Page 48 (1/2)

"A few years, but most of this stuff is nonperishable Meant to last I just forgot it was here until I saw an inventory list in the office" Cole pulled a small knife out of his back pocket and flicked the blade out He gutted the box, letting the red, individually wrapped packages of food spill out at our feet There was a si food to his overn to hide hu--that whole ‘we’re America, we can do it ourselves, everyone else has abandoned us’ bullshit This load was left somewhere in Nevada"

"You never used them?" I asked

"Never had to," Cole said "We had food suppliers Alban wanted it as evidence of how Gray orking against the public, but nothing ever ca is filled with half-baked ideas, lost trains of thought"

He shut his eyes, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand I saw the way his grim expression seemed to tith pain in the second before he turned to Liaet this place in order, then, fine, consider yourself quarter in supplies"

"Suppliessupplies, sundries," Liauns--"

"No shit, kid," Cole interrupted "We’re going to have to work Senator Cruz’s connections for gas, weapons, and the mountain of ammunition we’ll need"

"Exactly how hting, what? One or two key battles? Not a whole damn war"

"You worry your pretty little head about breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Cole fired back "Let the big kids do the hard thinking"

I sent hinored, and he stooped to pick up one of the daily ration packs froround He tossed it froht "But it doesn’t solve the bigger issue we have now Based on the plans that are co to need a lotwith us Another two dozen kids at least for a caht ideas on how to find ’enation wove in and out ofthe worst of hed, because both of the Stewarts turned to es of interest

"Actually," I said,its way through me, "I think I do"

9