“Glad I came this way then,” he said. “I’ve seen enough dead bodies to last me a lifetime.”
“It was pretty bad,” I said.
“What were they doing? Fighting?” Archer asked.
I shrugged. “We were forced out of town at gunpoint. I think we’re lucky they didn’t kill us too.”
“Maybe you’re alive because you didn’t take anything from them,” Archer said. “People are getting greedy. Hoarding anything they can get their hands on.”
“Do you think help will come?” I asked.
“You want the truth?”
My head bobbed slowly.
“I don’t think there will be any help, but I do think that some groups will figure out a way to live again,” Archer said. “One day, maybe not even in our lifetime, things will be kind of normal again. For a long time, though, we’re going to be living off the land, fighting for survival.”
“Why can’t people just work together?” I asked.
Archer sighed. “There isn’t enough for everyone. Just think of how many people already must have died. People in hospitals. People that require medicine. I don’t think most people realize how much we depended on electricity, computers, communication, and transportation.”
“Well, they realize now,” I said, yawning again.
“Why don’t you get some sleep,” Archer said. “All this talk is going to give you nightmares.”
“I really should get some sleep,” I said. “The wine has made me extra tired.”
Archer raised a brow. “Just the wine, huh?”
“Not just the wine,” I said, biting my lip. “Are you going to run off, or will I see you in the morning?”
Archer smirked. “I can’t give away spoilers.”
“Good night,” I said, backing away toward the stairs.
He leaned back, resting his head on the armrest. “Good night, Mel Carter.”
26
I used a brush in the bathroom to comb through my messy hair. There was probably a fifty-fifty chance that Archer had actually stayed.
After changing my shirt, I went downstairs where everyone was gathered around the table. Heat filled my cheeks when I saw Archer.
“Hey, look who finally woke up,” Archer said.
“Morning,” I said, crossing my arms. “What are we all doing?”
Sam pressed her palms together. She turned to me, wearing a big smile.
“Guess who’s staying with us?” Sam asked, wagging her brows.
“That’s great,” I said, noticing the indifferent look on Erik’s face.
I stepped closer, noticing the four guns on the table—Erik’s handgun, the shotgun, and two guns I hadn’t seen before. They weren’t eating breakfast like I’d initially thought.
“Where did these come from?” I asked.
“The basement,” Erik replied.
“You never mentioned having all this,” I said.
Erik leaned back in his chair. “There was no need to mention it.”
“And now there is?” I asked.
“We need to protect ourselves,” Erik said.
“I get that, but it just seems like a bad idea when none of us know how to use a gun,” I said.
Erik looked up at me and blinked several times. “I think it’s time we learn. Especially if we’re going to go on the road.”
“On the road?” Archer asked, squinting.
“We’re leaving for Massachusetts soon,” Sam said, shifting her weight. “I’m sure I mentioned that last night.”
Archer shook his head. “You most certainly did not. I’m fine staying here, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to travel right now.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Erik said.
“What’s so important in Massachusetts?” Archer asked, shifting his eyes to me. It was like he thought it was my idea to leave.
Sam stood, placing her fingertips on the table. “I have a daughter back home, and I need to get to her.”
“All right then,” Archer said. “When you guys leave, I’ll be heading to Washington Island if anyone wants to join me.”
I looked at my feet, so I didn’t have to know the comment was directed toward me. It wasn’t like I could just not go with Sam. After all, she wouldn’t even be in Wisconsin if it hadn’t been for me.
The chair squeaked against the floor as Erik stood. He jerked his chin toward a white box on the counter.
“Grab a donut, Mel. Then we’ll get started on the lesson,” Erik said.
“Um, okay,” I said, feeling uneasy.
“I can help,” Archer said, pushing his chair back. “I’ve known how to use one since I was thirteen. My dad was big on deer hunting and insisted on taking me up north every year.”
Erik shrugged. “If you want. We’re not going to actually shoot, though. I need to ration the ammo I have, not to mention it might not be a good idea to make a lot of noise.”
“Good thinking,” Archer said. “But I know where you can get some ammo.”
“Yeah, it’s probably already gone,” Erik said.
Archer’s head bobbed. “You’re probably right, but you could check the gun club on your way out of town.” He turned to Erik, his brow furrowing. “How are you going to find a working car? Everything is dead. Trust me, I know.”
“Well, you couldn’t know they were all dead,” Sam said, pushing back her shoulders.
“I tried a lot of cars,” Archer said. “None of them worked.”
“Something older without electronics should start,” Erik said. “At least that’s what I’m hoping.”
Archer stroked his chin. “You might be right. Even if you find something, you’re going to have to worry about gas and all the people along the way.”
“No one else will have a car,” Dorian said with a half-smile. “Should be easy enough to outrun everyone, right?”
“Yeah,” Archer said. “Maybe. It might not be a terrible idea if you can find something that works.”
“So, you should come with us!” Sam said, her eyes wide and filled with hope.
She seemed more excited by the idea of having Archer with us than I did, which was ridiculous after what happened between us. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to jump
