Page 100 of Waves of Fury

Tyler

We lost our vehicle, our supplies, and are now soaking wet and injured. In a nutshell, we’re completely and utterly screwed. Kellen is quiet as we all huddle together, trying to figure out our next move. Of course the rain is unrelenting, doing its part to punish us for simply existing on this godforsaken Earth.

“Dad, I’m cold,” Hailey whines. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

“What are we going to do about supplies?” Hope asks. “We need food and water.”

She’s cradling her arm to her chest. I want to look at it—at everyone’s injuries—but there’s not much I can do out here in the downpour without my kit.

“We need to start walking,” Aaron says. “We’ll get back to the main road and stick to it. We’re bound to come to a town sooner or later. If it’s abandoned, we can regroup in a building and at the very least get dry.”

It’s as good a plan as any. Our pitiful group starts walking, sloshing through the deep puddles of water at every step.

The first couple of hours go by in a blur. Everyone is quiet and just thankful to be alive. However, when we get into the next few hours without seeing signs of life, I think we’re all beginning to lose it. My feet are on fire with blisters, I can’t feel my fingers or my toes, and I’m starving. The rain has been plentiful, which has kept us from dehydrating, but without any way to capture it, we’re relegated to walking with our mouths open to catch whatever we can.

This sucks.

It really fucking sucks.

We take a break on the side of the road to rest our feet, but without food, it’s pointless to waste too much time. It’s imperative we find shelter and food. Stat.

The rain starts to let up, which is a relief. Despite the warmer temperatures, the rain is still cold and not doing us any favors.

“Can we stop and sleep?” Hailey asks with a whimper. “I’m so tired.”

“Not yet, sweetheart,” Dan says tiredly. “Just a few more hours.”

A few more turns into more like ten. We’ve been walking without any sign of civilization for nearly a day straight with more breaks the farther we get along. My stomach has been grumbling so loudly it’s becoming annoying as hell. Hailey nearly passed out twice and is currently sandwiched between her father and Jesse. Hope keeps whimpering. She’s a tough woman, so I know she’s in a lot of pain.

We need help.

And fast.

Things are going to get bad quickly if not.

Finally, we see a sign for Seibert, Colorado, and then advertisement for a food and fuel convenience store at the next exit. Our group is too exhausted and beat down to cheer, but it’s enough to have everyone quickening their steps.

Kellen has moved to the front of the group and is taking long strides I can barely keep up with in my weakened state. He’s a man on a mission. Currently, his mission is to find food, medicine, and shelter. Hopefully, this will come to fruition for us very soon.

As we near the town, though, Kellen stops.

“Everyone, stay here,” Kellen says. “I’ll scout ahead and make sure it’s safe.”

“I’m going too,” I tell him, ignoring his glower. “You’re not going alone.”

He shakes his head in vehemence. “I can’t put you all through another damn problem. Just let me risk my neck to keep you all safe.”

Is he fucking delirious right now?

“You’re delusional, man,” Jesse blurts out, “if you think you’re going to win this argument. Tyler or someone needs to go with you.”

Kellen grits his teeth and then gives me a curt nod of approval. Not that I need it. I was going anyway. The two of us start out wordlessly toward Seibert. Once we’re out of earshot of the group, I can no longer hold my tongue.

“What was that back there?” I demand, cutting my gaze over to him.

He snorts. “What was what?”

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