Gateway To Chaos (Book 1): Seeking Safety by Payne T.L

Author:Payne, T.L. [Payne, T.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | EMP | Survival | Thriller
Published: 2020-02-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Washington University

St. Louis, Missouri

February 12th - 3:25 a.m. CST

After a long period of trying to sleep in such an uncomfortable position, Raine unfurled her legs, stood, and stretched. Her back ached, she was freezing cold, and her mouth was dry as a bone. She wondered why the officer hadn’t yet returned and considered whether she should try to locate him. They needed food and water. None of them would make it to the shelter tomorrow without those things. Also, they needed to find warmer clothing for the ones in her group that hadn’t prepared for such a hike in the snow.

Raine heard stirring to her left then felt a breeze as the door opened. She at first thought it was the officer returning, but the actions were backward. Someone had exited, not entered. Raine followed them. The frigid air took her breath as she stepped out onto the landing and flicked on her headlamp. Brice was standing on the second of the three steps down to the walkway, puffing on an electronic cigarette.

“I’m trying to quit,” he said.

“Is it helping?” Raine said, pointing to the e-cigarette in his hand.

“Not really. It’s still nicotine.”

“But you're not smoking, so that’s something, right?” Raine said as she moved to the first step and lowered her voice. She didn’t want to disturb the others. They needed all the rest they could get.

“Have you seen that officer lately?” Raine asked.

“No. He never came back.”

“I wonder why,” Raine said, turning her head both ways, shining her headlamp beam along the sidewalk.

The snow had continued, and there was at least eight inches on the ground. Raine shined the light down at her hiking boots. She’d made the wrong choice in footwear. The ones she was wearing were perfect for a long hike, but she needed taller, warmer ones to walk in snow that deep.

“I guess he’s still patrolling. That’s his job, anyway. One man can’t do much about looters, and he certainly can’t stop the flames from catching the buildings on fire, so it’s pointless to patrol.”

Raine stepped down and leaned against the railing.

“He seems dedicated to his job.”

“For all the good it will do him. It’s a fool's errand,” Brice said, stuffing the e-cigarette into his pocket.

“He said he was waiting for his family.”

Brice shrugged.

“We need food. And water. Some in our group aren’t dressed for a hike in this weather. We need warm clothes,” Raine said, turning to face Brice.

He didn’t respond. He just continued staring off into the night. Unsure if he’d heard her, she repeated it.

“I know. I’ve been thinking. That officer might not let us just take stuff.”

“Why not?” Raine asked.

Brice shielded his eyes from Raine’s headlamp beams as he moved closer.

“He’s too dedicated to his job. He may see that as against the rules and refuse even to give us a bottle of water.”

Raine pulled the headlamp from her head and held it down at her side.

“We could offer to pay for it."

He pulled out his wallet, held it open, and shook it.

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