Chapter 13.2

“We need to find a pharmacy,” said Rosemarie urgently.

Randy was driving the car down the little backwoods road towards Tuscaloosa. “Where do you suggest we look for one?” he asked, gruffly.

“There is one on just about every street corner in the populated areas. But there will be populations,” said Neil, twisting in his seat to look at Rosemarie. “I hope you are prepared for what you’ll see.”

She stared back into his eyes, “I’ll be fine. We just need to help Georgi.”

“She’ll be fine for awhile,” said Randy. He kept his wild eyes on the road. “It’s only been one day.”

How can he be so callous, thought Rosemarie.

“She’s right, we need to hurry,” said Neil. “Remember there’s no one to help us if she gets worse.”

“Hope we did the right thing leaving her and Alex alone,” said Rosemarie, worriedly.

“Alex is…” said Randy, “she’s a smart girl.”

“They’ll be fine,” said Neil, confidently. “Besides, Murphy is there to protect them.”

Rosemarie thought this over. Murphy was a pretty good dog. And Alex wasn’t a baby. They would only be gone for a few hours. With any luck we’ll be back before long, she thought.

Eventually, Randy left the twisted back roads and pulled out onto a highway that the map promised would get them to Tuscaloosa. They could see pillars of smoke rising for the direction of the city. Randy turned on the radio. Static came through the speakers.

“What is that beeping noise?” asked Rosemarie.

“What beeping? I only hear static,” said Neil.

Randy caught Rosemarie’s eye in the rearview mirror. He looked as if he was about to say something.

“Look out,” cried Neil.

Randy smashed his foot on the brakes. He barely brought the car to a stop before slamming into a car pile up.

“Everyone ok?” asked Neil, looking back and forth between the two others.

Randy and Rosemarie nodded as they tried to get their breath back.

“Yes,” said Rosemarie. “Geez, Randy. Watch where you are going, why don’t you.”

Randy ignored her. He was busy looking at the mess in front of him.

“We’re going to need an alternate route. Looks like they just abandoned their cars in the street. Idiots,” he said.

Randy put the car in reverse. Putting his arm over the back of Neil’s seat, he turned his head to look out the back window and began to back up. Turning the car around, he started down a side street.

The street was empty of cars. A normal street lined with houses. Squirrels ran in front of the car. Birds sang from the branches of trees.

“No...no one’s out there,” said Rosemarie. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Not a single person.

“Be glad,” grumbled Randy. 

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