Matt Doeden - Can You Survive a Global Blackout?: An Interactive Doomsday Adventure

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YOU are living through a strange and dangerous time in Earths near future. A civilization almost completely dependent on electricity is about to be brought to its knees. In the blink of an eye, the power upon which we rely is gone.

The lights wink out, and nobody knows why. In a moment, the world is thrust into darkness and chaos. How will you communicate and travel? Where will you get food and water? Start on the next page, then follow the links at the bottom of each page. The choices you make will change your outcome. After you finish your path, go back and read the others to see how other choices would have changed your fate. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice to make a different decision. Can you survive and thrive after an unprecedented global blackout?

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through a Global Blackout.

Your eyes are on the sky when it happens. Its sometime past 10 oclock, and the light of your campfire flickers against the trees above. Youre keeping an eye open for shooting stars. Next to you, your friend Tonya is in the middle of one of her famous ghost stories. A radio plays your favorite pop station in the background.

A chill runs down your spine just as the lights in the cabin flicker and blink out. The radio goes silent. Even the flashlight Tonya is holding up to her face as she tells the story blinks out.

Instantly, the sky seems to transform. Before, youd been able to see a few dozen stars. Now, the night sky lights up with thousands millions. The Milky Way stretches out before you, vivid in a way youve never before seen.

Whoa, says Tonya. Power outage! This happens out here a lot. I think the power lines are old.

You stare up, ignoring Tonya as she resumes her story. Youve never seen a sky like this. Not even close.

I dont think its the power lines.

Huh? says Peter, Tonyas twin brother. What do you mean?

Look, you answer, pointing up. Have you ever seen a sky like that?

Yeah, beautiful. But what does that have to do with the power outage?

Think about it, Peter. If it was just here, all the other towns and cities nearby would still be filling the sky with light. This must be a lot more widespread. And what about the radio and the flashlight? Those use batteries. I dont think they all just happened to die at the same moment the lights went out.

Probably just a , Tonya says. Those are supposed to be able to wipe out power.

Nah, Peter blurts. Its ALIENS! Theyre coming for us!

The three of you laugh. But in truth, youve got a queasy feeling inside. This isnt right. And then you realize theres not the sound of a single car or truck. Theres a major highway less than a mile away. You should be able to hear cars.

What time were your parents coming back? you ask Tonya.

Eleven, she says, looking at her watch. Dont worry, its only 10:47.

You sigh. Is the second hand on your watch moving?

Umm ugg. No. Dont tell me this blackout thing ruined my watch! Now Im mad!

My cell phone is dead too! Peter says. You and Tonya check your phones, and they are both dead as well.

What should we do? Tonya asks.

What can we do?" Peter says.

"Lets just let the fire burn down and go to bed. Maybe everything will be working again in the morning," Tonya answers.

In time, the fire burns down. You put it out with a pail of water and head to bed.

In the morning, theres still no sign of Tonya and Peters parents. And no power. Tonya stares blankly at her dead mobile phone.

We need to find our parents, Peter says. Dad will know what to do.

Youre not so sure. Theres food and water here. If theres been some major power failure, this is as good a spot to wait it out as youre likely to find. Tonya starts stuffing supplies into a backpack. You coming? she asks.

You look back at the cabin. It seems like a safe place to wait things out. But if your friends are going, youre going too.

They were going to a movie. The theater is in Mapleton. Tonya points west. That way.

Its strange walking down the highway. Its mostly empty, but you pass a few stalled cars. A young man sits on the tailgate of a pickup truck. He waves as you approach. Names Trevor. Any idea what this is all about? Trucks dead. Phones dead. And not a single car or truck has passed by.

Seems to be some sort of massive blackout, you answer. No power anywhere.

Yeah, thats what I thought. Cant say Im surprised.

Youre not? Tonya asks.

Not really. Just got out of the Army a few months ago. I saw things weapons. Ever hear of an EMP?

Whats an EMP? Peter asks.

Electromagnetic pulse, says Trevor. Basically, a huge bomb, but with no explosion. Knocks out everything electrical within its range. This must have been a big one. Im betting it was terrorists.

You invite Trevor to join you, but he declines. Think Ill hang out here for awhile. Hate to think of leaving my truck behind. But hey, if youre headed to Mapleton, I passed a bike shop a couple miles to the south. Might be worth checking out.

Tonya looks at you. Lets do it. My feet are killing me!

Peter shakes his head. Whats the point? Itll probably be closed, and we dont have much money anyway.

The twins look at you.

Im staying put. My parents know Im here. Home may be hundreds of miles away, but if they come looking, I want them to find me. We have food and water to last a week. Surely this will be over by then.

Tonya gives you a sour look. Fine. Stay. Were going.

Theres no talking her out of it. Youre sorry to watch them leave, and you watch the road for a long time, half expecting them to come back.

The cabin is pretty remote. There are a few others on the lake, but no one is home. Your only company is Peters dog Buster. The old golden retriever is 13 years old, half blind, and limps with arthritis. Peter hadnt wanted to leave him behind, but Tonya thought Buster would be better off here with you. Looking around the empty yard, you realize youre glad for the company.

Dont know how long we might be here, you tell the dog. What are we going to do with ourselves?

Theres lots to do. The cabins water is drawn from a well, but with no electricity, the pump wont run. Luckily theyve also got an old-fashioned hand-pump in the back yard. You start to pump the rusty, creaky old thing. The water is rusty and dirty at first. But after awhile, it begins to clear. You fill several buckets. After giving one to Buster, you bring the rest inside.

Next its time to gather firewood. The electrical heat is out, so itll be the wood fireplace that keeps you warm at night. After a dozen back-breaking trips, youve got a nice stack of wood by the fireplace.

Youre getting hungry. You head into the kitchen to take stock. After Tonya and Peter took what they could carry, theres little canned or dried food. The fridge has fruit, hamburger, bread, milk, and more. But already things are beginning to spoil. You eat some grapes and drink several tall glasses of milk, knowing that it will be the first thing to go bad.