Collapsed World (EMP Aftermath Book 5) by Grace Hamilton

Author:Grace Hamilton [Hamilton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-13T16:00:00+00:00

20

LAUREL

The warmth of Jess’s small body curled against her stomach reminded Laurel of cuddling a hot water bottle on cold nights in the Middle East. Out there, it was quiet too. Early mornings had been Laurel’s favorite time of day. A time when she could snatch a few minutes to herself. This morning, though, she’d have given anything to not be by herself.

“What do you think he’s doing right now?” Laurel asked, stroking Jess’s ears. “Plotting a grand escape? Yeah, I reckon so too.”

Rolling onto her back, Jess wagged her tail and wriggled into the corner of Laurel’s sleeping bag. Laurel was giving her a good, hard belly scratch when Jess suddenly flipped over and sat up straight. Ears pricked, she tilted her head to the side.

Laurel reached for her gun and stood up slowly, inching toward the front of the tent. Slowly, she pulled down the zipper, then stepped outside.

The cold morning air stung her skin. The light was muted, hanging between the pine trees and creating strange shadows that Laurel couldn’t interpret. Too late, she realized she’d left her glasses inside the tent.

Jess appeared at her side. “Wait, girl,” Laurel whispered, turning slowly and peering into the near distance.

This time, she heard it too. The snap of a twig. Jess barked. Laurel looked down at her. The Jack Russell’s tail had begun to wag.

Heart hammering, Laurel searched for a silhouette. The outline of a person. “Bear?” she called. “Is that you?”

Then someone appeared. Laurel stepped forward. Without waiting to be told it was okay, Jess scampered toward the familiar figure of Lisa. Short black hair tucked under her navy baseball cap, same dark green jacket and gray pants. Same large boots, and same slightly irritated expression on her face.

When she saw Laurel, she raised a hand to wave. Then Laurel realized Lisa wasn’t alone. Two others were behind her, members of the Freemen camp she recognized as Cody and Rebecca’s parents.

“Art sent you?” Laurel rushed forward and embraced Lisa, hugging her tight.

“Not exactly,” Lisa replied, shrugging. “But I’m persuasive when I want to be.”

“We trekked all night,” Rebecca’s mother said, yawning. “My legs are throbbing.”

“Laurel, this is Marie, and this is her husband, Brad.” Lisa introduced her companions, and Laurel shook their hands.

“I’m very grateful,” Laurel said sincerely. “Why don’t we have breakfast? Some coffee? Then we’ll plot our route to the water plant.”

Ducking back into the tent, Laurel retrieved her glasses, then helped Lisa light a fire. Marie and Brad didn’t seem like Art’s most capable fighters, but they were at least willing, so Laurel told herself not to complain.

“What made you decide to accompany Lisa?” Laurel asked, handing Brad a cup of not quite boiling hot coffee.

“My sister’s sick. Matilda Johnson.” Brad wrapped his hands tightly around his mug. “She’s getting sicker.”

Laurel glanced at Lisa, then nodded slowly. “Well,” she said, taking a long sip of her own coffee, “hopefully this trip will give us the answers we need.”

As Lisa reached into her pocket and pulled out a map, Laurel took out her own too.

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