Read Trying to Survive (Part 3) for Free Online Page A

to really see anything.”
       Just as Walt rested his rifle on the window opening and put his eye to the scope, Brian excitably said “Third window from the left, second floor! I see a woman. Look, she’s waving to us.”
       By the time I found the window, a man had joined her. Jenny said “They’re trapped. Look, all the front doors to those apartments are facing the parking-lot.”
       Jenny lifted up from her seat and hung half her body out of the car. She began waving back and motioning for them to stay put. They both stopped waving, the woman nodded and then they backed away from the window.
       Brian said “Guess I’ll just lay on the horn. As soon as they see us they’ll forget about the car alarms.”
       I pointed out “There’s nowhere to put them.”
       “Fuck, I didn’t even think about that.”
       “Hurry up and leave before they notice us. The street in front of this place is totally empty, so we’ll have no problem getting another car. Doesn’t matter what it is as long as we can get it started.”
       Brian put it in reverse and let the car start rolling backward. Jenny said “Good thing these Cadillac’s are so quiet. The shredders would have heard a normal car.”
       I cut in. “I think I have an idea.”
       Once we were out of sight, Brian quickly backed into a parking spot and pulled out so wouldn’t have to continue the rest of the way in reverse. Jenny said “What?”
       “The buildings seem to circle around a small lake, so if we head left at the entrance it should eventually loop around and put us on the other side of the pack. We don’t want to lead them back to the entrance. They might end up blocking us in.”
       “Perfect.”
       “I’ll be the one to pick them up. I’ll wait by the entrance, and once you lead them away I’ll pull up in front of their door. Easy.”
       “Take Walter with you so he can watch them while you drive. We can’t trust them.” Clara said with a dulled, but serious tone.
       I looked down at her and watched as she moved her eyes over to me without turning her head. “Good idea Clara.”
       Walt said “She’s right. You never know.”
       Brian left the complex and drove over to a station wagon that was left in the middle of the street. Jenny opened the door, got out to keep watch and said “Sounds like we have a good plan worked out.”
       When I started to climb out, Clara grabbed my arm. “Don’t trust them.”
       “Don’t worry Clara, I learned my lesson on trust. I think we all did.” I half-smiled. “Everything’s going to be fine. Like I said… we can’t be the only good people left.”
       Clara didn’t respond. She just held onto my sleeve for a few moments, let go and then continued to stare straight ahead. I could feel the anger and concern in her surprisingly tight grip.
       Walt got to the car first, so he hopped in the driver’s seat. “Keys are here!” When I made it over, he said “You’re the better shot, so I’m driving.”
       I agreed and got in the passenger seat as he started up the engine. “It probably won’t be much longer until we have to start jumping any cars we want to use. Good thing that Caddy has an emergency kit with jumper-cables in the trunk.”
       When Jenny heard the old Volvo station wagon come to life, she said “Be careful guys!” and hopped back in the car. Brian leaned over so we could see him and gave us a wave, as if to say “Good luck.”
       Walt flung open the door and yelled “Wait!” as Brian started to drive away. The car stopped and Walt approached Jenny’s window. “Give me your 9mm. It’ll be really hard for James to keep a big-ass rifle on them in the car.”
       Jenny agreed and passed it through to him. When Walt fell back into the car and handed me the pistol, he said “As soon as they get in, you keep this on them. I don’t care how nice they look or how honest they seem.”
       “I know... And