The Long Road Home

Chapter Twenty-Three

'Can we stop?' Carrol panted near noon. Page glanced to them and saw the four were plastered in sweat and looking beat. They had been walking all morning, and she figured it was a good time to stop. They made a small camp and Page pulled out her map as she sat down.

It took her a short time to figure out where they were. She was not happy to see they had not made it far into Montana. According to the map, they were passing through a state forest.

'There is a gas station.' Kidd signed before pointing to the icon on the map. 'Remember that one we passed by the border? It had a roof over the pumps.' Page nodded smiling.

'That's a good idea Kidd.' She said ruffling his hair. 'I will check the station and make sure it's empty first.'

'What's he mean?' Stan asked sounding annoyed.

'He says there is a gas station ahead.' She told them. 'If they have covered pumps, we can camp out on the roof.'

'It dose.' Victor said. 'How do we get up there though?'

'The same way the station employees do.' Carrol said. 'They have a big ladder in the back we can use. I was curious once and asked.' Page nodded and did some quick calculations in her head.

'We have only four safe hours left to travel.' She sighed. 'If we are going to reach the station in time, we will have to pick up our pace.' Stan glared at her.

'Just who died and made you boss girly?' He asked annoyed.

'Shush now Stan.' Elaine chided. 'She has more experience out here then we do.' Elaine looked to Page. 'Don't worry about us now Page. You set the pace and we will follow.' Page nodded frowning worried.

She was not sure if this group would be able to keep up with her and Kidd. All throughout winter, she and Kidd had spent as much time as they could outside to keep in shape for spring. Except for the supply runs to town, Stan and his people had remained inactive for the whole winter. Page swore she would do her best to help them, but she put her and Kidd's safety above all else. If they risked them, Page would leave the four in a heartbeat.

'We should move.' Page said. 'We can eat and walk.' Stan looked ready to yell, but Victor elbowed him in the ribs shutting him up. The group climbed to their feet and moved on.

'The Mouth is talking about us on the radio.' Carrol said grinning. She had a small handheld radio with headphones. 'He is telling everyone about the hordes of rippers on the move north and how our house was destroyed.' She then giggled covering her mouth. 'I think he has a little crush on you Page.' Page shook her head keeping her eyes peeled. Kidd nudged her and pointed down the road the way they were walking. She saw the exit for gas coming up.

'Good.' She glanced at her watch. 'We have about three hours of day light left. When we get to the gas station, I want you all to hang back so I can check to make sure there are no rippers hiding inside. If there are, we will have to be very careful.'

'How will we get on the canopy if there are rippers there?' Victor asked worried.

'I will show you when we get there.' Page promised. They continued in silence until the gas station came into sight. Page made everyone wait on the road as she approached the building. She walked to the front of the building and peeked in. There was no sign of anything living inside. Page tried the door and found it was open. Inside smelled dusty, with no smell of ripper taint at all. There was a skeleton in the restroom, but the rest of the store was empty.

A quick walk of the building showed there was only one car at the station at all. Page found the ladder Carrol had spoken of and grabbed it carrying it to the front. After signaling the others to come forward, she set the ladder up.