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Patrick and I were pretty laden down with gear, but moving at a pretty fast clip, anyhow, because we both wanted the hell out of that mausoleum which the town had become. Suddenly, I saw Aaron tear around a corner up ahead. He was hopping like a crazed rabbit over piles of rubble. Nelson was right behind him, and although panting heavily, actually closing in on the wildly running kid. I felt a new respect for Nelson. The professor could actually do something besides rattle on and on about obscure authors nobody else had ever heard of. "Aaron! Over here," I yelled. "We need another man to help us carry these supplies!" Aaron turned his head in surprise toward me and Patrick with our shopping carts and duffle bags. The kid grinned and came trotting over towards us. Patrick shot Aaron an exasperated look and threw a large duffle bag at him which the boy easily caught. Patrick's look of irritation turned to one of outright exasperation when his gaze came to rest on Nelson. "Nelson! Where are the girls?" he barked.
Nelson looked exasperated himself. "If I hadn't gone after Aaron, Skye would have, and I figured it was safer for her and Vark to stay with the bus," he panted. "OK, OK," said Patrick. "Help us with this load of supplies we've gathered and let's get back there on the double."
I felt a sudden pang of fear at Patrick's words. Not again! Never again was Fred Chee going to loose friends like he had once before. And these people had become my friends. Was Skye OK?
And Vark? I quickened my pace to a trot and the others also began to move rapidly toward the direction of the bus.
The words of The Blessing Way that my people sang for good luck began to run through my head, "Grandfather! This day, your magic take out for me! Dark Cloud is at the door! Zig Zag lightening stands high above dark cloud. The way out is dark cloud..."
We came in sight of the bus at last. The two girls were there, but a huge black guy I'd never seen before was standing there towering over them. Vark had a look of fear on her face. I swore under my breath and quickly pulled out the old officer's colt 45 that my Dad had brought back from 'Nam and that I always carried since the comet came...
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