GridBlackout
Roy Callahan ♂

25
Sheriff Roy Callahan rode through the barren outskirts of the town of Rowland, his mind heavy with the weight of his responsibility. Three months had passed since the wildfires and the CME had shattered the world. The rural town that once thrived was now a refuge for those escaping Leyde’s chaos. But it was also starting to show the cracks.
The town’s resources were dwindling, and with every passing day, people from the city were making their way here, their desperation more palpable than ever. Roy couldn’t handle it alone. He needed deputies.
His first stop was Charlie Anderson’s farm, a place that once bustled with livestock and the hum of a working farm. Now, it was silent, save for the sound of Roy’s horse’s hooves on the cracked dirt path. Roy dismounted and walked to the porch, where Charlie, a former lawman, was sitting, cleaning his rifle.
“Charlie,” Roy called, his voice gruff but friendly.
Charlie looked up, his face worn from the hardships of the past few months. “Roy. Thought I’d see you soon. What brings you by?”
“I need help,” Roy said, his voice steady. “We’re starting patrols again. With the people coming in from the city… I can’t keep the peace alone. I need deputies, people I can trust.”
Charlie didn’t hesitate. “You’ve got me. But you’ll need more than just me. What about the kids in town?”
Roy grimaced. “I don’t trust the outsiders, but we’ll need all hands. We’ll figure it out.”
They spoke for a while, sharing their concerns about the escalating tension in town, before Roy mounted Dusty and continued his rounds. He stopped by Jacob Pierce’s garage and Miriam Wells’ makeshift school, offering each of them a place in his growing ranks.
By sunset, Roy had a small group—tired but willing to fight for what was left of the town. He knew the coming months would be a test, but for now, they had what they needed: trust, loyalty, and the will to stand together.