Page 47 of Night of the Living Manny
“Yeah. You want to stop in?”
“Please. We need more low-tech stuff.” They could get a reciprocal card, he’d bet.
“Totally. We’ll go.”
“Thanks.” He put a hand on Liam’s leg but kept his eyes on the road. Just in case. He was shocked as hell when Liam’s fingers covered his.
He smiled over, quick as a bunny. There were a lot of trust things he would have to work on, but Liam was a good man. He knew it deep down.
Liam loved those kids more than life, and he wouldn’t hurt them for anything. Anything. So Brenden had to believe Liam had done all this to keep his kids safe, knowing someone was creating something that could kill them.
They drove into Ouray, the streets quiet and still. Weird. The place was tiny, but it was midday. There should be someone out and about.
“Dad?” Susanna’s voice was very small, very low.
“It’s okay, honey. We’re going to start at the gas station and go from there.”
“Okay.” Susanna grabbed something in the back, and he thought it was probably that shotgun. God.
“The one on the end, or head for the middle of town?” Brenden wasn’t sure which one was more defensible.
“Start on the end. We do the first gas station, the library, the grocery, the next station.”
“Got it.” God, he hoped it was just a quiet day. He had no idea what day it was, even. Maybe it was a weekend.
It didn’t feel like it, though. It felt… dead.
Brenden shivered. Bad analogy. He coasted to a stop at the first gas station they hit, peering to see if anyone was inside. The door was closed, the sign was dark, but that didn’t matter, right? It was all automated.
“Keep an eye out.” Brenden slipped out of the Hummer to pop the gas cap and get the fuel flowing. They used multiple pumps to fill up the dozens of cans they’d brought. Susanna kept watch, and no one even showed so much as an eyeball.
They packed up the gas, which stank bad, then headed through the silent town toward the library. Creepy. Fucking creepy.
“Daddy? Is everyone asleep?” Brittany asked.
“I sure hope so.” Liam glanced at him.
“Me too.” Brenden winced. “Library next?”
Liam nodded. “Let’s do it.” He’d looked up the library address, so he headed down into town the rest of the way.
He didn’t see a moving car or truck, no people. No one but them.
“You stay in the Hummer until I figure out what’s up, hmm? If I can get us in, I will.” Liam hopped out, and Susanna popped the back hatch, armed and ready. Brenden just watched all their sides.
“I want to go home.” Britt began to cry, soft little sobs that tore at his heart.
“Soon, honey.” He knew that could be a lie, but he needed to keep her spirits up.
Liam ran back to the car. “Okay, come on. The door is open. We’re going to run in and out, get what you need.”
“Are we going to leave a note?” Peter asked.
“No.” Liam stared down his son.
Brenden hopped out. “Come on, kids. Moose, guard. Susanna, close the hatch.” He wanted the car locked to give Moose a bit of protection.
“Bring Moose with us. We all go together.” Liam’s voice brooked no argument. “Britt, come with me.”
