The Long Road Home

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Romeo followed as the group left the old library and returned to the road. Occasionally, he would let out a loud bellow. Not trapped in a narrow hallway, the sound carried around them and did not hurt Page's ears. In fact, it was kind of pretty.

Her phone chipped again, and again Romeo got excited and started to whoop and bounce up and down. She unclipped the phone unable to contain her giggle.

'Gallagher.' She answered.

'It's me again.' Mouth greeted. I have something for you to hear. Put me on speaker.' Page did as requested.

'Go on Mouth.' She said. There was a crackle and her brother's voice came over the phone stopping Page in her tracks.

'This is Mic Gallagher aboard the cargo ship Trendon.' He was saying 'We are on the coast near New York City seeking a safe port to dock. If anyone is listening,'

'I hear you loud and clear Mic.' Mouth said 'I have you on satellite. The area you are in is unstable. The city is over run with rippers.' Mouth read off some coordinates. 'It is not a harbor, but it is in a behemoth safe zone. If you can figure out a way to get safely to shore, you will be right next to a colony.'

'I read you Mouth.' Mic replied relieved 'Thanks for the assist. I have been calling for hours and was afraid there was no one left to answer.'

'Glad to help.' Mouth replied 'Even happier to inform you that your sister is listening to everything we are saying.' Page's knees felt weak. She had not realized it was a live conversation.

'Page?' Mic asked confused

'Hello brother.' Page said unable to contain her grin. 'I got your message, and Kidd and I are looking forward to meeting you at the cabin.'

'I knew you had it in you sister.' He replied voice full of pride. Whatever he said next was distorted by a loud burst of static.

'Sorry Page.' Mouth sighed 'his ship must have a crap radio.'

'That's okay Mouth.' Page sighed still smiling 'Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to him. Where did you send him?'

'Pennsylvania. It's not a harbor, but it's the closest I can get them to NY.' Several beeps came from Mouth's end. 'That can't be good.' He sighed 'Talk to you later Page.' He clicked off and Page hung up her phone. Kidd had started to sign to her, but Page's attention was drawn to the thin woods that ran along the side of the road. She had seen someone duck behind a tree when she had clipped her phone to her belt.

Page was about to say something to the others when the man Mark step from behind a tree and threw his spear right at Romeo. Without thought, she flung she bow up and caught the tip knocking it off course. The spear went clattering harmlessly on the road.

'You stupid cunt!' Mark bellowed red faced. 'I had a perfect shot!' He marched out of the woods and tried to get into her face, but Page had a good six inches on him. He reached up sticking his finger in her face yet again. He opened his mouth, however whatever he wanted to say, was swallowed by a screech of agony as Page grabbed his finger and twisted until she had his arm pined behind his back.

'Next time you stick your finger in my face,' she growled 'I will break it off.' She let him go and pushed him hard from her. Mark stumbled and fell face first into the ditch. Ignoring him, she went to the spear and grabbed it. After handing her bow to Kidd, she grabbed both ends of the wooden shaft, and broke it over her knee snapping it in two. Page threw the pieces into her cart before accepting her bow back. She looked to Mark to find him holding his bloody nose with one hand as he held his other hand close to his chest. She could tell she had broken the finger and almost felt bad for him.