Grip of Panic: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (After the End Book 4) by Sam J Fires

Author:Sam J Fires [Fires, Sam J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fire & Brimstone Press
Published: 2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

13

Patrick

February 19, 3:13 PM

Pat guided the truck into the garage and shut the door behind them, a sense of relief washing over him. They’d finally arrived at Kim's house. Everyone piled out and entered through the side entrance. Pat stopped in his tracks at the sight of the disarray.

“Was it like this when you left?” he asked, surveying the wreckage.

Kim shook her head, her voice laced with disbelief. “No, not as bad as this. It looks like a bomb went off in here.”

They tiptoed through the ransacked kitchen to the front hall. The front door hung precariously off its hinges.

“First order of business is fixing this.” Pat turned to everyone. “Okay, some basic rules. We need to keep a low profile. All the curtains are to stay closed. And keep your voices down.” He furrowed his brows in concentration. “We need to unpack the truck. Quick as we can. But we’ll store everything in the basement. Then, let’s keep it locked. Dylan, take Butler to the backyard to do his business and keep him quiet. After we’ve unpacked the truck, I’ll head out to the hardware store for a new door. This one’s beyond repair.”

“You’re leaving us, Dad?” Dylan said.

“Just for a bit, bud, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. You’ll be fine. Your mom will keep you safe.” Pat drew in a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “Right, let’s get moving. I want to get everything done before dark.”

“Can we get a fire going, Dad?” Piper asked. “It’s freezing in here.”

Kim responded before Pat could, “I’ll take care of that.”

Piper gave her mother a surprised look. “Mom, there should still be some wood by the fireplace.”

They all went to the living room, but the grate and the bin were empty. “Looks like whoever broke in helped themselves to our firewood, too.” He glanced around the chilly room. “Let’s get the wood from the truck.”

They worked quickly, bringing the food and blankets into the house. Butler stayed close to Piper and Dylan, his tail wagging, eager to be part of the team. In the garage, they left the bulk of the wood covered by the tarps, only bringing in enough wood to kindle the fire. Kim took charge of building the fire.

As Dylan and Piper carried the food downstairs, Butler eagerly followed, his nose twitching in curiosity as he explored the icy basement. Piper, carrying the last load down, said, “I left out some canned pasta and beans in the kitchen. We can share it with Butler.”

“Good thinking.” Pat nodded approvingly while arranging the supplies in a back corner of the basement. He covered their stash with empty boxes, camouflaging it neatly. “That should be good enough until I get back.”

Together, the trio, accompanied by Butler, went back upstairs. A fire crackled in the fireplace, though its warmth still hadn’t penetrated the chill. In the kitchen, they found Kim standing by the sink, her face solemn.

“There’s no water,” she said. “Or gas for the stove.” There was a moment of awkward silence in the room.

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