Read Online Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four) by Kennedy Layne - Free Book Online Page B

was glad he wasn’t here to see this day. He would have tried to be the man he once was and it would have gotten him killed. It had yet to really sink in…the fact that life as they knew it was over. The world had experienced what the nation’s sociologists and expert color commentators described as a paradigm shift.
    Money didn’t mean anything anymore and many previously important material possessions weren’t a concern to most of the world’s population as of earlier today. It all came down to clean air, food, water, and shelter—the most basic requirements of every human being on the planet. And could they gather enough to survive until Mother Nature allowed them to rebuild the world?
    “You mentioned natural mountain springs,” Maxie reminded him, wanting to hear more about the fishing lodge. “Won’t the water become contaminated?”
    “The underground springs are protected enough that it shouldn’t be a problem. The mine provides us access to the springs before they reach the surface,” Berke said, rolling his neck as the initial tension started to bleed off. Maxie was surprised he’d lasted this long, seeing as he’d been driving this entire time. “With the town banding together, there’s a real good chance we’ll make it through this. We’ll have enough hands to tend to everyone’s needs. Everyone will have a job to do and a part to play. Think about it. Military men, farmers, electricians, handymen, cooks, and countless other experienced men and women. Tank is the type of leader to keep them all together and moving in the right direction.”
    Maxie couldn’t say it aloud just yet, but she felt better about having made the decision to reach out to him. Jacob needed to be surrounded by a community of like-minded people and she was grateful they’d made it this far. He’d become rather silent, so she unbuckled her seatbelt and peered over the back of her seat. She didn’t even need to ask for Berke to put on the overhead light, because he did so immediately. Jacob’s lashes were resting against his flushed cheeks and she sighed in relief that he might actually sleep most of the night listening to the hum of the engine.
    “Would you like me to drive awhile?” Maxie asked, settling back into her seat and suddenly feeling overcome with exhaustion. She hadn’t had much sleep the night before due to the adoption appointment this morning and it was catching up with her fast. She’d rather put in her time at the wheel before it became impossible to keep her eyes open. “I can take a turn. They did train us how to drive offensively in the academy.”
    “I appreciate the offer,” Berke replied with a smile before once again enveloping them in darkness. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the black empty night, but she eventually made out that he’d leaned his head back against the headrest. “But you need to catch some sleep first. We have no idea what we’re about to face come morning and I need you alert and rested.”
    Another sense of unease swept over her and she had to remind herself that they really weren’t all that safe inside the cab of this truck. It was only an illusion and she’d been able to keep it up considering they’d seen nothing to contradict her sense of security. That would most likely change come first light and stark reality hit full force.
    “Wake me if you start to fall asleep at the wheel or a threat of any kind appears.” Maxie lifted an arm to rest her head in the crook of her elbow as she leaned against the window. She was very grateful she was able to stay with Berke instead of traveling east with the other townsfolk, though she didn’t state the obvious because they both understood. Instead, they kept up the banter and each of them realized it was their way of coping. She liked it. “I don’t want to find myself dead because your dumb ass hit a tree. That’s a relative boring way to go considering the alternatives we have available to