Reset (Book 2): Salvation Read Online Free PDF Page A

old nerf gun dart shooter, he gave them marijuana and moonshine. “Won’t get stuff like this anywhere,” He lifted the jug. “Best this side of the straits of the Waste.”
    “Straits of the Waste,” John repeated. “Obviously referring to the post nuclear wasteland.”
    “You got it.” Rusty winked.
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    The horse drawn buggy ride was bumpy and long. John wondered how he never woke up even briefly after his attack. It was a different view of everything, especially with Rusty giving the narration of each step.
    “All this here,” Rusty pointed out. “Was a mall. The mall then became a medical camp. After that, it was tore down. Yep. I can remember as a boy coming here and stealing food.”
    Meredith said, “it had to be difficult for you.”
    “We did what we could. Houses used to be closer. There used to be grocery stores. I think the only thing that is better is pockets of humanity.”
    “What do you mean?” John asked. “You’re talking about those who survived?’
    “No, those who survived and are good people. They kept their humanity. Neighbors help neighbors now. Not a lot of hate.”
    “That’s one good thing,” Meredith said.
    They moved along for a bit further until Rusty pointed out and announced, “This is where I found you.”
    “Were we just out in the open?” John asked.
    “No. Not at all. Wouldn’t have looked had I not seen a dead Wrecker. Usually they take their dead, they must have missed him.” Rusty pulled the buggy to a stop and climbed out. “Do you recall where your own mobile is?”
    John stepped out and looked around. “Back there.” He pointed.
    “So you hid it?” Rusty asked. “Think the Wreckers got to it?”
    “Yeah, but we have a secret compartment and Grant, the man that was with us, he was so paranoid about someone attacking us he hid the battery cell.”
    Meredith asked. “John, if they didn’t get the battery cell, how are we gonna charge it enough to start the buggy. It’s been a few days.”
    “Chances are it’s charged. It wasn’t buried,” John replied.
    “Wreckers could have got it,” Rusty said.
    “Doubtful,” John replied. “They wouldn’t know what to do with it.” Tromping over what foliage there was, John uncovered the buggy.
    The stuff that was hidden under the back seat remained. He then scoured the area for the mark on the stump. Grant had marked a broken tree stump to show where he hid the battery cell.
    Sure enough, it was there. John grinned and held it up.
    “So is this goodbye?” Rusty asked. “I mean you got your vehicle and energy contraptions. What happens now?”
    Meredith stepped to Rusty. “We tell you how grateful we are for you and even though we are leaving, I’d like to ask if we can come back and see you after we meet up with our friends. We’re gonna need to settle somewhere and I think this area is perfect.’
    “I’d like that. You have the map. Don’t lose it.” He shook his finger at them in a lighthearted way.
    “We won’t.” John then embraced Rusty. “I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you. I will never forget what you have done for me.”
    “Come back and visit, let me know if you ever found Salvation.”
    That was all Rusty requested. He gave them his version of a care package and brought Meredith and John to the solar buggy then he stayed and helped bury Grant, then watched as they pulled away.
    John kept peering back in the mirror until Rusty faded. “Ready?” John asked Meredith.
    “As ready as I can be.”
    “Where to first?”
    Meredith looked down at the map. “At least twenty miles from here. Then we’re safely out of Wrecker land.” She glanced back down to the map and the section marked with a ‘W’. “I hope.”
     
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    It was a good day. The weather was clear and Rusty wanted to enjoy the ride back to his home. At the pace he set it would take a good hour or so, but that was fine. He had a bit of a headache and hoped the fresh air would do him