Free Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) by Bobby Akart Page A

have any special requirements like medications, please note them on the notepad or see Gene, Adam, or myself after the meeting. We will begin to pool our limited resources and distribute them to those who are in need.”
    Wren walked to the front of the crowd and began to pass the clipboard around. As it circulated, one of the uniformed men leaned into Wren and whispered in his ear. Colton shifted uneasily as he fixed his eyes on the three men. Alex picked up on his reaction to their attendance.
    “Dad, what’s wrong?”
    “I don’t like the looks of these guys,” he replied.
    Alex studied them further. Their uniforms didn’t match, but there might be an explanation for that under the circumstances. Then she looked at their shoes. They weren’t military-style leather boots. The men were wearing hunting boots like you buy at Walmart.
    Alex leaned into her father and whispered, “Daddy, their shoes.”
    Colton nodded. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re imposters,” said Colton. “Look at how they stand. Their demeanor is off somehow. There’s no discipline .”
    Wren began the meeting. “I’m pleased to let all of you know that our government is hard at work to fix this situation, and they have placed the National Guard on the streets of Nashville to ensure we are protected—which leads me to the introduction of these three gentlemen.”
    Wren explained the men were part of the National Guard contingent assigned to their area. They would be checking on missing neighbors and helping the sick get to hospitals. As he spoke, the clipboard made its way to Colton, and he immediately passed it on to a person behind him.
    “Aren’t you gonna sign it?” asked Alex.
    “Nope, none of their business,” he replied under his breath.
    Wren continued. “These men will spearhead the recovery effort in the Belle Meade area and keep us informed of newsworthy events and further emergency alerts.”
    As Wren spoke, Alex saw Jimmy Holder emerge from around the large shrubs at the corner of the HPA meeting house. He seemed disinterested in Wren’s presentation, opting instead to break off a piece of a boxwood and pick off its leaves.
    Alex took a deep breath and whispered to her dad, “Daddy, do you trust me?”
    “Of course, Allie-Cat.”
    “Okay,” she continued, leaning closer so she wouldn’t be overheard. “I’m gonna leave now, and I’ll meet you back at the house. I’ll be safe, I promise.”
    “But wait,” Colton replied, but Alex was off, casually working her way through the crowd while their attention was focused on the front porch. In less than a minute, she reached Jimmy’s side.
    “Hey, you,” she started, getting Jimmy’s attention. He managed a sheepish smile before returning to the task of de-leafing the boxwood branch.
    “Hey.”
    “Pretty boring, huh?” asked Alex.
    “Yeah. I don’t have to be here, but what else is there to do?”
    Alex thought for a moment. She was sure this boy was harmless. The plan she was about to embark upon could prove dangerous if he turned out to be a teen wolf in black sheep’s clothing.
    She gathered up her courage and spoke. “You wanna go somewhere? I mean, this is such a waste, right?”
    “For sure,” replied Jimmy. His attitude picked up. “Where do you wanna go?”
    “Not my house,” she replied. “My mom’s there, and it would be, well, you know, awkward .”
    “We could go over to my place, I guess,” said Jimmy. “We don’t have any video games or TV though. We could just hang out.”
    “That sounds good to me,” said Alex. “Lead the way.”
    Jimmy ducked around the corner of the house, and Alex took one more glance for her dad, but she couldn’t see him. There was no turning back now. Alex darted after Jimmy through the backyards, the rush of adrenaline providing an exhilaration she’d never felt before.
    She was an undercover operative !
     

Chapter 14
    DAY THREE
    12:15 p.m., September 11
    Holder Residence
    Belle Meade,