The Last Ruin: The Forsaken Trilogy Book 2 by J. Thorn

Author:J. Thorn [Thorn, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thorn Publishing LLC
Published: 2024-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

12 Days West of Erehwon

Hado struggled to stay upright on her horse as they rode into another abandoned Nebraska town, the silver moon looking down on them through thin, hazy clouds. The cold air made her arm itch even more. It felt as if a small fire burned in the wound, and it was one she couldn’t extinguish.

They came to a rail yard full of dozens of rusted train cars—the sight had become a familiar sight as they’d followed the rails. Hado hadn’t seen another person since Kuno, and so she’d been pleased with her decision to ride next to the tracks instead of the old highways. The plains provided little challenge to their horses, whether on the roads or rails, as the flat land continually stretched beyond the horizon. And, for many miles, the highway ran parallel to the tracks, the travel options being within a rock’s throw of each other.

“We should be able to find a place here,” Dia said.

“I agree.” Hado gritted her teeth as she spoke. Wincing and swallowing her pain.

When Dia looked back, Hado sat up straight and let go of her arm.

“Are you all right?” Dia asked.

“I’m fine. I like the idea of stopping for the evening. Let’s see if we can set up camp.”

They left the tracks and rode down the middle of the main street they’d approached. Dia stopped in front of a rusted metal sign on a pole leaning at a forty-five-degree angle. “McCook, Nebraska,” she said, tilting her head and reading the sign. “The ‘Go-To City of Southwest Nebraska.’” She chuckled. “Maybe it was at some point.”

Hado lifted her head and gave Dia her best fake smile before looking down the street. Crumbling buildings stood on each side, the brick and mortar which had once kept them upright now scattered across the sidewalks. The skeletons of several vehicles sat against the curb, all blackened or stripped of their parts like so many other rusted frames the women had seen. As she’d done in every small town they had passed through, Hado tried to imagine how this place had been, back when families would have gathered to eat, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. But that world had perished, leaving only fading memories for those who had been mere children when it all ended.

Hado glanced at the upcoming street sign as they approached an intersection. “We should head down Norris Avenue and away from the highway. Maybe we can find a place that gives us a long view of both the road and the tracks.”

“We haven’t seen anyone in days. Why can’t we just pick one of these buildings to stay in?”

Hado sighed, louder than she had wanted to, and it made Dia stop. “You can’t let your guard down out here. Not for one instant. Before, you had the protection of the tribe, you lived in Erehwon, and you had Shiva. You were protected. That’s not the case now.

Dia leaned over from her mount and got in Hado’s face as much as she could while on horseback.

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