Humanity Gone: After the Plague Read Free Page B

I imagine that some of these people don’t even know where their ultimate destination is.
                  Jon slouches down to look at the road signs at the top of the telephone poles.  “We need to get to one of the bridges.”
                  Jon pulls up to a red light and the car comes to a halt.  There doesn't seem to be any cross-traffic, but why chance it, I guess.  There’s certainly no reason to stop for fear of the police.  As we are stopped, Jon looks over to me.
                  “We are gonna make it though this, I promise.” he fakes a smile.  I know he means it, but this madness is far out of either of our control.
                  “I know.” I say back, not making eye contact.  I push my hair behind my ear and stare at the red light.  Jon leans forward and squints his eyes at me.  No, not at me- past me and out the window.  I turn my head and see a boy waving; he is maybe 18 or 19.  Behind him, there are a few others of his age.  He returns Jon's look with a smile and approaches the car.  Jon rolls down my window to talk to him. The boy’s head is only a few feet from my own.
                  “Hey, Darry.  Man!  How have you been making out?”  Jon asks, observing Darry’s fatigued features.  He sounds almost too casual.   Our father just died.  Most of the city just died.  My chest tightens.
                  “My folks were two of the first to go, right when school was canceled. We have been managing ever since. Good to see you made it out alright.”  Darry slowly responds.  His sunken eyes shift to me then back to Jon.  He leans in slightly and looks into the backseat. “Where are you two headed?”
                  “Out of here.  I thought the country may be a better place to wait this one out.”  Jon answers as I nod in agreement.  Dad thought we should get out to the country.  Regardless, the plan seems strange to discuss with others.  Darry looks to the left and his right then back to Jon.
                  “That's a good idea.  Sorry it's not going to work out.” Darry smirks. I am not sure what he means, but then I feel his knife resting against my throat. 

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4: Jonathon
                  “Sorry to do this to ya Johnny, but I need your car.  It's hard enough to find one around here, and then you come rolling up like it’s an ordinary Friday night.  Get out now, unless you want to watch your sister choke on her blood.”  Darry says darkly as he presses the blade against Jo's neck.
                  “Darry, what are you...is this how it is now?” The words stumble from my mouth.  Darry’s mouth curls and he beckons to the one woman on his left.
                  “Baby, go open up the driver's door and help him out” Darry barks.  Some skinny brunette moves around to the front of the car over to my side.  My left hand slips down and hits the door lock. Jo looks over to me, her eyes widen.  Her hand trembles in her lap and she shakes her head ever so slightly.  She wants to know what I'm doing.  I wish I knew.  The brunette tries to open my door.
                  “Darry, he locked it.” she whines.  She begins to bang on the window with a fist.  I look over to Darry.  His upper lip twitches.
                  “Do you wanna see her dead man?  Do it now!”  He pushes the blade into her neck.  A single drop of blood slowly runs down.    “I will do it Jon.  Please don't test me. I have no choice.”
                  “Alright!  Let me get my seat belt.” I immediately reach down, but into my coat pocket.  The center console hides my hand.  I grip the pistol.  He doesn't fall for it.
                  “I wanna see your hands! Unlock your door first.”  Darry yells, and the blade goes a little deeper.  My sister