Broken Ties: A Tale of Survival in a Powerless World (Broken Lines Book 3) by James Hunt Read Free Book Online Page A

back blindly, shooting at random, trying to provide her own cover for the run.
     
                  When she made it to the other side, she kept running. She didn’t stop until she made it to the back of the building.
     
                  Kalen couldn’t remember how many stores down Mary was or which one she ran inside. The first store she ran inside was the old gun shop. Most of it was cleaned out, but there were still some cases and a few rifles and pistols lying around.
     
                  Kalen found two 9mm pistols and a box of ammo. She shoved them both in her bag and did one last scan for any .223 shells for her rifle.
     
                  She scanned the barren shelves, desperately searching for more bullets. She shoved a few cases of shotgun shells out of the way and found an entire case of .223 ammo.
     
                  She stuffed five boxes into her bag, with the pistols and other ammo she had remaining, and hurried out the back door.
     
                  The gunshots coming from the front of the store were becoming more frequent, which was a good thing in Kalen’s mind. As long as the guns kept firing, then Mary was still alive.
     
                  Kalen checked a few more back doors before she finally found Mary in what was left of the hardware store. She was still by the front holding her ground. Two empty magazines were at her feet.
     
                  “Mary!” Kalen shouted.
     
                  When Mary turned around a hail of bullets came down on them, sending both of them to the floor.
     
                  Kalen crawled forward, dragging the bag with her, shelves of hardware supplies exploding above her from the gunshots.
     
                  A box of nails exploded from a gunshot and sent one of the four-inch nails flying into Kalen’s leg. She screamed in pain. Half the nail dug into her flesh. She reached her hand down, her body shaking, and when she yanked it out, a spurt of blood followed.
     
                  She let out a relieved gasp and continued her progression forward toward the front of the store.
     
                  Mary covered her ears, her arms around the top of her head, attempting to protect herself from harm. Kalen ripped Mary’s hands off her head and handed her one of the empty magazines and a box of shells.
     
                  “Load the magazines,” Kalen ordered.
     
                  The first few bullets Mary grabbed slipped out of her shaking hands. She finally managed to pick one up and pressed it down into the magazine. She loaded them as fast as her nerves would let her.
     
                  Kalen poked her head over the windowpane. There were a half-dozen bikers advancing at them. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the others in the gang would be behind them. She had to get the gun loaded and have one of them guard the back. It was the only way they’d still have a chance.
     
                  Mary held up one of the finished magazines and Kalen snatched it from her. The bullets were still screaming into the hardware store, both of them were crouched low avoiding the blasts.
     
                  “Watch the back. They’ll most likely be coming from the left. There’s no cover back there, so they’ll have to duck in between the buildings,” Kalen said.
     
                  “What about you?” Mary asked.
     
                  Kalen dumped the boxes of ammo onto the floor.
     
                  “I’m watching the front,” Kalen said.
     
                  Mary grabbed her rifle, a box of shells, and the other empty magazine and crawled to the back.
     
                  The bikers’ gunshots were relentless. Kalen knew they’d have to go back and get more ammo soon. They couldn’t keep up the level