Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
I can’t get the engine to turn over, which doesn’t matter, considering we can’t drive it on flat tires anyway, but I do get the radio going. Most of the channels are static, but I find one that has a repeating broadcast. I turn it up so everyone can hear.
“…we offer safety in numbers, food, water, and shelter. Bring your families and children, friends, and neighbors. Nevada Highway Patrol has posted here to aid in our efforts. For the safety of our zone, we’ll require all people seeking shelter to submit their weapons to the NHP. Should you desire to leave, they’ll be given back to you. It’s a scary place out there and it’s recommended you hunker down at one of the safe zones rather than making a go out there on your own. All are welcome.”
“Where?” Wayne asks just outside my window.
I hush him when the broadcast repeats itself.
“At Stovepipe Wells, we offer safety in numbers, food, and shelter.”
As soon as I realize it’s the same message, I turn it off and climb out of the vehicle, eager not to share the air with dead Kyle.
“What do you think?” I ask the group that’s now surrounded the vehicle.
“If we can just make it to Stovepipe Wells, we’ll be safe,” Judy says, swiping away a tear. “We’re almost there.”
Kellen and Aaron exchange a guarded look. I lift a brow when Kellen glances my way. He purses his lips for a moment before speaking his mind.
“I think we should proceed to our destination but take the indirect route as suggested before. If we can get a lay of the land before walking into that town, we can make a better decision as to stay or keep moving.”
“But they are a safe zone,” Judy argues weakly.
Dan hugs her to his side. “I’m hoping you’re right, sweetheart. But in the event it’s a trap and crawling with the people who did this to Kyle and the girls, then we need to be prepared.”
Silence hangs in the air.
Their daughter was almost taken once. Seeing what happened to Kyle and the girls especially is a reminder that people will brutally take what they want. Young females seem to be a favored commodity in this post-apocalyptic nightmare.
“Okay, yeah, of course,” Judy agrees. “We have to keep safe.”
Once we’ve picked the car clean of supplies, we all make our way back over to the kids. They eye us warily but don’t say much. There’s not much to say.
As a group, we start on our path off the main road. Aaron and Hope take the lead while me and Kellen bring up the rear. He’s still sickly looking from his bout of food-borne illness last night, but he’ll live.
“When we get closer to Stovepipe Wells, we’ll need to send a scout team in again ahead of our group,” Kellen says lowly. “I’m getting a bad feeling about this place.”
Despite the professional beacon of hope the radio offered, I can’t help but agree. My gut doesn’t usually guide me in the wrong direction. Right now, it twists at the idea we’re doing just that.
“Maybe we need to get away from these small towns,” I say with a sigh. “Country bumpkins doing whatever the hell they want is getting old. What’s the next big city?”
“Vegas,” Kellen says. “That could be worse or it could be perfectly fine. Vegas could mean shelter and supplies. Because of their size, they may even have FEMA posted there to help those coming from the west. It’s an option for sure.”
I know we’ll need to look at the map again soon.
As we get closer to Stovepipe Wells and structures can be seen in the darkness of night, we all slow to a halt. Me and Kellen bypass the group to make our way up to Aaron, Hope, and Dan, who are already looking at the map once more.
“I think we need to park our group here,” Aaron says, “and some of us go ahead to check things out.”
Jesse ambles over to us. “I’m going this time.”
Before me or Aaron can protest, he holds up a hand and shakes his head.
“Hear me out,” Jesse grits out. “The team should be small. One or two of us. It’ll be easier to get in and out.”
“Me and Aaron will go,” I say firmly.
Jesse rolls his eyes, reminding me he’s a sixteen-year-old brat. I guess since he’s been playing hide the sausage with Hailey, he thinks he’s a big man now.
“I know how to hot-wire a car,” Jesse continues with a grunt. “You tried back there and failed.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the car with the bodies. “I can actually make it run.”
He has a point there even though I don’t like it.
“I’m a fast runner,” I state to our group. “I’ll go with him. No offense, big bro, but your sea legs don’t go too quickly.”