All At Stake - A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Thriller (Lights Out in Vegas Book 1)

by Sean Patten

  “Jesus Christ, Justin!” he yelled.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Figured you’d deal better if you didn’t know it was coming.”

  He took several deep breaths before leaning back against the desk behind him.

  “Damn,” he said.

  “But good news,” I said. “You’re not going to get an infection. At least for now.”

  “Oh, joy,” he said with a faint grin.

  He needed treatment, more than I could give. On the wall I spotted the area where the first-aid kit would be, but it was gone. Whoever was here before us must have taken it with them.

  “Listen, J,” said Steve. “I’m…I’m really sorry about Kelly.”

  My response was instant.

  “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “It was stupid to go to the airport in the first place. I should’ve listened to you.”

  “You did what you had to do,” he said. “I don’t blame you one bit.”

  But the truth was I was worried about it. For the second time in my life I’d failed to be there for her, and this time she might well be gone for good. I told myself there was no sense in worrying about it, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. I’d had one chance to redeem myself to her, and I’d blown it—with quite possibly lethal consequences.

  Steve reached over and took the bottle of vodka from my hands, took a sip, and handed it back. I considered having some, but thought better against it. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but I knew being clear-headed and well-rested would be essential.

  Another quick search resulted in a few T-shirts folded and tucked away in a drawer. They looked to be brand-new, simple white undershirts that were possibly kept as backups for when whoever worked her needed to put on something clean. I threw one on, even the thin fabric making a big difference against the cold. The other two I stuck under Steve’s head as a makeshift pillow.

  “We’re going to get through this,” he said, his eyes closed. “You and me.”

  And just like that, he was out.

  I got up from my seat and stepped outside. Once there, I crossed my arms and leaned back against the side of the structure. Off in the distance, the explosion from the airport had faded to what appeared to be a roiling fire, the horizon glowing softly in the distance, like a premature sunrise.

  I listened carefully, hearing the soft sound of gunfire popping from a distance. With each passing hour the world out there would plunge deeper and deeper into chaos. I was about to see just what people were capable of when the mask of civilization had slipped off and survival was the only thing on anyone’s mind.

  But that could wait until tomorrow.

  All I could think about was the here and now.

  Here and now.

  Because I was still here. And, come hell or high water, I was going to survive.

  TO BE CONTINUED