The Survivor Chronicles (Book 2): The Divide Read Online Free Page A

was being passed around as it was jostled about. "We are in the media room in the high school."
    "In Plainville. We are in Plainville high school," another voice, a girl's, chimed in.
    Xander's breath hissed out of him as Bobby's head bowed. Mary Ellen blinked back the tears that filled her eyes. "Please help us."
    "The high school's not far from here." Bobby turned toward Xander again.
    "We may not even be able to help them," Xander pointed out.
    "We'll never know until we try."
    "I know where I'd like to shove that cane too."
    He continued onward for another mile or so before making a right at a set of lights that were sagging across the road. The street he turned onto was pitted and broken, there were a few lost souls rambling around in search of answers that Mary Ellen was beginning to think didn't even exist. Some of them watched the car as it drove by, but most of them ignored it.
    She didn't like being back in populated areas, but at the same time her heart soared at the reminder that they weren't alone, that they weren't the only ones left. In the distance she could see the dim glow of a blaze, but there was little else out there to illuminate the day that was beginning to darken earlier than it should have.
    "What if it's a trap?" Mary Ellen asked.
    "It's not," Bobby said forcefully.
    They passed by groups of toppled buildings, a police station that had burnt to the ground, and a massive chasm that seemed to have swallowed a good portion of what had once been a car dealership. There were more people in the streets near a library, they didn't seem as shell shocked as some of the others, but there was a desolate air around them that brought tears to her eyes.
    She didn't ask what good they were going to be if the people were trapped in the school, she knew they were already wondering the same thing. However, there would be no sleep without at least attempting to make an effort. She longed for a gun as she settled back against the seat and stared unseeingly at the remaining businesses and homes that dotted the landscape.
    "I'm not promising anything Bobby." Xander turned the car onto a drive that was partially blocked by trees and broken road.
    "I know."
    The high school came into view as they rounded the top of a hill. Mary Ellen leaned forward, her hand curled around the back of Xander's seat as her mouth dropped. Most of the building was gone. All that remained was a leveled mess of bricks and rubble. She was finding it difficult to breathe as she spotted desks, books, chalkboards, computers, and other school supplies scattered amongst the mess.
    "Thank God it was summer time," she whispered.
    Xander drove cautiously around the building; parts of it had collapsed into a large crater that he had to maneuver around. "How could anyone possibly be in there?"
    Even as Xander asked the question another "hello!" burst over the airwaves again. Xander was forced to turn the car around and go back the way they had come in order to circle around to the back of the school. She couldn't help but think of Rochelle as Xander was finally able to drive the car around the building where, miraculously, a small corner of the school remained standing.
    "Hello. Can someone help us? Hello."
    Xander shifted into park as he stared at the one remaining area. Mary Ellen leaned forward to peer at the mess before them. "What do we do?" she whispered.
    She couldn't bring herself to move as a sinking sensation began to form in her belly. "Hello." The voice croaked again. Mary Ellen wasn't aware she was crying until a tear landed on her hand. "Is anyone out there that can help us?"
    Mary Ellen wiped the tears from her cheeks as Xander turned the car off and climbed out. Bobby glanced briefly back at her, the bleak look in his eyes wrenched a small sob from her. "We shouldn't have come here."
    "We couldn't not come," she told him.
    His head bowed, he glanced out the window as Xander began to climb over the rubble. Bobby shook his head as he thrust