Free Glory (Book 3) by Michael McManamon Page A

now, either. "We were thinking about leaving in a day or two. And we want to bring you with us. That's why we need the wagon. We don't want you to have to walk."
    "What about my parents?" Robert asked.
    "What do you mean?"
    "My parents," Robert repeated. "What if they come back?"
    Jane couldn't answer. Tears built in her eyes.
    Thankfully, Charles spoke for her. "We'll write them a note," he said. "To tell them that you've come with us."
    "But…where are we going?"
    Charles looked to Jane, then back to the little boy. "We're going to find others. People like us."
    "Like us?"
    Charles eyes focused on the little boy's. "People who haven't changed."
    Robert didn't reply right away. He took a moment to think things through. When he was finished, he looked between Charles and Jane.
    "Okay," he said. "I'll come with you. But we have to write a note. We have to tell my parents that I've gone with you. And you have to write your names, so they can ask people if they've seen you."
    "That's a good idea," Charles said. "I can do that."
    "One more thing…you have to let me bring Mr. Baker."
    Charles tilted his head back and laughed. "Of course, we're going to bring Mr. Baker! I wouldn't leave without him."
    Robert smiled. "Okay." He finished off his drink. "Want me to get the wagon?"
     
    *
     
    Jane wasn't going to let Robert outside, but that didn't end up being a problem. From where they were standing, he showed her were the wagon was. She ran out and got it.
    It was a red metal wagon with solid wheels. Jane thought that it would be perfect to carry the boy in.
    Of course, she knew that the wheels might be a bit loud and could call attention to them. But she didn't expect the little boy to walk the whole way with them. After all, they didn't know where they were going or how long it would take.
    She wheeled it onto the hallway floor.
    "This is a good wagon," Charles said. "Very strong!"
    Robert smiled. "It's the best wagon ever. It can carry anything."
    "Well, we only need it to carry you. You don't weigh too much, do you?" Charles asked jokingly.
    "No, not at all. I'm perfect for it."
    "Great." He turned to Jane. "So what did you find to eat?"
    Jane walked over to her backpack and pulled a few things out of it. Once Robert saw the box of macaroni and cheese, he started pointing at it.
    "That! That!" he said. "That's what I want!"
    "All right," Jane said. "We can make that."
    She grabbed Charles' camping stove and a pot and filled it with water that she had gotten from the store. Then she waited for it to boil.
    As she did, Charles and Robert went off to read the boy another book.
    Jane was left alone.
    She could feel all of the day's events come rushing back. She thought of Petey. She thought of Robert's parents. She thought of the little boy's stuffed animal.
    Then she began thinking of her own family.
    What had happened? What had caused this change?
    She was sure that no one knew. It was just one of those things. She'd have to deal with it. Everyone would. Though it wouldn't be easy.
    Jane felt another tear build in her eye. It rolled down her cheek and fell into the boiling water.

Chapter 14
    They hadn't had much of a break walking since morning. Rick wasn't going to consider their little stop at the hill one. All they had done was watch those creatures pass . That hadn't been relaxing at all.
    He wanted to say something about it. Tell them that they had to stop, that they needed something to eat.
    Of course, he wasn' t going t o say anything.
    He turned to his friend. "We gotta get out of here."
    Joe nodded his head. "Should we just make a run for it?"
    "I don't think so," Rick said. "They'd either shoot us or chase us…and then shoot us."
    "So, what can we do?"
    Rick shrugged his shoulders.
    He took a few more seconds to think about. There had to be something. If Carl and Big Mike were busy looking the other way, they could leave. They might even be able to walk slowly and drift out of sight. Then again…
    Carl raised his