town was desolate, he could come back later for more. He would now search for a safe place to hide, for whatever period he could force himself to remain.

He walked outside to his truck, started it up, then pulled forward into the dust-covered street. He raced the engine and plowed forward. The rear tires flung clouds of sand in their wake. He realized that it would…