The Bitter Earth: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller (Graham's Resolution Book 5) by A. R. Shaw

Author:A. R. Shaw [Shaw, A. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Apocalyptic Ventures, LLC
Published: 2018-03-12T22:00:00+00:00

24

Paige

Dead…Lincoln’s probably dead now, Paige thought. My brother’s dead. Trevor’s dead. My mother’s dead…my father. Her thoughts rambled through her head as she tugged the little girl along her left side and adjusted the extra backpack over her shoulder again while also tightening her sweaty grip on the Glock 19 she held in her right palm.

Knowing where she was headed, Paige also knew she’d have to stop for the night somewhere soon. Then the little girl slowed to a crawl, and the weight Paige carried suddenly felt like two anvils.

She was exhausted and with the pack, Paige couldn’t carry the child as well.

I’ve got to find a safe place for us to sleep through the night.

Several headlights cascaded up like beacons in the night, even with their fading light. She’d never seen anything like it—a thick line of vehicles with stragglers wandering, yelling, sobbing in delusional hysteria or running scared. The feeling was contagious but she continued to calm her racing heart. Lincoln had taught her the biggest mistakes were made in fear. Think calmly…never panic. Panic will get you killed. Use the fear to guide you instead.

The little girl on her right side suddenly cried, pulling Paige’s arm. “Keep moving forward, sweetie,” she said, shaking her head at herself. God, I sound like my brother now, too…but she continued despite Lincoln’s voice within her head. “We’ll stop soon.” But the girl wouldn’t budge, not another step. In the ambient light of the surrounding cars, Paige glanced down at her firearm, the pack slowly rubbing her skin raw as it slid down her shoulder and the little girl in her hand.

“Deep breath…okay. Now what?”

Still on Highway 90 before Issaquah, they had a long way to go to get where they were headed. To get to where Lincoln thought they’d be safe from all of this or what might come from this. She knew he was right. The city would not be safe for a long while. They talked about what could happen, what might happen and what would probably happen…though a pandemic wasn’t exactly part of the game plan. Still, he’d been right and she would follow through on her brother’s plans.

For a fleeting second, she hoped. Gotta stop that. There is no such thing as hope. He’s gone, just like all the rest. It’s just me now, me and this…girl.

She knelt down then, let the pack’s weight slide to the ground. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

The little girl had her finger in her mouth. She shook her head and then leaned into Paige.

Wrapping her free arm around the child, she said, “That’s okay. I don’t want to talk either. Too much has happened, but I have to call you something, so until you’re ready to tell me your name I’ll give you one. Okay?” The little girl nodded into her side.

“Um…let’s call you…Franklin.”

The little girl pulled away and looked up at her with big, surprised eyes. She couldn’t see the color in the dark but was guessing they were brown.

“No? You don’t like that one? How about…Steve? Steve’s a good name.

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