The Day After Never - Purgatory Road (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 2) Read Free

girl ran through the tall grass, skipping occasionally, an expression of untroubled happiness on her face. When she arrived where the adults were seated, she grew serious. Ruby offered a smile and took her hand.
    “We were talking about the man who was in charge of your trip from Lubbock, Eve. Your aunt says you have an amazing memory. Do you remember something on his vest? A design or picture?”
    Eve nodded. “Yes. It was a bird.”
    Sierra snapped her fingers. “That’s right. An eagle or a hawk. Stylized, like a military logo.” She frowned. “I don’t know why I was drawing a blank. I’m sorry.”
    “You’ve been through a lot, and you’re still healing. Between the wounds, the infection, and the drugs, the mind can play tricks,” Ruby said.
    “And it wasn’t a plate carrier?” Lucas asked.
    Sierra frowned. “Not like yours, but it did have a front ceramic plate, so I guess it was. I’m sorry. I’m not really up on gear terminology.”
    Lucas had been asking for a more detailed description for some time, but it was obvious that Sierra’s memory had been affected by her ordeal. He decided to quit while he was ahead, the emblem hopefully adequate to identify the vest. “Where was the hidden pocket?”
    She tapped her sternum. “Inside, over the chest. It had Velcro that held it together so it looked like part of the inner seam.”
    Ruby smiled at Eve again. “You can go back and play if you want, Eve. Thank you, young lady.”
    “Welcome,” Eve said, her voice small.
    The child ran off. Sierra eyed Lucas. “So what are you going to do?” she asked.
    Lucas watched Eve for a few moments and then stood. “I need to ride back to the gulch where Eve was hiding and see if there’s anything I missed. Neither of the shooters I took out were wearing camo, so if the vest is there, it would be with the rest of the bodies.”
    “And if it’s not?”
    “Then I have to go to the canyon where Carl and his deputy ambushed the Raiders, and see how many they tagged, and whether any of them had the vest.” Lucas paused. “If none of them were wearing it, the options get worse from there.”
    “What do you mean?” Sierra asked.
    “The Raiders control a tiny town in Texas near the New Mexico border. Most traders avoid it because they know anything for sale wound up there from looting or robbery – or worse. But some don’t care. I’ll have to go and nose around, see if I can pick up the scent, assuming it was a Raider who grabbed the vest and not some opportunistic third party.”
    “What if it was?”
    It was Lucas’s turn to frown. “Then the technical term is we’re screwed.” He inclined his head toward Ruby. “But let’s not jump to conclusions. I’m more worried about you three while I’m gone. If the cartel’s still looking for you, they’ll eventually show up at the bunker again, so you have to keep out of sight.”
    “We can do that,” Ruby said.
    “If something happens and you have to bug out, there’s a place we can rendezvous that should be safe. About ten miles southwest of here. Blue Springs, over on the Black River.”
    Ruby nodded. “I know the spot. Been years, but gorgeous from what I remember.”
    “If you have to leave the cellar, wait for me there.”
    It took Lucas ten minutes to pack everything he owned in his saddlebags. Ruby hugged him when he was ready to go, as did Sierra, her body molding to his in a way he could get used to. Eve seemed unsure of how to bid him farewell, so he made it easier on her by kneeling down till he was at eye level and holding his arms out. She gave him a small, shy hug, and then he stood and reached into his saddlebag.
    “Here. You’re going to need some NV gear,” he said, and handed Ruby the night vision monocle Duke had gifted him. “I’ve got my rifle scope. Operating the monocle’s self-explanatory.”
    Ruby smiled. “I think I can figure it out.”
    “I’m sure you can.”
    Lucas turned to Sierra. “Promise me you