Sanctuary: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf Page B

Brandon along with them. Samuel looked at the boys as just snotty-nosed, spoiled brats.
    Sebastian was doing his best about being available to the boys for counsel since he found them that day in Rancho Valentino weeks before. He talked to them as much as he could. Luke was a nice kid and easy, but Brandon had been acting out, and Samuel didn’t want him around anymore. This wasn’t the plan Sebastian had in mind, but he was desperate to put an end to the conversation and to get on the road as soon as possible. Plus, if there was one thing he took away from the Marine Corps, it was to adapt and overcome. He could make this situation work.
    To Sebastian’s surprise, Samuel put aside his animosity and gave them a truck for their journey, a 1983 Ford F-150 crew cab, to replace the car that he had arrived in weeks before. For all of Samuel’s faults, being unprepared wasn’t one of them. Samuel had prepared for every event. Most of his equipment, including the truck, had been kept in massive protective bunkers. All of his spare equipment, like radios, GPS, generators, phones, even CD players, he had kept in faraday boxes to protect them against EMP bursts.
    Samuel approached the truck and handed a paper to Sebastian. “Here, you’ll need these.”
    “What is it?” Sebastian asked, unfolding the paper.
    “It’s the coordinates for the people along the way who can provide support if you need it. The GPS in the truck is working fine; I haven’t experienced any issues when I’ve used it since the attacks.”
    “Ahh, thanks, Samuel,” Sebastian said. “Hey, listen, I’m sorry we got off . . .”
    Samuel took a step forward, so he stood just inches away from Sebastian’s face. “You can say your thanks but I don’t want to hear it. Listen, boy. When you leave, don’t come back, you understand? You have soiled the Sorenson family. I don’t want you here anymore. I’m only doing this because my sister asked me too. If it were up to me, I’d toss you out with nothing more than what you came with.”
    Sebastian took a step back. Given the way the conversation went yesterday, he wasn’t shocked by Samuel’s attitude, but he was fed up. He had done nothing to harm Samuel or his family—in fact, they owed him their lives.
    “Guess what, Samuel? We have no intention on coming back now. There’s nothing here for us. You take your bullshit and shove it up your ass,” he snarled.
    Samuel’s eyes widened. “Pack up and leave now! You leave
now
!”
    Annaliese came out of the house the instant she heard Samuel yell, with Brandon close behind her. “What is going on?” she called out.
    “It’s fine, Anna. It’s time to go.” Sebastian turned and stepped away from Samuel.
    “Turn tail and run, boy!” Samuel blurted out.
    Annaliese could see the expression on Sebastian’s face change from irritation to anger.
    “Sebastian!” she yelled out.
    Sebastian heard her but he was too far gone. He turned and struck Samuel in the jaw with a well-placed punch. The old man reeled backward and fell flat on his back.
    Brandon shouted, “Yeah! Kick his ass!”
    “Enough, Samuel, enough!” Sebastian barked.
    Samuel was dazed from the hit and scrambled back to his feet. He charged at Sebastian, but Sebastian quickly sidestepped him and pushed him. Samuel hit the ground face-first with a thud.
    “Ha, ha! Get ’em, Sebastian!” Brandon cawed.
    “Shut up!” Annaliese yelled at Brandon, running to break up the fight.
    “Just stay down!” Sebastian yelled.
    Samuel picked himself up again and was approaching Sebastian when Annaliese grabbed him. Instinctually he elbowed her, hitting her square in the face, with such force she was knocked off her feet. That was enough for Sebastian. He grabbed Samuel by the throat with his left hand and punched him with his right. Finally, the old man collapsed to the ground.
    “Stop!” Annaliese screamed. Sebastian knelt down and struck him once more.
    “Oh my God, he’s fucking up