The Last Gallon Read Online Free PDF

it with the rifle’s barrel. The guy didn’t move so he dug around looking for the keys. When he didn’t find them he checked the truck. They were in the ignition. “Figures” Mark cursed as he wiped the kid’s blood off on anything he could find that was mildly absorbent.
    He fired up the big truck and ground the gearbox into reverse. He barely got it moving before it tried to stall but he was able to make enough room for the little car to squeeze through. He shut the truck off and chucked the keys out into the darkness and bolted to the waiting Armadillo. Kara swapped back into the passenger seat and he got in to drive away.
    “One down, probably another dozen to go” he said as he settled in. Kara had a sad look on her face. “I’m not sure we should’ve shot him” she told Mark. Mark nodded “I agree but this car is going to set these guys off into thinking we are rich and compared to these people out here we are” he explained. “You are also very beautiful and would be a prime target; we don’t know what these people are going to be like. We have to be more brutal than them if we are going to get through the night.” Kara wrinkled her brow and thought about what Mark said. He was right; it was horrible but why put themselves in more danger than they needed?
    The family stayed on 95 at New Haven to avoid going into Hartford. Mark had been told that the city had been over-run by a strange cult that did not take kindly to interlopers coming into their city. It was best to not even bother even if it added several miles to the trip.
    The trip was relatively quiet save for a few quick exchanges of gunfire. Once Joey lit the SAW up people generally scattered. There seemed to be plenty of automatic weapons lying around but usually the strongest gangs and corporations came into control of them. Besides that the SAW could sustain fire for much longer than your average M-16 or AK.
    When the family hit New London things got interesting. At the Gold Star Bridge there was a large check-point set up. They stopped a safe distance away and looked at the arrangement with binoculars. “They’ve got missiles” Mark said shaking his head. “How do we get through this?” Kara continued looking and counting to herself. “28, 31, 35. I count 35 Mark.” She said, “How do we fight this?”
    “I can help you with that” a voice said from the shadows. They both wheeled around, guns ready as a man in trench-coat stepped from the darkness. “I can help you with that” he repeated and motioned for them to control their muzzles. They both slowly lowered their rifles while Joey readied his Beretta through the gunport.
    “I’ve got a barge. We run people across the river for a small… er…moderate fee” He explained. “What would this fee be?” Mark asked, not really wanting to know the answer. The man smiled at Kara and then shook his head. “Naw man, you’re not dealing with an animal. How about 10 gallons of gas?” Mark held a finger up and leaned in to check the current situation. 17 gallons remaining, no way he could give up over half. “How about 5?” Mark asked. “7” the man replied and then corrected himself. “7 and 100 rounds of ammo.”
    Mark stuck his hand out and said “Deal.” He and the man shook on it and as he disappeared back into the shadows told Mark directions to the dock. “30 minutes or I leave without you” the man said as he took off.
    The family arrived at the dock in 25 minutes and the man was readying the barge for departure. They drove on board and the man quickly tarped the Armadillo so it could not be seen. The rest of the barge was filled with coal. Mark quickly understood how this operation worked. The man confirmed his suspicions. “The gang up there needs coal to run their generators. We supply it and they generally leave us alone. I’m gonna need you guys to lay low but be ready if they harass us.” He explained. “We can do that” Mark assured him as he sent Kara