Slipping Into The Future

Chapter 11

"Do not call nine-one-one unless it is an emergency. Stay away from bridges, tunnels, and subways. Sources say that they are still looking for the source of the blackout — Jerry, it's exactly like that blackout in oh-three!"

"You're right, Susan. The same grid was knocked out. Do you think a tree branch in Ohio did this again?" The people in the news broadcast chuckle.

"Shut that off," Lin snaps, rubbing his head tiredly. The crew members watching the news on their phone give him a sharp look and hop off of the stage. If Lin was not on edge before, he sure as hell is now.

Anthony glumly reads a tweet aloud on his phone. "This is just as big as the Northeast blackout of two-thousand-and-three."

"Government officials are urging people to save their phone batteries since they don't know when the power will return in some places," Rene says, reading from her own phone before shutting it off. She sits beside Anthony on the stage, folding her legs.

Everyone working in the theatre is gathered in the auditorium, most on the stage, others filling the seats. They lit the room with lanterns, flashlights, and phone lights. Lin glances at Hamilton as he stares silently at the floor with a look of pure exhaustion.

"Alright, we're calling it — we're cancelling tonight's show. We're sending out a tweet saying we will return a refund to everyone once the power returns," Alex Lacamoire, the director of the show, announces half-heartedly. Everyone collectively groans.

"What do you think could have caused it?" Leslie asks with a shrug.

Lin, Daveed, Anthony, and Jon all exchange worried glances; Hamilton's eyes are still locked on the floor tiredly.

"Probably some ridiculous error like what happened last time," Jasmine replies with a light-hearted chuckle. "Wasn't that major blackout caused by a tree branch or something?"

"Yeah," Chris replies. "You'd think they would have procedures to avoid stuff like that from happening again."

"Ha, you'd think so, huh?" Oak barks out and elbows Daveed with a hoarse chuckle.

Daveed returns a nervous chuckle. "Ye—ah-haha," Daveed mumbles anxiously. He clearly avoids looking at Hamilton.

"My reception just cut out," Jasmine grumbles. "I guess the cell phone towers backup generators gave up.

"Or they weren't out until just now," Anthony replies, staring idly at his phone which now has a 'this page cannot load' error message on it.

"I suggest you all return home to your families. If not, you're all welcome to stay here," Lacamoire says with folded arms.

"My apartment is close-by if you guys wanna stay with me?" Jon whispers to Lin, Hamilton, Daveed, and Anthony.

"Ant, would you like to come with me to my mom's?" Jasmine asks sweetly.

He looks helplessly between Jon and Jasmine. "I think I'll go stay with Jon," Anthony replies. "You go on ahead to your mom's."

"I'll come with you if it's alright?" Rene asks Jasmine with a smile. Jasmine nods and they walk out together.

"You four are coming with me, then?" Jon confirms with a tilted head. He does not leave it open like an invitation.

Lin nods. "Yeah, let's go." He pats Hamilton's shoulder and he jerks himself away, blinking rapidly. They all freeze, staring at him with wide eyes but nothing happens. He's like a ticking time-bomb now that they know what he's capable of.

"I apologize," Hamilton mutters. "You startled me."

"Let's not startle him," Daveed whispers harshly. "Let's get the hell out of here."