Before and After by S. E. Smith

Author:S. E. Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horror, paranormal, action adventure, teen romance, apocolyptic, action adventure apocalyptic, dystopian action thriller, romance action adventure thriller, superhero powers
Publisher: S. E. Smith

Chapter 17

The Change:

"Thank you again for everything," Maria murmured in a quiet voice.

"If you see any of the others again, you won't tell them anything, will you?" Josie asked, moving from one foot to the other and staring intently at Alex more than she was Maria.

"No, we won't," Alex said with a grimace. "I doubt that they survived. That one creature...." He shook his head and looked uneasily at Josie before glancing at Dust. "I doubt we'll ever see any of them again."

Dust glanced at Maria and Alex with a frown. "Are you sure you want to split up? You could travel with us," he said in a quiet voice. "What do you plan to do?"

Alex glanced at Maria before he spoke. "We are going to head east. I had some family in North Carolina. I'm hoping some of them may have survived. I... I owe you an apology, Dust. Maria, the kids, and I would all be dead now if not for you. Beau said...."

"Dad said a lot of crap," Josie interrupted in a hard voice.

Dust glanced at Josie. She had the flames glowing in her eyes again. She tended to do that whenever Alex opened his mouth. It had been a battle the last three days to keep her from torching Alex. If the other man owed anyone an apology, it was Josie.

Alex and Maria had decided it was better for them to go off on their own. Neither one of them felt comfortable around him or Josie. While Dust was concerned about their safety, he also knew it was their choice. It was the three small children with Alex and Maria that he was concerned about. Still, they were all probably better off as far away from him as possible. The haunting threat of the female devil dog was burned into his memory.

"Stay together," Dust said, nodding to Alex. "I wish I could give you some advice on how to know if there are any more of those creatures around, but I can't. Just keep your eyes open and try not to move around too much at night if you are out in the open."

"We won't," Alex replied with a stiff nod. "We've got to get going before it gets too much later."

Dust's eyes widened in surprise when Maria stepped forward and gave him a hug. He stood stiffly, not sure of what to do. She quickly released him and stepped back again with a murmur of thanks before she turned and walked to the waiting truck that he had taken from the silo. Several minutes later, only the faint outline of the truck could be seen in the distance.

Dust turned and looked around the small town that they had taken refuge in several days ago. He didn't remember much of the first day. It had taken every ounce of his strength to get to the culvert. His chest had been ripped open by the she-devil's claws.

"How are you feeling?" Sammy asked, staring at him in concern. "You still look pale.

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