Endless Winter (Book 2): Rain & Ruin

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Book: Read Endless Winter (Book 2): Rain & Ruin for Free Online
Authors: Theresa Shaver
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian
Recognition fills his face and he takes a step towards me.
    “Skylar? You’re Rex’s friend, right? I need clean water to help these people with their burns and any first aid kits you might have to spare.”
    Here’s another person I don’t know. My throat closes with more panic and I look around for a safe way through the crowd. It feels like they’re pressing against me even though no one is. The man must see the panic in my eyes because he steps right up to me and takes me by both arms.
    “Whoa! Take a breath, it’s ok. Just breathe. My name is Ethan and I’m a doctor. I’m also Marsh’s Dad. It’s ok Skylar, you’re safe.”
    I’m looking into his eyes and the kindness and compassion there calms me enough to take a steadying breath. The panic is still there but I’m getting control of it. He rubs my arms and nods encouragingly.
    “Ok, can you tell me where I can find supplies to help all these people? Even clean water will help flush some of the chemicals off that caused the burns.”
    I swallow down the lump in my throat but my voice still comes out a croak.
    “There’s a fully stocked infirmary. It should have anything you need. It’s over…”
    I go to point the direction, but there’s too many people between us and the direction he needs to go so I just shake my head.
    “Follow me. I’ll take you there.”
    I don’t check to see if he’s following, I just wind my way through the crowd until I break free of it and finally can take a deep breath. The infirmary is at the far end of the cavern down by the offices and the door to get me out of the barracks. I’ll be able to just show him the way and then slip away to the tunnel. I need to get out of here and back to my own side before Rex tries to convince me to stay.
    Ethan catches up to me and matches me stride for stride as I cross out of the cots and closer to the far wall. I can tell he’s looking at me but I keep my gaze straight ahead, even when he starts talking to me.
    “I really can’t tell you how grateful we all are that you opened up your home to us. I know things were bad with Ted and that Sasha had a hand in that but I hope you can forgive us. None of us would have deliberately caused you or your brother harm or pain. We’ve all seen enough misery to last a lifetime since the bombs dropped. We just want a chance to be safe and survive as best we can. You’ve given us all an incredible gift, Skylar.”
    I still have nothing to say. I hear his words and understand where both him and Lance are coming from but it’ll be a long time before I get the image of a gun pressing into my baby brother’s neck out of my mind. I’m glad these people will be safe now, especially after the acid rain hit but I still don’t want anything to do with them. I’ve done all I’m willing to do, Ben has to come first.
    We walk a few more paces in silence until Ethan realises I’m not going to reply and he lets out a sigh before changing the subject.
    “So, this A.I.? It’s a computer that runs the place? Is there anything we should know about it or how to use it?”
    I feel my shoulders slump slightly as I realise that I’m not going to get away as quick as I had thought I would. When I furrow my brow in a frown, there’s a burning pain on my forehead that makes me wince and raise my hand up to gently press my fingers against where the pain is. I keep walking as I move my fingers lightly over my whole face and take a count of all the small burns on it. I count six spots by the time we reach the infirmary doors. There goes my chance at winning any beauty pageants.
    I palm open the double doors and use my boot to knock down the stoppers to keep them open. The lights come on the minute I open the doors. As I turn to address Ethan, I see him standing there with this look of amazed hope in his eyes that are welling up with tears. He blinks them back and looks at me with a sheepish grin.
    “Sorry, I just never thought I would be in a real

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