Chapter 21
The climb was everything she knew it would be—both challenging as a rider and a passenger.
There was no way to take a break or try to rest for a moment.
Stopping meant pushing the bike out of ruts in the ground and likely not climbing back on until they reached the village.
Instead, Bella clung to Veronica as they bumped along without ceasing for over half an hour.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, where the road leveled off, both were exhausted and weak in the knees.
She brought the motorcycle to a stop immediately but left it running as they climbed off.
“Holy shit, you weren’t joking about that entrance,” Bella muttered.
Veronica grinned and shook out her arms, pleading with her body to stop aching after the harrowing trek.
Only a few minutes had passed, but she wasn’t going to let down her guard, not until they were at the homestead.
Even then, she would need to gauge the mood around them before letting Bella go off on her own.
The incident from that morning was still ringing in her mind, a constant voice telling her they were never safe.
She didn’t know if that feeling would ever fade away again.
“I really expected to see a lot of people from the community waiting for us when we got here,” Bella said. “Where in the world is everyone?”
Veronica looked down the road toward the village. She suddenly found herself wondering the same thing her new friend was thinking. Though she hadn’t expected to see the entire village out and about, she half expected to see at least a handful of people watching the main road.
“I expected to see some myself, but if what I am seeing is accurate and there isn’t anyone here waiting for us, I’m not really sure.
I can tell you it doesn’t look good, and there should be at least half a dozen guards posted at the entrance to town to keep everyone safe.
I’m not really sure what’s going on, but we need to be careful. ”
“Do you really think something has happened?”
Veronica shrugged. “I have no idea, but without having guards posted at the main entrance, men like the ones we’ve already run into could walk right in without anyone to stop them.”
“I really hope all the villagers are okay.”
“That makes two of us. There’s only one way to find out if something has happened here, and that’s to go into town and have a look around.”
Veronica’s eyes darted back to the bike as she nodded.
Bella groaned, making Veronica grin. She knew just how Bella felt.
Neither wanted to get back on the motorcycle, but the homestead was another half mile outside of town on the opposite side of them.
Pushing the beast that far would be far worse than mustering the muscle strength for one last ride.
As they climbed back onto the bike, she slowly pulled through town, seeing the occasion oil lamp and candle burning in windows but no sign of people.
It wasn’t until they rounded the corner onto Main Street she saw the first signs of life. Or rather, she heard them.
Up ahead in the center of Dodger Run was the modest town hall.
The doors stood open, with lights glowing outside and two men chatting on the steps.
Inside the building, Veronica could hear raised voices and many of them.
As soon as the men outside heard and saw the motorcycle moving in their direction, they were on their feet with weapons drawn.
She knew her headlight had to be blinding and quickly shut it off, letting the moonlight illuminate the road instead.
Veronica killed the engine, but the others inside had already heard the bike and started filing out.
“I don’t like the way everyone is coming out of there. It’s starting to look like we’re going to be in trouble,” Bella said. “Do you think it would be a good time to grab the gun again?”
Veronica shook her head. “As soon as they recognize who I am, everything is going to be just fine. I haven’t been here in a few years, but I think they’ll know who I am as soon as they see me.
It’s really a good thing we are being as cautious as we have been.
This would be a good time to raise our hands and make sure they understand we are not a danger to them. ”
Veronica and Bella both raise their arms in surrender. She knew the moment they spotted her and figured out who she was, they would both be safe and sound. As the ever-growing crowd moved in their direction, she wondered for a moment just how safe they were.
“Are you sure these people are as friendly as you said they were? I don’t think there is a single one of them who looks happy to see us.”
She chuckled. “I promise they’re about as dangerous as a cupcake. Between their religious beliefs and how they’ve grown up around here, I don’t think there’s much to worry about.”
“You don’t think there’s much to worry about, or you know there’s not that much to worry about. From where I’m standing, it looks like we’re in for some hassles.”
“I swear to you there’s nothing to worry about. The only thing vicious about my hometown is the bridge club my mother plays with. Those ladies get pretty shady, and it’s about as close to a fight I’ve ever seen in this town.”
As one of the men stepped forward, Veronica recognized him instantly and grinned.
He held up a lantern, looking at her features for a split second before the gun and lantern lowered to the ground.
He sprinted toward them despite the protests of the villagers gathered behind him.
Ben Arnette was one of Bryson’s best friends.
It was a huge relief to see him there as she quickly jumped off the bike and raced to meet him in the middle.
He wrapped her in a bear hug, calling out to the others that it was okay as he did.
“It’s Veronica Edwards, y’all!” he said as he set her down. “Hot damn, you sure are a sight for sore eyes. You know, I told them old coots on the council that someone out there had power, but they wouldn’t hear of it,” he said.
“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Benny, but they’re right. At least as far out as Cali,” Veronica replied.
“Shit,” he hissed. “I don’t think Pops will ever let me live it down. How in tarnation are you riding around on wheels, then? Good lookin’ ones at that.”
She grinned and patted his shoulder. “Come on now, Benny. You know I’m the best damn mechanic that ever came out of Dodger Run. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to admit it.”
Veronica gave her friend a playful wink as the others approached.
It was a constant battle between the pair.
Benny was the local mechanic in Dodger Run, and every time Veronica came home, they’d spend a night getting whiskey drunk and swapping stories.
Before the conversation could go any further, a familiar face pushed through the crowd.
At the sight of her oldest brother, tears jumped to her eyes.
Veronica ran to him, pulling him into her arms as the tears fell down her cheeks.
Never in her life had she been so happy to see Conner.
“I honestly thought after this whole thing first started, we were never going to see you again. I was still holding out hope that you would show up, but I’ve been worried sick about you the entire time. We all have been.”
Veronica smiled. “The first thing I did when the power went out was prepare to come to Colorado and check on all of you. I knew the only thing I could do was get back home and make sure that all of you were safe.”
“It’s good to hear that the first thing you thought about was family. Though, I have to ask, how in the world did you get that bike up and running? We haven’t seen anything running since the power went out.”
“It’s an old bike and nearly immune to an EMP. The only reason I was able to get it going so quickly is that I didn’t have it all the way assembled when the EMP struck. The fact that it was built back in the forties just made things a lot simpler.”
“I’m glad you knew how to get it moving. How are things out there on the road between here and Cali?”
Veronica sighed and took a look around the group. “That’s something we can talk about a little later. For now, I just really want to get home and see everyone else.”