Darkness on a Pale Blue Stone Read Online Free Page B

the middle of the road. Gresson led them to the sidewalk as the man cried out for help.
    Michael began to walk toward the man. Gresson grabbed him.
    "We don't have time," he said.
    Michael, though mentally exhausted, gave Gresson a bewildered look. "What is wrong with you?" he asked, angrily. His frustration over his family being in a place like this, beyond his ability to protect, had reached its limit. He wanted to do something. He didn't care what, just something.
    "I'm taking a big risk just to bring along your family. The last thing we need is anything to slow us down," Gresson argued. Michael shook his head. "Listen Michael, it's possible that if we don't get to our destination in time, it won't matter how many people we stop and help today. They could all die."
    Michael paused, believing he recognized Gresson's voice. Before he could say anything in response, Adam ran over to the elderly man. Though tired, Adam still held on to his compassion, somewhere among the trances of feeling he still had left.
    Gresson sighed and watched as Adam helped the man to his feet and aided him into a nearby house. When Adam returned, he said, "The guy just wanted help into his home."
    Uninterested, Gresson curtly replied, "Keep moving."
    The group continued to walk for another hour. They were soaked from the rain, which showed no sign of stopping. Marie began to complain about her hurting feet. Gresson assured her they were close to their destination.
    After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived. Before them was a large department store. The building was boarded up and no one seemed to be around.
    The group made their way to the back of the building. Gresson knocked on a door. Within seconds, the door was opened by a pale man wearing a button-down shirt and dark pants.
    "Hey," he said softly.
    They all went inside. The pale man directed them to a nearby room where there were a few chairs around a table. Lanterns lit up the room.
    Michael took the opportunity to examine his family's ominous leader. For the first time, he could clearly see the tall man's face. His eyes widened and mouth gaped when he recognized him.
    "President Gresson?"
     

Chapter 4
     
    Staten Island - August 3, 2072
     
    The Case family looked in shock at the former President of the United States. For a few moments, no one said anything.
    The pale man, now standing against the corner of the room, broke the silence. "Yeah, it freaked me out too. Don't bother asking him anything, though. Doesn't like to say much." The man turned to Gresson. "For example, you never told me you were bringing company."
    Gresson took a seat at the table and replied, "Wasn't exactly part of the plan."
    The pale man scoffed and asked, "What exactly is the plan?"
    Gresson folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. "We stay here for the night. Tomorrow morning the Cases and I will head out for our next destination."
    "Which is?" Michael asked. Considering his current state of shock, he would have been unfazed if Gresson said a different planet.
    "Your company has a facility outside of Charleston, correct?" Gresson asked.
    Michael nodded and curiously asked, "Why are we going there?"
    Gresson said, "We need to pick something up."
    "And I suppose we don't have a choice?" Michael asked with a angry tone.
    "You do not. Your family, however, can do whatever they want. Considering the conditions outside, my advice would be that they take the opportunity and join us for safe passage."
    "Safe passage to where?" Alice asked.
    "Somewhere safe, I assure you," Gresson replied. He stood up and left the room.
    The Case family looked at each other, no one knowing what to say. The pale man took a seat on the far side of the table. Michael looked over and asked, "So, who are you?"
    "My name's Sean. Sean Pallard. I am... or I guess was, the manager of this place. Who are you?"
    "I'm Michael. This is my wife, Alice, and our son, Adam, and daughter, Marie." Sean nodded at them.
    "Do you have any idea what