Age of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 1) by Chris Walters Read Free Book Online

an issue.”
    Adam stepped in this time. “What do you think is happening?”
    Cal looked at Kyle and Adam, from one to the other multiple times before answering. “I will explain it all when we get somewhere settled. For now, I need to ask you to trust me.”
    Adam just nodded like that was all he needed. Kyle just said, “Of course.”
    Cal then broke down what they needed to take and assigned each person to grab specific items. He listed backpacks, dried trail food, compound bows and arrows, and some clothing items. He told each person to go to the shoe area and pick out the best, most comfortable, hiking shoes. He also picked some out for family members in sizes he knew they wore. He had the group grab assorted camping gear, climbing gear and other items which made no sense to Kyle. But he trusted his Dad. When Cal had checked everything was there, and they had all packed backpacks for themselves, he brought Kyle back to where Jeff was.
    Cal knelt down by Jeff’s side. “I understand that you have beliefs about our current surroundings. I may not believe the same things, but I do believe we are in a perilous circumstance. I am offering you the chance to come with us. We are going to meet up with my family in Black Forest. There will be room for you. Do you want to go with us?”
    The man looked back at Cal with suspicion. “If I say no?”
    “We will let you go, outside. We will keep your keys to make sure you cannot access the firearms, but you can leave of your own free will.”
    “Then I choose go.” Jeff looked like he had fooled Cal, but Cal just looked resigned and sad. He rose, and lifted Jeff to his feet. “Kyle, let’s take him out front.”
    They walked back up front. The day was turning to dusk and the light was growing dim outside, but it was considerably brighter out there than it was in the store. They all filed out the front and Kyle locked the gate behind them, and then did the same with the front door.
    Cal turned around to Jeff. “Kyle, cut him loose. Jeff I wish you the best of luck.” Cal stuck out his hand to shake and Jeff just looked at it before walking off to the south, not even giving the inch that would be a friendly handshake. Cal grinned over at Adam at some inside joke that Kyle assumed related to their time serving together in the army. “Alright, we have a little light. Let’s walk.”
    They walked up the back road that passed the police station and they could see no movement inside, no lights, and no people. Just on the edge of turning to night, they came up to the main regional hospital. There they saw a few people crying on the front drive, where the emergency vehicles normally would be. Kyle’s group walked right up to them.
    “Ma’am?” Adam asked as they came close to what they could now see were nurses. “Is everything alright?”
    “No.” the woman responded bitterly, as she looked up to Adam’s face, “We lost so many. So many.”
    Cal walked up and tried to comfort the woman, “May we ask what happened?”
    The woman just sobbed, so one of her companions answered. “Nothing. Nothing happened. The generators didn’t come on. The pain meds didn’t work, none of them. Our patients just died, all of them. I don’t understand what is happening.”
    Cal said, “I am sorry for your loss”, and waved everyone on to follow him. The clouds built up in the afternoon, and shortly after passing the hospital, it began to rain. This was not unusual on the front range in the summer. It being July, they were just thrilled it wasn’t thunderstorms. Within a mile of walking, though, it just began to pour. The rain and wind pelted them, stinging their skin and drenching them. This was unusual, and the group knew they needed shelter. Additionally, the clouds were blocking moonlight and it was close to pitch dark out here. They trudged on ahead until Kyle remembered a place nearby.
    “The pool house.” He shouted out and everyone just looked at him, peering in the