Last Stand: Patriots (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of pain at the mention of Emma’s name. John decided to change the subject.
     
    After losing both cabins and just about all his preps, they’d been reduced to eating from the few cans they had left. There was plenty of game in these woods and Brandon’s aim was good enough to keep them freshly supplied with squirrels, but at the moment there really wasn’t time for all that.
    The funny look on Brandon’s face made John ask what was wrong.
    “I’ve gotta go to the bathroom,” the boy said.
    John studied him from the corner of his eye. “You don’t need my permission, son. Go on and I’ll have the food heated up by the time you return.”
    “The thing is, I don’t need to pee.”
    One of John’s eyebrows rose. “I see.” Who would have thought that toilet paper would become such a prized commodity after a societal collapse? The average Joe might have told you gold or silver, maybe even batteries, but surely not toilet paper.
    “All right,” John said, nudging the car door open. “Wait here with George. I’ll be right back.”
    The search in the woods took him a little longer than expected, but John returned to the truck when he found what he was looking for. He handed a number of furry-looking leaves to Brandon who stared on with bewilderment.
    “You want me to wipe with leaves?”
    John shook his head. “These aren’t regular leaves. They’re mullein. One of the best toilet-paper substitutes you’ll find in the woods. You can thank me later.” John held up another plant that had a series of small white flowers. “I also grabbed some yarrow since I was out there.”
    “What’s that do?”
    “You apply it to bleeding cuts to promote clotting.”
    Talk of bleeding created a noticeable change in Brandon’s face. “I hope we don’t need it.”
    “Me too,” John said. “ Go take care of your business so we can get a move on.”
    Brandon took the leaves and waved them in the air. “This better not be poison ivy or something.”
    John wasn’t much of a practical joker, although he had served with men who would relish any opportunity to pull a prank like that on a fellow soldier. He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor. Now go.”
     
    After a quick breakfast, John rolled the camo net back up and put it in the trunk. George looked up at him. He didn’t nearly have the fight from when they first met. John reached into his pocket and pushed some soft grasses he’d collected in a nearby field through the spaces in the cage. He knew geese preferred corn and grains, but for now this would have to do. George looked at the offering briefly before starting to eat.
    John reached into his pocket to get some more and came out with Diane’s silver necklace with the sapphire heart.
    “Whatchu looking at?” Brandon asked, returning from the woods.
    John shoved it deep into his pocket. “Nothing.”
    “You were right,” Brandon said, poking his head in to check on George. “It’s even better than the double-ply stuff from the grocery store.”
     
    Back in the driver’s seat, John started the truck and put it into gear.
    “What’s our plan?” Brandon asked. The crack in his voice made John wonder if he was still thinking about the blood clot remark.
    “Plan’s simple,” John said. “First we find the ones who killed your dad, kidnapped our loved ones and burned down our cabins. Then we make them pay for what they’ve done.”

Chapter 9
    They weren’t cruising along the back roads for more than a few minutes before they spotted a man with bloody clothes. He was staggering along the centerline, which meant he was either crazy, suicidal or somewhere in between. John slowed down, feeling for the familiar weight of the pistol in his leg holster. After coming to a stop, John rolled down the window and called out to him.
    “Where you headed?”
    The trick was to act as though nothing were out of the ordinary. The man spun and threw his hands in the air.
    “I knew you’d be back to finish me