THE DESOLATE SOUTHLAND

CHAPTER 11: IT'S A GHOST TOWN

Riko slowed to an idle speed as they entered the town limits.  It usually had people carelessly walking up and down the streets carrying on a normal routine this time of day.  But today it was dead.  Like a modern day ghost town, cars were wrecked, windows busted out of stores and wind blowing debris on the street.  The silence was eerie and gave Harley cold chills up her spine.  Drake had set up and leaned forward between the bucket seats.

Peering out the windshield, "where is everybody?" he asked.

Watching everything with skill and intensity, Riko replied, "I don't know, but this isn't good."

Harley asked, "what do you mean?" With her eyes gazing widely at the empty streets.

"It means that whatever they dropped on us has spread and reached us already.  It means, we are going to have to be extra careful outside of the plantation walls."

"Shit, what are we going to do then?"

"It means we are going to grab more supplies while we are here and get the hell outta dodge."

Listening closely, Drake finally speaks up and asks, "what are y'all talking about?"

Riko glance at him in the rear view mirror, "we, meaning the United States, have been attacked by terrorists. They dropped some nasty shit on us.  So, Harley and me are going to go into the grocery store, load up on as many can goods and anything else we can, then we, the three of us, are going to get the hell out of town and go to my place where it is safe, understand?"

"Okay, but what about me?"

"You are staying in the truck!". Harley exclaimed giving him a firm sisterly look.

They turned into the grocery store parking lot.  Harley noticed a SUV parked in one of the windows.  They drove slowly up and down each lane looking between the cars ready to speed off if necessary.  Some car alarms were going off in the Lowes parking lot down the street.  When Riko was satisfied, he pulled up to the front door, and backed up to the curb.