Edge of Fear: An EMP Post-Apocalyptic Survival Prepper Series (American Fallout Book 3) Alex Gunwick (free reads .txt) 📖

“Where do you think she went?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know. That’s why we’re out here.” She scanned the woods on either side of the road, alert for any potential threats.

“So, she ran off somewhere without telling anyone?”

“Seems like it.” She carried the rifle in both hands with the barrel pointed safely up and away from her and Kyle.

“That seems like a stupid thing to do.” Kyle’s voice had a tinge of frustration in it.

She felt the same way but tried not to show it. She didn’t want him to be worried until there was a good reason to worry. Maybe Luke was right and she was at the Wrights’, pouting about her phone again.

“Dad says you should always tell somebody exactly where you’re going when you go into the wilderness and when they should expect you back,” Kyle said.

“That’s exactly right. Never wander off without telling us first.”

“I won’t … Sierra’s probably okay, right?” Concern replaced the frustration in his voice.

“I’m sure she’s fine. Your sister may do some really stupid stuff, but overall, she’s got a good head on her shoulders. She can take care of herself.” Liz wasn’t totally convinced of what she was telling him, but she didn’t want him to worry.

Maybe this whole mess was a blessing. Maybe her daughter would transform back into the sweet, intelligent girl she’d been before she’d become obsessed with teenage culture. She wasn’t a teen anymore, but she still acted like one. She needed to grow up. This was her opportunity. Hopefully, she wouldn’t waste it.

Something rustled in the brush off to her left. Liz swung the barrel of the rifle toward the noise. Kyle froze behind her, his hatchet ready in his hand.

“What is it?” Kyle whispered.

She held up a finger to silence him, then scanned the bushes intently for movement, her rifle at the ready.

A squirrel darted from the bushes to a nearby tree and scampered up the trunk. She let out a sigh before lifting her rifle to a safe position. She exchanged a look of relief with her son.

“You’re getting jumpy, Mom.”

“I suppose.” She smiled and turned toward him.

“Mom!” Kyle’s eyes went wide.

Before she could spin to see what startled him, a figure rushed her, slamming into her hard enough to knock her to the ground. The rifle flew out of her hands and skidded across the road.

Her vision went spotty for a second. When it returned, she saw the guy who’d knocked her down, squaring off with Kyle. The man was one of the cult members.

Kyle swung his hatchet at the man wildly, but the man stepped aside and caught Kyle’s wrist. Kyle cried out in pain as the man wrenched the hatchet free. He tossed it to the ground. Kyle swung at the man’s head with his free hand, but the man only laughed.

Liz watched in horror and willed herself to regain control of her movements. The much larger man struck Kyle with a backhanded blow that sent him tumbling to the ground. She scrambled backward in search of her rifle as the guy turned his attention to her.

She crawled desperately toward her weapon, but the man was too quick. As she reached for the gun, he kicked her in the ribs. Excruciating pain shot through her midsection where his heavy boot impacted her. She sucked in a painful breath, hoping he hadn’t broken any of her ribs.

When she could catch her breath, she rose to her hands and knees. Adrenaline kicked in to dull the throbbing pain in her chest. Her fierce maternal instincts kicked in. She would protect her child at all costs. She silently vowed to kill the man, even if she died in the process.

She was nearly on her feet when the cult member rushed out of the bushes. He struck her hard across the face. Pain bloomed across her jaw as she fell backward. When she smacked the ground, air rushed out of her lungs. For a split second, she wasn’t sure if she’d even be able to take another breath. Then she sucked one in, nearly choking on the sudden rush of air.

The man loomed over her. She kicked at him. He easily brushed aside her frantic attacks and knelt over her to wrap his meaty hands around her throat. He squeezed, cutting off her air supply.

“You will pay for what you did to our leader, woman. Ours is a vengeful God, and He has commanded me to exact justice on His behalf.” His fingers dug into her throat as he tightened his grip. “Did you think you would escape His judgment?”

She clawed at the man’s hands, but his grip was too strong. She kicked and punched desperately, beating on the man’s chest as hard as she could, but his fingers only closed tighter around her throat. Her vision narrowed. Darkness crept in from every side. He was choking the life out of her, and she couldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.

“Shh. Do not struggle, woman. This is a new world brought forth from our God.” Spit fell from his mouth onto her face as he spoke. His eyes were wild, deranged. “There is no place here for disobedient women like you.”

Her vision faded into nothingness. Her mind went blank. She was dimly aware of a dull thud and a yelp of pain. Then suddenly the man’s grip loosened. She coughed violently and rubbed at her throat as air rushed to fill her lungs. She scooted backward before looking up. Kyle stood behind the man. His face was whiter than snow.

The cultist stumbled backward. Shock and confusion contorting his face. He reached over his head to grab at something behind him. He spun around, clawing at his back. The blade of Kyle’s hatchet was lodged in his shoulder. He stared at Kyle with a mixture of astonishment and rage. He lunged toward Kyle, who easily sidestepped the man. The cultist fell to one knee before