Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Asher smiled, and then turned, ducking around the building and into the foliage that ended near the front gate. I closed my eyes and hummed so quietly that no one who wasn’t standing an inch from me would have heard. I waited, my hands gripped together until I heard a loud rustle, a pop, and then a yell that was cut off by another pop.
I walked quickly around the guardhouse and to the gate where Asher was already standing. In my peripheral vision, I saw the two guards lying in a heap next to each other but didn’t turn my head.
Asher pulled the gate open, and I slipped through the small space. He closed it behind me and as he was closing it, I said, “Thank you so much. And good luck.” It seemed so inadequate, but it was all I had.
“You too,” he said and then he turned away, off to join the others. Off to fight.
I found the bike where he’d said it would be and then rolled it down the street, getting far enough away before swinging my leg over it and sitting down. Then I turned the ignition, the loud rumble in the midst of the silent night making me grimace.
I released the brake, the bike flying forward, wobbling momentarily as I emitted a high-pitched hiss, certain I was going to tumble off. But I gripped the handles, finding control and speeding off into the night. If I rode fast, and wasn’t stopped, I could be home before morning.
forty-seven
Tuck
The guards at the next barrier were jacked up on tension and power, and I got the inkling they were itching to shoot someone and at the smallest excuse would do so. I backtracked about a quarter mile and then veered off to the side where I’d seen a few others walking earlier, making their way around the guarded area even though there was only desert in that direction.
Those walking sent furtive glances in my direction, clutching their packs tightly, some holding weapons down at their sides, the threat clear. Even those who weren’t looking for trouble would protect what they had at all costs.
To my right was unforgiving terrain bereft of any sustenance and to my left a rocky embankment that led up to the guarded area, men with guns roaming the perimeter and watching from higher ground.
I took my water out and drank another small sip. I’d have to make this last until I made it to Emily, and it was going to be tight. I’d likely arrive parched, but I’d arrive. I wouldn’t give up, because I was worried about what the guard at the first barricade had insinuated. Emily might be in trouble. But even if she wasn’t, I had to tell her I loved her, and then I’d beg her to come back to her parents’ farm. Or if she’d found the purpose she was looking for in San Diego, then I’d stay if she let me. I’d find my own purpose doing something local, returning each evening to her side, creating my legacy wherever she was.
Please don’t be too late.
Please wait for me, Em. I don’t deserve you. It turns out I never have. But please wait for me.
The click of a gun brought me from my thoughts, and I ducked and pivoted. A man with a shotgun was standing behind me, barrel pointed at my chest. “Drop your backpack. It’s all I want.” He was crying and shaking, and the gun wavered from side to side. “Haven’t eaten in a week,” he said.
I brought my hands up. “Whoa, hey relax, okay? We’re all hungry. We’re all trying to survive.” I took off my backpack slowly and then set it on the ground. “I’ll give you some of my food,” I said. “But I can’t give it all. You know that. I’m willing to share.”
“You’re not willing to do shit! This gun is convincing you to. The world has gone to hell, man. Fuck this! Toss your bag over now. Now!”
The gun shook and the man let out another sob, and goddammit, but I just needed to get to Emily. But this man was right, the world had gone to hell, and if I was going to make it to San Diego, I couldn’t do it without food and water. The Swansons had offered to give me one of their weapons and some ammo, but I couldn’t allow them to do that. I never would have forgiven myself if I left them without enough defense and they’d ended up needing it.
My brain was shuffling through my options. The man was desperate and unpredictable, but he was also going to be easy to overcome and likely couldn’t hit a target that was still and directly in front of him. A loud pop startled me, and I dove to the ground, a bloody hole appearing in the center of the man’s forehead, mouth falling open right before he dropped.