Page 54 of Into the Mist

Stella jerked her chin in the direction of the trucker, who was patiently answering questions. “Madras. But I don’t feel like it’s our final destination. It’s more of a stopover. That’s all I know for sure right now.”

“All right, then. We’ll talk to the rest of our group and see who wants to come with us, and then let Hilary know,” said Mercury.

“I sure as hell hope I’m right,” muttered Stella.

“How often was your gut wrong before the bombs?”

“Almost never,” said Stella.

“I’m gonna believe that’s still true,” said Mercury.

CHAPTER

16

“DAMN NICE OFyou ladies to fix me up with this bag of goodies.” Sim smiled at Stella and Mercury, and shifted the laden bag to his hip so he could offer his hand to shake. “My husband will especially ’preciate the wine. Travis likes to think of himself as an amateur sommelier.”

Hilary took his hand warmly in both of hers. “Sim, I want you and your family to stay away from that green fog. It’s deadly, especially for men.”

Sim sobered and nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I already kinda figured that from what I’ve seen.”

Hilary smiled. “Good. Stay safe. And after the storm passes, you and your husband and kids should come down to the lodge. Travis can check out the lodge’s wine collection.”

“We’ll do that,” Sim grinned, which made him look like Santa out of uniform. He turned to Stella. “That casserole fixed me right up.” He rubbed his belly. “When I come back, I’ll get the recipe, if you don’t mind.” He offered his hand to her.

Sidestepping his hand, Stella gave him a hug and kissed him noisily on the cheek. “I don’t mind. You’re a good man, Jebediah Simpson. Thank you for bringing us the information you did.”

“Hey, no problem. Glad I could help.”

Less of a hugger than her friend, Mercury took Sim’s offered hand in both of hers. “Yeah, thanks. We needed to hear what you had to say.”

He shook his head sadly. “Sorry about your home. Wish I’d had better news.”

“So do we,” said Mercury.

“Well, I better head back to my rig. Gotta get to my family,” said Sim.

“Mercury and I will walk you out,” said Stella.

Mercury sent Stella a surprised look but shrugged and headed to the door with them. As Mercury, Stella, and Sim picked their way carefully to the parking lot, she shivered. The air was already colder than it’d been since her group had arrived six days before.Six days?The thought flitted through her mind.How could the world change so completely in just six days?

The parking lot came into view, with its piles of dirty snow, jumbles of vehicles, and stains of red that marked where so many people had taken their last breaths. Imani stood at the edge of the lot, facing out away from the lodge. She was utterly still, her face turned from them.

“Is she okay?” asked Sim.

“Her husband and kids were in San Diego,” answered Mercury.

He shook his head. “That’s tough.”

“I’ll go to her,” said Mercury.

“Both you ladies go to her. I can make my way back to my rig just fine. I’ll give you a honk and a wave as I pull away.”

“Okay then, take care, Sim.” Stella bumped Mercury’s shoulder and jerked her chin toward Imani.

“Yeah, be safe,” said Mercury as she and Stella headed to Imani.

“See you ladies after the storm.” Sim pretended to tip a nonexistent hat to them before he turned and hurried across the broken lot to the exit and the highway beyond.