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  Alec snapped back to reality. “Where were they headed?”

  “That road heads back towards Centralia.”

  Alec nodded.

  Whitford spoke up. “Freddie grab one of those vehicles so we can take Grant and Trent home and give them a proper burial.”

  He tried to be strong but failed; Alec fell to his knees and broke down.

  Ben

  Ben watched as Alec and Jack buried his father and brother. He didn’t say anything because there wasn’t anything to say. He remembered Alec trying to say something comforting but he couldn’t understand the words. His world had ended, his family had been destroyed.

  “Ben I need you to pay attention.” He tried to focus on Alec. His brother’s eyes were bloodshot but he had a look of determination on his face. “I have to find Alya, do you understand?” Ben nodded. “They didn’t stop in Centralia but they can’t be too far. I’m going to find her and bring her back do you understand?” Again Ben nodded. “I need you and Jack to protect our house ok? I’m coming back with Alya.”

  Ben walked past his brother and sat at the foot of the newly covered graves. His world had ended.

  Alec

  “I need you to watch over and protect him.”

  “And who is going to watch over and protect you?” Jack asked.

  Alec threw a bag containing a few days of food into the back of Jack’s truck.

  “I’ll protect myself. The main road heads west so they have to be going in that direction. There are a couple of towns down that way so they will have to stop for gas or food. I can catch up to them there.”

  Jack placed his hand on Alec’s shoulder. “Once they hit the first town they can go anywhere, north, south, even further west.”

  Alec turned on the man. “And what is your suggestion? What the hell do you want me to do, not even try? She’s just a child.”

  The old man looked away and shook his head. “You’re in an impossible situation and I’m not trying to second guess you. I just want you to be careful. Ben is hurting just like I am sure you are hurting.”

  “I can’t take him with me. It’s safer for you all here.”

  “Yes, it is and your sister needs you too. But if you get out there and can’t find her then what?”

  “I’ll find her.”

  Jack gave the boy a hug. “You bring your ass back here, understand?”

  Alec nodded and saw Ben still sitting at the graves. Jack followed his gaze. “I’ll take care of him until you return.”

  Alec turned towards the open road knowing his sister was out there somewhere waiting for him. He wanted to turn back around and look at his brother but stopped himself. He couldn’t waste any more time. He couldn’t put his family back together again until he found his sister. Alec turned on the truck and hit the gas.

  The Remnants

  Book 2 of the After The Event Series

  Out Now

  About The Author

  T.A. Williams is the author of the After The Event Series (After The Event, and The Remnants). He lives in middle America, USA with his wife and son.

  http://www.TheTAwilliams.com/