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“There was a semi-truck parked in front of the school. The back is partially loaded with some food and supplies.”
“Was there gas in the tank?”
“It sounded like there was some, but the key was missing.”
“That’s frustrating. But we can siphon the diesel out of that and use it in one of the armored vehicles.”
“Think bigger,” Roland said from his bunk. “Use the diesel to fill a tanker. Take the tanker out and start siphoning what’s left on the roads. Fill a tanker. Then we can drive whatever we want out of here.”
“Sorry for waking you,” I said, keeping my voice soft.
“Wasn’t sleeping yet,” Roland said.
I looked at Molev. “I like his idea but not the attention it might draw. Landing here was bad enough.”
Molev grunted and leaned his head against the wall. Since I wasn’t sure if he was thinking or resting, I stayed quiet and finished my meal. The sun slowly set as we sat there. Brandon came in just before it was completely dark and nudged Molev.
“You’re up, my friend,” he said. Then he went over and woke Roni and Katie as well. “Thanks for keeping it warm for me. Come on over here, Andie. I’ll let you have the wall.”
I glanced at Molev. The overly large fey who’d been territorial more times than I could count in the past nodded.
“Rest,” he said. “Roni will wake you in four hours to take over for them.”
* * *
I sat on the roof,watching the sunrise in my peripheral as I scanned for movement along my section of the fence. The night had been quiet. Terrifyingly so. If nothing was moving here, it truly meant that the majority of the infected had migrated to the coast already.
How long would it take them to make their way through the mountains and to the camps along the coast? With seven of their aircraft here, would they have enough time to evacuate everyone? I felt a surge of guilt and relief that we’d made it out and that Rachel was with us. Not that I’d gotten any time to speak to my sister-in-law yet.
She was safe. For now.
We needed to get out of Vance, though. My mind had been running through scenarios since I’d taken my position on the roof. Fuel was a big problem, and I wasn’t sure a single filled-fueler would be enough. We’d likely empty it by filling the vehicles here. Then we’d run out in the field. No, we’d need to fill everything here and then fill the fueler again.
Whatever diesel was left in that truck needed to be used wisely. And idling on the road while Molev checked one car at a time wasn’t wise. The smarter bet would be to check all nearby fueling stations. However, if they were easy to access, they were likely already dry, too.
A thump on the roof nearby drew me out of my thoughts.
“I don’t like quiet nights like this,” I said. “It’s like the calm before the storm.”
I turned my head to look at Molev.
“Vance is a few miles south of Enid. It makes more sense to scout there for a fueling station rather than wasting the fuel in the truck by driving around backroads, looking for more diesel sitting in someone else’s abandoned gas tank. I think Enid is our best bet for finding fuel. The raiders would have avoided any gas stations there because of the risk. We have no idea how much of Enid is still standing or how many infected are there.”
Molev grunted and helped me to my feet. He waited while I shook out my legs then jumped to the ground with me safely in his arms.
“I will scout Enid and return before midday.”
He threaded his fingers through my hair at the back of my head and tightened his hold. It sent that half-fear, half-excitement jolt through me that I loved.
“You will be here when I return.”
“I’ve survived too much to be careless now. Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”
He exhaled heavily and pressed his forehead to mine.
“Did you sleep at all?” I asked softly.
“No.”
