Trying to Survive (Part 2) by C.J. Crowley Read Free Book Online Page A

somewhat strangled voice.
       Brian said “A fucking drone… with a note on it. These assholes had a clever little scam worked out.”
      That’s what people do instead of trying to work together? Come up with clever ways to fuck each other over?
       Jessie continued. “The note instructed us to leave all of our guns and supplies near the front of the store, then get in our van and drive away. After about a minute it just flew off.” He brought his hands to his hips. “Now that I look back – I wish I’d shot the fuckin thing, but I was just so stunned.”
       Walt was still in disbelief. His mouth was hanging open and his eyebrows were so far down that they were almost touching the bridge of his nose. “That’s crazy. Why couldn’t they have just fired a few warning shots!?”
       “They paid for what they did… Brian came up with the idea to leave everything behind but one rifle. When we drove away, I slowed down to take a corner and he jumped out so he could take a position in one of the buildings.”
       Brian said “Their little plan must have been working like a charm until we showed up. Within ten minutes, these two pricks just casually strolled up and started looking through all the shit we left in front of the store… I dropped one and popped the other’s head before he even realized his buddy was down.”
       Jessie scoffed “We learned a valuable lesson about trusting people that day… Shit, we almost didn’t stop when you guys fired as we drove by. Luckily, Jenny was watching through the back window and noticed you were purposely aiming high.”
       Walt took a deep breath through his nose and said “Sorry that happened to you guys.”
       Jessie and Brian both pressed their lips together and nodded in recognition. I wanted to ask more questions, but I could tell they needed a few moments of silence. When I glanced over at Walt, his grim expression suggested he needed some time to let their story truly sink in.
       Even though I had already suspected that type of thing was going on – for whatever reason, the story deeply upset me. And it wasn’t so much because they lost their friends… It was the fact that people don’t understand how important it is to work together… We could have four more people in our group right now, and their presence could have saved the other guy they lost along the way – none of them had to die…
     

Chapter 6
     
       The house was so large that it offered a fully furnished room for each one of us. When I fell back onto the massive, snow-white bed, I was instantly met with a level of comfort I’d never experienced before. Even the pillows were perfect. The purposely aged wood flooring, elegantly designed bathroom and medieval style, bronze light fixtures made me feel like I’d won a lavish vacation.
       It only lasted for a few seconds before I laughed and thought to myself – Vacation to where?.. Hell?
       The sun had only gone down a few hours ago, but we were all so exhausted that everyone turned in early. Based on my own feelings, I suspected that everyone really just wanted some time to be alone with their own thoughts.
       Tomorrow, we’d have to start searching the neighborhood for food and water... I was already pissed off because I knew I’d be left behind due to my leg.
       Melanie and I were starting to run low on painkillers so I was rationing. Really being able to feel the pain was finally making me understand just how long it was going to take for my leg to heal – and that all I’ve been doing by using it so much is prolonging the process.
       I kept telling myself that I needed to sleep – that it’s when the body truly gets to heal. My eye was heavy and every muscle was begging for rest, but I soon found trying to be a waste of time. My mind was doing too good of a job keeping me wide awake.
      The moon was clearly visible through the sliding-glass door leading out to a small, but welcoming balcony.