Keep Going (Book 1): The Beginning by Alex Andrade Page A

coordinates?”
    “Ms. Armijo, you need to understand the chances-“
    “Fuck chances! What’re your coordinates?” Alex growled.
    There was a heavy sigh as if he was battling with himself. “48.370387, -122.323842.”
    From her side she could see Petey tearing the maps off the wall. Most likely figuring out where the coordinates led them and if they had a fighting chance. She chooses to ignore it for now taking notice of the flickering radio. She knew it was only a matter of time before it gave out.
    “Chris, still there?” She prayed.
    “Yeah, I’m here.” Chris answered.
    It was getting harder to breathe. Her chest tightened as her anger drained and fear took over. Never willing to admit it out loud but she needed her sister. Able to sense her sister’s worries Chris gave some reassurance.
    “Don’t die, okay?” Well their version of reassurance. “You’re going to fine. We’re always fine, it what’s we do. It’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to get up here and it’ll be fine.”
    Alex let her sister’s stupid words sink in and she smiled sadly.
    “It’s what we do.”
    “Be safe, Alex,” Chris said.
    “Be good, Short.” Alex chocked out.
    The radio was courteous enough to wait until they were done before shutting down. She stared coldly at the radio, her fingers clenched the walkie, and for a moment it looked like she would burst into tears. Instead all the anger, all the pain and sorrow she couldn’t suppress it any longer. She grabbed whatever what was on the desk and threw it across the room against a stonewall. It was a box holding memories now scattered everywhere but it wasn’t enough.
    Petey and Maggie moved back as Alex swiftly grabbed the lazy crowbar and smashed the radio. This meaningless hunk of junk made her feel happy and had given her hope before ripping it all away. It deserved to have its case cracked open, its wires ripped out and glass shattered.
    The radio protested with sparks but Alex had no sympathy. The repeated beating had soon caused the machine to be unrecognizable. Any sparks or noise abruptly stopped but she did not. Not until her hands became sore from the painful grip.
    Petey stepped cautiously towards Alex. She stared blankly at the pieces of metal, breathing harshly. He wrapped his hand around the weapon and pulled it from her grip. Her eyes were dull and broken, changing only when the crowbar clattered to the floor. Then all her walls her back up hiding any thought or emotion she held behind in her.
    Nobody moved. The only sound was their heavy breathing. Alex looked at the two and saw two different reactions to her scene. Maggie had fear written all over he face but then again only when the radio was working did she not look scared. It was Petey’s face that filled her with guilt at her outburst. He attempted to look calm, his body spoke strength as it stood ready to pounce if needed but his face was carved with fear. Was it because of her or for her?
    Alex looked back at the broken radio. The table had taken a lot of the hit as well, scattered pieces of wood mixed with the metal. She rubbed the back of her neck and evened out her breathing. She needed to collect herself and get them out of there.
    “We pack up what we can carry and we get an early start tomorrow. Petey I need you to find out where the coordinates are and how long will it takes us to get there.” She said.
    Alex grimaced slightly at the map. It was a bit torn and beaten as it had been sitting on the table but it was fine.
    “We can get a car and drive there. Hopefully we’ll find one with enough gas and not any trouble.”
    “And if it doesn’t?” Petey stepped forward. The fear started to slip from his face but he was still cautious of his friend.
    “Then we walk.” She finally looked up at them. “We do what we have to, to get there.”
    Alex hoped that her plan would be accepted, that they still trusted her enough. Indeed Petey did, he was still wary of her and her