After the Republic Read Online Free PDF

mean to blow the horn,” Rebecca said. “The space is all yours. I don’t want any trouble.”
    He continued yelling obscenities and gesturing wildly, but turned and walked toward the store. The woman followed him, glaring at Rebecca with venom-filled eyes as she passed. Rebecca gripped her .380 tightly until they were out of sight. Relieved, her shoulders relaxed as she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. I really don’t want to shoot anyone today.
    Rebecca apprehensively entered the store, checking her purse three times to make sure she had her trusty firearm. She gripped the cart tightly, avoiding eye contact with other shoppers. People gathered to watch two women fight over the last steak in the meat department. Rebecca took advantage of the distraction to load her cart with soup and other canned goods. While others were competing for the last loaves of bread she snagged several jars of peanut butter, numerous bags of flour and a hefty supply of coffee, sugar, salt and pepper. Think long term, Rebecca. What will we need to MAKE food?
    The clerk spoke up as Rebecca pulled out her debit card. “I’m sorry, but the network is down right now.” Rebecca looked around nervously as she handed the clerk cash.
    Outside, she quickly unloaded her cart into her dark gray Explorer.
    “Looks like you’ve got a wad of cash in that there purse. Hand it over.”
    Rebecca turned and came face-to-face with the same man in the blue denim jacket. His scraggly mullet appeared to have never encountered shampoo and his white t-shirt featured several prominent brown stains. His stench was more putrid than anything her cows had ever produced.
    “I don’t want any trouble.” Rebecca smoothly slipped her hand into her purse and squeezed the grip on her Beretta, her index finger resting on the barrel. “Just go on your way.”
    “GIVE ME YOUR MONEY, WOMAN!”
    As Rebecca tightened her grip and started to draw her pistol, two tall, muscular men in their early twenties appeared from behind a van two spaces away. The first man removed his sunglasses and brushed his wavy blonde hair back. “Is there a problem here?”
    “None of your business, punk. Get out of here.”
    The second man, a clean-cut African-American, removed his red and white jacket and tossed it on the ground, revealing bulging biceps and an “N.C. State Football” t-shirt. He clenched his fist and took an imposing step toward the would-be robber. “Leave the lady alone.” The troublemaker took a half-step toward him before turning and walking away, cursing.
    Rebecca exhaled and slipped her hand off of her pistol and out of her purse. “Thank you so much.”
    “You’re welcome, ma’am.” He picked up his jacket, the back of which was emblazoned with a strutting wolf. “We’ll stay here until you’re out of the parking lot.”
    “Thank you so much,” Rebecca repeated, her voice still shaking. “Is there anything I can do for you? Do you need money for groceries?”
    “No, ma’am,” the blonde football player answered. “We’re just glad to help.”
    “Thank you again.” Rebecca locked the doors, fired up the Explorer and got out of the parking lot as quickly as possible. I’m sure glad those guys showed up or that could’ve been a real mess. I should’ve brought Josh with me.
    Joshua met her in the kitchen when she returned. “How was the store?”
    Rebecca shuddered. “A madhouse. People are really freaked out. They’re buying up everything . There were even a couple of fistfights.”
    Joshua shook his head. “That’s what I was afraid of. And it’s only going to get worse.”
    Should I tell him I almost got robbed? She wondered. No, that’ll just give him one more thing to worry about.
    ***
    Group Claims Responsibility . The anchor expounded on the unsettling details behind the scrolling headline: A terrorist group calling itself ‘AIS’ is claiming responsibility for yesterday’s attacks. The following is from a video the group