The remaining cars yield an SUV and another minivan—both usable. We shove the blocking vehicles to the side and head back inside.
“That’s it,” I say. “Three vehicles with fuel. The SUV can take five, the van another five, and the pickup as well. Should be enough.”
“When do we leave?” Cameron asks as we make our way back to the church.
“Dawn tomorrow. Better visibility, full day ahead of us.”
“Straight to the cottage?”
I doubt we will be able to make it the whole way without incidents. It’s a 5-hour car drive on a good day. “No. Any suggestions on where we could make a stop?”
Cameron’s eyebrows shoot up. “You’re asking me?”
“Why not?” I keep walking, machete still gripped tight.
“Because…” He hurries to catch up, nearly tripping over his own feet. “You never ask for my input on tactical shit.”
“You’d rather I make all the decisions while you stand around looking pretty?”
He snorts, running his hand through his hair—Mom’s nervous gesture he inherited. “Okay. Let me think.”
We pass through the church entrance, locking up. Cameron’s quiet, actually thinking instead of blurting out the first idea that pops into his head. Progress.
“What about Pine Lake Lodge?” he asks. “Remember when Dad used to take us there on those fishing trips not far from here? It’s only a few miles off our route, and it’s tucked away enough that not many people know about it. Plus, it has those cabins spread out on the property. We could rest, regroup… might even still have supplies in the pantry. The owners always kept it well-stocked.”
That’s… perfect. There’s Woodsman’s Supply nearby. Hunting gear, camping equipment, maybe even more weapons.
“That’s our next destination.” I pat his back. “What do you think, how long will it take? 4 hours with incidents?” We’re lucky if we don’t have to walk and spend a whole day getting there.
Cameron runs his palm over the stubble on his chin, calculating. “Normally about two hours, but with roads potentially blocked and… you know…” He gestures vaguely toward the dead we just dispatched.
“We use the sideroads. It’ll take longer, but it’s safer. We’ll need to decide who rides with whom.”
“I’ll take Sienna, obviously.” He pauses, eyes flickering to me. “And…”
“Rosa,” I say. “She’s a priority. We all take one car together.”
He shifts his weight. “What about the rest? Dakota?”
“What about her?”
“Just wondering. I think she’s scared of you.”
I tighten my grip on the machete. “Fuck off.”
“Just saying, bro. You might hate her father, but you don’t?—”
“Enough.” I open the door to our little camp.
Amelia sits propped against pillows, color slightly better than yesterday. Rosa shuffles cards with Sienna opposite her. The reverend prays in his corner. Nicklas paces by the far wall while his wife sits on the couch, reading.
“Where’s Dakota?” I ask
Sienna frowns. “What do you mean? She was just?—”
They all look to the spot beside Amelia.
“She went to get more water,” Carmen says. “About ten minutes ago?”
