Temperatures hovered in the low teens as full darkness settled over the slick, ashy gray town, and the supply trucks couldn't be seen after only crossing the street. When they returned promptly, it wasn't just Adrian who was relieved. The Eagles came in with quick steps, arms loaded with warmer clothes and boots, and with boxes of extras, like books and music, all of them eager for the warmth and comfort of camp. This town, like so many others they had come through, was full of the dead and empty of signs of life.
The guards changed shifts at dinnertime and their fresh eyes swept the blowing darkness around their people, as uneasy as the last men had been, but inside there was confidence. Kenn would get the credit for the good day, but it was Adrian who had listened, Adrian who had made the right choice, and once again, his people were safe because of it.
Kemmerer appeared to be empty, but it wasn't. The noise of Adrian's camp was a reminder of happier, lost times, and it rang through the small town, drawing the attention of the 30 or so people hiding there. They existed mostly in basements and schools now, connected by walkie-talkies. By 10 p.m., a small group of these survivors had gathered, agreed to beg for help. Their town was dead around them, and while they were hoping the Alley people were from the government, they knew it wasn't likely, and were willing to settle for just normal survivors who could offer them a little hope for the future.
6
"Strike! Beat that kid!"
Adrian sat down to record his score as Charlie stepped up to the sparkling, confetti-covered lane, and the leader was glad he'd had Zack cut it down before dinner. He hadn't wanted his sheep trying to eat while the party decorations had hung over them like a neon sign that said "Your world is dead, you'll never get this back." All the other reminders had already been put in bags and tossed in the dumpster.
Adrian hid a wince as all the pins fell again, grinning instead. He had a terrible headache, longed to spend some time in his silent semi, but it pleased him to see everyone happy and he wouldn't tell them to tone it down for a while. They needed this, and right now, he was trying not to get skunked by a 14-year-old with the arm of a pro. The boy was better than Kenn.
That thought made Adrian look around, and he was a bit surprised not to see the Marine. Kenn liked to be the life of the party, and when he wasn't, he was working on things they needed. Was he back in the basement? Suddenly anxious, Adrian stood up, meaning to send someone for him. That ripple of unease grew as heavy footsteps echoed over the noise of the din before he could.