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

anger but he trusted her. He would always trust her.
    Petey nodded and moved past her to pick up the map. Shaking off the bits of debris he walked over to the bed and laid out the map. She moved to his side and looked it over herself.
    “Looks like it’s up in Mt. Vernon.” He said.
    “That’s about 60 miles give or take. We could make it there in less then a day.” She replied.
    “If we get a car.” He huffed.
    Alex rolled her eyes. Standing up and placing her hands on her hip, she looked sternly at him.
    “Can’t you just think positive?”
    Petey was about to bark back but caught sight of the frozen girl behind them. He rolled his eyes and pointed with his chin towards her. Alex dropped her hands and looked at Maggie.
    They were unsure of her as she barely spoke and acted like a frightened child in need of handholding. Yet when Maggie caught their eyes she merely nodded and moved to them. Standing by their side and looking down at the map for herself. It wasn’t much but they had to work with what they had.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    8
    Alex tossed the backpack on, a sense of peace filling her at the feel of the handle of the machete gently touching the back of her head. She picked up her gun and cocked it before securing it and slipping into her waistband. She wasn’t ready to go back up but there wasn’t really much of an option anymore.
    “Everybody ready?” She looked around.
    Petey was securing his own bag onto his back. It was filled with tools they might need along the away. Cocking his own gun, he gave her a nod when it felt securely fastened.
    Maggie gripped the handle of a duffle bag tightly. Fear had not lessened in her. She wasn’t sure what she was going to face up there but she knew if she stayed close to the two of them she would be safe. Or at least she hoped so. She didn’t verbalize her worries but instead gave her own nod.
    “Okay, let’s do this.” Alex said.
    She picked up a double barrel shotgun and held it tight as she started for the ladder. A step up she felt a soft hand on her shoulder; she fell back down and looked over her shoulder. Maggie’s face was squished in discontent. Alex raised her eyebrow in question.
    “Why don’t I get a gun?” She complained.
    Alex let out a heavy sigh and stepped away from the ladder. Laying down her shotgun carefully she turned to face Maggie with her hands on her hips, looking like a parent ready to scold a child.
    “Stick out your hand.” Alex said.
    She made a motion for Maggie to do so when she made no action. Rolling her eyes Maggie stretched out her hand. It shook noticeably with uncertainty and fear.
    Alex grabbed her hand quickly making her pull her hand away in shock but she held it tightly. Even in her grip it shook. She raised it up so that Maggie’s hand was in both their line of sight.
    “You’re shaky. You can’t shoot a gun if you can’t even point it.” Alex dropped her hand. “Plus you’re skittish. One wrong move or noise and you could kill one of us. I can’t risk ourselves because you can’t control your nerves.”
    She moved past the pair towards the mess of metal and wood. Kneeling down she picked up the crowbar and flipped it around as she stood up.
    Alex tossed it to Maggie who caught it instinctively.
    “This is your defense, this is your weapon. Don’t let it go.” Alex said.
    Maggie gripped it with both hands and twisting it along with the handles of her duffle bag. She was displeased with her lack of protection but didn’t say anything.  Alex picked up her shotgun again and climbed up the ladder, this time uninterrupted.
    The sun was still blazing as the three stood outside for the first time in days. Alex laid a finger on her lips making sure they stayed quiet. Petey and she raised their weapons. The trio looked around the area making sure it was clear yet only two knew what the danger might be out here and only one knew what it looked like.
    Seeing that nothing was around