Page 32 of Demon Shock

“I think that’s something I’m going to want to see for myself,” she said after I’d described the sacrificial pile of human male penises Hannah and Brenna liked to shoot at.

Although Angel had promised that Hannah didn’t hate real penises or the men attached to them, several of my brothers were still nervous around her when she held a bow. She seemed to enjoy shooting at the replicas very much. I worried Ava might also grow fascinated with them.

“Do you want to shoot at male parts too?” I asked, feeling a hint of concern.

“It sounds like it could be fun.”

My concern grew.

“Brooke likes to draw Solin’s male parts. That could be fun, too.”

“I can’t tell if you’re offering to show me your parts or trying to dissuade me from joining in the fun of shooting at fake man parts.”

“Both?”

Ava laughed. The sound filled the truck and my heart.

“We’re stopping here,” Zach said over the radio.

“Why are we stopping?” Ava replied.

“It’s difficult to drive into the cities that were bombed. It’ll be safer for us to wait here while you check your family’s home.”

“Okay,” Ava said as I stopped.

I set Pete on the seat beside me and got out to open her door for her. She exited with Repeat in her arms. I gently stole him,whispered we would return quickly, and put him back in the warm cab.

“Are you sure you want to go in there?” Bram asked, joining us.

Ava looked from him to me. “I’m not sure what going in there entails, so why don’t you spell it out for me before I decide?”

“Gyrik is going to take you the rest of the way on foot. It’s quieter and will draw less attention. He can also go where the trucks can’t if the bombs have obliterated the roads.”

She looked around at where we’d stopped. Nothing was around the trucks, just an open expanse of road that would make it easy for them to see anything that approached. Easy to be spotted too.

“How far away are we?” Ava asked.

“The two-twelve is ahead. So, seven or eight miles out from Shakopee. Once you get in there, Gyrik will need you to tell him which way to go. Sound can carry a fair distance on a still day like today. And the snow’s not as deep here to slow the infected down.”

“It’s still cold, though,” Will said, joining us. “They move a little slower when they’re cold.”

“So every time I say anything to him, it will attract infected.” Ava looked at me. “What do you think? Am I risking everyone's safety by wanting to go in there?”

I liked that she was looking at me for confirmation.

“It is no more of a risk than trying to find other survivors,” I said. “I will keep you safe. Bram, Will, and Zach know how to keep themselves safe while we’re in there.”

“Okay. Then, I do want to check.”

Bram spread out a map on the hood of the car. “We’re about here. You probably know the area better than I do, but according to this, there are two bridges that may or may not still be standing to get you across the river. Where’s the house again?”

Ava pointed to a location on the map. “In here.”

They talked for several minutes about alternate routes and what to do if we met other people. I watched her expression as Bram explained what to do. She was focused, paying close attention to every caution he gave her.

“Not everyone will welcome Gyrik like you did,” Bram said. “Expect bullets first and words later. He’ll run, find somewhere safe for you, and go back to disarm them. If that happens, stay put. He’ll be back for you. And if, for some reason, he doesn’t come back,wewill if we can. Remember the rules. No light and stay quiet at night.”

I could see her worry as she nodded and tucked her covered hands under her arms. Was she cold or afraid? I wasn’t sure.

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