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  No, it was safer to sleep in the car so that’s what they’d done. Though how much sleeping they actually got was an open question. After their nightmare of being trapped in the other parking garage, the slightest noise had them freaking out. But they’d survived the night and the sun had finally peaked above the eastern horizon.

  Lily pulled out of the garage and stopped at the road. “Ready to go home?”

  Piper nodded. “Las Vegas? Hate it. Worst bachelorette party ever. I’m never coming back. Why did I let you convince me into coming?” She made a weak grin and there was as much exhaustion and sadness in it as there was humor.

  Lily forced a laugh. “Yeah, remind me never to do that again.” She pulled out and found the entrance ramp to Interstate 15 north. Abandoned cars littered the road, but it looked passable. If it was possible to say anything good about the EMP attack, perhaps it was that it had happened after rush hour traffic.

  They drove along the shoulder, cutting in and around where that was blocked. The traffic grew sparse as they reached the northern edge of the city. They passed under a green highway sign that had a red, white and blue badge with 15 North on it.

  Nine hours and five hundred fifty miles to Durango. They had a full tank but it would take more than one to get there.

  Lily glanced over at Piper.

  She had her window cracked and gusts of wind blew through her hair. The morning sunshine painted her face in warm pastel hues. Her mouth carried the smallest hint of a smile. A real one.

  They’d actually done it.

  They’d made it out of the city.

  Survived unimaginable horrors to get this far.

  And now they were on their way home.

  She wanted to be back in Durango more than anything. Before the events of the last two and half days, she wouldn’t have thought much of the drive home. It was just a matter of doing the miles and getting it over with.

  Now however, she knew differently. Anything could happen.

  And so they had to be ready.

  53

  An old logging road through Sequoia National Forest cut the travel miles in half. It should’ve cut the travel time too except Eugene’s guaranteed-to-be-reliable-but-with-no-warranties-offered GMC truck went kaput on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

  Getting over the pass north of Potosi Mountain had sucked the life out of it. They’d managed to coast at low speed a while longer, but it finally spluttered and died. Cade had looked it over and tried a few things, but it was done and he hadn’t wanted to waste any more time on it.

  And so they’d been following the 160 east for the last five hours. The sign for interstate 15 North showed it was just up ahead. Cade’s rough calculation on the map showed that the Mandalay Bay Hotel was another four miles to the north. He knew Lily’s room number and so that was the destination. Another hour and a half to get to her.

  If she was there.

  If she was still alive.

  Hopefully, the Volvo worked and they were already back home in Durango. She would’ve left a note if so. That was basic communication protocol. But maybe the car didn’t work. Maybe something had happened. Maybe…

  He couldn’t let himself think much beyond getting there.

  The sun was climbing higher in the sky with the afternoon heat settling over the city like a wool blanket.

  Hudson trudged along beside, never slowing the pace. The kid had endurance. Physically and mentally. The physical kind wasn’t a surprise considering he was an avid cyclist. He could ride fifty miles without blinking. But the emotional endurance had definitely been a surprise.

  How long it would last or how deep that well went, Cade didn’t know. But he admired the kid for holding up as well as he had considering the heavy burden he was carrying.

  He dug a water bottle out of his bag and took a few drinks. He passed it over to Hudson who did the same. “We should be there in less than two hours.”

  Hudson nodded as he surveyed the sprawling city. They walked a while longer before he broke the silence. “It’s strange, but I never thought to ask. What’s your daughter like?”

  A lump formed in Cade’s throat and he couldn’t speak until it loosened up enough to swallow. “She’s amazing. Strong. Smart. Resourceful. Kind. Loving. Stubborn as a mule, like her mother.”

  Hudson chuckled. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

  Cade made a face at him. “I just hope she’s okay.”

  He didn’t realize at first that he’d said it out loud.

  “I do too,” Hudson murmured.

  Cade lengthened his stride. He’d beaten the odds and survived this far. Skill, determination and maybe a little luck, if he was being honest, had brought him to this city in the desert.

  He was close.

  Closer than seemed remotely possible when he and Hudson were bobbing in the waves out in the dark waters of the bay.

  But he’d made it.

  And he wasn’t about to let anything stop him now.

  Thanks for reading!

  What happened to Wesley when he returned to his farm and that huge pack of lovable dogs?

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  What happened to Wesley when he returned to his farm and that huge pack of lovable dogs?

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  Thanks

  This book wouldn’t be what it is without the help of numerous wonderful readers. Their input has been invaluable. I want to personally thank Danielle, Wayne, Genelle, Cheryl, Ilona, and Patti for giving feedback on the beta version of this book. You folks are awesome! And you deserve a poem.

  Rosés are pink

  Violas are brown

  You all are amazing.

  You’re the toast of the town!

  Thank you so much!

  Other Works

  World in Collapse

  FIGHT THE SHOCK, Book 1

  Extinction Crisis Series

  SOLE CONNECTION, a Short Story

  SOLE PREY, a Prequel Novella

  SOLE SURVIVOR, Book 1

  SOLE CHAOS, Book 2

  THE TANK MAN, a Short Story

  THE PLUNGE, a Short Story

  ZOMBURBIA, a Short Story

  Edge of Survival Series

  THE LAST DAY, Book 1

  THE FINAL COLLAPSE, Book 2

  THE FRAGILE HOPE, Book 3

  Into the Dark Series

  THE DARK DESCENT, Book 1

  THE DARK UNKNOWN, Book 2

  The Best Adventures Series

  THE SLITHERING GOLIATH, Book 1

  THE BEEPOCALYPSE, Book 2

  THE PHARAOH’S CURSE, Book 3

  THE INVISIBLE CRIMINAL, Book 4

  THE DAY OF YES!, A Short Story

  Short Stories

  I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW

  #MURDER

  DOUBLE AGENT

  THE GENDER LOTTERY

  SAINT JOHN

  SHE’S GONE

  Questions or Comments?

  Have any questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! Seriously. Voices coming from outside my head are such a relief.

  Give me a shout at [email protected].

  All the best,

  Will

  William Oday, November 2019

  Copyright © 2019 William Oday

  All rights reserved worldwide

  All rights reserved. With the exception of excerpts for reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or b
y any information storage and retrieval system.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, dialogues, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.