Small Town EMP (Book 3): Survive The Conflict by Hamilton Grace

Author:Hamilton, Grace [Hamilton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian | EMP
Published: 2019-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

21

When Austin awoke early on the morning following the robbery, the first thing he thought of was the fact that Malachi hadn’t brought Savannah back. Every day that she wasn’t with him filled him with a gnawing worry that he couldn’t shake. He’d vowed to never let himself get separated from her again during the long trek across the country, and here he’d gone and done it anyway. It made him furious with himself, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was hurt somewhere. Was she waiting for him to save her? What if Zander had found her?

He sat up to find Harlen standing a few feet away, watching the sunrise. The man turned to smile at him, calm as ever. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Austin grunted, getting to his feet and dusting off the dirt and debris clinging to him after sleeping on the ground.

“You were thrashing about quite a bit the last hour or so,” Harlen said.

Austin took a deep breath. “Sleeping isn’t easy.”

“I imagine you’re worried about your daughter.”

“I am.”

“I know you’re not a big believer in a higher power, but I think it helps to have something or someone to believe in. You have to believe she’s okay. You two have managed to overcome some pretty tough circumstances, and I believe you’ll do it again,” he offered, his rich voice washing over Austin and actually calming him a bit.

“Thanks, Harlen. I hope you’re right.”

“I think we should probably get a move on, though. Better to walk in the early morning when it’s cooler,” Harlen suggested.

Austin nodded, and the two of them moved around to wake the others. As they stirred, moaning and stretching, Wendell began complaining already. “The sun’s not even all the way up,” he whined.

“Which means it’s still cool. I figure you’ll have fewer hours to complain if we move when it’s cool outside versus in the heat of the day,” Austin snapped.

“Austin,” Ennis warned.

They each took care of their morning business and rehydrated from a nearby stream, using their purification tablets, plastic bottles they’d found, and the small collapsible cup Harlen kept stashed in his back pocket. Then, it was time to hit the road. They had another hundred and twenty miles to go to reach Twin Falls. That was at least a five-day walk.

As they traveled, they each ate one of the mealy protein bars. Austin had to force himself to gulp the thing down, the taste lingering in his mouth long after he’d swallowed the last bite. He heard a crinkling noise and looked around. Wendell was behind them, bringing up the rear.

“What’s that?” he asked, noticing something shiny in Wendell’s hands.

“Gum,” he replied nonchalantly.

They all stopped and turned to him. “You have gum?” Ennis practically shouted.

Wendell shrugged. “I got it out of the vending machine.”

Austin looked at Ennis, warning him to deal with his friend before he did. Ennis stepped forward, quietly whispering to Wendell. When he turned back around, he had a pack of gum in his hand.

“Would anyone like a piece of gum?” he asked with a forced smile.

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