Page 53 of Into the Mist

Hilary seemed to materialize before them. “Sim, our people would appreciate it if you’d update them on what you know.”

Sim nodded. “Yep. I can do that.” He lowered his voice and added, “Do you want me to sugarcoat it or tell it like it is?”

“Tell it like it is,” said Stella. “There’s no point in anything else.”

“I agree,” said Hilary.

“Well, then, here we go.” Sim stood and followed Hilary to stand before the constantly burning hearth.

“He seems like a good guy,” said Mercury to Stella. “I hope his family is alive.”

Stella spoke immediately. “He is a good man, and they are not alive.”

Mercury stared at her as Sim introduced himself and began repeating to the group of raptly listening people much of what he’d already told them.

“Is that your gut talking?” Mercury asked her best friend.

Stella moved her shoulders. “Must be. I didn’t even think, but the words just came—and when I spoke them, I knew they were true.”

“That’s happening more and more, isn’t it?” Mercury said.

Stella nodded. “Seems so. I’m trying not to let it freak me out, buthello! It’s freaky.”

“Your gut is gonna keep us alive,” said Mercury. “Don’t be freaked. Be as grateful as I am.”

“Doin’ my best,” murmured Stella as the two women turned their attention to Sim.

“So, that’s about it. Not much east of the Mississippi ’pears to have survived—or at least not enough to get word out yet. Oh, one more thing: there’s a major storm brewing. Shouldn’t be news to any of you who are regulars. Storm was predicted last week, which is why I was on my way to my cabin north of here to hunker down before it hits. But FYI, I got word from a park ranger in the Cascades that conditions are right for a blizzard. Should start tomorrow afternoon or so up here. God only knows how long it’ll last.”

A hand went up and Sim nodded at a young man whose face, arm, and leg were swathed in bandages.

“You said you came from Madras?”

Sim nodded. “Yep.”

“Any word from Bend?” he asked.

Sim blew out a long breath. “It wasn’t bombed, but it’s a mess. The quakes caused massive destruction and loss of life. Also, from what I’ve heard, the green fog was especially bad there. And Redmond—for those of you from out of state, that’s a town between Bend and Madras—is gone. Not because of bombs, but my friends reported that the entire town was on fire.”

As several people began to ask Sim questions, Stella turned to Mercury. “That’s it. Our cue to leave.”

Mercury tilted her head to Stella’s and whispered. “What? You mean the storm?”

Stella nodded. “Exactly what I mean. We cannot get stuck up here. Time to make our move, like, ASAP.”

“’Kay. Crap. Do we need to figure out how to bring all these people with us?” Mercury’s stomach heaved at the thought. How the hell were they supposed to move all these hurt people?

“No. Or at least I don’t think so. Here’s what I know for sure—you and I and Imani need to go. Now. Before the damn snow hits. If Jenny and Karen want to come—fine.” She paused as Gemma walked past with a handful of bandages. “Well, shit. Gemma needs to come with us too.”

Mercury blew out a long breath. “All right. Is first thing in the morning fine?”

“Not really, but it’ll do. I feel a great sense of urgency to get out of here before the snow starts.”

Mercury turned to meet her best friend’s gaze. “Are we leaving all these people to die?”

Stella brushed her mane of silver-blonde hair back from her face and shook her head. “I don’t know! I hope not. I don’t get a terrible feeling when I think about them staying here. At least not for now I don’t. But I don’t really understand how this shit works. All I can do is tell you what my gut is saying—and it’s screaming loud and clear—get out!”

“Is your gut also telling you where we should go?” Mercury asked.