Dark New World (Book 2): EMP Exodus Read Online Free PDF Page B

by shrapnel from the tank or from the cinder block wall. But it gave them something more important to worry about than us.”
    Frank didn’t flinch from Michael’s gaze. “That’s too bad. They shot at my people, and I wish we’d been able to do more to them. Like slit every damn one of their throats and watch the light leave their eyes as they died. They shot at kids, and they deserved more than they got.”
    Michael slowly shook his head, disapproving. “Frank, they’re civilians. They are scared of people taking what little they have, and they probably haven’t eaten more than a candy bar in days, with no light at the end of that tunnel. They were doing exactly what we are—taking care of their own, as best they can. If your kid was starving, I’d kill anyone I could just on the chance they had something for your kid to eat. Same for the rest of us. Frank, someday you’ll understand that we aren’t any better than them. Just luckier.”
    Frank finally looked away from Michael’s iron gaze and stared at the ground in front of him. Michael’s words made sense, and Frank tried to reconcile himself to what his friend had said. But deep inside, he just knew Michael was wrong. We are better than them, he insisted and tried to convince himself that he would never do what Michael had said, no matter what. Deep inside, though, he worried that Michael was right, and hated himself for admitting it.

- 5 -

    2130 HOURS - ZERO DAY +6

    SWEATING FROM THE pace, Jaz was relieved when Michael finally said they were far enough away to rest safely for a time. In the days since the lights went out, she had done so much walking and running, not to mention carrying a heavy backpack, that she had lost several pounds. Better yet, it was all fat; her muscles were getting more toned. But the blisters on her feet were gross. She had found better shoes, but they were so not pretty. Blisters and ugly shoes, OMG, it wasn’t her .It wasn’t.
    Jaz looked around the group, thankful that everyone had made it through the little skirmish. She saw Cassy sitting with Michael and his wife, no doubt talking about prepper stuff as usual. Cassy wasn’t exactly friendly yet, but at least now she didn’t feel like Cassy wanted to cut her throat while she slept. And she only took a backpack from Cassy. So build a bridge and get over it, already.
    Jed’s wife Amber was talking to Ethan. Well, Jaz had been around long enough to know what was going on there, even if Jed and Ethan didn’t. Men. They all wanted it, and none of them had a clue. Amber was bored of Jed and ready to get into Ethan. Men were dumb and never seemed to know when a girl was into them even if she made it totally obvious. But that was cool—let the two of them talk. That left Jed sitting off to the side by himself, which suited Jaz just fine.
    Jaz plopped down beside Jed, her arm brushing against his, and he turned to smile at her. “Heya girlie, how you doin’?” His eyes briefly roamed over her before locking with her own eyes.
    A thrill went through her then. Men almost always did that, unless they were gay—her gay friends never did that unless it was to check out her outfit—and she usually didn’t even notice anymore. It was just what men did. But when Jed looked at her, she felt her heart beat just a little faster. It had been awhile since any guy got a rise out of her, she suddenly realized. Maybe something was wrong with her.
    “I’m okay,” she told Jed. “Like, not totally okay because you scared the shit out of me out there when the bullets started buzzing around, but I’m holding up.” She looked into his eyes, his blue eyes that sorta swallowed her up, and counted to three before looking away with a smile. That was being coy, her mom had taught her. It often worked. “I thought you got shot,” she added, putting a little wobble into her voice.
    “Oh, and that worried you, did it? Best be careful, or a man will get to thinkin’ you like him or