Bug Out! Part 11: Motorhomes on the Dark Road Read Online Free Page A

cans there?” He pointed to a stack of round cans, sitting on the floor in the corner.
    “Wow, that’s a lot of footage,” Howard said.
    “Yeah, hours and hours,” Scott said. “It’s getting late. We need our beauty sleep.”
    “What are all those other film cans?” Bailey asked, pointing to a huge pile about five feet away from the Black Dahlia cans.
    “I’ve only watched about five of them so far,” Scott said. “They were all shot in that studio up front, and in here. Grisly stuff. We’ll watch some of those tomorrow, too.”
    “Well, I guess I am getting a little tired,” Howard said, standing. He stretched and yawned. “Lot of driving today.”
    “I figured,” Scott said. “I’m beat too, and I didn’t drive at all. Let’s go upstairs.”
    “Who am I sleeping with tonight?” Bailey asked.
    “Whoever you want to,” Scott said. “Or alone.”
    “After watching this, it won’t be alone.”

    ***

    “Route 50 should be down this road and to the left,” Hilda said, making the right turn onto the small street. “Side street. Dammit, it’s dark back here. Makes me nervous.”
    “I’ve got my eyes peeled,” Gabe said.
    “Me too,” Earl said. “Is that the on-ramp coming up?”
    “Yes,” Hilda said, eyes darting around in every direction as she drove. She made the left turn onto the highway and sped up, getting to 65 in short order, calming down.
    “That was a creepy road,” Gabe said.
    “This road isn’t much better,” Hilda said. “Where is everybody?”
    “Oh, we’ll see more people,” Earl said. “This is probably the only safe road through Colorado right now.”
    “You don’t think Denver is safe, now that the army has finally kicked the enemy out of there?” Hilda asked.
    “I still see all kinds of icons in the Denver area,” Gabe said. “I know the largest clump is captured, but I’ll bet there are still bad guys on the loose.”
    “Here comes somebody behind us,” Earl said.
    “Van?” Hilda asked, her voice wavering as she looked in the rear view mirror.
    “Nah, semi-truck,” Earl said. “There’s a sedan coming alongside them in the left lane, too. We aren’t alone.”
    Hilda’s phone rang, startling her. She rooted around in her purse, finally finding it by touch, and answered it.
    “Hilda?”
    “Hi, Charlie. You sound like you’re in a car.”
    “Yeah, we decided to head in your direction and meet up with you guys, just in case.”
    “I’m glad, actually,” Hilda said. “It’s creepy out here.”
    “Any sign of that van, sweetie?”
    “Not so far. There are other people on this road, but not enough to make me feel comfortable.”
    “Well, don’t you worry. We’ll be there soon. We’re in my SUV, and the army Humvee is with us.”
    “The privates are coming? Who’s watching the park?”
    “Everybody who’s left there. Dobie and Jackson are with me. There’s still plenty of people at the park.”
    “Good. Thanks honey.”
    “Don’t mention it. Talk to you soon.”
    Hilda put her phone back.
    “Who’s coming to meet us?” Earl asked.
    “Charlie, Jackson, and Dobie,” Hilda said. “Plus the privates, in the Humvee.”
    “Good,” Gabe said. “That’ll make things a little easier. Might even allow us to lay over tonight if we can’t finish the drive in one chunk.”
    “We’re going to lose cell service on and off,” Earl said. “We might want to contact them every ten or fifteen minutes, to keep track of where they are. Sometimes we can’t see the westbound lanes from this side.”
    “Good idea,” Gabe said. “I’ll do that. I’ve got the numbers.”
    “Me too,” Earl said. “In fact, I’m going to call Jackson right now.”
    Earl tapped the contact on his phone and put it to his ear.
    “Earl! How are you, man?”
    “Good, Jackson. Great to hear your voice.”
    “What’s up?”
    “We’re thinking we ought to make contact every ten or fifteen minutes, as long as we can. We’re going to run into spotty