Chapter Twenty-One: A Radio Signal:

-Nancy-

I got a signal today! I awoke to hear my radio crackling. At first, I thought I was dreaming. Then the beeping came in. Was that… morse code? I quickly sat up in bed. I waddled over to the radio.

“Hello? I’m here! Hello? Hello?” I asked into the microphone. The beeping came out in rapid succession. I tried to understand what it was saying.

Is Anyone Out There?

“Yes! We’re here!” I shouted. I don’t know if they can hear me. I bit on my lower lip as I looked around in the dark. I don’t have anything to tap back with. I might have to improvise. Then there was a response.

Who Is This?

I about leaped out of my chair. I didn’t get time to celebrate. I had to make my response before I lost the signal.

“This is Nancy Sanderson. Can you hear me?” I held my breath as I waited.

Yes.

Yes! They said yes! I turned and saw Ava still asleep with Marshmallow by her side. I tried to listen to the beeping that kept fading in and out.

“Huh? What did you say? I didn’t catch that,” I said. I strained for a listen. I think I could make out what they were saying.

Where Are You?

I sat in the chair. I had never bothered to ask. I had never bothered to ask. I’ve been here for god knows how long and I never bothered to ask. The beeping broke up my thoughts.

Are You Still There?

“Yes! I’m still here!” I said. There were more beeps but they sounded faint.

“Hello? Are you still there? Hello? Can you hear me? Hello? Hello?” I asked. The beeping started going in and out.

“Hello? Hello? Hello?” I asked. The voice went silent. My stomach dropped. No… No… I was so close. How could I have lost them? I sat back in my chair and huffed. What was I going to do now? I turned and looked back at my daughter again. She turned over in her sleep. I looked up when I heard a knock on the wall. Oh, did I wake up Paul? I almost forgot about him. I sat back and rubbed my forehead.

That was another problem I was going to have to deal with.

What was I going to tell Paul about the signal?