Read Online The Omega Protocol Chronicles (Book 1): Exodus by Courtney McPhail - Free Book Online

seemed to have no problem speaking on behalf of his brother’s wife. That went a long way in explaining the strange vibe he had gotten from the three of them when they first met. There were quite a lot of unresolved issues between them and Malcolm could make a good guess what was at the root of them.
    But before he could say anything, the radio in his hand crackled to life. “Yo Malcolm, we’re turning onto the road to the outlook. Should be there in a couple minutes.”
    “10-4, see you then,” Malcolm radioed back and then turned to Travis. “I promise I will look out for Jenny like she’s my own sister.”
    It was enough for the man and he shook Malcolm’s hand as the rumble of an engine drifted up the road. Malcolm made a mental note to keep an eye on the Wakefields as a cube van pulled into the lot. Malcolm wasn’t one to meddle in people’s lives but if the love triangle he suspected existed was a reality, it could affect everyone in the group.
    The driver’s side door of the cube van opened and a young guy jumped down. He had dark brown hair that poked out from beneath a blue beanie hat. He wore a black hoodie, bright white sneakers and baggy jeans with a metal chain dangling from the pocket. He looked every part the stoner kid, complete with puppy dog eyes and a dopey grin plastered on his face.
    “Malcolm?” the kid said as he approached them. Malcolm shook his head in bemusement as he held out his hand.
    “Craig, good to meet you,” Malcolm said. “Can’t believe you’re a goddamn kid.”
    “I’m nineteen years old,” Craig said with mock anger. “And I didn’t come in here all ‘Holy shit, I didn’t know you were a crusty old man! Tell me, how’s the early bird special at IHOP these days? Bet you save a lot with your senior citizen discount!’ now did I, man?”
    “I’m only forty-two but point taken,” Malcolm said with a grin. This kid was something, all right. “I’m glad you made it safe. What were the roads like?”
    “Empty. At least the back roads. The main roads and cities are fucked. I picked up some chatter as we drove and the checkpoints have been overrun, either by the freaks or people. It’s chaos out there. We’re on our own now.”
    “We figured as much. We’re planning on heading out at first light, make our way to Shenandoah Park. There’s a place I know there that will be safe. Then we’re heading north.”
    “Sounds like a solid plan,” Craig replied before looking back at the van where a blonde woman was still sitting in the passenger seat. Craig went over and opened the door, beckoning the woman to hop out of the van. “Sorry, darling, I didn’t mean to ignore you. Malcolm, this is Lorraine. She’s a neighbour of mine. Lorraine, this is the guy I was telling you about.”
    The woman approached and shook Malcolm’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”
    Malcolm would peg her at being in her late forties, judging by the fine lines that were showing around her eyes. Her blue eyes were dull as she looked at him, something just beyond the surface haunting them. She looked lost and he wondered what she had seen that had done that. It was then he noted that she was wearing blue scrubs and a plastic ID card was still clipped to the front pocket identifying her as an emergency room nurse. Question answered. If she had been working during the beginning of the outbreak it was easy to imagine what she had seen tending to the infected.
    “If either of you are hungry, we have some snack food from the vending machines. Not the best stuff but it will fill your belly.”
    Craig grinned at him. “We got here just in time then.”
    He walked over to the back of the van to throw up the door and Malcolm shone his flashlight into the back. The thing was stacked to the top with food, a quick glance revealing cans of tuna, beans, peas and carrots, pasta, peaches; boxes of cereal, crackers and oatmeal. It was a treasure trove of food.
    “Where the hell did you get