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talked about. I don't want to be anywhere near any ocean when it hits." Cavan
looked at Keene to invite comment, but in a way that said Mitch was speaking
for both of them.
"What's happening?" Charlie asked as he joined them.
Cavan gestured. "See for yourself. The only way now is back. What we do when
we get to I-37 is the question."
Alicia was turning her head from side to side, as if searching for a way
around. "But . . . San
Saucillo?" she said. "What about the shuttle?"
"What do you want us to do, fly the truck over?" Mitch asked her.
"What's the deal? Are we trying for the long way, then?" Colby asked, moving
into the circle.
"That's what we're debating," Cavan told him.
"Athena's closing in," Charlie said dubiously. "Every tide is going to be
higher than the last."
"How far inland could the next one go?" Cavan asked, looking alarmed.
Charlie showed his hands in what could be the only honest answer. "How can I
tell you? Maybe to
Saucillo." In which case, he didn't have to add, there would be no point in
spending maybe all day tomorrow looking for a long way around. It would
achieve only the guarantee of their getting trapped also. Cynthia moved closer
to Keene and squeezed his arm as if in a gesture of sympathy for how he must
be feeling.
"You people talk much longer, and we're gonna need that boat up there anyway,"
the leader called over at them.
Mitch looked away, indicating that as far as he was concerned there was
nothing more to be said.
Cavan stood waiting for Keene to acknowledge the inevitable. Alicia shook her
head protestingly but could add no words that would change anything. Even
Colby was reduced to an awkward silence.
Keene stared across past the bridge; unrealistic, romanticized images poured
into his mind of
Vicki, Robin, others, waiting somewhere. Everything in him rebelled at the
obscenity that was being forced upon him. His gaze came back to the battered
green truck, weighed down by its almost comical burden of accoutrements. And
finally, the obvious dawned on him.
He stabbed a finger, pointing. "There's your answer!" he threw at the rest of
them. Their eyes
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"What are you talking about?" Mitch asked uncertainly. Keene was past
debating; in any case, there was nothing in the way of reason or logic left
for him to debate with. He turned and began shouldering his way back between
the others.
"What are you asking us to do?" Alicia pleaded as he passed her.
"I'm not asking anyone to do anything. I just know what I'm doing." Keene
walked to the end of the truck, climbed up into the shelter, and began
collecting a share of rations, water, and other oddments to fill his pack.
They had brought spare rifles and magazines. He selected a standard
Army pattern and a pouch filled with clips. Alicia and Colby arrived as he
clambered back down off the tailboard, Cavan not far behind. Alicia gaped at
him for a moment, then grabbed his jacket with both hands, pulled him close,
and kissed his cheek.
"Have you gone completely mad, Landen?" Cavan called ahead.
"Why me? Wasn't it you who was mad a short while ago?" Keene gestured the way
ahead. "You said it yourself. There's people depending on us. You change your
mind if you want, Leo. I'm going on."
"But . . . you heard Charlie."
"All the more reason to get moving, then."
Alicia started saying something to Cavan. Keene came back to the leader, who
was watching, confused. "How far did you come in that?" Keene asked him.
The leader waved vaguely. "Was a long way from south, a place you never heard
of."
"It runs? It's got gas?"
The leader made a face, shrugging. "Well, is like you expect, you know. We
take some from a car we find here, a truck there. But is good for a few miles
yet, sure."
"Okay. Then I need the keys." The leader seemed to hesitate reflexively.
"Hell, come on! It's not going to be any more use to you." Keene said.
The leader stared at Keene for a moment longer as if confirming that he was
dealing with someone crazy, then shrugged and looked away. "Augusto. Come
here," he called, and followed it with something in Spanish. One of the men
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