Read Online Grid Down: A Strike against America - An EMP Survival Story- Book Two by Roger Hayden - Free Book Online

her off. “He’s a veteran, First Cavalry Division. One of our best shots.”
    “I know,” Mila said, “but still—”
    They turned right down a road that ran parallel with the wall, looking for any kind of opening. 
    Mila marveled at the concrete spectacle as it passed by their window in a blur. “How did they build this so quickly?” she asked. 
    “Forced labor,” Rob said. “I think it’s pretty obvious.”
    “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Mila said. 
    They continued past several vacant and vandalized two-story colonial homes on the outskirts of town when Rob spotted an opening in the wall—a large gap where construction was still taking place. There looked to be no one around, only some unattended wheelbarrows, ladders, and shovels. Rob picked up his radio. “We’re going in.”
    He moved into the left lane and drove up a grass-covered hill leading to the gap in the wall as Carlos trailed behind them.
    Mila gripped her passenger-door handle as Rob passed the wall and swerved around all the tools and equipment on the bumpy ground. Down the hill, a road was ahead.
    “We can do this,” Rob said as they hit the road, taking a turn into the nearest neighborhood. “Just need to be ready for anything.”
    They jetted past a stop sign and continued down the road between lines of homes where stunned faces watched them from windows. Their arrival was no longer a secret, and things would only get worse.
    Rob held the radio and spoke. “We’re gonna take Main Street straight to Town Hall, got it?”
    “ Ten-four, ” Carlos said.               
    “You okay back there?”
    “ Yeah, ” Carlos said.
    “Time to do this,” Rob said. He then looked at Mila. “Let’s hope for the best.”
                  Main Street wasn’t far—a little over a mile ahead. Rob sped as more townspeople began walking out of homes, taking notice. They looked like zombies—malnourished and wired. What had happened to them? Rob could only assume.
    “Brad, you there?” he said into the radio, hoping they found their positions.
    A few static-filled moments were followed by Brad’s voice.  “ Yeah, I’m here here. ”
    “You make it in yet?” Rob asked.
    Brad grunted. “ Yeah. Just over the wall. About to take positions now. ”
    “Okay. We’re close to Main Street. It’s go time.”
    “ Got it, ” Brad said.
    Rob set down the radio and placed his hand in Mila’s, bracing her.
    A quick turn on Main Street, and he floored it. The Datsun rattled over a stretch of cobblestone road. Faces turned to them from all around. Men with guns just stood aside, confused. Rob zoomed past them. People began following the two-car convoy down Main Street. Mila unfastened her seatbelt and got ready.
    The old town hall building was in the distance—complete with an empty fountain, benches, and steps that led up to the entrance. Wind flowed through the car as Rob picked up speed. No one had fired at them since they entered the main drag, even though many of the onlookers were armed. The plan, so far, was working. They sped past nonfunctioning traffic lights. The street had been completely cleared of other vehicles. Rob’s own shop was only a few blocks away, but he had no immediate interest in seeing it. They had come for one reason only.
    “All teams be ready!” Rob said into the radio.
    He gripped the steering wheel and jerked it to the left, causing the Datsun to screech across the road and fishtail onto the sidewalk, inches from the steps. The smell of burnt rubber filled the air. They slid to a complete halt just as the Jeep Cherokee rushed past them and crashed through a bench, sending wooden slats and metal braces flying. Both vehicles had stopped. Rob shut off the engine and looked behind them. A mob of people was heading their way—lacking only fire and pitchforks.
    Rob and Mila looked at each other, ready to jump out of the smoking car.  Rob went first and pushed the door open with his foot. Mila