The Day After Never - Purgatory Road (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

especially in light of Sierra’s revelations about the reason Magnus’s group had enlisted their help. She was correct that the Crew would never give up in their hunt for Eve, which heightened his sense of futility at burning time looking for a vest that could well be in Mexico by now. But they were low on options, and given his slim odds of success, the vest was the best they had.
    The husk of a ruined farmhouse materialized on the horizon, and Lucas thought he could make out the flicker of a campfire near it. He swung his M4 up and gazed through the night vision scope.
    There. He was right. It was a fire.
    When he was closer, he dismounted and walked Tango toward the ruins. At the edge of the property, he tied the horse to an old wooden fencepost and whispered in his ear, “Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
    The fire was small and well-concealed, if he hadn’t been looking for it. The structure shielded it from the east, which was where all but Raiders would be coming from, that being the artery to New Mexico. A lone horse, its ribs pronounced ridges along its thin flank, stood near what had once been the building’s garage. As he approached the fire’s glow, he could only see one figure, and after confirming his impression with the scope, he stepped into the open, rifle at the ready.
    The figure looked up and reached for a shotgun leaning against the wall of the farmhouse. Lucas shook his head and called out, “Wouldn’t do that if I was you.” His tone softened. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you.”
    He moved closer and saw that it was a woman, whippet thin, her arms covered with full-sleeve tattoos, her face emaciated, her greasy black hair cropped short. She regarded him with ill-concealed fear, her eyes darting to his gun and then back to the shotgun just out of reach. He easily read her intention and kept his M4 pointed at her. “Don’t try anything stupid. I said I’m not going to hurt you.”
    “What do you want, mister?” she asked, her drawl pronounced.
    “Just came from the mayor’s. He said someone I’m looking for might be here.”
    “Yeah? Who’s that?”
    “Short guy wearing a badge.”
    “He ain’t around.”
    He took cautious steps until he was within a few yards of her and could see that she was younger than he’d thought, maybe Sierra’s age, but already worn down by a hardscrabble life.
    “Where’s he at?”
    “How would I know? Ain’t none of my business.”
    “What are you doing out here on your own?” Lucas asked.
    “Just tryin’ to get by, same as everyone. Don’t like stayin’ near town. Some of the guys get their booze on and go off, you know?” She eyed him and tried a smile. “But you’re not like that, are you?”
    “No, ma’am, I’m not.”
    “I can tell.” She paused. “Name’s Connie. I’m cooking rabbit. You ate yet?”
    “Doesn’t smell too bad,” Lucas allowed.
    “Guess if you was gonna shoot me, you woulda by now, huh?”
    “Probably true.” He glanced at the shotgun. “Stay clear of the scatter gun, and we’ll get along fine.”
    “You can sit down, ’less you’re afraid I’ll bite or somethin’,” she said.
    “Don’t mind if I do.” Lucas decided to try the soft route with her, given there was no obvious threat.
    “Why you lookin’ for that guy?” she asked, reaching out and turning a rabbit that was crackling over the fire, skewered on a piece of rusted rebar.
    “They said he might be able to help me find something.”
    “Yeah? What’s that?”
    “A vest. Some friends of mine lost one.”
    She made a face. “You’re riding around in the dark lookin’ for a vest? You crazy or something?”
    “Or something.” He looked around. “You’re out here alone?”
    “See anyone else?”
    Lucas pointed to a pair of bedrolls. “More than one of those.”
    “I like to be comfortable.” She smiled again. “Don’t you?”
    “I suppose.”
    “You scared the crap outta me, sneakin’ up like