"Highway 27 is a little two lane highway, but it's the fastest and clearest route to Cynthiana when headed down from Alexandria. The AA highway has become too clogged with cars and carcasses." Driver adjusted the rearview mirror, eyeing the thirty-something woman with the baby face who was nervously hugging an ornate wooden box strapped into the seat next to her. Squeezed onto the other side of the box, her sister. He wasn't worried about their names. Just the box and its contents. And wondering where the hell Allen was. They had almost a two hour drive with only three hours of daylight left. Not a lot of wiggle room in these dangerous times.
"Had to take a last piss in safe conditions. Sorry, couldn't hold it." The wiry man strapped in, nodding at Driver. He turned to the women to explain. "There ain't any safe spots between here and Cynthiana. You got that? We don't stop for hitchers, we don't stop for kids. I mean, if we knew they were real kids, it'd be cool. But they ain't. Even if they're human," his tone became dark, hinting that he learned the hard way, "they ain't. They're all Workers between here and safety. And that means daylight is only marginally safer than dark. You lock the doors, you keep your heads down and your mouths shut. Before we start; you have read the terms and conditions of Fortified Cynthiana and agree to them?"
The younger sister snorted out a laugh. "Only if we get upgrades when we get there."
Driver was not amused. "Listen, sister, we came through hell to pick you two up; shit, we were the only volunteers because of your fancy luggage. If you think they don't know we have you and 'it', you are sadly mistaken. Allen asked you a question. We are taking y'all as a courtesy. We could have just taken the box and its contents.
So one more time. Look at the paper you were given if you haven't already, and tell us: You. Have. Read. The. Terms. And. Conditions. Of Fortified Cynthiana. And agree. To. Them?"
There was no doubt in his tone or body language as to what he intended.
The two girls swallowed down their own secrets and made the agreement that only a few years ago would have meant very little, save to upgrade a smartphone.
"Good. Ink your thumbs. Get your thumbprint on 'em while I get this show on the freaking road. Allen, we got this."
Driver started the engine and the crunch of old gravel as they pulled onto the road was the only fanfare.
YOU ARE READING
Cynthiana by Dark
VampireA group of family and strangers have to get to the city of Cynthiana by nightfall with a precious cargo, before it falls into supernatural hands.
