Page 74 of Into the Mist (Into the Mist 1)

“Well, now, why would you want to keep driving in this mess?”

Imani skewered Mack with her narrowed gaze. “Because this isn’t where we planned to stop.”

Mack barely glanced at her. “I didn’t ask you, missy.” He took a step closer to the driver door as Stella released the parking break with a creaky snap. “Hey there,” he called to Stella. “What’s your rush? Come on up to our place and get yourselves warm.”

Mercury faced Mack as she motioned for Karen to get into the cab of the truck. “We’re in a rush because of the weather. Like you already mentioned—it’s a mess,” Mercury said. “We plan on getting out of this snow before dark so we don’t have time to stop and get warm, but we do appreciate the offer.”

Karen got into the cab, which left only Imani and Mercury outside the safety of the truck. Mercury was trying to decide whether she should shout at Imani to get back into the bed, or squish her into the cab with them when Mack raised his rifle and pointed it at Mercury.

“Well, now, ladies. I’m gonna have to insist you come with me. The boss man who’s in charge of our camp is pretty clear about being sure we take care of any females we find out here. It’s for your own good, really. It’s too dangerous now for women to be on your own. You, there”—the rifle bobbled as he gestured at Mercury—“go with the colored girl and get into the bed.” He took another step closer to the cab. “Your friend is going to need to slide over so’s I can drive.”

Mercury put her thumb on the hammer of the .38 so she could cock, lift, and fire the revolver, when a figure materialized out of the snow behind Mack. Gemma lifted a tire iron and swung it at Mack’s kneecap as she shouted, “Fuck you!”

Mack screamed in pain, clutched his knee and dropped to the snow. His rifle skidded across the snow-slick asphalt and came to rest against the front tire of the truck. Stella opened the door, reached down to retrieve the rifle, and yelled, “Let’s go!”

Gemma and Imani bolted for the rear of the truck and climbed back into the bed as Mercury jumped into the cab and slammed the door. Imani hit the glass of the camper shell behind them. “We’re in! Go! Go!”

Stella put the truck in gear and floored the gas. The newly chained tires caught and spewed snow and dirt over Mack as they sped away.