My Dead World Read Online Free Page A

fishing or hunting, which would extend our stay if need be. My father argued that we could even ration. The whole point of vital supplies was that should we need to hightail it and rush from the city to the cabin, we didn’t need to bring anything with us at that time.
    In a moment of panic and chaos, a vehicle carrying supplies was a target. That was what Bobby told us. Until he told us it was time to leave, I would continue to bring up items. Not only were our cabinets stocked up there, the supply hatches under the floorboards were getting full. We had cases of water in the well house, as per my father’s suggestion. Which didn’t make sense at first, because we had a well. After thinking about it, I knew he was right. Although the well never froze, it was a possibility, plus what if we had to leave or run, we needed water.
    There were other items aside from water that we purchased. The solar generator would keep the satellite phone charged and the tablet, along with power for the radio. Just because we had to evacuate didn’t mean other areas were infected. We needed to stay abreast to what was happening.
    I had been preparing for four weeks, learning all I could about survival. Reading all about it. I wasn’t going to be one of those ill informed people wandering around aimlessly, and crying. I may not be able to practice what I learned, or even apply it correctly, but I was going to have the knowledge.
    When I shopped, I shopped in different places. I didn’t want someone to remember seeing me constantly buying supplies. I dropped off items in the later afternoon to avoid being seen by the ‘Big Bear Modern Campground’, dwellers. I bought locks for the fences and they’d have to be reinforced if we wanted to keep out looters. As they were now, someone could easily climb over. Barbed wire would be added to the top after we retreated there. Adding it any sooner would draw attention. We didn’t need any more attention, my father had been flagged twice for ammunition.
    I didn’t feel a sense of urgency to get to the cabin, there were even days when I wondered if all the buying, all the purchasing was going to be for nothing. Bobby confirmed that the virus, or whatever it was, had hit Europe and they were still successfully containing it to certain areas. Bobby hadn’t given the go ahead to leave. I didn’t know what exactly he was waiting for.
    He did say the outbreak was pretty bad in Patna. It had spread and local authorities were trying to keep things in check.
    Still, there was no news about the virus, nothing on the internet or on conspiracy sites. I wondered if there really was an outbreak. Had my own brother not told me about it, I would have sworn we were living a contagion version of another, ‘War of the Worlds’ fake out.
    Then as I was wrapping the birthday present for the party, listening to Paul brag about how he was the better parent to take Katie, the news broke.
    It didn’t matter that we were laughing and joking around in the kitchen, the sound of the news story cut through and became the only sound in the room. At least to me.
    It was a short news tidbit. Almost too short.
    ‘Pittsburgh Pirates won their opener, there’s supposed to be a storm this weekend and a flu outbreak has officials concerned. Back to you, Bill.’
    Maybe not that nonchalant, or that short. They basically reported that there was a mysterious flu outbreak, the CDC was not overly concerned at this time, and for anyone who had visited the following areas, please report to health authorities.
    Then following a list of places, they moved on to other news.
    Paul just looked at me. “Well?”
    “It’s like an iceberg. They’re only showing, or know about the tip. It won’t be long,” I said.
    “Won’t be long for what, Mommy?” Katie asked.
    “For you to go to the party!” I said with a fake smile and upbeat voice.
    I had to get going. After dropping off Addy at my father’s I would head to the cabin. I