Snow & Ash: Endless Winter by Theresa Shaver

those kinds of bombs. Radiation from Edmonton will head East with the prevailing winds but Vancouver’s is already heading this way. I’m not sure how much will make it over the mountains but some will, and we all need to be under cover before that happens. I’m taking you guys to the supercenter in Canmore. I need to grab baby supplies and you need to find a basement or stock room to take cover in. If you and these kids want to live, you need to listen to me.” He took his eyes off the road for a second to drill Belle with a look of seriousness. When she nodded vigorously he looked back to the road and continued.
    “The looting shouldn’t have started yet. Most people will still be waiting for help to come. The biggest threat will be people trying to steal this truck because it’s still working. I’ve mapped that town out so I know how to get around and avoid the main streets. We will park behind the store on a service road and hope no one sees us. We go in through the back door if we can get it open and start grabbing stuff. You need enough food for all of you for at least two weeks. This is important! Once you find your room and get it stocked, you need to lock it or barricade it closed and stay in it for at least two weeks. No matter what you hear, you don’t come out! Radiation isn’t something you can see. You have to wait it out to be safe. Once you come out, make sure you are all covered up. There will be ash and it will be dangerous. Also stay away from metal, it holds radiation. Other than that it will be people that are the most dangerous. Food and clean water will be like gold and people will kill for it so be ready to protect yourselves. Don’t trust anyone.”
    Belle was silently weeping as she listened to him but she had a look of determination on her face. I couldn’t believe what the guy was saying as I looked around the sunny early evening scenery we were passing. Except for all the car crashes and the occasional person walking on the road that tried to wave us down, everything looked normal. The world this guy was describing just didn’t make sense. His harsh voice broke me out of my trance.
    “How old are you, son?”
    I scowled at his reflection in the mirror before answering, “I’m eleven and I’m not your son!” I was still angry that he hadn’t stopped to help us earlier and I let him be the target for all the emotion of the day.
    “Sorry, but listen up! You have to help your Mom protect the smaller kids. She’s going to need you to survive this!”
    I glared at him and tried to scream that she wasn’t my Mom. That my Mom was dead back in the car he had passed but nothing came out. His words about helping my Mom had sent a spike of pain and guilt through my chest.
    Belle must have said something to him because he frowned and shook his head.
    “Hey, I’m sorry kid, I didn’t know.” It got very quiet and we drove in silence for a while until Belle asked him what his name was.
    He glanced at her and back at us before telling us, “Daniel Ross.”
    We left the highway just as signs for the town came into view and the guy made turn after turn on back roads until he finally came to a stop. We sat in the silence as the man squeezed the steering wheel and sat with his eyes closed and his head bowed for a minute. He took a deep breath and let go before turning to us in his seat. He looked at Belle and then looked back at me. He looked down at his watch and then addressed us.
    “Ok, the store is just on the other side of those trees. Hopefully we won’t have any problems and we can do this fast. I’m leaving that store in exactly forty five minutes, no exceptions. Once I have what I need, I’ll help you as much as I can but I have my own family I have to get back to. Don’t wait for me; get to work as soon as I tell you to go.” He nodded at Belle. “You, start with water. Grab a few carts and pile them high with as many jugs as you can.” He turned to me. “You, go for food.