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They filled their tanks two hours after dawn at a collapsed gas station next to the interstate. A length of rubber hose connected to a hand operated Kerosene pump made the job quick. The only hard part had been locating the underground tank. The cover had been found though, the cap spun off, and the odor of gasoline drifted up into the air telling them that the underground tank had not been ruptured.The little area that serviced the interstate contained a large garage, two small Mom-and-Pop stores, the gas station and a chain auto parts store right next to the garage, probably built with the garage in mind. On the other side of the asphalt parking lot sat a motel unit that had seen better days. Most of the units were flattened. The swimming pool was cracked and empty; wire mesh and what looked to be a bottomless void graced the middle of the rust stained pool. A second row of motel units running parallel to the pool looked to be untouched. Across the road were two name brand outlet stores, obviously placed to take advantage of the interstate. They had pulled the trucks onto the cracked pavement of the gas station, and after they had finished gassing up the trucks, Mike had gathered everyone together."You noticed Bob and Tom looking over the garage," Mike said. "We're thinking of stopping here. We'd probably end up here for a few days while Bob and Tom work on the other four trucks. And we need a few other things: tail gate swing outs that can hold a spare tire, gas can too, roof racks to carry gear, lifts, better, bigger tires... In short, the things we had intended to do back in Watertown." He looked around, trying to catch the eyes of each person individually. "You can see how much easier it is for the two Suburbans to get around wrecks, buckled roads, down in to and out of ditches. It just makes sense to give the other four trucks that ability, otherwise they'll just be slowing us down. You saw a little of that this morning.""Makes sense," Janet Dove agreed. Molly nodded. "My only concern is, are those..." she paused and her face reddened, "People," she managed after a long pause, "coming after us?" Her eyes were dark and questioning. Mike could read the fear in her posture."I doubt it," Candace said. She spoke quietly but forcefully."We'll listen in on the radios," Nellie added."They won't come. In the city they knew how to get around... Out here," Patty waved her arms around, finally lifting them to the sky. "They wouldn't know what to do. Couldn't sneak up on us." She shook her head. "I just don't think they're the kind that want to deal with even odds."Candace nodded in agreement.Mike cleared his throat and continued. "The reason we traveled on was to put some miles between us and them. It's a long way for them to come. I don't see it," Mike said. He let the silent nods continue for a moment and then continued. "There are other things we can do, things we need. Canned goods, maybe one of those cows, or a deer. They seem to be wandering everywhere. There really is enough to keep all of us busy for the next few days while Bob and Tom get the truck situation straightened out." He paused but no one spoke. "So... If there are no real objections?""Let's do it," Molly said."Yeah, I'm for it," Patty added.
