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swing, a dark shape in the darkness. It was no wonder he'd missed him on his way out.
    “Yeah,” he said cautiously. “Enough to make it home, I hope.”
    Fred's voice came from the darkness again, sounding thoughtful. “Hard to scout in all directions with no vehicles, but we've followed all the roads hereabouts for at least a hundred miles while scavenging. Must've missed where you live in all that.”
    He wasn't about to take that bait. “I suppose if we can't make it the entire distance, we'll find a way to haul our supplies the rest of the way.”
    “Fair enough. Got to do what you have to in the world, way it is now.” A sudden twinkle of flame appeared with a metallic clink as the sheriff cupped a lighter to a cigarette, and when the flame disappeared the end glowed orange as he took a deep drag. “Suppose it's useless to ask, but would you consider selling? We mostly want the fuel, but we'd give you good money for the vehicle too. Your choice of precious metals or supplies, enough to set up your entire family here in town for years.”
    Trev fought an uneasy surge of suspicion, telling himself it was a fair offer and he couldn't blame the man for trying. “Newtown seems like one of the better places to live,” he admitted. “But we've got family and friends who need us.”
    “Yeah, I can understand that too.” Fred took another drag, an exhaled plume hiding the glowing tip for a moment. Trev could smell the smoke drifting his way in the darkness. The sheriff abruptly patted the bench next to him, which Trev heard more than saw; a thump of hand on padding. “Not much else to do this early in the morning. How about you tell me the story of how you came by this Godsend? I'll admit, I've been dying to hear.”
    With a shrug Trev made his way over and sat. Fred offered him a cigarette and he shook his head. “No thanks.” With an easy nod the sheriff settled back into an expectant silence, so Trev settled back too and told his story.
    He couldn't think of any reason not to. The Gold Bloc was Newtown's enemy as much as everyone else's, and he felt he should do something to repay the kindness Fred had showed in inviting them into his house and feeding and clothing them. That was almost unheard of generosity in these times.
    The sun was just moments from rising when Trev finally finished. Fred had a few questions about Gold Bloc movements he'd noticed, and the way the enemy treated their prisoners. He was obviously really worried about news on the radio that the Gold Bloc were continuing their invasion, and concerned about the danger to Newtown.
    It didn't seem like it would be a problem any time soon, this far out in the middle of nowhere. But who knew how fast the blockheads would move?
    They were interrupted by the sounds of people stirring inside, and the older man sighed. “The Retaliation, they're calling it on the radios. April 26 th , a day no one will ever forget.”
    Trev hadn't known either of those things. He could've asked Lucas the date while in the internment camp, he just hadn't bothered. “One we shouldn't,” he agreed.
    Fred gave him a sharp look. “The blockheads definitely won't. They're already tearing through the poor people they had trapped in their camps, and hunting down any who escaped in the confusion like you and your family. Most all those folks don't have the luxury of a vehicle, and it doesn't look good for them.”
    Trev nodded and looked away. He'd had a good idea of what the others who'd escaped the internment camp would be facing, but he'd avoided thinking about it.
    “Doesn't look good for us either, if we stay put,” the older man continued in a softer voice. He abruptly stood up, looking rumpled and tired in the wan predawn light. “But that's neither here nor there. Let's see about getting you folks breakfast, then we'll head on over to the General Store and see about getting this truck of yours stuffed with goodies.”
    That suggestion improved Trev's mood