Pre-electronic ignition vehicles became a hot commodity for cash sellers. Those who were lucky enough to buy one discovered that the gas stations stopped functioning because the pumps did not work. The deer-in-the-headlights scenario was in full force forty-eight hours in. People were too hot or too cold because heating and air-conditioning systems failed, but all of them were dazed and confused. Things quickly went from “I can deal with this for a few hours, light a candle, and read some books” to “How will we survive?” and “When will this end?” and “Where are the rescue people?” and “This is the government’s fault.”
Diane was more prepared than most. Her pantry was well stocked when the God Layer struck, which she referred to as “devil drones.” She also had a good supply of bottled wate
