Day 40
Darlene had to admit, the wind blowing through her hair and the freedom of the road was more than amazing. She hadn’t been on a Harley since she’d dated Eric White in high school. He was in his first year of college and had a new bike. Her father wasn’t happy at all about it, which made riding bitch with Eric all the more exciting.
She’d never owned a motorcycle, but she’d ridden quite a few around her hometown. Never got a license because she didn’t think she’d ever be able to afford a bike.
Now I have my very own, even if it’s because a family was slaughtered, Darlene thought sourly. Not the way I wanted to own my own Harley.
They’d been following side roads for the past day, until there was nowhere else to go but a main highway.
Darlene, Bobby and Mitch took turns going ahead to scout, keeping within sight at all times. Their engine’s roar and the RV was going to let anyone know they were in the area, but she hoped the sound of Harleys would make someone think before committing to getting in their way. There were enough movies and TV shows where bike gangs created even more havoc in an apocalyptic setting.
This is the apocalypse, Darlene thought. All I’m missing is an outfit from Mad Max and I’ll be set. Warpaint on my face, a mohawk on my head, and blood under my nails. I’d look damn cute.
She laughed at the ridiculousness of her looking like that. If only her father could see her now…
Mitch was up ahead and he gave the signal to stop. Darlene immediately scanned the woods on either side, rifle off her shoulder and ready.
Bobby rode up to Mitch and they talked for a few seconds before Bobby took over the lead, sitting on his bike, weapon drawn, and Mitch rode back to Darlene. He told her what was happening and she nodded before riding back.
Darlene pulled up next to the idling RV and looked up at Herbert, who looked like a natural behind the wheel. He even tipped his cowboy hat in her direction.
“Roadblock ahead. Line of cars,” Darlene said.
“Single-file or packed deep?”
Darlene shrugged. “Looks like a string of cars across the road so you can’t pass.”
Herbert smacked the steering wheel. “I’ll lead. Been wanting to run through something for a while. Take out some frustrations. Cover me as I drive.”
Darlene passed the word to Bobby and Mitch, who lined up on either side of the RV and let it get ahead. Darlene was behind, scanning the woods on either side.
The RV picked up speed, Herbert aiming it for the center of the blockade, between two vehicles.
Bobby, to the left, stopped and raised his rifle.
Darlene followed his gaze and saw an armed man coming out of the woods.
The RV’s impact with the cars, pushing them aside, came at the exact second Bobby fired and the man fell to the ground.
Four more men with rifles came out, guns blazing.
Either they hadn’t noticed Darlene or they were too busy firing at Bobby and Mitch, right in their line of fire, so when she started shooting she dropped two before the others even looked her way.
Bobby fell off his bike. Mitch fired three times and the other two men dropped.
Oh, no, Darlene thought. If Bobby is hurt… there wasn’t enough room in the RV for another person, especially someone who’d been shot.
There was no time to see if he was alright. Darlene fired twice more into the woods around the spot they’d erupted from, hoping to scare away the rest of them. If there were anymore.
Darlene rode up to Bobby, frowning.
“I’m fine,” Bobby said, inspecting his Harley. “Glanced off the chrome and I lost my balance. Any more of them?”
“If there is, they'll think twice about coming into the open,” Darlene said. She was scanning the trees and thought she saw movement but it was far back. She hoped, whoever it was, they were running away.
“We need to catch up to Herbert or he’s liable to drive until he runs out of gas or hits the other coast.” Bobby was up and riding in seconds.
Darlene hung back for another twenty seconds but she didn’t see anyone else. She was glad because killing people wasn’t something she wanted to do. Unless it was absolutely necessary, which these men had forced.
She caught up a mile down the road, swapping places with Bobby, who looked tired. He’d been shot at and could’ve been hit. He needed a break.
We need to find an exit ahead and rest for a while, to give everyone crammed into the RV a chance to stretch their legs, Darlene thought.
So far it was nothing but a winding road into Nevada, the trees getting shorter while the underbrush grew thicker as they rode.
Another few miles and Herbert flashed his lights.
Darlene fell back as Herbert pulled off the road.
“I’m going to run out of gas in about ten miles,” Herbert said. “Maybe a couple of you ride ahead and see what you can find. An exit. A gas station. Abandoned cars we can steal gas from.”
“It’s not stealing if they left the cars,” Darlene said. Now she wished they’d checked the cars in the roadblock. They all might’ve been filled, or at least had a few gallons of gas to take.
Darlene relayed the message to Mitch and Bobby. It was decided that Bobby stay behind, despite his protests. Mitch agreed with Darlene that he needed to rest.
“I’m not giving up my bike to anyone in the RV,” Bobby said.
“No one is asking you to.” Darlene shook her head. “Just take it easy for an hour. That’s all. We need you well-rested. Who knows what’s around the next bend? Pace yourself, Bobby.”
He didn’t look happy but Bobby nodded and went back to the RV with his bike.
Mitch laughed. “Are you ready to ride?”
“I’m not racing you. We need to be smart,” Darlene said.
“See if you can catch up.” Mitch was already riding away and Darlene, laughing, sped to catch him. It was on.