>>5128707“Just in time!” Art remarks as you approach the van, “We <span class="mu-i">juuust</span> finished doing all the heavy lifting.”
“No sweat, Stan!” Talbot grunts, flexing his tracksuited bicep in your direction. “I needed a morning warm-up anyways!”
Blowing them off, you turn your attention to Gus and his sister as the former performs one last inspection on his bike. Wasn’t he supposed to leave a while ago?
“Yea.” Drones the delivery man, not even looking up from his wheels. “There were dishes, though.”
Yea, you <span class="mu-i">heard</span>. Tightening one last bolt, a faint smile forms on Gus’ face as he finally turns his attention your way. “We’ll drive with you until we reach town–I’ll drop Marcie off at the <span class="mu-g">PIZZA PLACE,</span> but don’t worry-”
He’ll find you, you interrupt, finishing his sentence for him. Giving you a nod, your neighbor resumes his maintenance while Marcie gets comfortable in the sidecar. “Thanks for tracking me down, Stan. It was good to see you again.”
Yea, you reply, it was pretty wild, huh? Turning to leave, a thought worms its way into your brain–you’ve got her, sure, but what happened to those <span class="mu-i">other</span> refugees?
“Thought you might ask about that!” From the other end of the garage comes Pete carrying two jerry cans of what you assume is fuel–the old man still wearing the same greasy hat and dark shades you rescued him in. “Y’all missed it, but those other folks came into town early in the morning and picked ‘em all up! Said something about takin’ everyone to a <span class="mu-g">BUNKER</span> in the city…”
“Hey, that’s where <span class="mu-i">we’re</span> going!” Eddie announces as he and Kiki finish loading some sleeping bags into the back of the van! “You should come too, Pete–it’s pretty cool!”
“It <span class="mu-i">would</span> be safer…” Tucker adds as he hands a frosty bottle of water to Art. “And the people there could probably use your mechanical skills!”
“Yea, well…” Pete shrugs, taking a seat in his creaky chair, “Maybe I’ll wander on over… eventually. I’m a creature of habit, ya’ know?” Gesturing to the garage around you, a smile forms on the old man’s lips. “‘Sides, someone’s gotta stick around in case more tourists show up!”
“In any case, thank you very much for all the assistance.” Sybil grins. “We’d probably still be stuck here if it wasn’t for your generosity!”
“Hey, <span class="mu-i">mi</span> garage-o <span class="mu-i">es su</span> garage-o!” The shuttle driver laughs! “Least I can do for the kids who saved my life!” Hearing the van’s engine roar to life behind you, you and your pals give Gus, Marcie, and Pete one last wave goodbye!
“Watch yourselves out there!” He warns, returning your wave as you all file into the back of the vehicle.
Collapsing into a back seat, you relish the van’s industrial-strength air conditioning as Talbot and Eddie close the doors behind you!
And just like that you’re on the road again…
>CONTD. 