The next day after my little (or maybe not so little) melt down, it's time to head north. Canada has done a good job staying out of everyone's line of fire and we had herd it was becoming a safe haven for those in need of help, witch was everyone. It never really made since to me because I know we can't out run the radiation that's quickly taking over the world, but mom was determined to try.
The roads were full of cars that had been abandoned but it was also full of other people, some in cars, some on bikes of all kinds and even some on foot, and I knew we all had the same destination.
We drive all day and all night, and we still haven't made it out of Ohio. We have had to stop for gas 3 times already since traffic is basically at a stand still. And getting gas takes another 4 hours it's self. We were lucking to get any I guess. But as we pull up to a pump for a 4th time things go wrong. A man who I thought looked okay walked up to the car.
"Hi, I'm traveling with my family and we don't have enough money to put gas in our tank. I'm just trying to get them out of here same as you" he said to my mom, sounding shaky and nervous "is there anyway you could spare some money so we can put just a little in our tank?"
Mom looked just as nervous as the man had sounded "I'm sorry but I have to save every penny I can, I'm already struggling to put gas in my own car. I can't help you"
"What if me and my family went with you?" The man suggested "it's only me, my wife and my daughter. And you have a van"
I could tell mom really doesn't want to take them. But still looks as if she's thinking over the idea almost putting on a show for the man. "I'm sorry but I can't help you." I could see the anger and desperation on the mans face as he turns to walk away. That should have been my cue to tell mom we needed to get the hell out of there.
I don't know why she couldn't help him but knowing mom it was probably a good reason, she was all about helping people. There must have been more off about this guy that I just didn't see at the time. We finally finished pumping our gas and start to get back in the old van when creepy desperate dude ponds on the window and starts to wave something shiny and black. It took me a moment to realize it was a gun.
Mom tried to pull away but the man shot. He blew out moms driver side window and told her to "stop". Doing her best to look calm she stoped. "I tried to be nice you know? But I have a family I have to protect too. Now..... get out of the van"
Without hesitation mom unbuckled her seat belt and looked over at me giving me the "it's all going to be okay look" and nodding for me to get out of the car. I do just that and as soon as I'm out of the car I'm pushed back and a lady with dark hair gets in my seat. She looks at me like she may actually be sorry, and as the last girl gets in who looks like she may be around my age, they take off with our van and all of our things.
" desperation makes people do crazy things" mom said as she walked up behind me.
"What do we do now?" I'm curious to know. There's no way we can make it to Canada on foot. And with people like that around we might not even make it 10 steps.
"We find somewhere to call home, and we pray. Thats all we can do right now baby girl"
