Ryder grabbed my hand and laced his fingers through mine.
“Stay right beside me, Maddie.”
My fingers tightened around his. There was no way I was letting go of him.
We pushed through the edge of the crowd. I glanced around at the mass of men and women. Everyone looked dirty and exhausted. Some had such a faraway, lost look in their eyes that they reminded me of the lifeless zombies portrayed in movies.
We passed a vendor trying to bargain with a woman for a bottle of vodka. A man yelled for help. I jumped when someone started screaming a few feet from me.
My heart beat faster with fright when the crowd closed in around us, bringing us into its fold. Someone pushed into me and terror flooded my mind. The memories of being trampled in the club came back to me. My blood ran cold, afraid history would repeat itself.
The crowd thickened. Ryder’s hand accidentally let go of mine when a man fell into him. A gut–wrenching panic filled me when people rushed between us, separating Ryder and I.
He glanced back at me as the crowd surged around us. “Maddie! Grab onto my backpack!”
I shoved my way through, trying to wrap my fingers around the nylon strap of his backpack but someone grasped my arm, yanking me away.
“Please, you have to help me! Please!” the man begged, tugging my arm.
I looked frantically back at Ryder. He was shoving people out of the way, charging forward to get to me. All it took was one look from him and the man let me go.
Shielding me with his body, he took my hand and wrapped it tightly around the strap of the backpack.
“You’ve got to hold onto me tight. I’m not losing you, Maddie. Not again.”
I nodded, hell bent on not letting go.
We started pushing our way through the crowd again. He reached back, grabbing my waist and pulling me closer to him. I was now wedged into the backpack, holding on for dear life. Glancing around him, I saw that one of his fists was wrapped around Eva’s backpack, keeping us all together.
Next to us, a man preached about the end of the world. A small child stood a few feet away, crying softly as she clung to her mother’s leg. Someone begged desperately for water.
This was what the end of the world looked like, I thought. Days after the electromagnetic pulse hit, people were suffering and dying. Within a matter of minutes, the United States had turned into a third world country. This was our reality now.
We were almost to the edge of the crowd when suddenly a man tried to yank Brody’s backpack off his shoulder. Brody turned to fight the guy off but the man refused to let go. Eva screamed as she was pushed to the ground in the scuffle. My hold was torn away from Ryder’s backpack as he charged forward.
I helped Eva to her feet just as Ryder pulled his pistol on the man.
"Let go, mister," Ryder’s deep voice boomed out.
The stranger instantly took off running through the crowd, empty–handed.
Ryder stuffed the gun in his waistband and grabbed my hand again. We hurried through the crowd, the skirmish spooking us to move faster.
A few minutes later, we finally broke free of the mob. I could now breathe easier without the press of so many bodies around me.
“Holy SHIT!” Brody exclaimed angrily as we hurried away. “What the HELL was that?”
I glanced back at the suffering, pleading horde. “That’s desperation,” I said, simply.
Ryder’s free hand snapped to his gun again when a man appeared in front of us.
“You kids need a ride?”
The man looked like someone’s grandfather. He had grey hair and a thick white beard covered his wrinkled face. His eyes shined brightly as he glanced down at Ryder’s gun. “I got an old truck that still runs. I’ll trade you a ride for supplies.”
“How far will you go?” Ryder asked, his eyes assessing the guy.
“Depends on what you have to trade,” the man said, glancing over at me.
Ryder took a protective step in front of me. “We have nothing to trade,” he said, menacingly.
“Listen, kid, I’ve got a girl off at college. Ain’t heard from her since the lights went out. I ain’t going to hurt nobody, no how.”
A minute passed as we all stood in silence, debating his trustworthiness.
“We’ve got over two hours drive time to get there,” Brody warned.
The guy looked away as he scratched his beard. “Gonna take something awful nice to git there.”
“Cut the bullshit,” Ryder said, impatient. “What do you want?”
The guy looked down at the pistol sticking out of Ryder’s waistband. “That there gun and any ammo you got.”
