Moon of the Crusted Snow

Evan waits in the deserted parking lot of the closed supermarket for Isaiah and Tyler to finish their plowing so they can distribute notices for the town meeting. As he waits, he hears the sound of an approaching snowmobile. He is struck with apprehension. Even from a distance, the driver looks large and burly. He shoulders his gun, hoping he will not have to use it.

The snowmobile, along with the large sled towed behind it, comes to a stop. The driver, clad all in black with his face obscured by a black helmet, raises his hands in a placating gesture. He tells Evan he comes in peace; when Evan replies, “As the old saying goes, […] come in peace or leave in pieces,” the man roars with insincere-sounding laughter (100). The newcomer, a white man, introduces himself as Justin Scott.

Scott explains to Evan that he fled the chaos of the south, following Nick and Kevin’s tracks to the village. Isaiah arrives and, seeing the situation, joins Evan. Scott reintroduces himself and shakes their hands. Evan is reluctant to do so.

Scott tells Evan and Isaiah about the situation in the south. Scott is a survivalist, prepared for such disasters.