Surviving Freedom: A Post Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Desperate Age Series, Book 3) by T. L. Payne

Author:T. L. Payne [Payne, T. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shaky Rock Publishing
Published: 2023-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

Robert

Memorial Park Cemetery

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Day 15

Robert scanned both sides of the road, not wanting a repeat of the scenario that had gotten Greg Newbury killed. He lagged fifty feet behind Seth and Layla Williamson and their ten-month-old daughter as they made their way along 51st Street toward the cemetery. His old bones had two decades on the young couple, and they appeared to be better nourished. than Robert. For the last five days, Robert and Nina had been existing on one can of soup per day, trying to stretch out their meager food rations, yet still provide the twins with enough food. Robert knew they couldn’t continue to eat that way much longer. If they didn’t start getting enough protein and carbs in them, they wouldn’t be able to do what they needed to survive.

Robert could feel himself slowing down. He had very little energy, and it was becoming an enormous struggle to complete all the labor-intensive tasks that were now required on a daily basis. Unless he found a significant source of protein soon, he would be forced to venture out of the city to hunt. But doing so would leave his family at risk from the roaming bands of looters. He was counting on this hunting trip paying off. With any luck, others hadn’t thought about looking for food in a cemetery.

Layla hurried ahead as they approached the entrance, already spotting a food source. As she knelt with the baby on her back to dig dandelions, Robert scanned the grounds, searching for something with a few more calories. The redbud and maple trees were leafing out, but the oak trees the squirrels preferred had only begun to bud. It would be easier to spot them in the canopy.

“I’m going to start at the lake,” Robert said, moving in that direction.

“Shouldn’t we stick together?” Layla asked. Concern laced her voice.

“No offense, but successful hunting requires absolute quiet. A baby crying or any sudden movements will just cause potential game to scatter.”

“We understand,” Seth said. “We’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Layla was off plucking purple deadnettle before Robert even responded.

“One hour?” Robert asked.

“That should be plenty of time for Layla to fill her basket.”

Robert inserted a bolt into his mini crossbow and crept toward the graveyard’s east side, scanning the grounds and tops of trees for small game. He’d gone no more than a quarter mile before he had to stop at a bench to rest. He tried his best to avoid looking at the gravestones. Thinking about death wasn’t on his agenda. He’d remain focused on survival—his and the people depending upon him.

This is just another hunt. This is no different from stalking the woods down at Deep Fork.

As he waited to catch his breath, Robert removed a spotting scope from his pack and glassed the area. Twenty feet away, a squirrel ran down a tree. Once it hit the ground, it flicked its tail and darted off to an adjacent tree. Then it scurried up the trunk about five feet and stopped, flicking his tail again and barking to warn him off.

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