“Hell, no!” Brody blurted out in outrage. He looked over at Ryder with disbelief. “You can’t be serious, Ryder! We’re not given up our goddamn gun for a ride!”
“Shut up, Brody,” Ryder said, his eyes still on the man.
“Hell, no, I’m not going to shut up! We’re not doing this!”
Ryder’s cold blue eyes swung around to pierce Brody. “We are going to do this! You want to walk another ten days, go right ahead dumbass.”
“This is about Maddie, isn’t it?” Brody asked, glaring at me.
Ryder ignored the question. “You can have the gun and ammo when we get there unharmed.”
“Deal,” the man said, sticking his hand out. Ryder shook his hand, possibly sealing our death.
We followed the old man over to a dark blue 1960s Ford truck, complete with white–walled tires.
“Two in front, two in back,” the man said, climbing into the driver’s seat.
Brody and Eva climbed in the truck bed while Ryder and I got into the cab. The man obviously had spent many hours rebuilding the truck. The white leather interior was brand new and the dash looked fresh from the factory. The motor turned over smoothly with a roar of the engine.
Within seconds, we were leaving the town behind. Ryder and the man started talking about the EMP attack and how the townspeople were frantic to find supplies. He said there was no law left. Anywhere.
As the wind whipped through the windows, I tried to listen to their conversation but the exhaustion that I had been fighting all day finally won out. My eyes closed and sleep pushed at the edge of my consciousness.
“Lean against me, Maddie.”
Ryder’s deep voice had me opening my eyes again, suddenly awake and aware of him pressed against my side. As his arm reached around me, I laid my head against his shoulder. Within seconds, I was asleep.
Chapter Twenty–Three
I jerked awake as the truck slammed to a stop, throwing me forward slightly. Ryder’s arm was the only thing keeping me from falling into the floorboard. I sat back up and looked at Ryder beside me. The dashboard lights cast a bluish glow over his unshaven jaw and cool blue eyes.
“We’re at Eva’s,” he said, quietly.
With disbelief, I glanced out into the night. Despite the darkness, I recognized the street that led straight to Eva’s house. I felt the truck bounce as Eva and Brody jumped out of the truck bed. Panic squeezed my heart. I couldn’t leave her! We had to stay together!
Holding back a sob, I followed Ryder out of the truck and watched as Eva and Brody swung the backpacks onto their shoulders. Eva’s blonde hair shined brightly under the moonlight as she walked toward me. I could see sorrow in her eyes but it was also mixed with excitement. She was home.
“We made it, Maddie,” she said, tears falling down her face.
I threw my arms around her as my own tears fell. Loud sobs escaped from my chest as her arms wrapped around me. I didn’t want to see her go.
“I love you, Maddie.”
“I love you too, Eva. Stay safe.”
Eva swiped at her face, brushing away the tears. “You’re a bitch for making me cry.”
I had to laugh despite the misery twisting my heart.
Eva reached over and poked Ryder in the chest. “You better take care of her, Ryder, or I will hunt you down.”
/> One corner of Ryder’s mouth quirked up in a half smile. “Take care of yourself, Eva. Maddie will be fine.” He looked over at Brody. “If you need anything, come out to the house.”
“Yeah, same goes for you. You need anything, look me up,” Brody replied, sticking out his hand for Ryder to shake. Ryder took Brody’s hand, shaking it strongly.
Before they walked away, Brody gave the old man his hunting knife in exchange for the ride. With a final, tearful goodbye we went our separate ways. I was reluctant to leave Eva but desperate to see my dad. Knowing he was close was killing me.
The tears continued to fall as we drove away. I realized that just a few days ago, I was riding down this road in Eva’s truck. The tears fell harder as I remembered how carefree we were then.
“It’s going to be okay,” Ryder said. His hand moved to rest on my leg. The rough pad of his thumb brushed over my skin, reminding me that I still had him and he wasn’t going anywhere.
I wiped the tears away quickly. “I’ll miss her.”
“You’ll see her again.”
