Grace Lost Read Online Free PDF Page A

up at the sky.
    “Looks like a big one,” he
replied.  “We should get moving.  Nothing here feels right and the
tank’s low.  There’s a gas station a mile or so up the highway.  I
used to stop there on my way to the university.”
    Boggs picked up the Kahr and got
back into the driver’s seat.  I joined him, and locked the doors. 
The engine was still running, and the car lurched forward when put into
drive.  The next three quarters of a mile were uneventful as we drove in
silence.  The mountains loomed in the distance to the east, their jagged
tops hidden by the gray cloud cover.  We saw human figures dotting the
land from time to time, all walking or crawling in awkward and unnatural
motions.  The highway veered to the east and the ARCO station came into
view.  There was an old condemned farmhouse in the backdrop of the newer
convenience store.  Its green paint was fading and peeling.  The
windows were boarded in graffiti covered plywood.  Blackberry bushes had
laid claim to the backside of the old house, seemingly trying to pull it into
the earth.  Boggs pulled the car to a slow stop in front of a pump marked
“4” and shut the engine off.
    “Zo, I’m going to try the gas
pump.  I need you to watch my back, and if I have to go inside I want you
to lock yourself in the car.”
    “No way, Boggs,” I said adamantly.
    Boggs shushed me.  “No arguments,
Zoe.  Just watch the parking lot.”  He unlocked the doors and stepped
out, grabbing the wallet out of his back pocket.  I got out of the car and
stood on the running board to get a better view. I looked over to see my friend
sliding twenty dollar bills through the self-pay center next to the pump. 
He waited for a few seconds then stepped back to the car. He gave me a “thumbs
up,” put the nozzle into the gas tank, and set the latch for automatic filling.
He walked over to me and leaned his back against the passenger door.
    “I think I should go inside,
Zo.  See if they have a TV or radio.  Heck, see if there’s anyone in
there.  We’re lucky the power’s on and the pumps are working.”
    “I want to come with,
Boggs.”  He looked at me and shook his head in a gesture of ‘no.’   Before he could say the word, though, I spoke
up.  “Listen!” I raised my voice as much as I dared.  “It’s always
safer in numbers.  In the movies the people who die are always the ones
who split up.”  He looked at me in disbelief that I had said something so
ridiculous.
    “Ok, Zoe. But we’re in and out in
five minutes or less.  No screwing around.  If there’s
any of those things inside we shoot to kill and leave.  And
stay behind me.”
    “Agreed.”
    “I’m going to drive around to the
front window and we can start by just looking in.  I want the car close by
so we can get out fast.”
    “’Kay.   Fair enough.”
    The sound of the gas pump clicking
signaled the tank was full.  Boggs walked around and put the pump handle
back on its hook, screwed the cap back on the tank, and we both got back into
the car.  It roared to life and we crept forward to peek into the large
glass windows of the convenience store.  Not seeing any movement, Boggs
parked in front of the double doors marked “enter” and “exit.”  He shut
the motor off and we looked at each other.  “You ready?” he asked.
    “Ya.   Let’s do it.”
    “Five minutes or less,” he
reminded me.
    “Five or less,” I echoed and took
a deep breath.
    Boggs took the gun and went
first.  I followed close behind.  I randomly wondered if the Slushy
machine was working.
    We both peered in through the
slightly darkened windows, shading our faces with our hands to avoid the glare
from the glass.  The lights within flickered a few times, but nothing else
seemed amiss aside from the lack of people milling about.
    As Boggs opened the door we heard
the traditional ding! din g ! that such stores are known for.  It caused us to
pause, afraid of what might be