Born in the Apocalypse 2: State Of Ruin by Joseph Talluto Read Free Book Online

for.”
    “Thanks,” I said. I was trying to remember his directions when he opened the door and let us in through the large wall.
    The interior was a town the likes of which I had only read about. The homes were all in neat rows, like the ones I had seen and lived around, but these had no fences, no walls. It was open space all around, and nearly every home I looked at appeared to be occupied. There were people walking in the streets and on the sidewalks, just taking in the sun and having conversations. If I had to guess, this was what the world was like before the Tripp Virus came along and screwed everything up.
    We walked past the first block of houses and the buildings turned from homes to businesses. But instead of being broken and empty, they had people in them and actual things to buy. I looked at one for a while, so much so that people in the store started to stare back.
    I shook myself and we moved on. As we did, I became aware that I was getting a lot of stares. I’ll admit we made a strange sight, but I didn’t think we were all that weird, given the way the world was.
    A big white building with a large red cross on it got in my way, and it didn’t take much thought to figure out this was the place I needed to drop the kids off at.
    Inside, a matronly woman took one look at the kids and came hurriedly from behind the huge desk she was sitting behind. She called for a couple of teenagers to take the kids away, and then she addressed me.
    “Are you the father?” she asked, looking up at me with half-squinting eyes. Her brown hair was pulled back into a bun, making her long face appear even longer.
    I took my hat off and shook my head quickly. “Umm, no. I’m only fifteen.”
    “Mmm hmm,” she said, looking me up and down. “Well, you’re definitely big enough. Why did you bring the kids in? Where are their parents?”
    “I brought the kids in because they were alone in their house. Outside the bedroom where they were hiding was their father. He was dead. Their mother was in the living room providing a meal for the Trippers, who, in case you hadn’t heard yet, are starting to eat their victims,” I said.
    Bun lady stared at me and blinked slowly three times. “I see. Okay then. Well, thank you. Is that your gun?” she asked, pointing to the rifle I had on my shoulder. My coat was covering my Colt, and my arm was blocking that as well.
    “Yes. I took it off a gentleman who didn’t seem to want it anymore. Is there a place I can sell it or trade it?” I asked, thinking about the stores.
    “The place for that is the sheriff’s office. He takes any extra guns. People around here are allowed one gun per household. Visitors are not allowed to carry guns,” she said.
    “I see. Where is the sheriff’s office?” I was really feeling out of my depth. I hadn’t had this much interaction in my life. Suddenly, I was surrounded by rules and regulations and it just seemed nearly too much.
    “Two buildings down, it’s across the street. Chances are good he’s heard of you by now, and is coming to see you,” she said.
    Great. “Well, thanks for your help, and thanks for taking care of the kids,” I said, turning for the door.
    “Thank you, for bringing them in. Good day.”
    I left quickly, as the place was making me feel closed in. I needed the air and the sky to get my balance back.
     

 
    Chapter 11
     
     
    “You there! Man with the rifle! Don’t move!” a harsh voice barked at me from across the street, and everyone within earshot turned to see what the ruckus was. A large man, about my size, maybe taller with thinner shoulders, was coming across the road at a brisk clip. He stopped about twenty feet away from me and began shouting at me.
    “Take the gun off your shoulder with your left hand! Do it now! Place it on the ground in front of you! Now!” The man, possibly the sheriff, was standing back with his hand on his own gun, practically itching to start something. I wasn’t in the mood