Without Law 18 by Eric Vall (most difficult books to read .txt) 📗

the beginning, but that look on the man’s face just made it all the better for her. To see the group be so humble and grateful for our help, it really was an incredible feeling. We’d worked so hard to build our home, and we’d taken in plenty of people. We were fortunate enough to be able to send these people to our home as well, and to know that there would be plenty of food, water, and supplies for them.

I was sure Rolly and Betty would find some jobs for them, too. Everyone liked to be useful, and I knew it wouldn’t take long before this group was part of the community just like everyone else. There was always something to be done around campus, and these newcomers would find their roles soon enough.

“We also packed you some food for the trip,” Paige said. “It will be at least a ten to fifteen day trip, though, so be sure to scavenge what you can. This should last you all maybe five of those days.”

“Th-thank you,” the man stuttered again as he reached for the backpack Paige held out to him.

The girls must have gathered up all our emergency rations. I always made sure they each kept two days worth of food in their go bags just in case anything goes wrong and we’re stranded somewhere for a short time. Those rations came in handy in situations like this one, too, though.

“Unfortunately, we can’t give you a vehicle,” Anna said with a frown. “But follow the directions, and you all should be fine.”

“We’ve been living here,” the man said with a half chuckle as he looked back at the dingy gas station behind him. “I think we can make a two week trip on foot.”

“I’d walk for a month if I could get a hot shower out of it,” the dirty-blonde-haired girl muttered, and we all laughed.

“We really really appreciate this,” the man said seriously as he looked at me. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” I told him sincerely. “You all should get going. Gather whatever you need from inside. We’re going to look over the area.”

“Alright.” The man nodded, and the group disappeared back into the gas station.

“You were right,” Anna told Bailey with a smile. “That was the right call.”

“Thanks,” Bailey said with a smile of her own.

“Tara, what do you think?” Paige asked. “You were on Anna’s side earlier.”

“Yeah yeah, it was a good call,” the platinum-blonde said, but she refused to look at Paige.

“Tara…” Paige started, then her eyes narrowed as she inspected the platinum-blonde more closely. “Are you crying?”

“No!” Tara exclaimed, and she turned toward Paige for a split second before reaching up to swipe tears from her cheeks. Even without the visible tears, though, it was very clear from her smeared mascara that she had, in fact, been crying.

“Oh, my god, you totally are,” Anna laughed. “I mean, it was sappy, but geez.”

“Damn hormones,” Tara muttered as she wiped her eyes.

“Leave Tara alone,” I laughed, and I put my arm over her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you, Tav,” the platinum-blonde sniffed.

“You’re lucky you’re pregnant,” Anna said with narrowed eyes. “Once that baby comes out he’s not going to be able to protect you any longer.”

“Bring it on,” the platinum-blonde said, and she stuck her tongue out at the redhead.

“Let’s go,” I chuckled.

I led the girls over to where Paige had been leading us before we’d run into the group of survivors.

The road was narrow, and there was a nice corner up ahead, which meant we would definitely have the surprise factor. None of the troops would be able to see us from around the bend, and Paige had been right about the forest, too. There were plenty of dense trees on either side of the road.

However, I wasn’t sure it suited our purposes. If we’d been after a smaller group, then I thought it probably would have worked, but with how many troops were headed down from Boston, I didn’t think we could get all of them in that one small area.

We needed to be able to funnel them all into one place. If a few of them were left out, that could mean trouble for us.

Besides, if we didn’t get a jump on the MiGs they had, then all hope would be lost for us. We’d never last if the fighter jets had a chance to bomb us before we could even get started, and this area didn’t leave a lot of room for us to fire up at the sky.

Plus, it was a bit too far offshore for the destroyer to be able to get near enough so it could take out the MiGs with its anti aircraft missiles.

“I don’t know,” Anna said, and she pursed her lips as we walked. “I don’t like this place. Not for such a large scale attack.”

“I was thinking the same thing.” I nodded.

“Okay,” Paige said. “I have a few other places for us to look into today.”

“Alright,” I agreed. “We should head out. I want to see all the places today, if possible.”

The girls and I got back to the jeep at the same time the civilians were coming out of the gas station. We gave them one final wave goodbye, then we hopped in the jeep and took off toward the next spot Paige had marked.

It was another twenty minutes or so of driving before we reached Paige’s next destination, and as soon as we arrived, I disliked it as well.

“Paige, pass me the map, please,” I said, and I held my hand out to the back seat.

“That means he hates it,” Tara whispered.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Paige whispered back angrily.

“It’s too far inland,” Anna said from the passenger