Free GMO 24- The Coalition- A Tale Of Prepper Survival (GMO 24- A Tale Of Prepper Survival Book 1) by James Hunt Page B

secrecy came with a very high price, and if one of them decided to cash in, then it would put all of their work in jeopardy.
     
    “We are so close,” Emma said, squishing the growing collection of wax in her hand.
     
    “Well, I’m just gonna come right out and say it,” Ray said. “It wasn’t me. I know that’s what everybody is thinking. Don’t deny it. Ol’ Ray Nickle, just trying to save his own ass, but I’m not. So nobody even try.”
     
    “No one’s accusing anyone of anything,” Billy said.
     
    On cue, doubting their own words, they all looked over their shoulders. Some of the other people were caught staring at them and quickly turned back to their smaller groups.
     
    And despite Todd’s hope that the group still maintained their fortitude for the mission, he knew that every one of them would hit the proverbial wall eventually. It wasn’t something he could help them with. Each person had to overcome it on their own. It was a test he himself faced. He just hoped that his peers were strong enough to push through it.
     
    “The soil,” Todd said suddenly.
     
    “What?” Ray asked.
     
    “The soil sample we set east of here. Somebody could have found it,” Todd said.
     
    “It was less than a square foot,” Nelson replied.
     
    Billy turned to cough, sending a spray of phlegm and spit into his shoulder as he tried to cover his mouth. Todd noticed the unusual paleness of his skin and the glossy coat of sweat covering his face.
     
    “Billy, make sure you go see Ben today. You don’t look good,” Todd said.
     
    “Yeah,” Ray echoed, “And I don’t need you getting me sick.”
     
    “Yeah, I’ll see him after this,” Billy replied.
     
    “The probability that someone stumbled upon the soil accidentally is low, yes, but it is still a possibility,” Todd said, turning back to the discussion at hand.
     
    “It could have been picked up by a scout team,” Emma echoed.
     
    “I told you we should have brought it back,” Ray said, shaking his head.
     
    “I’ll go and take a look at it tomorrow. I’ll let you know what I find,” Todd said.
     
    Todd left them without another word. He blew the flame out on his candle and tossed the waxy nub into the barrel by the entrance.
     
    “Todd!” Emma waved her arms and ran to catch up with him. He slowed his pace, and when she grabbed his arm, he could feel the flakes of wax still lingering on her palm. “I want to come with you tomorrow.”
     
    Todd quickly fell back into his long stride. Emma stumbled forward after him, trying to keep up.
     
    “Just hear me out,” she said, sliding over the mud, trying to gain traction.
     
    “It’ll draw too much attention to ourselves.”
     
    “We don’t have to leave together; we’ll just meet up.”
     
    Todd stopped abruptly, and Emma slid forward. He grabbed her arm quickly to stop her from falling.
     
    “Thanks,” she said.
     
    “Emma, it’s foolish. Go home.”
     
    And just as quickly as he stopped, Todd started off again, leaving Emma alone in the street. He knew it was harsh, but now wasn’t the time to be careless. And with the new inspector eyeballing him from across the street, he didn’t want to put her in any more danger than she already was.

 
    ***
    The sun greeted Todd’s sullen, pale face with the vigor in which he received it: lethargically. He scratched the side of his beard, pushing through the thick bracken on his face. His barren left ring finger twitched uncontrollably. He sat there on the edge of the bed, watching it spasm randomly. A reaction to another sleepless night.
     
    The pop of his knees brought a twinge of pain but mostly relief, as his body was thankful to be mobile and active once again. Todd quickly dressed and washed two caffeine pills down with a glass of water. He slipped on his shoes and picked at the flap forming from his loosened sole.
     
    Todd shut the door and stepped onto the grey ash of dirt that was his front yard. All around the