Only Darkness Remains: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Thriller by Zach Bohannon & L.C. Marino

Author:Zach Bohannon & L.C. Marino [Bohannon, Zach & Marino, L.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

21

CARTER

Cigarette butts and other debris littered the sidewalk outside the hotel’s main entrance. The primary contributors to this condition crowded a set of benches just beyond the shade of the porte cochere.

“Who knows, man? But we gotta roll. No one’s coming to help us anytime soon,” a short guy in baggy jeans and a ratty T-shirt ranted as he waved a lit cigarette around. “The government sure as hell isn’t doing shit, that’s for sure.”

“I get it, but how the hell am I supposed to walk when my leg’s all messed up?” The large guy sat on the bench rubbing one extended leg. Road rash ran up his other arm in a patchwork of scabbing skin and asphalt stains.

Carter angled his approach so the guy on the bench could see him and Lexi coming. A stout woman in a Fleetwood Mac concert T-shirt stood to the right. Her feathered hair lay flat and uninspired against her round head.

“Hey, guys,” Carter said. “I hate to interrupt you, but I was hoping you could help me. Were you involved in that accident yesterday that everyone’s talking about?”

Bench guy looked at Lexi, then back at Carter, his face scrunched up. “What’s it to you?”

Carter had expected some resistance, but not blatant attitude. Clearly, this guy was upset about what had happened. It was best to play the sympathy card rather than agitate the guy further.

“I’m looking for some information about the car. Do you guys know the driver?”

Baggy Jeans pulled a long drag on his cigarette. “What are you, a cop? Why don’t you get the hell out of here and leave us alone?”

Carter focused on his breathing, trying to keep calm as he balled his fist. “Watch your tone.”

He stood. “Or what?”

“Just answer my question, buddy,” Carter said. “I promise it’ll be better for you.”

Finishing another prolonged drag, the guy flicked his lit cigarette at the sidewalk a foot from Lexi. Embers ricocheted off the pavement, causing her to flinch. Carter stepped toward the guy, and Lexi erupted into a fit of thunderous barking.

The woman stepped forward with both hands up, drawing Carter’s eyes to hers. “I’m sorry. My brother’s an asshole. We don’t want any problems.” She turned to the cigarette guy. “What the hell is wrong with you, man? If you’d hit that dog, I’d have killed you myself!”

Carter had to pull hard at Lexi’s leash to keep her from advancing on the woman. Baggy Pants took a few steps back and put the bench and his injured buddy between him and Carter. Apparently, he’d realized his near fatal error. “My bad. I didn’t mean to do that.”

Carter ignored the man’s apology, keeping a tight hold on Lexi.

“Let’s start over,” the woman said.

“My daughter was one of the people in that car your buddy there tried to stop. She and her friend had just met the driver and they aren’t supposed to be caught up in all this. I need to find them.”

Baggy Pants scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure she’s a real angel.

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