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)
We’ll go to Ransom, Kansas, and find Kellen’s brother.
Then we’ll find somewhere safe and make a life together.
Feeling hope in such a dismal world is foolish and a waste of time, yet when you have a future with someone great—someone you’ve gone to hell and back with—you can’t help but put all your stock into such a world.
It can’t be like this forever.
One day, we’ll be safe.
As I drift off, I hold onto that thought because the alternative is too depressing—too soul crushing to even consider.
Losing everything is what’s at stake.
Kellen
Aaron drives us in what feels like circles until he finds an old service station on the side of the road. It’s been closed for decades based on the disrepair and dated signage, but it’ll do for the night. He pulls around to the back so we won’t be seen from the road and then we all pile out of the truck to stretch our legs.
“Me and Tyler will go scope out the inside,” I say to our group as they begin unloading their packs and gear. “We need to make sure it’s safe and there aren’t any surprises hiding for us.”
The two of us make our way to the back door and peer into the dark, clearly abandoned space. Nothing seems to be lurking. Tyler jiggles the door handle, but it’s locked. However, a well-placed kick sends the door flinging open without resistance. With flashlights in hand, we scour over the small building, searching for people and supplies. We find neither. We do, however, find a family of mice who are not happy to be disturbed.
It’s shelter, though.
Not as nice as the last motel we stayed at in St. George, but it sure beats camping out on the side of the road.
Back outside, Wayne limps toward the door, resting most of his weight on Aaron and Dan.
“I’m missing my bed already,” Wayne grumbles.
I feel a stab of guilt at the comment. He wouldn’t have taken a bullet to the ass had I not insisted on leaving comfort for this hellhole on a quest to get to Knox.
“Sorry,” I mutter under my breath.
Tyler nudges me with his elbow. “Why are you sorry?”
He’s trying to make me feel better, but it’s not working. We’re all here because of me.
After we all pile in the small building, Dan blocks the door with a trashcan to keep the weather and intruders out. We all lay out our bedrolls side by side in a long row with me and Tyler on one end and Aaron and Hope on the other. Wayne lies next to Tyler, who makes quick work of gluing Wayne’s gunshot wound shut. Wayne grumbles about the pain, to which Hope gives him more shit for being a baby. Eventually, Wayne is patched up and everyone is ready for bed.
“Let’s all try to get some sleep,” Aaron suggests. “When it’s daylight, we’ll map out a plan and head out again.”
Long after everyone falls asleep and Wayne’s obnoxious snoring echoes around us, I stare up at the dilapidated ceiling as gray light slowly filters into the space.
We have no idea what lies ahead of us.
It could be more of the same—running from hostiles, unpredictable acts of God and insane weather, and injuries we have no business treating ourselves. It’s dangerous and quite frankly, foolish as fuck.
I should have fought harder to make them all stay behind.
By the time morning greets us, I’m completely exhausted from the lack of sleep and a bit cranky. Rather than saying something I’ll regret because I’m in a bad mood, I zip my lips and go through the motions of packing up without contributing with my usual commentary. While everyone chatters away, Tyler keeps stealing glances at me, a frown marring his handsome features. He knows something’s not right. It’s me. I’m not right. I’m glad he doesn’t ask what’s wrong because I’m not sure I can articulate how I’m feeling.
Sleep has nothing to do with it.
My responsibility to this group and Tyler and my willingness to bring them into the heart of danger, are the real problem here.
“It’s warmer than yesterday,” Hope says as Aaron rolls out a Colorado map that the St. George group gave us. “You guys notice that?”
Aaron nods. “I hope it stays that way.”
While Aaron, Dan, Hope, and Tyler discuss possible routes to Kansas, I lean against the side of the truck, listening to Jesse, Wayne, and Hailey chat. She’s decided to ride in back with Jesse today rather than up front with her dad. Pretzel yaps happily, adding in his two cents to the conversation. I don’t say a word, instead listening for sounds of trouble.
The wind is strong today, but Hope is right. It’s not nearly as cold as last night. I can also smell that distinct scent of ozone—right before a heavy summer rain. It lightens my mood considerably. Maybe we’ll be past the shitty weather and the drive to Ransom will be a breeze.