Day 1, Monday

For everyone Monday started just like any other day.  No one expected anything different.  There was always something on the news about new attacks around the world, and shootings in towns across the United States.  But no one really expected it to get better or worse.  For most of the day things were normal.  People went about doing their shopping, working, and social calendars as intended.  But at about 1800 Monday evening things started getting weird.  Lights began to flicker.  Nothing turned off right away.  It took about an hour before the power went out and didn't come back on.  Of course most people went outside and spoke with neighbors and some called the power companies.  All of whom said they were looking into it.  For the most part people just thought it was an isolated incident in their area, someone hitting a power pole or a transformer being blown for one reason or another.  Nobody figured it would be out long so most people just kept doing what they would normally do.  There was no panic on the streets, there weren't people making mad dashes to the store.  Everyone assumed that the power would be back on within a couple hours.

Sarah wasn't very worried as she had a generator if the power was out for an extended period of time.  Brian also had a generator.  Both of them lived out in the country, away from the city so they had things that most normal people living in the city might not have.  Being 30-45 mins away from town meant being prepared differently.
Amanda and David both lived in the city and neither of them had generators.  But they had also never had to go more than a couple hours without power.  They were like the majority of people.  Sadly when bad weather or other disasters strike, people in the city typically are less prepared than those in the country.  Part of that is just born of everyday necessity.

As the hours ticked by without power being restored, many started to wonder and to call the power company for answers.  All were met with the same response, "we don't know yet what the problem is, or when it will be repaired.".  This was frustrating and upsetting for people.  Some just went out to eat at places that had back up power.  Or at least tried to find something.  Others made sandwiches and played board games with the family by lantern.  Most expected a return to normal soon.