The drive out of town had gone smooth so far apart from the rising tension between Milton and Dan. Philip was in the back seat with his daughter wrapped up in his arms, both passed out cold. The broadcasting was putting out for people to head for Atlanta, vaccination tents and shelter. It seemed like a good start, and only another 2 hours away.
The drive seemed to drag on longer then it was meant to be, and radio was no longer optional, it was all broadcasting places for shelter. Constant warnings to stay away from infected, if bitten do not come to vaccination stations. They got more graphic as time passed; it was becoming hard to hear the warnings that came on.
Everything had gone downhill so fast and only got worse with every minute. A voice in the back of Milton's mind said to not go into Atlanta, but this was Philips order and he trusted his judgement. Maybe there would be a cure soon and everything will clear up, but still that small voice kept screaming not to go. All the reports of cities being under lockdown, no one enters or leaves and that was enough to cause panic to rise in him.
He wanted to bring it up to Philip but he decided his superstitious mind would have to take a rest for now. Dan reached over to the radio and switched it off, he huffed "What a load of crap."
"I was listening to that."
"Well not any more Mildred."
"It's Milton!" Milton practically shouted, every time he heard that name come out of Dan's mouth his blood boiled. How many times he wished Dan would just vanish was an astonishing number, but it wouldn't happen. Milton looked in the back quick to make sure he hadn't woken the two in the back; luckily they were still fast asleep.
"Why Philip decided to bring you I have no idea…" Milton murmured to himself. He didn't know why you would bring the number one asshole you know. Maybe he'll use him as bait.
"Because I'm actually useful, and what are you? Just some geek from the office that has nothing going for him. But look at the bright side; you make a good sitter for his daughter when we're actually doing work."
"I'm his friend that's why."
"You really believe that? Philip doesn't make friends, he uses people. That's it, that's all. You don't mean a damn thing."
Milton tried to block the last statement out; he didn't believe that one bit. Philip had willingly defended him and invited him to his house frequently so that he'd have company instead of sitting in his apartment alone. Allowed him to stay more than once, treated him like family.
He knew Philip cared for him; he wouldn't have been in such a rush to drag him from his house otherwise.
The mystery here was still the reason for bringing Dan, "So you are ok with the fact that Philip is just using you?"
"It means I live, what do I care otherwise." As soon as he had said that realization hit Milton hard; he knew there was no way Philip would just bring him out of the blue. Dan asked to come, and Philip needs an extra pair of hands, he was right when he said he was useful. Milton wouldn't have been able to move the cement blocks with Philip.
Milton just shook his head, and kept driving.
They arrived just after dark, the last hour and a half and been decent, nobody said a word. The radio remained off for the remainder of the drive, and was probably a huge mistake now. Milton's eyes widened, his head filled with profanities as he peered through the windshield.
"Jesus…" Dan got out of the car the moment Milton brought the car to a stop. He let out a heavy sigh, this wasn't good. He turned and tapped Philip to wake him up, "Come on, get up. You need to see this." Philip grumbled in response to being disturbed. He nodded slowly "Alright, give me a minute." Unwrapping Penny from his arms and laid her back down in the car.
Milton got out and waited for Philip to get out as well. Shutting the doors they made their way to stand over where Dan was. "No…" The word fell from Philips mouth; he wanted to believe that what they were looking at wasn't happening.
In front of them were people surrounding their vehicles watching this unfold as well. Just beyond that was Atlanta, the amount of booming and red clouds coming from the center of the city was horrifying. They heard the screams gasps of the people in front of them as the whole city was being bombed.
"What the hell do we do now?" Dan turned to look at Philip, who stood silently for a few moments before looking back at the car, "We keep moving, we'll find another place sooner or later. Turn the radio on, see what's happening." He turned back towards the car, they couldn't stay here. They would just have to find another road back the way they came.
Sorry for the short chapter, I have other work to do but I promise the next one will be longer! And slightly more interesting…