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

said.
    Rob took a step back and examined the group, feeling more confident. “Each step will be crucial, from now until we get into town.” He looked around. “But we can do this. They’re counting on us.”
    There was no cheering—only apprehensive quiet. However, the group was still seated. No one had left yet, and that was a good sign. 
     

A Proposition
     
    For Josh and the others, complete darkness made captivity even more frightening. The cold cement offered no comfort. Their footsteps and voices echoed in the cramped and foreboding space. Josh felt around and nearly tripped over some mattresses on the floor in the corner of the room.
    “Where are you guys?” Gabrielle said. “Who’s all there?”
    “Take my hand,” Antonio said, reaching out.
    Josh couldn’t see beyond faint shapes, and panic was growing within their claustrophobic surroundings.
    Mark called out to his brothers. “Where are you guys? Where’s Allison?”
    “Right here,” she said.
    Carlos, Gabrielle, and Kelly plopped down next to him on the single mattress. It provided some relief from the hard floor but reeked of mildew and dankness.
    He heard Mark, Luke, and Jeremiah make their way to the mattress near him. Then Allison unexpectedly tripped and fell right next to Josh. He caught her before her face hit the ground.
    “Oh. Sorry,” she said.
    Josh held her for a brief moment. Even with her long-sleeved shirt, she was cold and shaking.
    “That’s okay,” Josh said.
    “Who is that?” she demanded, moving away.
    Josh let her go as she stood up.
    “It’s me, Josh.”
    “Oh,” she said. “Mind if I sit?”    
    “Not at all.”
    For a moment, everyone just sat with little to say. The realization of being prisoners was just beginning to sink in. The room was stuffy and without any ventilation, and they could hear little from outside.
    Frustrated, Antonio spoke up. “So how are we getting out of here? Josh? Anyone?”
    “I’m thinking,” Josh said.
    “Our parents will come for us,” Mark said.
    “You sure about that?” Jeremiah asked.
    “Why wouldn’t they?” Luke added.
    They were getting nowhere fast. Josh stood up and felt along the cement walls as the group talked over one another.
    “What are you doing?” Antonio asked.
    “Looking for a way out,” Josh answered.
    “Good luck with that,” Mark said.
    Josh turned to the group, ready to start using his head. “The mayor says they need us for collateral, but that may change.”
    Kelly gasped. “Why would they hurt us? We’re only kids.”
    “Because they’re bad people,” Josh answered. “We need to escape as soon as we can.”
    “What’s the grand plan?” Antonio asked. 
    “You still have your knife, right?” Josh asked.
    “Yeah,” Antonio said. “And they have rifles. What’s your point?”
    The locks clicked, and the door creaked open. Josh froze and went silent. No one said a thing. A large bearded man with an automatic rifle slung over his shoulder entered the room holding a kerosene lamp.
    “What’s all this chatter in here? You kids plottin’?” He spoke in a scraggly voice as he held the light out, illuminating the room.
    Josh inched back toward the bed. He could see the cracked, stained walls and barren floors. He saw Antonio reach into his pocket and touched his shoulder.
    “Not now,” he whispered.
    The guard took notice and approached, zeroing in on Josh. “You say something there, partner?”
    Kelly spoke up, albeit in a naïve way. “Please, sir. We don’t belong here. We didn’t do anything wrong… Can you let us go?”
    The man threw his head back and laughed. They could smell booze on his breath as he inched closer. “Little lady, it’s not up to me. That would be the mayor’s call. He asked me to leave this lamp being how kids are scared of the dark and everything.” He bent down and placed it inches from Josh’s sneakers.
    Antonio pulled out his knife as the guard rose back up, grunting from the