Free Grid Down: A Strike against America - An EMP Survival Story- Book Two by Roger Hayden Page A

Rob said and signaled to where Arthur was cowering. He then wasted no time standing up and signaling with three fingers. A barrage of distant gunfire sailed onto the building, blasting out one window after the other.
    “All right!” Arthur yelled as bits of glass rained down around him. “Call them off!”
    Rob made a fist in the air, and the gunfire stopped. Several of Arthur’s men kept firing into nothing, desperate to find any of the shooters hidden in their midst. But they were wasting ammo, which soon ran out, and things went eerily quiet. The noxious smell of gunfire was inescapable because there had been so much of it. Arthur peeked out from behind his cement receptacle and moved back to a spot at the top of the stairs.
    “All right, everyone. It’s okay,” he announced to the dozen residents who still remained, many still lying in the road, flat on their stomachs and petrified. Arthur’s men regrouped and surrounded Rob, ushering Mila, Carlos, and Ashlee away from the car and back out into the open.
    “Put your hands up!” a bearded man shouted to Rob, his face flushed with anger.
    “No, you idiot!” a man holding a shotgun yelled. “That’s how he’s signaling them!”
    “Enough,” Arthur said, walking down the steps, approaching them. He got close, right in Rob’s face. “Clever…”  
    “Thanks,” Rob answered. “Like I said, no one has to die here.”             
    Arthur cut him off. “The question now is, do you have the leverage you need to get what you want and leave here safely?”
    “I’m counting on it,” Rob said.
    Arthur looked at one of his men and smiled. “What do you say, Larry? Should we let them leave?”
    The mustached man looked the group up and down, his rifle aimed directly at Mila. “I wouldn’t.”
    Arthur turned to Rob. “Sorry, Larry said no.” Seeing Rob’s bewilderment, Arthur laughed. “I’m just pulling your chain. I think we can work something out after all.” He turned and then pointed toward the steps. “But what I want first is for you to kneel before me and call me your king. Then I’ll release your children. It’s that simple. You give me the vehicles, bow before me, and the kids go free.”
    It was an unusual request, to be sure, but the intent was obvious: subjugate Rob and, at the same time, solidify his authority. Carlos and Mila looked at Rob, who seemed to be thinking it over. Arthur waited patiently as some townspeople began coming out of hiding and gathering around again.
    “Whatever gets you off, I guess,” Rob said.
    Arthur’s smile stretched across his face. “Excellent.” He beckoned Rob forward.
    “Now?” Rob asked.
    “No, next Tuesday. Yes, now. Come on.”
    Rob looked back at Mila. Her face was masked in deep concern.
    “Are you kidding me?” Carlos said.
    Arthur was already well on his way up the steps.
    Rob spoke in a hushed voice. “Just do what he says, and this will all be over soon.”
    “We agreed to the vehicles. That’s plenty. Now tell this psycho to release my children,” Carlos said, crossing his arms.  
    “I’m waiting!” Arthur bellowed from the top of the steps, wallowing in his own arrogance. “And I only want you, Rob. Leave your pitiful posse and come honor me.”
    “To hell with him,” Carlos said.
    Rob took Mila’s hands in his. “It’s my burden now. Close your eyes if you have to.”
    Carlos’s head slumped as he stared at the ground.
    Arthur stood atop the steps proudly in his tan fatigues and beret. His chin was lifted high, and his hands were locked behind him. He rocked back and forth on his heels in anticipation.
    Rob walked up the stairs as a hushed silence fell over the crowd. Arthur raised his arms as Rob stopped at the step directly below him.
    “People, gather around! This man is the leader of the traitors who abandoned you, stole from you, and killed your loved ones.” Arthur turned to the side, ushering in an unexpected guest.
    “Reverend Phelps! Will