Desolation: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Conquer the Dark Series, Book 4) by T. L. Payne

Author:T. L. Payne [Payne, T. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shaky Rock Publishing
Published: 2024-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Mueller

Highway 60

Mitchell, Indiana

Day Twenty-Four

As Monica floored the accelerator, the Ford’s headlights slashed through the darkness, illuminating two men and a woman who darted into the road, waving their arms frantically to flag them down. Mueller, adrenaline coursing through his veins, swung the rifle up to his shoulder, his left arm burning as he sighted down the barrel at the figures now frozen in the beams of light.

“Tyson?” Monica’s voice held a note of panic.

“Frank, keep your sights on the man in the ball cap,” Mueller said calmly.

Leaning out the window, Mueller trained his rifle on the man, the ball cap centered in his crosshairs.

“Tyson!” Monica repeated, her tone more urgent this time.

As the vehicle decelerated, three more figures stepped onto the road. Mueller’s eyes darted between the newcomers, searching for any sign of a threat. His focus narrowed as one man reached behind his back—too smooth, too practiced a motion to be innocent. Without hesitation, Mueller squeezed the trigger, the report of the rifle echoing. The man collapsed, a stark, still form on the asphalt as the truck sped past.

Monica took the turn onto Highway 60 a bit too sharply in her haste, almost sending the truck careening off the road. Mueller ducked back inside and rolled up the window just as the vehicle steadied. The engine whined under the strain as they barreled down the highway toward Shoals, Indiana.

About five miles down the road, Monica’s grip faltered, and she slowed the truck, pulling over onto the shoulder with a gravelly crunch. Before they had come to a complete stop, she flung the door open and vomited. She staggered out and leaned heavily over the guardrail.

Mueller stepped out and approached her, concern etching his features. “Are you okay?”

“That scared the bejesus out of me. My hands are shaking so bad, I don’t think I can drive.” Her voice trembled.

“Let Frank take the wheel then.” Mueller gently guided her back toward the truck.

Monica nodded and shuffled over to Frank’s door. “I think you should drive for a while,” she said softly. She climbed into the back seat as Frank assumed his position behind the wheel.

They continued their journey, soon approaching a bridge over the East Fork White River in the small town of Shoals, Indiana. “We need to find fuel, pronto,” Frank said, eyeing the fuel gauge, which hovered near empty.

“Take that left there, and let’s find our replacement fuel cans. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find a car that can siphon enough to get us to Mount Vernon, Illinois,” Frank said.

Monica leaned forward, resting her hand on Mueller’s seat. “Are you planning on stopping in on Billie?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

“I thought we might.” Mueller avoided her gaze. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate visiting his ex-wife, Billie Jean. The history between them was complicated, made more so since Billie’s new husband had been married to Monica’s best friend before the affair.

“Why?” Monica pressed.

“I left something there,” Frank interjected before Mueller could respond. “When I stopped by to visit with Billie’s husband, I had him hold on to a weapon or two for me.

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