Dark Titan Journey: Finally Home by Thomas A Watson Page B

spotted some kids’ clothes and grabbed some for Chip. Then she noticed sippy cups and got some for Emma and Chip, then she picked up a few toys and headed out.
    The boys packed the bags of stuff on the animals. When the girls’ bags were tied on they saw that Nathan had a stack beside Smoke. The boys quickly stowed the stuff. Nathan handed several large map books to Amanda.
    “Put them up,” he said. When she put them in her saddle bag she noticed they were topographic books for several states. “The Sheriff’s station is right up there,” Nathan said pointing and led them to it.
    Like the businesses, the door was closed and the windows were intact. Nathan went over to a squad car and looked inside the headed to the front door. He picked the lock and walked in. The group stayed outside, feeling very nervous. Nathan came out and climbed up on Smoke. “Let’s go,” he said, kicking Smoke.
    “What did you find in there?” Jasmine asked.
    “A note on a Captain’s desk saying a Homeland officer was going to be there the day after the event. I couldn’t find anything with a date written four days after the power went out. All the guns and ammunition are gone. That squad car didn’t have its shotgun in it either,” Nathan answered.
    “What do you think happened?” Amanda asked.
    “I’m not sure yet, let me think,” Nathan said, leading them over the bridge. Strong City was just over the bridge and, like its neighbor, was totally vacant. All the houses’ doors were open but the businesses were left alone. Nathan saw a store up ahead. “John, do we need more food?” he asked.
    “I don’t think the horses and donkeys can take much more,” John answered.
    “Fine, let’s get the hell out of here,” Nathan said, leading them down the road. They followed the blacktop road for an hour, and when Nathan pulled off onto a dirt road, everyone fought the urge to cheer. The road twisted and turned around small farmsteads and, though they couldn’t see all the houses, the ones they did see had the front door open.
    Everyone was lost in thought till they noticed the sun brighten the horizon. Nathan led them off the dirt road, heading to a farm. When they got close they saw the front door open. Without saying anything, Nathan jumped off his horse and walked up to the house with Ares.
    Nathan smelled it before he even stepped inside. Covering his nose, he stepped in. The mess inside had an orderly rush to it. He found the bloated body of a man on the floor with a bullet wound in its chest. He looked around then headed outside and took Smoke’s reins, leading the group to the barn.
    Nathan let the group set up while he walked around the land. An hour later he returned, and just sat down dropping his pack. “It doesn’t make sense. Why this area? The chickens are dead, there is food in the house, and I didn’t find any guns, but a man was shot in the living room. It looks like two big trucks pulled up and left,” he said, thinking out loud.
    “You think because this area is so remote, that’s why they took everyone?” John asked.
    “Most of the areas we’ve been through are in the middle of nowhere,” Nathan said.
    “Maybe they just hadn’t got there yet,” John offered.
    Nathan stood up and began pacing. “There is no way they can round up that many small towns,” Nathan said.
    Amanda cleared her throat, hoping she wasn’t going to make him mad. “Nathan, what about small towns that can support themselves? There are a lot of farms here.”
    He looked at her and smiled. “That’s good, firecracker.” Amanda smiled. “Eat and start watches. I’ll be back in a little while. If I’m not back in two days, leave without me,” Nathan said, opening the door.
    “Hold your damn horses, mister!” Jasmine shouted, heading off the others.
    “I’ll be back. I want to check something out and I can’t do it with you guys,” Nathan said.
    Jasmine closed her eyes. “Be careful,” she pleaded. He just