Scared

Rock did not at first debate that there was a nearly unimaginably evil force on the way, headed around the world from east to west. It was beyond mankind's control, and with the evidence available to him, involved fire and extreme heat brought by some otherworldly force. His house had already begun to exhibit hints of a coming flame.
As far as Rock could figure, this vicious, omnipotent power had no voice, but it nonetheless spoke clearly. He was not mistaken. Awful, life-ending, torturous destruction would soon arrive.
Rock struggled with balance as he searched for Joe, the big Orange Street cat who had lived with him for nearly a year. It seemed important to find him. Rock knew how scared they would both be, though—wait a minute—the news on TV seemed incongruously encouraging. He was frightened beyond reason by the approaching fire, but Rock watched these odd men express more concern for America's cumulative pocketbook than its seemingly inevitable flame-filled finish.
"What is this, Joe?" Rock said.
The cat was asleep on their couch.