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“I’ll carry his pack,” said Mercury. “And he can carry mine.”
“Are you sure?” Ford eyed her. “It’s fifty pounds.”
Mercury raised a brow. “Remember the bridge? I’m pretty sure I can manage.”
Ford dipped his head to her. “Then I bow to the lady’s superior strength—with gratitude.”
Mercury sloughed off her backpack and handed it to Ford and then reached past the kids into the bed and, like it weighed five pounds instead of fifty, she pulled it out and slid her arms through the straps. Then she went to the cab and returned to the group with the Winchester and the .38.
“You look like something out of Mad Max: Fury Road,” said Ford. “And I mean that as a compliment.”
“Thanks. Charlize Theron is a badass.” Mercury turned to Stella. “I think I should take the revolver with us and leave the rifle, but I want to know how you feel about that.”
Stella tilted her head to the side. “Yep. Take the pistol. Leave the rifle.”
“Would you show me how to shoot it?” Imani asked. “I hope I don’t have to use it, but I’m not going to let anyone hurt these kids.”
Mercury nodded and gave Imani a quick lesson in how to fire the Winchester. “Basically, don’t aim for the head or legs. Just point it at the biggest target you have—the center of the body. Squeeze, don’t jerk the trigger, and hold it snug against your shoulder, like this.” She demonstrated. “It’ll kick, but if it’s firmly against you, it won’t be bad.”
“Got it.” Imani handled the rifle carefully, respectfully, and slid it back behind the bucket seat of the truck. When she returned to the group, she asked, “What should we do if the green fog rolls in under the bridge?”
“Drive that truck out of there,” said Stella.
“Sis, I can’t drive a damn stick,” said Imani.
“I’ll drive it,” said Gemma. “I can do it.”
“Okay, Gemma can do it,” said Imani. “Where do we go? You’ll need to find us on your way out.”
“Go back to the cemetery up the street,” said Ford. “It’s on higher ground than this part of the road, and you should be able to find a place to hide in the middle of the graves.”
“Good idea,” said Mercury. “Gemma, if you have to do that, look for a mausoleum. That’ll help you hide.”
“Okay, got it,” said Imani. “Do you think it’s safe for us to build a little campfire and heat up some of the stew we brought? I know we have lots of sandwiches and granola and fruit, but it’d be good for the kids to have something warm in their bellies.”
“Stella should weigh in on this, of course,” said Ford, “but we’re far enough from the town center, which is where Sim said the mayor was housing survivors, that you should be fine if you keep the fire small and under the bridge. I’d build it down by the water and have someone keep a lookout while you’re cooking. If anything stirs, you can kick it into the creek.”
“Sounds like a solid idea,” said Stella.
“It’s going to be really dark.” Georgie’s voice was small and scared.
“Yeah, it is,” agreed Mercury. “Imani, I know we’re saving the batteries of the flashlight we brought, but this is probably a good time to use it.”
Stella nodded. “Turn it on when you’re in the camper shell. Don’t feel bad about using the batteries. If it makes you and the kids feel better—use it.”
“I have a flashlight with me,” Ford said. “So, we’ll have a spare if the batteries in the one you have give out.”
“Okay,” said Imani. “Don’t worry about us. You just get in there—figure out what’s going on—and get out.”
“That’s the plan,” said Mercury. “We’ll see you no later than the day after tomorrow.”
“If we’re gone both nights, be sure you have the truck loaded and ready to go early the next morning. Just in case,” added Stella.
“Be safe.” Imani hugged each of them—even Ford.
“Hurry up and come back.” Gemma hugged Stella and Mercury before she went to Ford. “Bend down. Let me see your dressing.”
Ford did as she asked and sighed in relief when she touched his forehead.
