Grid Down: A Strike against America - An EMP Survival Story- Book Two Read Online Free

them back.”
    Carlos crossed his arms and shook his head. “No more. We’re done. I’ll shoot that son of a bitch myself and be done with it.”
    Mayra seemed more hesitant to go through with the plan. She set her bags down and approached Carlos with a calm voice. “Rob’s right, honey. We can’t do this alone.”
    Carlos bit his lower lip and glanced at them both. His face was flushed with anger. He took a step back and kicked the duffel bag with his thick, black mountain boot. The bag went tumbling down a slope toward the vehicles.
    Mayra gripped his arm and pulled him to her. “Stop this nonsense,” she said.
    Her touch seemed to do the trick. Carlos simmered down with a look of defeat. “We’re stuck. Our children taken from us, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
    “Let’s work together. We can help you,” Rob said.
    Carlos raised his head. His eyes were red and watery. His shoulders dropped, and the creases in his forehead went away. “What’s the plan?” he asked.
    “We get everyone together. Plan and execute just like last time,” Rob said, patting Carlos on the shoulder.
    Under the cool, gray sky, the group assembled at their meeting place. Mila sat down next to Brad just as Carlos and Mayra arrived. Peter and Krystal walked up, still visibly shaken, with Elliot and Reba at their side. Rob took his place in front to address them. The despondent faces before him were less encouraging. There was no skirting around the issue at hand. Arthur was holding the cards. They were low on ammo. Their defenses—booby traps and trip wires—had been breached, the cabins ransacked, and the stench of death permeated the camp. They needed a plan.
    Rob was certain that Arthur was going to move against them fast. “We’re angry and fed up.  We’re scared and desperate,” he said. “We want our sons and daughters back, and we want vengeance.”
    Carlos held Mayra, who looked close to weeping. Brad and Mila sat huddled together. He put his arm around her and gave her a reassuring squeeze. A tear streamed down her cheek.
    Rob paced the small platform and continued. “For the past two months, we’ve been asking the same questions. Who launched the EMP? How long will it take to get the power grids back online? Where are our government officials? Where are the police and military? But right now, the only question we should be asking is how we’re going to rescue the children.”
    Peter rose from the bench in a timid manner. “Excuse me, Rob. Before you go any further, I think it would be fair to let you know that Krystal and I are leaving. We care about you guys, but we’re not fighters. It’s not safe here.”
    From in front of Peter, Carlos turned slightly. “Mayra and I were planning on doing the same thing. But there has to be another way.”
    Brad stood up. “Agreed. My wife is in no condition to go anywhere.”
    Carlos jumped in. “We need to take action. Mayra and I can’t spend a single night here with our children out there.”
    “Listen,” Rob said in an attempt to redirect the conversation. “This is the plan. The safety of our children depends on how prepared we are to deal with this threat. Arthur wants us to come into town. He’s counting on it. And he’s counting on it because he knows we’re a small group. We’re outnumbered.” He glanced at Mila. Her gray eyes looked fierce with conviction. “Mila and I agree that the best course of action is to find others.”
    He let the words sink in as Carlos asked, “Others? Other what?”
    “People like us,” Rob answered. “We’re not the only ones staying out of sight. South of Rockland Lake, there’s a town. Small town, just like Nyack. We need to check it out and see if we can find people to help us.” 
    Carlos shifted in his seat. “Why would they help us?”
    “Exactly,” Peter said.
    “We trade. We barter. We do what we have to,” Rob said.
    “If you really believe it will work, I’m with you,” Carlos