Dystopia: The Long Road by DJ Cooper

left and knowing they had to get around Worchester and go a more northern route to avoid New York City they made their way to route 9 which would take them north and west.  They made good time and had no problems until they reached the Connecticut River.  Amherst, where they had planned to cross was in flames.  The group could see from a distance the massive fires burning.
    They stopped to look at the map; John stretched it out across the hood of the Mustang and consulted with Ray and Danny.  They all thought it would be best to continue north on route 116 and cross at Sunderland.  It was nearly midnight when they reached the bridge and as they approached the National Guard roadblock John had knots in his stomach.  When Ray and Roger began to pull forward Kevin moved the car hesitantly forward, where they were waved past.  One by one all their cars were waved through the roadblock.  John sighed in relief, hoping their luck would hold.
    They continued along route 116 which they would follow taking other smaller roads and routes into New York.  By the time they came upon the outskirts of Albany it was nearly four a.m. and Ray waved out the window to them to follow up route 22.  They were headed into the Adirondack Mountains and there were not many cities or towns along the route they were on.
    After switching direction and going south they stopped at the lower part of Scandaga Lake.  Ray came to talk to John saying,
    “I think we should make camp here, we can pull the vehicles off the road into these woods and rest up.  We need to continue to travel at night.  It might also help to know which direction we are headed into besides just getting around New York City.”
    John nodded, saying, “We will get some food going and sit down and talk.  You can meet the rest of the group and we will try and plan out our route more then.”
    Ray acknowledged him and said, “I’ll scout around and find us a place to set up camp.  Everyone sit tight for a few.”  After a few minutes Ray returned and led them to an area of trees where they could hide the vehicles and set up camp.  Dickie quickly had a fire going. Amy and Jules were quickly preparing a hot meal for the group.
    They sat around the fire after the meal with coffee and discussions about their next move.  Dickie had an idea, saying, “We need to get some comm's up between vehicles; if we should get separated we need to be able to communicate.”
    Rita leaned into Jules saying, “Comm's?  What’s that?”
    Jules giggled a little and whispered to her, “Communications.”
    Rita nodded a sheepish nod and Jules reached out and touched her shoulder gently saying, “It’s ok, I didn’t know what that was till a short while ago and I’m married to him.”
    They both giggled as Dickie shot his wife a stern look.  Kevin, who was a quiet man that rarely spoke, said,
    “I’m going to do some fishing while we have this fire anyone care to join me.  I really don’t know much about what is going on but think I can be most helpful catching some fish.” 
    Morgan scoffed at him, saying, “Is fishing all you can think about right now?”
    Kevin replied, “It helps me think.”
    John was curious about him with his gentle manner for an obviously strong man and leaned into Danny saying, “I don’t want people out alone can you go with him.  I think some fish for breakfast would be a good thing since we don’t know how long this is going to take we should try and conserve and gather what we can when we can.” 
    Danny agreed and spoke up saying, “Hey Kevin, I would love to get some fishing in mind if I join you?”
    Kevin’s look brightened and he said, “Sure, the more the better.”  Amy curiously watched Morgan as Kevin and Danny left the fire; there was something about this that still bugged her.  She got up and went over to where Jules and Rita were talking and quietly asked,
    “Rita, there is something I don’t understand about what you told