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been lost looking for answers to this little mystery.
    “So we have to figure out who’s going? Right now, I can say for certain that Janna isn’t going because of the baby, Angela for the same reason.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sarah begin to stiffen, but I had an answer for that.
    “My brother is willing to take everyone over at his lodge, and I think the kids will enjoy the fact that he can turn on the water park now and they can play all day by themselves.” The lodge my brother lived in had an indoor water park, and for the last year, he had been working on it, cleaning it out and getting things back in working order. I think his idea was to have a place for people to visit when things eventually returned to normal.
    Everyone nodded at that, and it would be a nice change from the routine the kids had grown accustomed to. “So,” I continued, “I’m going, Charlie is coming along, Sarah and Rebecca as well.” I looked over at Tommy and Duncan. “I’m not speaking for you guys, this one is up to you.”
    Tommy looked at Angela and she gave him a slight nod. “Count me in. Would hate to see the last few years wasted.”
    Duncan spoke up. “Same here. Spent too much time out there to see it get wiped out again.”
    I slapped the table. “Good! Settled then. I have no idea what we’re going to encounter, so let’s load heavy. We’ll be taking the truck and the van. I want to get on the road first thing in the morning.”
    The group dispersed to gather clothing and supplies, and Sarah hung back to talk with me.
    “Thank you for not making me stay behind.” She started.
    I pulled the maps together. “I have no idea what we’re going up against, and I need every solid person I can bring with. Hell, after Denver, you can come with any damn time you please.”
    Sarah smiled at my compliment. “Who’s going to break it to Jake and Aaron?”
    I gave her a lopsided grin. “I figured I’d bring them over to the water park this afternoon, let them play a bit, then ask if they want to stay with their Uncle Mike for a week or two.”
    Sarah thought for a second. “Very clever. They’ll never want to leave.”
    “I have my moments. Few and far in between, but they’re there.”
    “Yes they are.”
     

 
    Chapter 9
     
    We spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon getting things together and packing the truck and van. Since we had figured to trade or buy much of our foodstuffs, we didn’t bring much of that with us. A lot of our gear was ammo and fighting supplies.
    Mike was really good about taking the kids and wives. He had more than enough room over there, and the kids couldn’t get enough of the water park. Jake and Julia could swim, along with Logan and Annie, and there was a small pool for Aaron to splash around in with the younger kids. I could sense Mike had a longing to go with us, to play a bigger part, but I assured him his part was huge.
    “Mike, you have to realize that if something is headed this way, you’re going to be busier than hell getting defenses ready. As it is, I need you to think about how we can defend against the worst kind of zombies or renegades.”
    “Is that what you’re going up against?” Mike wanted to know.
    “I seriously wish I knew. But we’re just going to take a look, then get back here to prepare for it. Dot says the problem is for the army to deal with and I can say I’m fine with that.” I was, too. I’d done my bit for king and country, and had only taken this mission because I was doing a favor for an old friend. I hated to admit it, but I was getting older and my luck was only going to hold out for so long. I wanted to see my sons grow up, and running off every day to fight zombies didn’t make that future any closer.
    Everyone settled in early that night, and sleep was hard to come by. Eventually I drifted off, with my last conscious thought being What the hell is out there? If my dreams were an indication, I should stay