We left the town behind and headed for the country. I watched with anticipation for the deserted road that would lead me home. Finally, the old man stopped the truck on a familiar dirt road.
“This is as far as I go,” he said.
Ryder handed the pistol and ammo to the man. “Thanks for the ride.”
“You kids stay safe.”
Ryder and I stood in complete darkness as the truck’s taillights disappeared down the road. Gravel crunched under our shoes as we walked, breaking the silence of the night.
My broken rib protested at more walking but I didn’t care. I was close to my dad. Nothing was going to stop me from seeing him.
I almost ran the rest of the way when the house came into view. No lights welcomed me. Only moonlight led the way, letting me see the old ranch house sitting quietly among trees and small scrub brush.
I wondered how late it was. Midnight? One? My dad was probably asleep. I hoped we wouldn’t scare him by showing up in the middle of the night but I guess that was better than not showing up at all.
Ryder’s steps faltered as we drew closer to the house. I looked around, wondering what had made him suddenly tense.
“Something’s not right, Maddie,” he said quietly, glancing around the overgrown yard.
“Why do you say that?” I asked, trying to hold down the panic that something might have happened to my dad.
“In this heat, the windows should be opened but they’re all closed. Something’s off.”
I searched the dark porch for the potted cactus that held a spare key. When I found it, I dug in the dirt, finally pulling out the key. My hands shook as I unlocked the front door. Please, please be here, Dad!
I took a step inside but Ryder stopped me with a hand on my arm. He pulled me behind him protectively, guarding me with his body. I followed him into the house, letting him lead the way. The hardwood floor creaked under our feet as the heat inside hit us like a brick.
We slowly made our way down the hallway. I stayed close behind Ryder, afraid to be separated in the pitch darkness. He was right. Something wasn’t right.
Knowing the layout of my house as well as I did, Ryder led the way to my dad’s bedroom. What greeted us in his room made my heart stop.
His bed was empty.
Ryder walked further into the room but I froze in the doorway, stunned that my dad was not here. I felt sick to my stomach. Could he be lost? Sick? Injured?
Ryder opened a drawer in the bedside table, no longer trying to be quiet. He rummaged around until he pulled out a flashlight. Flicking it on, he shined it around the room. The beam bounced off the empty bed and untouched surroundings. Everything was in its place, looking exactly as it had when I left.
“He’s with my parents,” Ryder reassured me.
“I hope so,” I whispered, not knowing what I would do if he wasn’t.
Within thirty minutes, we were walking into his parent’s front yard. The house was dark but we could see that windows were opened to let in the night breeze.
“Maddie, if your dad’s not here, I’ll find him, I promise.”
My heart melted knowing that Ryder would do that for me. Just another reason why I loved him.
The wooden porch creaked loudly as we approached the front door. Ryder was reaching out to open the screen door when the business end of a shotgun appeared in the dark doorway, pointing straight at his chest.
Alarmed, I grabbed a handful of Ryder’s shirt and tugged. My knuckles turned white from the tight hold I had on him.
Ryder held his ground, unafraid of the shotgun barrel inches away from him.
“It’s me, Dad. Ryder.”
The shotgun lowered immediately and somewhere in the house, a candle flickered to life.
“RYDER!”
Roger Delaney appeared in the doorway, grabbing Ryder by the arms and hauling him close. I heard Roger sniff loudly as they hugged. His watery eyes glanced at me, widening in surprise. “Maddie! Thank God!”
His huge arms wrapped around me, enclosing me in his warmth. My throat swelled with emotion. Roger wasn’t a touchy–feely kind of guy so to see him like this was moving.
Someone cried Ryder’s name with a mixture of disbelief and happiness. I heard running feet before Janice rushed from the house, throwing her arms around Ryder and almost knocking him over.
“Thank goodness! We were so worried!” she cried with tears running down her face. Reaching over, she pulled me to her. My face was smashed against Ryder’s chest as she hugged both of us fiercely.
After another moment of tight hugs and surprised exclamations, Janice finally let go and held us out at arm’s length.
