Surviving The End (Book 1): Crumbling World by Hamilton Grace

Author:Hamilton, Grace [Hamilton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Survival
Published: 2019-11-12T16:00:00+00:00

19

Jodi had no intention of trying to balance the stupid suitcase on the frame of her bike for over a hundred miles, so she fashioned a couple of makeshift straps using duct tape and two of Mike’s old t-shirts. The end result was ugly, but it fit over her shoulders and it wasn’t entirely uncomfortable. While she worked on securing the straps, Owen helped Mike pack some clothes, nonperishable food, and other personal items into a JanSport backpack.

Mike also took a moment to remove the old bandage from his neck. When he did, Jodi caught a glimpse of the incision. It was longer than she’d expected, maybe six inches, running vertically up the side of his neck toward his earlobe. He washed the wound gently in the kitchen sink, cleaning off the crust that had built up over it, then he dried his hands on a paper towel.

“Does it hurt this morning?” she asked.

“For the size of the thing they chopped out of me, it’s actually not the worst pain,” he said, as he opened a fresh bandage. “The nausea is far worse.”

“Well, don’t forget to take care of it,” Jodi said. “We don’t want you getting infected. In our current situation, that would be especially dangerous.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Mike said, pressing a new gel-like bandage over the wound. “Fortunately, the constant stinging sensation serves as a good reminder that it’s there.”

He also took a moment to run a disinfectant wipe around the plastic port in his arm. When he was done, he picked up the backpack, as if to sling it over his shoulders.

“Let me carry it,” Owen said. “You don’t need the extra burden, Uncle Mike.”

“Are you sure, kid?” he replied. “You’re already lugging around that big duffel bag.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Owen said, taking the backpack from him. “I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can. I appreciate it.” Mike stumbled over to the couch and sat down. “I have to admit, guys, while I feel better than I did last night, it’s still pretty rough. I won’t be able to go far without taking a break.”

“We know,” Jodi said. “We’ll take it at your pace.”

She meant it, but in truth she was frustrated. The thought of stopping every few minutes made the whole day before them seem like an impossible slog. Still, what choice did they have? She grabbed her bicycle by the handles and walked it to the door of Mike’s apartment.

“Let’s hit the road,” she said. “We have a long way to go today.”

She opened the door and stuck her head outside. It was just after sunrise, and the world seemed much emptier than the evening before. There were no crowds gathered in the parking lot or in the street beyond—not yet—just a scattering of dead vehicles and a remarkable lack of city noises. She pulled her bike down the stairs and waited for the others. Despite the backpack on his shoulders and the duffel bag hanging from his forearm, Owen hoisted the other two bikes and carried them down the steps.

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