Page 103 of Into the Mist (Into the Mist 1)

“We’re gonna need to access it quick,” said Stella. She glanced at Ford. “I don’t think we’re going to stay in Madras long.”

“Why not?”

Stella shrugged. “Don’t know that. All I know is that I have a feeling it’s not the place for us.”

Ford smoothed his neat beard. “I know a spot that will work if the earthquakes haven’t destroyed it. So, you think you’ll leave Madras because something’s wrong with staying there, or because you’ll be scouting survivors and bringing them back to safety?”

“Could be either.” Stella sighed. “I just don’t know, which is frustrating as hell. Ford, the road ‘T’s’ again. Which way?”

“Right,” said Ford. “And we’re only about a couple miles from where this will feed into highway 97. We’ll be on the outskirts of Madras. From there I can show you how to cut along the edge of town to the place we can hide the truck.”

Stella turned right and bumped along a rough patch of the road that had gone from gravel and dirt to dirt and mud. The path curved around the base of a tall basalt-wrinkled canyon that loomed above. The rain, clouds, and encroaching dusk had already limited visibility. Stella reluctantly flipped on the headlights.

“I haven’t wanted to turn these on. Didn’t want to call needless attention to ourselves, but the shadow of the canyon has blocked what’s left of the light and—shit!” Stella jerked the wheel hard to the left to avoid the rear end of a worn, late model GMC truck that had been abandoned in the middle of the road.

“They okay back there?” Stella asked.

Mercury peered through the gloom into the bed of the truck. Gemma gave her a thumbs-up and then pointed at the three sleeping children and shrugged.

“Yeah, they’re okay. I think those kids could sleep through a bomb,” said Mercury.

“I think they already slept through one bomb,” said Stella. “That’s probably what saved them—being asleep in the top story of their cabin.” She gestured to the stalled truck. “Here’s hoping that thing has a full tank of gas.”

“I’ll do it this time,” said Mercury. “I’ve already been rained on.”

“Do what?” asked Ford.

“Syphon gas,” said Mercury. “While I’m out there, want me to put up the antenna, and you can let Jenny know we’re almost at Madras?”

“Sounds good,” said Stella.

“Huh?” Ford said.

As an answer Mercury popped open the glove box to expose the revolver and the CB radio. She pulled out the extendable antenna and opened the door as Ford whistled softly in appreciation.

“Damn, you ladies have all the best stuff.”

Mercury grinned over her shoulder at him. “You better believe it!”

She unfolded the antenna and stuck it to the top of the truck before she rapped on the window twice and gave Stella and Ford the okay sign. Then she jogged to the back of the truck. Imani had already opened the camper shell and had the piece of hose ready for her. “I’m assuming we’re stopping for gas.”

“Yeah, thanks. Ford says we’re only a mile or so from where we join highway 97, which will take us to Madras. He knows a place just outside town where we can hide the truck.”

Imani glanced at the sleeping children. “How far are they going to have to walk in this rain?”

“He says not far.”

Imani frowned. Her gaze kept returning to the sleeping children.

“Here,” Gemma reached around Imani and handed Mercury a puffy down jacket. “Take my coat. It’s waterproof. You can hold it over your head while you’re syphoning gas.”

“Thanks.” Mercury took the coat and returned to the side of the truck. It didn’t take long for her to open the gas caps, insert the hose, and then sputter and cuss as she spit out a mouthful of gas before she shoved the end of the hose into the truck’s gas tank.

The door to the truck opened and Ford stuck his head out as he handed her a bottle of water. “Stella said you’d want this.”

“Yeah, that gas is disgusting. Thanks.” She took the water, rinsed her mouth, and then drained the rest of it. “Which reminds me that I have to pee. Ford, would you keep an eye on the hose while I duck back behind there for a sec?” She gestured to the rear of the GMC truck.

“No problem. Be careful.”