To my international friends. If your country posts the most reviews, I'll create characters from your nation and add then to key parts of the story.

So far the US is winning. Show your national pride.

Review!

Pre SHTF

Chapter 22

For those in the know, the night seemed to drag on with endless sorties into the surrounding area of Bristol Cove. Xander and Ryn covered all points North as Maddie and Pat headed South.

"Thank you for helping us look for them." Maddie had thanked him a number of times since unburdening herself of what had been tearing her apart.

"Please, I consider it an honor for you to ask me."

As the black Elantra pulled in to another small motel, Maddie remembered the advice Xander had given her.

Listen, it's ok for this guy to help…Pausing her thoughts to peek at the serious looking driver to her left. If you find them, remember to call me on the phone. Enough people know about this stuff.

Xander's words to her struck true. She needed to keep this considerate and compassionate man in the dark.

"I'll check with the desk clerk." Said Maddie. As she opens the passenger side door a few inches, she turns to Pat.

"Pat, you've been wonderful." Her voice begins to break.

"Oh, I know everyone is worried about Ben and that poor little girl."

"No, not that." Maddie bites her lower lip. "I hadn't had anyone to really talk to since…"

"Your father?" Pat asks. "I know. I was just glad to be there."
"It's been awful. Simply awful since that terrible attack." She takes a breath. "He…"
"Dear, I know. So many people were killed by that terrorist. The bitch spoke all different languages like she was a native."
"Do you know, we actually met her?" Maddie asks Pat.

"What! Unbelievable."
Maddie realizes the slip of the tongue and changes the subject.

"All of Bristol Cove suffered from the attack."
"That woman, such a heartless expression as she spoke." His facial muscles tensed. "I also lost someone." A steam of disgusted air leaves his lips and nose. "My niece and her husband. Dead!" Pat wipes his lips as a bit of saliva forms on them.

"I remember when they moved to Kaliningrad. They had just married. If I could get that beast…" His words stop short.

"I know. Well, I'm certain she got what she deserves." Maddie adds.

"I hope some Navy SEAL emptied his whole clip in her."

Leaving the rented car, Maddie has a single thought.

Grad, Kaliningrad?

She shakes her head and speaks. "Oh, never mind."

A patrol car heading North

Xander kept the alert local, trying to minimize the search to a few officers. Heading to a report of a man resembling Ben's description being helped into a motel room after a night of partying. The description by an anonymous caller. He found himself in his patrol car with a tight lipped and stone faced Ryn. The young woman's feelings broadcast by her intermittent hissing and occasional grunts.

The lawman will at times catch a glance at the passenger beside him. Strained eyelids glued on the front windshield with an expression tensed and at times contorted. Petite hands remained on her lap with fingers spread. Xander did not know if his imagination had taken hold of his mind.

I swear her nails are growing. It can't be me, she looks ready to explode. I just hope this is not some new bull crap from the Navy.

"We'll be there in a few minutes." He reports to Ryn, not surprised by silence.

Xander shakes his head as thoughts of future mayhem fill his mind.

Man, if it is something like that, someone is going to get hurt. She'll rip their heads off.

"When we get there, wait in the car."

The reply shot from her lips.

"No! My daughter and my man is in there, I kill if they hurt."

"Wait, we don't know for sure. This place does a lot of business for an off-road motel." Xander tries to think of another excuse for her to listen to him.

"Also," he takes a breath. "Ryn, you're starting to show. When is the baby due?"

She removes her hands from her lap and glides them across the protruding stomach.

"You right, Xander you very smart. Ok, I wait." There is a change of tone in her voice.

"If anyone hurt my family…"

Xander replies not wanting to hear the obvious.

"I know, I know." Slowing down, her pulls the patrol car across from the diner.

"I know, you know." She whispers.

Xander rolls his eyes as he opens the driver side door.

"Good evening officer." The tall young woman's greeting to Xander is flavored with a European accent.

"Good evening to you, mam." He answers,

"Good to see police. This is so desolate." Her shoulder length blond hair catches a stiff breeze from the vacant lot next to the diner. A soft smile flashes on her face.

"Yes, my sister will feel safe now." The younger man's voice contains the same inflection as the woman.

"Is there some trouble at the motel? I don't want to worry." The blond foreigner shivers as if from fear from her own words.

"Oh, no. Just a routine patrol." Xander checks the empty two way road and begins to cross.

"Where are you guys from?" He asks.

"We are from," they answer simultaneously.

The woman chuckles and then speaks.

"We are from Poland."

As the headlights of a passing car illuminate the row of motel rooms, Xander's vision causes him to draw his weapon.

"Ryn!" He calls to the person waiting in the patrol car. "You two stay here, there is a man with a gun across the road."

Notes for the reader:

Chapter 23 and Chapter 7 of the prequel will feature a lot of S_ _ t hitting the fan.

So, get ready.

And review…please.