Absolute Darkness - A CME Survival Thriller

than a couple hours when Sam begged me to stop at a gas station. Apparently, snacks were needed ASAP.
“If you need to stretch your legs already, this isn’t going to go well,” I said.
“I don’t need to,” Sam said. “I just want to. Besides, isn’t it a requirement to snack while on a road trip?”
I pulled into the gas station, stopping at the nearest pump. “Going to fill it up while we’re here, I guess.”
“Need anything?” Sam asked.
“Water, if you don’t mind.”
“It would be my honor,” Sam said with a flourish.
The sun beat down. I was anxious to get back into the air-conditioned SUV.
A crackly pop song ended in the speakers above my head. The radio DJ’s voice cut was overly bouncy and bubbly.
He recited the artist before his tone switched to something a bit more serious. “We have breaking news to share on this scorching summer day.”

2
Sam came out of the gas station wearing a big smile as she proudly waved a large bottle of water in the air. The loose curls of her fiery orange hair bouncing from side to side as she strutted closer.
The car’s engine at the next pump rumbled to a loud start, blocking out nearly half of everything the radio host said.
“Scientist monitoring the sun… several hours ago… updating the public… precautions… expected sometime during the night,” the DJ said. The car drove off, and the DJ’s cheerfulness returned. “It’s a steamy 86 today with clear skies, making your day even brighter. Put on that sunscreen and enjoy the heat while listening to your favorite radio station, WKIS 108.1 FM.”
Sam handed me the bottle of water before opening the passenger down. She set down her bag of goodies on the seat and leaned back against the side of the SUV.
“Is it going to be this hot in Wisconsin?” she asked, pulling her sunglasses down from the top of her head.
“Maybe. Cooler near the lake, though,” I said, squinting at her. “Did you hear what the breaking news was all about?”
Sam waved her hand, dismissing my question. “Some kind of storm, I think. Not going to matter because we’ll be long gone.”
“Got everything you need?” I asked, reaching into my pocket to pull out my keys.
“Oh, yeah, and then some,” Sam said. “Everyone knows calories don’t count when you're on vacation.”
I chuckled as I walked around the SUV and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I don’t think my body got the memo. Think I gained five pounds just looking at your bag of abundant snacks.”
“I don’t even want to hear you complain,” Sam said, holding up her palm as she settled into her seat. “You’re absolutely perfect. I’d kill for a slender body like yours again. I tell ya, having a kid put my body through the wringer.”
“Well, that’s something I won’t have to worry about, I guess,” I said, pressing my lips together as I pulled back onto the highway.
“You say that now, but things change, and in my case, happy surprises happen,” Sam said, digging into her bag. She handed me something wrapped in plastic. “Sandwich?”
I shook my head.
“Aw, come on,” Sam said, chomping down in the flat triangle she was holding in her other hand. “It’s a long drive. You’re going to need the energy.”
“Oh, fine,” I said, grabbing it from her. “What kind is it?”
“Chicken salad.”
“You’re just trying to get me sick,” I said with a smile.
Sam groaned. “Why would I want that?”
“I know you want to stop at a hotel,” I said, looking over at her for a split second. “Liv told me all about your ideas for a room with a hot tub.”
“On the way back,” Sam said. “Definitely not now. I know we’re going to be busy bees.”
The song on the radio ended, and Sam turned the station to a different tune. She started dancing in her seat.
“Save your energy,” I muttered.
Sam ignored me and sang the lyrics as she leaned closer. Her vacation started the second we left town. Sam almost always had her daughter with her. Dott might have been an oopsy baby, but Sam loved her with all her heart.
The six-year-old was her mini. If she were in the car, she’d be singing random words at the top of her lungs.
“Dott is with Jameson?” I shouted over the music.
“Yeah,” Sam yelled back. “He’s really looking forward to bonding with her. This is the first time I’m going to be away from her. I hope she doesn’t forget who I am.”
“You didn’t have to come,” I said with a frown.
Sam reached over and touched my arm. “No, no! I wanted to help out. This will be good for all of us. Besides, Jameson is going to set up a video call for her every night. I’ll still get to tell her I love her.”
My phone rattled inside the cup holder where I’d set it. “Hey, can you see who that’s from?”
Sam took my phone and unlocked it. She’d cracked the code the second day after I’d gotten it, and I’d been too lazy to change it. It wasn’t like Sam would do anything sinister on my phone, except maybe trying to find me a new guy.
After Elijah, though, I was pretty sure I never wanted to date ever again. Unless it was someone I could be sure wasn’t crazy, but after my experiences, I was pretty sure that didn’t exist. Everyone on some level seemed a little crazy.
And I sure as hell wasn’t any better. I had my issues too. Who didn’t have baggage?
“Um, it’s someone claiming to be your sister.” Sam’s nose wrinkled. “Must be spam. Wait. Now, she’s asking why you haven’t sent her any money?”
“You can delete