Breakout (Final Dawn) Read Online Free PDF Page B

trying to settle in to the new place.
         “I’ll tell you what,” he said, handing Rusty a radio. “Go ask your parents if it’s okay for you to carry an empty gun. If it’s okay with them, have them call me. But if you take one, you’ll have to leave it in your holster. Empty or not, it’s not a toy, and should never be treated as one. Fair enough?”
         “Sure.”
         Rusty ran off, but the radio remained silent, as John knew it would.
         Rusty came back a few minutes later, looking dejected.
         “Dad said no, not until you train me and I’m mature enough to know men don’t carry guns for the fun of it.”
         John smiled. He almost could have predicted the exact words David was going to share with his son. David and John were on the same sheet of music when it came to weapons safety.
         Brad walked up to draw out an AR-15 rifle and a web belt containing four magazines from the gun locker.
         He took the rifle from the locker, checked it again to make sure it was clear, and then slung it over his shoulder.
         “I’ll call you when I’m on the roof.”
         Rusty took his radio and headed outside to the gate, sulking every step of the way.
         John called behind him.
         “Don’t forget to wear a mask and gloves.”
         “Yeah, yeah, yeah…”
         Because of the thousands of decaying bodies outside the compound, of humans, livestock and wild animals, the group was worried about airborne diseases. It was probably overkill, but they decided to mandate the wear of surgical masks and latex gloves while outdoors, at least during the warm weather months when such issues were more likely.
         Nobody liked the whole idea of masking up to go outside. But they did it anyway. If for no other reason, to avoid hearing people like John nag them about it.
         Five minutes later Brad called in.
         “John, this is Brad. I’m in position.”
         “10-4. Mark or Bryan, this is John. Come in.”
         “Go ahead, John.”
         “Mark, your cover’s in place and so is your gate monitor. You guys about ready?”
         “Yep. We’re heading for the gate now. Thanks, John.”
         “You bet. You guys be careful out there.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
         Hannah and Markie walked down a flight of stairs to the basement and to the room they’d designated for their resupply center. She needed some bubble bath for Markie. He’d never had one, because he never had a bathtub before now. But she remembered that they had stocked some Mr. Bubble, knowing they’d be able to use it once they broke out of the mine.
         Now all she had to do was find it.
         “Hi, Sarah. Hi, Sami.”
         “Hello, sleepy head.”
         “Hey, it wasn’t my fault. Somebody woke me up in the middle of the night because he was afraid of monsters getting into his bed.”
         Sarah looked shocked.
         “Seriously?”
         “Yep. Took me forever to get back to sleep.”
         Sarah looked at little Markie and said, “Markie !”
         “Uh, huh?”
         “You tell your Daddy there are no such things as monsters, and to quit waking up your Mommy.”
         Markie giggled for just a moment, before a toy grabbed his attention and he went off to play.
         Hannah looked around and commented, “What a mess.”
         “Yes, and this isn’t even all of it. There are thirty or forty boxes still in the mine that they didn’t have room in the truck for. Brad was going to help us put the racks together, and then he was going to put the rest of the stuff on a hand truck and roll it through the tunnel a few boxes at a time. But then he went off to help the other boys, as usual.”
         “Are the lights still on in the mine?”
         “Yes.