Out of the Shadows: EMP Survival in a Powerless World by Vincent Valentean

Author:Vincent Valentean [Valentean, Vincent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

18

Old Bertha’s headlights illuminated the road ahead as Sam expertly turned the wheel to and fro to maneuver around the road. Both Carolyn and Eric were hopefully asleep in the truck’s bed, but Sam knew it was going to be a bumpy ride for them. He’d added harnesses to the truck’s bed where a passenger would lean up against the rear of the cabin and knew those restraints would keep his family safe, even in off-road conditions.

Joe sat silently in the passenger’s seat beside him, watching the road with the same quiet stoicism he’d displayed after their escape from the city. Sam hadn’t pressed his old friend on what he was feeling because he was hoping Joe would come out with it on his own once the two of them were alone together in the vehicle’s cabin.

However, Joe didn’t seem to want to open that conversation, or at least wouldn’t go there on his own. Sam knew he’d have to breach the subject but wanted to do it carefully. He wasn’t going to ask Joe what was wrong because he already knew. He understood Joe better than just about anyone.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Sam said, breaking the uneasy silence and drawing the attention of his dour friend.

“What?” Joe asked as though he hadn’t fully heard him.

“Don’t do that, Joseph,” Sam replied simply. “I know you heard me.”

“I did,” Joe admitted. “I just can’t figure out how you can actually believe that bullshit you just spouted.”

Sam sighed and had to fight the urge to look over at the big man. He needed to keep his eyes locked on the road.

“I do believe it,” Sam replied simply, not taking any offense from his friend’s tone. “I believe you fought by my side from the second we set out from the farm. I believe it’s because of you that we’re heading home with my wife and son still alive. I believe that it’s because of you that I’m still alive. And one moment where you faltered doesn’t negate all of that, especially when it was for a good reason.”

“Good reason?” Joe scoffed. “You mean my idiot brain not being able to move on from one stupid day a million years ago?”

“What you went through was insane,” Sam said, pointing a finger at Joe but still keeping his eyes on the road. “I think the fact that you’re as put together as you are is a miracle.”

“I should be better,” Joe replied. “Because of me, we almost died.”

“No,” Sam corrected, not willing to hear any of this for even a second. “Because of you, we survived.”

“I dunno about that,” he replied, casting his eyes down toward the dashboard.

“I do,” Sam said, his voice filled with the utmost confidence. “I know if you had actually listened to me and stayed at the farm, I’d be dead right now, and so would my family. You were instrumental to this, man. Stop selling yourself short because you hesitated for one fucking second.”

“It wasn’t for a second,” Joe said.

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