An hour later, Cory and Ben were still a mile from the ranch. As they were sneaking over the top of a hill, they spied a group of people leading a long line of horses heading their direction. Ben took a knee and grabbed the binoculars. “Who is it?” Cory asked.
“Our guys, but I don’t see Don with them. They’re headed to the cave.”
“He’s probably off organizing the resistance,” Cory said excitedly. They moved down the side of the hill, on a course to intercept the group. When they reached the bottom of the hill, Cory waved to his friends.
Ed was leading the horses and was the first to spot them. He waved back and the two groups shortly converged behind the crest of another hill. Ed handed the reins of the lead horse to Bud, and Cory’s two kids began running toward him, followed by his wife. They collided in a fierce hug, and Julie was crying before she even reached him. Ed walked up and patted him on the back before hugging Ben. Soon they all stood in a circle, with Kate weeping openly. Ann and Mary stood next to her, both weeping and gazing at Cory with a look of profound regret.
“Where’s Don?” Ben asked.
“He’s dead,” Bud replied sadly.
Prepper's Crucible: Volume Five: A Post Apocalyptic Tale Page 11
