Hypothetical #2: Mommy, It's Dark!

[Cheryl Nelson]

It's been dark for two days. The kids are edgy, whining, asking, "When's the sun coming back, mommy?"  To keep their morale up, you've almost used up all your batteries.  You had no idea it was going to be dark for so long.  It takes light to be able to read or play board games, the kids are afraid to go to the bathroom in the dark, you have to burn the lights to keep the critters from raiding the garbage cans.  You were rightly afraid to light a campfire because of the earthquakes.  The world has become a dark, spooky place. 

But now, lights have become a liability.  You hear footsteps crunching in the leaves on the ground.

"Who's there?" you call out.

Suddenly, two shadowy figures emerge from the nearby woods.  They saw your lights.  Are they friend or foe? 

What will you do? 

[Cheryl Nelson]

What's missing is the first comment which was deleted when that poster left the group.  He basically was pacifistic and my comment said, I would be too if the group looked safe, like women and children.

And, Tammy, you are right.  Even women and children, in desperation, will be capable of anything, so caution should be everyone's No. 1 policy when dealing with others.

[Tammy Fielder]

Maybe it's the Marine in me, but you have to be wary of anyone.  You will have to expect the unexpected during this time. 

[Cheryl Nelson]

So, if bells and whistles were going off that it wasn't a good thing, what would you do?

[Cheryl Nelson]

I would too if they were children, or a woman and child.

If it was a bit larger group, a family, I would, but still be cautious. You never know if someone has a gun to their back, turning them into a decoy.  Could some others be sneaking up behind you while you are distracted?

If it were group of men, be very cautious.  Assess their appearance.  What do your instincts tell you?  Listen to your instincts!  If it doesn't look good, what would you do then?