Get Out of Denver (Denver Burning Book 1)

Get Out of Denver (Denver Burning Book 1) by Algor X. Dennison Page B

Book: Get Out of Denver (Denver Burning Book 1) by Algor X. Dennison Read Free Book Online
Authors: Algor X. Dennison
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two days were too awful, and too plausible, to mention.
    As the daylight faded to black a breeze began to blow over the mountains, rustling in the pines that towered over their camp in the culvert. Carrie got goosebumps, partly from the cold and partly from the realization that she was truly out in the woods, with no car and no retreat to civilization.
    McLean built a small fire to warm them and raise their spirits. No one would be able to see the flames since it was down in a depression where the culvert emptied into a small stream. McLean reasoned that no one was likely to be out and about this night to see or smell the smoke anyway. They were still well ahead of any exodus from the city.
    Huddled by the fire with their emergency blankets wrapped around their backs, they ate a couple of MRE’s from McLean’s bag and filtered some water from the creek to drink. It was a beautiful night, and in other circumstances it would have made a perfect camping experience. They purposely avoided depressing topics about the events of the past few days, and instead focused on the future.
    “What’s your ranch like, McLean?” Carrie asked. “How long will we be able to stay there without going back to the city to resupply?”
    “Good question,” he replied. “The idea is ‘as long as we need to’, although it remains to be seen how things actually play out. I’ve been living off my garden almost entirely since last Spring, but we’ll have a lot more people to feed now so we’re going to need to plant more right away. I’ve got a good well, a secure house with enough firewood for a whole winter, and I’ve been working on some sources of alternative power, although it remains to be seen what kind of shape they’re in after that EMP blast. I’ve even got some livestock, assuming they haven’t run off or died on me. I have an agreement with the neighbors to keep an eye on them when I’m away.”
    “You have neighbors?” Carrie asked, stretching out her body along the ground and propping her head in her hand. “I thought your place was pretty isolated.”
    “Oh, there are three or four other ranches and cabins in the area. Good people, all of them. I’ve spent some time with each and I trust them. One of the most important things about a home is its neighbors.” McLean poked another stick into the fire and sat back against his bag. “It’s funny, I’ve only lived there full-time for two years. But it really feels like home to me, more than any place I’ve been since I was a kid.”
    “Where did you grow up?” Carrie asked. “Here in Colorado?”
    “No, Seattle, actually. And moved around more and more the older I got. But a few years ago I decided it was time to settle down and build something worthwhile. How about you?”
    “I was born in Grand Junction. Moved to Boulder when I was in high school, and then to the city after several years at UCLA.”
    “Ugh. How did you like Los Angeles? Talk about a big city.”
    “There were good and bad parts. I’ll admit, I’m glad I’m not there anymore. It wouldn’t be a nice place during a disaster like this one.” Carrie shifted around so her mylar blanket wasn’t so exposed to the fire, and her movement brought her a little closer to McLean. He briefly thought how nice it would be if she’d cuddle right up to him, but it still wasn’t the time for such things. Both of their eyelids were starting to droop.
    “Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to a couple of friends of mine, if they made it out here,” he said. “Fun guys, part of a group that will eventually converge on my ranch if all goes according to plan. We’ll travel together, and they’ll come in very handy for protection and work when we get to the ranch. We’ll have a lot to do to get everything ready for the arrival of the rest.”
    “How many are there?”
    “Ten of us, plus a few additional family members that may or may not show. Most I know quite well, and the others have been vouched for.

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