“I prayed so hard that you two would make it home. Are you okay?”
Before we could answer, Roger motioned us inside. “Let them get in the house, Janice.”
She wiped her tears away and pulled us into the candlelit room. I was happy and thankful to see them but I still wondered where my dad was.
Janice reached up and ran her hand over the rough stubble on Ryder’s chin. “Now I’ve got both my babies at home.”
“Gavin’s home?” Ryder asked with hope.
“Got here yesterday. He’s at your place. We didn’t want to leave it empty,” Roger said, stepping into the circle of candlelight. “There’s been some vandalism around here.”
I hated to break up their homecoming but I had to ask, “My dad wasn’t at home. Do you know where he is?”
When I saw the look Janice and Roger exchanged, my heart sank. She took my hands in hers and gave me such a sad look that my lip started quivering. I fought the hysteria rising up in me. Oh God! Was he still alive?
Before Janice could answer, she noticed my splinted finger.
“What happened, Maddie?”
“She broke her finger and cracked a rib. Can you take a look at her later?” Ryder asked, still standing close to me.
Janice looked up at Ryder, obviously wanting to know more but not asking.
“Sure.”
“What about her dad?” Ryder asked.
She hesitated. A silent message seemed to travel between the two of them. My heart beat faster as I waited for the terrible news that I knew was coming.
“He’s in Gavin’s old room,” she said with a resigned sigh.
I grabbed the flashlight out of her hand and started down the dark hallway, ignoring her attempt to stop me. I heard her plead with Ryder to help but my heart was pumping too loudly in my ears to hear what else was said.
“Wait, Maddie,” Ryder said, close behind me. He tugged on my arm but I shrugged him off as I practically ran down the hallway.
Coming to an abrupt stop, I threw open the closed bedroom door. Shining the flashlight at the bed, I sucked in a shocked breath. My dad was in bed, lying so still under the blankets that for a moment I wondered if he was alive. I instantly wanted to break down and cry but instead I swallowed hard and slowly crep
t forward.
At the edge of the bed, a sob escaped me. He looked so pale and frail beneath the dark blue blanket that I almost didn’t recognize him.
“Dad?”
He slowly opened his eyes. It took a full minute for his gaze to focus on me. With tears in my eyes, I looked over at Ryder. He was standing just inside the doorway, looking pale as he stared at my dad.
“Maddie?” my dad asked hoarsely, weakly struggling to sit up. I hurried to help him then threw my arms around his thin shoulders. I cried as one of his arms wrapped around me.
“You’re here,” he said, shaking with emotion.
I couldn’t speak as I sat on the edge of the bed with my arms still around him. Pulling away, I saw him struggling to speak. I knew immediately that something was wrong. His mouth drooped on one side and his left arm lay limply beside him.
“Dad?” I whispered with alarm. “What happened?”
His eyes were full of sadness. With panic, I looked over as Janice forced her way around Ryder in the doorway.
“Maddie, I wanted to tell you before you saw him. We think he had a stroke.”
I looked back down into his brown eyes as my tears fell unchecked. “Oh, Dad!” I cried, giving him another hug.
“Maddie, so happy.” His words sounded forced and pieced together with difficulty.
I felt Ryder move to stand behind me, giving me the strength I needed to face this nightmare.
“He has some muscle weakness in his mouth and left eye that comes and goes. His left arm is completely numb and he has some trouble walking so he’s been using a cane. Also, his speech is deteriorating,” Janice said, quietly. “With his medical history, I’m almost certain it was a stroke. How severe, we won’t know without tests.”
My dad reached up with his good hand and smoothed the hair away from my face. “So happy,” he said with a crooked smile. I forced a smile on my face, knowing he would want to see it.
Janice walked to the opposite side of the bed and helped him lie back down. It hurt to see her covering up my larger–than–life dad as if he was a child.
His hand reached out shakily toward Ryder. “Thank you. Bring her home.”
Ryder reached around me to grasp my dad’s outstretched hand. “You know I would do anything to keep her safe.”