Chuck managed to get them back on the road but he wouldn’t be able to go as fast with passengers in the back. The rearview mirror showed his truck was being chased again. That was no surprise. He needed to get farther away from the main swarm though. If they fought here, they would be overwhelmed. A couple of the flying bugs caught up to them but Torj and Kyt were able to kill them with their swords. Torj split one in two and Kyt stabbed the other through the head. Chuck concentrated on driving, trying not to hit the bigger holes. Finally he could see where he fought the first bugs in the distance. He glanced back to see Torj and Kyt still holding off the bugs with their swords. He figured it was far enough and pulled over. He got out and starting shooting at the bugs. “If Fol is still alive, get him in the pickup.” Chuck yelled, still firing at the bugs. Kyt put him in the cab while Torj jumped down and fought the bugs.

Chuck concentrated on the flying bugs while Torj started swinging at the ones on the ground. Kyt joined him and they made short work of the bugs. When there was a lull Chuck started reloading and told them to get back in the pickup. Torj jumped in the back and Kyt squeezed in the front. He was glad he had a bench seat. Chuck drove off at a slightly faster pace before more bugs could arrive. Glancing back, it looked like the new arrivals were distracted by eating their dead kin. He sighed in relief and looked over at Fol. His left arm/wing was in a sling and he seemed to be unconscious but still breathing. “What about the other survivors?” Chuck asked, looking at Kyt. “They aren’t leaving. They think they can hold out until the governor sends reinforcements.” Kyt replied. “They might be waiting a while.” Chuck said with a frown. “That’s what we told them but they are being stubborn. At least they do have enough supplies to last a while if they don’t get overrun again.” Kyt said with a shrug. “What do you mean again?” Chuck asked incredulously. “It seems they were surprised by the first attack and the communication crystal was broken during the chaos. They were finally able to drive the monsters out but lost a few people in the process.” Kyt answered.

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They stopped to take a break a short time later. Chuck needed to clean the gore off the windshield so he could actually see where he was going. It was late in the afternoon but he planned to continue driving into the night. That was assuming his headlights still worked. First he pried the bug parts away from the grill guard. Then he wiped the gore off the headlights. He turned them on and only one of them still worked. Chuck decided to call that a win. Kyt was seeing to Fol who hadn’t woken up yet. He called Torj and Kyt over and told them he planned to keep driving during the night. He was afraid the bugs would follow them or something would be attracted to the bug guts that covered the truck. Chuck decided to dig his spotlight out of the toolbox for some extra light. It had a magnetic base and plugged into the cigarette lighter. He had used it for checking cattle on the farm. He mounted it to the roof but left it off for now. They grabbed a quick bite to eat and got back on the road.

Once it got dark he switched on the lights. Kyt seemed to be impressed with the electric light. Maybe it was brighter than magical light, he wasn’t sure. She wanted to hear more of his strange music so he played a few CDs for her. He had known them long enough to figure out she was a she and Torj was a dude. She seemed to like some of the music and some she covered her ears. Everyone is a critic. Things were going fine until Fol woke up in a panic. Chuck was sure it didn’t help that it was dark, strange music was playing, and he was there. Fol took one look at Chuck and screamed, trying to crawl over Kyt. Chuck pulled the truck over, trying not to be offended. Kyt then had to calm him down and explain where they were, who Chuck was, and what was going on. Fol apologized and they continued their journey. Fol seemed fascinated with everything in his truck and Chuck had to answer lots of questions. Chuck’s eyes were starting to grow heavy when they finally reached the familiar hill that overlooked the crossroads and the city.