Hunker down till 'spring'

From Torg Adventure

You help your mother. In a minute, she wakes up enough to help you get her to bed. Your sister's help too. You tuck her in. She pulls your hand. You lean down.

"Your father is dead. You're the head of the family now. You know what to do," she says, just before passing out again.

You think about what just happened. Clearly, your father knew he was in danger when he gave the ground hog code. He was definitely shot. Even if he is still alive, he'd expect you to protect the family and not jeopardize everything to save him -- especially since he's basically a dead man anyway. Whether your mother really knows he's dead doesn't matter.

A feeling of determination fills you as you mentally take on the role of your father, protector of the family. You decide you are going to follow the next part of his plan, communicated to you with his last words -- "The ground hog sees his shadow." You are going to hole up in the shelter for six more weeks, listening to the radio, but not responding. After that, you'll have to rely on your own knowledge, experience, and intuition to get through the next years. You bow your head and mourn your father's passing briefly.

You walk to your sisters and say, "Before he was shot, Dad's last words were the code phrase for 'It's too dangerous outside. Stay inside until it's safe.' We're going to stay inside for at least six weeks, listening to the outside world, but not talking back." They both crumple a little in disappointment. With a more upbeat voice, you continue, "But, we have books and cards. We can keep ourselves entertained for the duration.