EMP Catastrophe | Book 1 | Erupting Trouble Hamilton, Grace (read book .txt) 📖

well and had a strong family and community to surround herself with. Finally, Rhonda disappeared and soon returned with two backpacks in her hands. She had stuffed each one with folded-up silver space blankets, headlights, pocketknives, and packets of sealed food.

“What is all that stuff?” Kathleen finally managed to ask.

“I’ve got supplies to spare, so I’m making sure you have something to make it to Galena. You’ll want to head out soon,” Rhonda said as if answering all the questions swirling in Kathleen’s mind. She pointed to the goods in the bag. “USB headlight and solar charger. Even though the sun might have created this situation we’re living in, we still need it to survive. Couple blankets in case you’re out at night, Swiss Army knives, and food. Freeze dried ice cream for sugar, jerky for protein, and your homemade Rhonda-specialty: trail mix full of nuts and candy and fruit for energy.” She zipped up the bag and handed it Kathleen. She placed the second one next to Allison who was still deeply asleep.

Snores came from the table, and Rhonda’s face crumpled in quiet distress. “I know you have to leave, but Kathleen, promise me you’ll be careful. I didn’t want to scare Allison, but you can’t trust anyone out there. You need to protect your daughter at all costs.”

Kathleen nodded, thinking of pointing an empty gun at strangers, thinking of her daughter being overwhelmed by men trying to take from her. She let out a shaky breath. “I will.”

“Good. Let’s get you on the road.”

Kathleen went to Allison and rubbed her back gently. Allison blinked and smiled at her, rubbing her eyes. “Fell asleep for a moment,” Allison said with a yawn. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing much. Feel better?” Kathleen asked.

“Yeah. Time to hit the road?”

“You know it.” Kathleen held up the two backpacks. “Rhonda gave us supplies and snacks to tide us over.”

“That was nice of her,” Allison said as she got to her feet.

At the front door, Rhonda hugged them. “Now you both listen to me. Make sure you stay away from areas that can box you in. Without visibility, you won’t be able to see your options or get out of anywhere quickly. Stay away from crowds. Keep your supplies scattered in different places so if you lose one of the bags, you at least don’t lose everything. This last one is going to sound weird, but if you see anyone coming—especially if they have a car—don’t hesitate to hide. I hate to say it, but people aren’t trustworthy, and once they force you into a car, who knows how far they’ll take you.”

Allison nodded. Kathleen thought about the truck back in Chicago. What would she have done if they’d taken Allison instead of simply trying to steal her bike? She shuddered at the thought.

“This is all to keep you safe. I know it sounds paranoid,” Rhonda winked at Kathleen, “but necessary. Okay?”

“Got it,” Kathleen said, leaning in for one last hug. “Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Rhonda said, then whispered in her ear. “Remember what I said. Protect your daughter even if that means not trusting strangers.”

Kathleen pulled away and hefted the bag over her shoulder. Together, Allison and Kathleen walked across the lawn to their bikes. Rhonda’s boys were still pounding nails into the house, and the eldest offered a tentative wave of his hand. “Sorry about earlier!’ he yelled.

Kathleen waved back at him as she mounted her bike. Soon, her rubber tires rumbled across the pavement and Rhonda was a small figure in her metaphorical rear-view mirror, waving goodbye and good luck.

20

The interstate expanded before them like a black ribbon heading into the horizon. Matthew couldn’t remember how long it had been since he, David, and Jade had left the clinic behind and gotten back on the open road. Everything was more of the same. Same angry people. Same dead cars. Same endless sun.

Fatigue had begun to set into Matthew’s legs, his calves burning whenever they stopped for David to catch his breath. They shared food and water, each being careful to only take what was needed. To Matthew’s surprise, David still seemed taken with Jade despite the diversion to the pharmacy, telling her stories of the River Rock Hotel. Hearing the laughter bouncing between them made Matthew glad Jade had joined them. The fringe on her jacket swayed back and forth hypnotically, casting metronome-like shadows on the ground as the two walked ahead of him.

Thoughts of Kathleen and Allison filled his mind. He wondered where they could be. Were they stuck at the prison? Had they managed to leave? He knew Kathleen would try to get home to Galena, but he worried that they might run into people like Chris and Cheese. Matthew smiled to himself, imagining what Kathleen would do if ever confronted with a jerk like that, knowing the jerk would tuck tail and flee after one look from his wife.

In front of Matthew, David slowed, his shoulders hunching. Jade paused and put her hand on his father’s shoulder. Matthew slung his backpack off his shoulder and searched the first aid kit they’d bought at the sporting goods store for medicine. Nothing but Tylenol. Since they left the clinic, David had finally admitted the chest pain had upgraded from sporadic uncomfortable irritation to a low drone of pain. For the millionth time, Matthew wished his father had brought his actual prescription medicine. He also wished they’d found some at the pharmacy. If only they had something that could help, to just relieve the pain.

People took aspirin to help alleviate heart pain, Matthew remembered from those hazy stress days as David recovered from the initial heart attack. Low-level dosage to help prevent another. Anything else was too dangerous to take. Jade shot a concerned look over David’s head, and Matthew uttered a sigh of resignation. They had to address this.

“Dad, we need to make another stop,” Matthew said, his resolve strengthened by Jade’s encouraging nod.

“What for?” David gasped,