End of the Line Read online

A gun shot was heard through the night, killing all the peace that came over all of us for the first time since the asteroids hit. I quickly got up to look out the window. My eyes tried to adjust to the darkness. I stood by the wall glancing out into the front yard. There were a few people in the street with torches. I recognized the first man with the gun. My heart raced as I looked over to the now awake Lauren and the younger two. The little girl was near tears as she clung to Sean. Lauren had gotten up swiftly to see for herself what was going on. I turned to Lauren and held her by her shoulders and our eyes locked. I didn’t know how much time we had.

  “Lauren, Mr. Manson’s men are here. Stay calm and listen. I want you to grab the entire group and hide in this house. I’m going to run out through the back to so they will come after me, but I’ll still have a head start. I’ll lose them and come back here, but I don’t know how long that’ll take. I want you to stay here and only move if you have no other choice. If you leave I want you to keep going west so I can find you. Give me a week though, please.” I tried to keep my voice hushed and composed as uneasiness took over my body.

  “Alright.” She appeared sickly scared as she agreed, knowing neither of us were happy with this plan or believed my stress-free approach to it.

  She looked worried, but I needed to get these men away from all of them. My heart pounded, wondering if my plan would even work. I really didn’t know where I would run to, once I left the house. Would she listen? Could I even get away and not get killed by the men? I still had my hands on her shoulders. I pulled her into a hard kiss, then ran out of the house, hoping this would work before either of us could react further. I dashed down the steps, skipping half them. My feet nearly slipped from under me as I raced to the back. Throwing the door open, slamming the rear door behind me I made as much noise outside hoping they would hear me.

  Chapter Three

  Lauren