The Rain (Book 1 - The Unprotected)

Chapter 9 - Paniquer le partage des secrets et des magasins vides.

It was dark. The only light was from the cars as they lit up the road ahead. Courtney understood it now, how to drive. It was pretty easy after a while, although she did almost hit Nate a few times but thankfully no one noticed.

The rain stopped a few hours ago, but it didn't make it any quieter as Courtney could hear Jane and Drew snoring in the back. They'd fallen asleep a long time ago. She looked to the time in the car. '03:26'. She shook her head to stop it from falling against the wheel and pulled her eyes wide to stop them from shutting. She yawned and took both hands off the wheel to rub her face. She placed them back on, gripping the sides tight.

They had left their little town a long time ago, she laughed when she read the sign that said 'Come back soon!' A part of her started to feel a little homesick, she had lived there for 2 years.

They hadn't hit the main road yet only keeping to smaller, less congested roads. She knew they would be approaching one soon though. They couldn't get far if they just stuck to dirt roads. Nate's car pulled to the side and she was ready to follow until it slowed down and drove beside her, she squinted her eyes to try and see through the window but it was too dark to see anything.

The window opened and she could see Nate's tired face, she smiled when she realised he looked the same. Her hand found the button by her side and the passenger seat window slide down making that awful electronic noise.

"You wanna pull over? Get some sleep?" He called out, turning his head to her and then the road. The bags under his eyes were obvious and she could see him stifling back a yawn. She nodded eagerly in reply and pushed the button again listening as the window slid back up.

About five minutes later, she watched as the Range Rover pulled over to the side and she followed. She couldn't see where they were and she didn't really care. She pulled the key out and listened as the engine died and the car stopped rumbling. She sighed and watched as the lights on the car ahead turned off too. She twisted her body to the side and tried to get comfortable. As soon as she closed her eyes, she was out like a light.

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Courtney woke to a cold breeze ridding her of her warmth. She sat up and groaned when she felt the crick in her neck. Scrunching up her face she put her hand to her neck and rolled her shoulder back until it was gone. She turned in her to see Drew and Jane but titled her head to the side when she was greeted with emptiness and a slightly open window. Throwing her jacket off she swung her door open and stepped out looking around for them.

They were parked on Trodds Lane next to a Church. She stretched her legs and groaned as her back cracked. She closed her eyes and basked in the sun, opening them when she heard quiet chatter. Everyone was crowded around the bonnet of the range rover, chatting amongst themselves and eating from tins.

She made her way over, her feet scuffing the ground as she walked. No one had noticed her as she neared. She reached into the back seat of the car and pulled out a tin of beans and a fork, puling back on the lid and dropping her fork in.

She slammed the door, catching everyone's attention. They nodded at her and went back to the map which was laid flat, pinned down by empty tins. Courtney's eyes hung on Nate, blue bags hanging under his eyes and she watched as he rubbed his stiff neck with his hand.

Alex stood in the middle of everyone, having a clear view of the map. "Okay," He started, looking up at Courtney who was stuffing her mouth full of beans, "you marked every road we should take, obviously leaving out the ones that would be jammed and planned a simple route East." He stated, reading the map and following all the black lines she'd drawn. "You think we should head up to Greenwich Park." He used his finger to follow the black marker. "Then down to Rochester. Heading through Kent till we find them." He instructed, lifting his head to see her also staring down at the map along with the others.