200 Miles to Liberty by P. A. Glaspy

Author:P. A. Glaspy [Glaspy, P. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | EMP
Published: 2019-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

No ambient noises from appliances, electronics, or the furnace should have left the house deathly quiet.

That wasn’t the case for Joel.

The lack of electricity meant that Lauri couldn’t use her CPAP machine for her sleep apnea. If Lauri slept without it, Joel usually didn’t sleep; not in the same room she did anyway. After about an hour of the noise, he got up with a sigh, grabbed his pillow and an afghan off a chair in Elliott’s room, and headed out in search of a quieter place to sleep. He made his way to the boys’ room and scooted Cameron over so he could share his pallet. Cameron grumbled in his sleep but rolled over, giving Joel the space he needed. Aaron, who was in the top bunk, woke up as Joel was trying to get comfortable.

“What are you doing, Pops?” Aaron whispered as he sat up and squinted into the darkness.

“Trying to get some sleep,” Joel hissed back. “Nana without her machine is not conducive to anyone else sleeping in the same room.”

Will woke as well and seeing his dad trying to get comfortable on the floor, climbed out of the bottom bunk. “Here, Dad. Take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“No, it’s fine. Really,” Joel replied with a wave of his hand.

Aaron hopped down from the top. “No, it isn’t. Uncle Will can have the top, you take the bottom, and I’ll take the floor. I have younger bones.”

“Yes, you do. I accept your proposal,” Will said with a sleepy grin. “Come on, Dad. No arguing.”

Joel nodded and the three men settled into their new locations. Joel fell asleep immediately. Just as he was about to drift off, Will heard a low growl from Lexi, who was in the living room with Ethan. After a moment, he heard Ethan and Elliott talking in whispers. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, so he climbed back down to see what was going on. His movement shook the bunk beds slightly, which brought Joel awake.

“What is it? What’s going on?” Joel asked.

“I heard Lexi growl. Elliott and Ethan are up. I’m going to check it out.” Will had slipped his tennis shoes on by then.

“Hold up. I’ll come with you,” Joel said. “I don’t think sleep is on the agenda tonight anyway.”

The two men walked quietly down the hall. Elliott had turned the lantern up a bit, casting the room in a soft glow. He and Ethan turned at the sound of the other two men entering the room.

“I’m not sure what’s going on. Lexi growled and has her hackles up. She’s been staring at the back door. Maybe it’s another coon trying to get to the rest of the chickens,” Elliott said softly as he was lacing up his boots. “I did miss having a dog around for that, if nothing else — early warning system.”

He put on his coat and grabbed his shotgun. Ethan followed suit.

“Do you want us to come with you?” Joel asked.

“No, you two stay in here.

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