Chapter 1

It was the third year of the Extreme Cold Apocalypse. I barely kept the indoor temperature above freezing, thanks to my stash of anthracite coal.

My mother-in-law, Eleanor, who had fled to my house, dumped all the coal down the drain while I was asleep.

I woke up freezing and confronted her. She just pointed indignantly at the "lucky crystal" she'd brought.

"The spiritual advisor said all these dark, gloomy things in the house were blocking our luck and prosperity. They had to go."

To "attract good fortune" in this apocalypse, she even tore off the insulation panels I'd used to seal the windows.

"Good luck has to come in through the windows! You sealed them all off, do you want us all to starve to death?"

Ethan, my husband, wrapped in my warmest down jacket, stood by, nodding and praising his mother for doing the right thing.

He had stuck all my remaining hand warmers onto his rare collectible action figures, terrified the plastic might become brittle and crack.

"These are limited editions. Our future depends on them appreciating in value. What's a little chill for you?"