Read Online Deep Freeze: Protocol One, Book 2 (Protocol One Saga) by Jacqueline Druga - Free Book Online Page A

we failed at the radio, I would charge Gwen’s phone.
    It was a plan.
    It took only minutes to crunch through the snow and make it to the valet area of the main entrance. I pulled the Humvee close to the doors, shut off the ignition and locked it.
    Focus forward, I opened the door and raced in. What was it with me and being clumsy? I ran and three steps into the marble floored entrance, my foot caught it and I careened forward in a slide, before losing my footing and slamming hard to the ground.
    My teeth pressed against my bottom lip, forming the ‘F’ to blurt out, when I saw what I slid on. It wasn’t water, it was blood.
    Panicked I lifted my head, fumbled for my flashlight and called out. “Tony?”
    “An … Anna.”
    His call was weak and breathy.
    I gasped out, hurried to my feet and aimed my flashlight. When I did, I saw the trail of blood. It wasn’t a lot, but enough droplets to make a path.
    Finally, my beam caught him.
    Four rows of slot machines down, Tony was seated on the floor, holding onto a chair for support.
    Heart beating out of control, filled with worry and gratefulness, I ran to him.

At the Bunker – Peter
    Well, that didn’t go as planned . That was exactly what I thought in my first few moments in the dining area just before lunch. I had it mapped out in my head, the ‘Attack on the Gwen’.
    Maybe not so much an attack, but more so a way to find out what the heck she was up to. I couldn’t wait until Anna got back, because I was certain she and I were thinking the same thing about her.
    She paced around like a spoiled princess. Though she didn’t look it with that hair. Her hair, it was my key to open the doorway to a better communication.
    It didn’t go as I thought.
    “Why?”
    It took all I had not to laugh. “Why?”
    She folded her arms and tilted her head. “I will repeat … why?”
    The laugh burst out. “Sorry.” I swiped my hand over my mouth. “Have you seen your hair?”
    She exhaled heavily and tried to get by me. To which I stopped her.
    “Look,” I said, “I just feel really bad. It feels like they are torturing you on purpose. If you look good, you’ll feel good, right.”
    “But why would you do that for me?” she asked. “What’s in it for you?”
    It was a pause, and honestly, I was thinking of how to phrase it. But all that came out of my mouth was the word, “Well,” and she grunted in disgust, pushed me aside and stormed off.
    I think she thought I wanted sex in exchange for getting her the hair straightener. Not sure, but I think that’s what she believed my ‘Well’ to be about. Because, let’s face it, a simple ‘Well’ all by itself is not reason to storm off.
    All was not lost. Nelly, as she always did, had just given the kids their lunch trays. Seeing the trays was reminiscent of my school days and the lunch lady concoctions. She served the kids first, a complete and balanced lunch and then the adults got their food. Never balanced and rarely as nicely presented as the kids’ meals.
    Except for me.  I got a kid tray sans the drink box. It was toasted sandwich day and I took a spot next to Joie. She fiddled with her food, and looked kind of down, understandably so.
    “Hey,” I said to her as I sat. “Toasted egg.”
    “Eggs are boring now.” She lifted her juice box and placed it on my tray. “Is that tea?”
    “Yep.” I gave her my cup of hot tea. “And … to sweeten the deal, when Nelly breaks open the pickles she’s been fermenting, you can have mine.”
    Her little eyes lit up. “Really?”
    “Really.”
    “Oh, I’ll trade a juice box for a pickle any day.”
    “And they are all part of the fruits and vegetables family.” I looked around then placed the drink box in the front pocket of my tee shirt. “So, what’s happening little one? Why so glum?”
    “Seriously?” she asked.
    “Your dad?”
    “And Anna.” She sighed. “I’m worried. No one will tell me anything except they are stuck.”
    “They are. And