Alone, Book 3: The Journey by Darrell Maloney

mister?”
         “As I said, I got separated from my family. I’m headed up to Kansas City to see if they’ve survived. If they’re still alive, I’m bringing them back to San Antonio with me.”
         “That’s all well and good, mister. But that still don’t explain what these jars full of food are all about.”
         “I’m stashing them along the way, so that on our way back we’ll have an easier time of it, that’s all. We’ll spend less time having to forage for food and water and more time moving.”
         Dakota nodded. Dave’s plan seemed to make sense.
         He rifled through the jar, which contained protein and granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, dry cereal, and jerky.
         Dakota took out one of the bags of jerky and raised an eyebrow.
         “I hope like hell this isn’t our beef.”
         “No, sir. Try it. It’s rabbit. Taste for yourself.”
         “Don’t believe I’ve ever had rabbit jerky.”
         Nonetheless, Dakota pulled a small piece from the bag and popped it into his mouth.
         “Well, I have,” Shadow said. Toss that bag up here.”
         Dakota resealed the bag and tossed it to Shadow, who was still sitting atop his big bay.
         Shadow took out a big piece and bit off a chunk.
         “He’s telling the truth. It’s rabbit.”
         Dakota said, “Well, I have to say, it’s right tasty.”
         Dave, in a gesture of good will, said, “Keep the bag. Enjoy it with my compliments.”
         Stan stifled a laugh, then said, “Hell, we’ll keep everything you got if we want to, mister. Stop trying to sound so damn generous.”
         Dakota, verifying to Dave that he was, indeed, in charge, turned to Stan.
         “Shut up, Stan. If we steal from this man what’s rightfully his, then we ain’t no better than the poachers we’re after.”
         He turned back to Dave.
         “You say your family’s in Kansas City?”
         “Yes, sir.”
         “That’s a long way, and it won’t be an easy trip.”
         “No, sir.”
         “You’re smart to move at night. I don’t suppose you’d consider trading this rig for a good saddle horse and gear?”
         Dave started to speak, but held his tongue.
         Dakota seemed to sense that Dave was looking for the right words.
         “Go ahead. You can speak freely.”
         Dave said, “Well, it’s like this. You’ve got the drop on me. You can take my vehicle whether I want to trade or not. If that’s your intention, then yes. I think the least you can do is to give me a horse and tack to aid me in my journey.
         “But… if you are honest men like you claim to be, then you’ll respect my property just like I’ve respected yours. You’ll let me go in peace.”
         Dakota surprised Dave by extending his hand.
         “Well, friend. We are indeed honest men. And we will let you leave with everything you brought with you, save the bag of rabbit jerky you gave me. And thank you for that, by the way. Before you leave, though, would you tell us if it’s possible to get any of our own vehicles running?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 19
     
          Dave could have lied to the cowboys. Filled their heads with dreams so they’d be more apt to let him keep his Explorer and go unscathed.
         But Dave wasn’t that way. He hadn’t lied very many times in his life, and he hadn’t done it often enough to be any good at it.
         They’d have seen right through him.
         “I can’t promise you anything. But I’ve always had a theory that perhaps some of the parts on the shelves in parts stores may have survived the electromagnet waves. I have a clock that was lying on my daughter’s dresser on the day of the blackout. It wasn’t plugged in, because the alarm was broken and we got her a new one.
         “On a