Scorched
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Once everyone was sitting again and looking to him he began. “Ok, I agree we need to get out of here but I think going thousands of miles across two countries is stupid. I say we head to the coast and get a boat. We sail it right up to Vancouver and then hike the rest of the way home.” he said with a smug smile.
Quinn was looking at him waiting for more. When he realized that was it, he shook his head and said, “That’s it? Go get a boat and sail it away? Haven’t you been listening? Nothing works! Boats have motors same as cars. Even if you found an old one, what would you do? Steal it? We are going to try to buy bikes. Not steal them. Ok, so now you have stolen a boat. Do you have any idea on how to sail on the ocean? Man, come on! At least on land, you can’t drown and what about food and water? That’s almost as bad as staying put and waiting for help!”
Mason gave him a look of contempt and told him, “I’m not a total idiot you know! I was thinking of getting a sailboat so it’s just a matter of getting out of the marina and then using the sails. As for stealing it, well it’s a brand new world and survival of the fittest is the new law of the land. We can stock up on food and water on the way to the coast and we can also fish if we have too. It beats killing ourselves walking or biking thousands of miles. My old man always says “Work smarter, not harder.” Anyways that’s what we are doing and I don’t need to talk about it with you. If you make it home I’ll be sure to have a cold beer waiting for you. You will really need it by then.”
Before Quinn could say anything else Mrs. Moore called them back over to the main group.
Once they were sitting again she began, “Now that we have answered your questions it’s time to vote. All those wanting to head to the Embassy raise your hands.” Alex was shocked that all the students and adults except for Mrs. Moore and her and Mason’s group raised their hands. With a frown of disappointment on her face, Mrs. Moore said, “And those wanting to leave the city?” The ten students with Alex and Mrs. Moore all raised their hands. That was it, eleven people to leave out of the whole class. With a resigned sigh Mrs. Moore continued, “Although I disagree with your decision, it is yours to make. Mrs. Davis will now take over and you may follow her directions. You ten students who are leaving follow me to the side.” As Mrs. Moore started walking away from the main group, Mrs. Davis realized what that meant and immediately started objecting. “What are you doing? You can’t leave! You children join the main group right this minute. You lost the vote so you will be coming to the Embassy!”
Mrs. Moore rounded on her forcefully and told her “Shut up! You are not their parent. They have made their decision and as the adult responsible for them I give it my blessing. I will know that at least some of my students will survive this. Now go back and prepare the rest to get moving.” she finished while turning her back on Mrs. Davis in dismissal.
“Norma you can’t talk to me that way! And what about the rest of the children? They are your responsibility as well.” she said in desperation. The thought of being responsible for all the students erased the smugness of getting her own way.
With a look of exhaustion Mrs. Moore turned back and wearily said, “Mrs. Davis, I will be accompanying you and the rest of the students to the Embassy.”
“But you don’t want to go there. I don’t understand you at all!” she said in exasperation.
“All the students are in my charge. And even though I strongly disagree with your choice, someone has to try and keep you alive and that seems to be me. Now please go back and get everyone ready to go while I talk to this group.”
With a look of disbelief on her face, Mrs. Davis walked away.
“Well if we do make it home, I’m sure that one will have plenty to say to the school board! And I for one would welcome that if it is the worst outcome of this tragedy. Now we must make haste as time is slipping away! Have you all decided what to do?” Mrs. Moore looked to the group expectantly.
Alex couldn’t believe what was happening. “Why aren’t they listening Mrs. Moore? This is crazy. Please come with us!”
Mrs. Moore turned to Alex with a sad smile and said, “Alex I’m sorry, I can’t go with you. Most people are sheep. They can’t think for themselves. They will only follow and look to others to take care of them. You students are all leaders and I know that you will do fine without me. The rest will need to be taken care of and I believe it will be up to me to do that.” She turned back to the group, “What have you decided?”
Mason began by explaining to Mrs. Moore his sailing ideas and Quinn explained his.
“Alright, both are sound ideas. Are you sure that you won’t stay together?”
At the boys and their friend’s negative answers, she said, “I am positive that you would do better if you stayed together but there is also a better chance of at least one group making it. So that’s that. Mason, there is not a lot of advice I can give you about sailing but I will say this. Work together as a team. Stay vigilant for danger and don’t give trust easily to strangers. The best judge will be your intuition. Also be reminded that even though this is a new lawless land you are setting out in, you will have to live with the decisions that you make along the way. Help others when you can but always keep your group’s safety as a priority. Good luck to you and may God watch over you.” With that, she gave him a pat on the back and nods to Lisa and Mark.
She turned to Quinn and said, “I don’t know which group will have the hardest journey so all I have said applies to you as well. Your journey will be more physically demanding, so rest when you feel safe but don’t waste time. The longer this goes on the worse conditions will get and the worse people will behave. Remember that it is a different world out there and some rules will have to change. If you feel threatened do not hesitate to take action and if you are truly in a situation where it is your life against someone else, act accordingly. Do not let that burden you deeply as you are not only saving your own life but probably others in the future. Do you understand what I am saying?” She looked around and met all of our eyes.
Alex spoke up clearly, “If someone is trying to kill or hurt us, we should defend ourselves and if it means that person dies we shouldn’t fall apart over it. Is that what you mean?”
“Yes” was all Mrs. Moore said.
“Alright Mason, you, Lisa and Mark should go now. Stop at the closest convenience store and get a map and some water. The sooner the better, it’s going to get crazy out in the city soon.” Mrs. Moore stood to see them off.
“Emily is coming too,” Mason announced.
Alex‘s immediate response was, “No she is not!” and turned to face Emily who was looking down quietly crying.
“Emily?” Alex asked. “What’s he talking about? You can’t go with them! You can’t leave me.” Alex cried.
Emily looked up and met her best friend’s eyes, “I’m sorry Lex. I’m going with Mason.”
Start a new adventure with LAND - A Stranded Novel!
Also By Theresa Shaver
Endless Winter
Snow and Ash
Rain and Ruin
Sun and Smoke
Coming Soon – Fire and Fury
Stranded
Stranded Box Set – Books 1-3
Land
Sea
Home
City Escape
Frozen
Watch for more at www.theresashaver.com
Did you love Scorched? Then you should read Snow & Ash by Theresa Shaver!
Snow and Ash, An Endless Winter NovelBook 1Bomb after bomb dropped across the globe sending the world tumbling into a seemingly never ending nuclear winter.Skylar Ross is ten that day when she's ripped from dance classes and sleepovers to being an orphan in a prepper's paradise of a mountain bunker. Her determination to protect her baby brother keeps her locked away with nothing but responsibility and loneliness. Her father's words are a continuous echo, "Trust no one. Help no one."Rex Larson is eleven that day. He's left stranded on the side of the road in a strange place far from home
when his mother dies the first day. With his own small brother to look after he is lost and alone. Rex has no choice but to trust complete strangers with his and his brother's future.Two different survivors in two different circumstances spend the next seven years trying to survive until an explosive meeting changes both their courses and lives forever. Trust is almost impossible when your whole life is spent in the Snow & Ash.
Read more at Theresa Shaver’s site.