The Geostorm Series (Book 6): Geostorm [The Pioneers] by Akart Bobby

Author:Akart, Bobby [Akart, Bobby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | EMP | Survival | Thriller
Published: 2020-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Pinnacle Overlook Trail

Cumberland Mountains

Southeast Kentucky

The modern pioneers started day two of their exploration of the Cumberland Mountains well rested and full of energy. The day before, they’d made some progress into the dense national forest, whose trails had become overgrown in the weeks since the park service no longer maintained them. As agreed beforehand, they’d limited their outing to ensure they’d return to the Pinnacle Overlook before dark. This morning, they were gently awakened by Sarah before daylight with the smell of fresh coffee and the family’s staple breakfast of oatmeal.

“I think Isabella and I are going to hike today,” said Chapman as everyone gathered their gear for the day. “The whole time we left the horses tied off near the trail, all I could think about was somebody stealing them or, just as bad, wild animals making a meal out of them.”

“Hiking up that ridge at the end of the day won’t be easy,” said Carly.

“We know, but it’s really the safe thing to do.”

Levi was busy cutting strips of material from Doug Smith’s clothing to be used as trail markers. He also handed out hatchets to everyone. As he did, he suggested how they should approach their day. “Let’s head out together along the Pinnacle Overlook Trail. After yesterday, we know that any potential location is going to be beyond that point. Chapman and Isabella will make their way down the ridge from there until they reach the bottom.”

“You mean the abyss,” quipped Chapman, referring to the point where the side of the ridge had collapsed into the newly formed river during the earthquake.

“No doubt,” said Levi with a smile.

Chapman explained their game plan for the day. “Okay, I kinda look at it as a you take the high road and we’ll take the low road approach. If we work our way along the thrust fault that triggered the quake, we might stumble across farms nestled in the valley. A lot of these places were set way back from the highway. We’ll use the collapsed ridge as our westernmost boundary and work our way northeast from there.”

“Good idea,” said Levi. “Keep track of your time. You’ll have to follow the sun the best you can so you don’t find yourself stuck out there in the dark.”

Chapman nodded and turned to Kristi, who, along with Tommy, had loaded up their backpacks and was ready to get started.

“I guess we’ll be with you guys, right?” she asked Levi.

He checked Carly’s pack and handed it to her as he replied, “Yeah. You’re gonna be our scouts. Carly and I are gonna push as far up the top of the ridge as we can. When we see a possible location or a spring-fed stream that leads down the mountain, you and Tommy will follow the lead. We’ll continue to move northeast, looking for more options.”

“This could be a very long, drawn-out process,” said Sarah. She’d purposefully kept the children settled in their sleeping bags so she could converse with the other adults before their big day.

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