“Yeah, along with everything else, but I’ll live,” Russell answered. “How far did you say it was again to Philadelphia?”
Cathy pointed through the windshield to the open road. They hadn’t seen any other vehicles for the past hour or so. “It’s about two hundred twenty-nine miles I believe. Taking the I-66 E route should buy us a bit of time. If we maintain our current pace, limit our stops to just one, two if needed, and the roads remain clear like they are, we should be there in about three hours or so.”
Max poked his head between the seats, nudging Cathy’s arm with his nose.
“Hey, you.” She reached across her body and rubbed the crown of his head, giving him some well-deserved attention. “How’s my big boy doing?”
Max tilted his head back, then flicked his pink tongue at Cathy’s cheek.
Russell’s stomach growled, snapping the German shepherd’s attention in his direction.
“Hungry?” Cathy rubbed behind Max’s ears, massaging the soft spot at the base.
“You could say that.” The mere mention of food made Russell’s stomach more restless. His mouth felt parched—gums tacky to the touch. He needed a drink of water, among other things. “Why don’t we make one stop, gather up the supplies we need, and push through to Philly? If we do that, we should be good. Plus, I imagine Max is pretty thirsty and hungry, aren’t you?”
Max sniffed in Russell’s direction, then flicked his tongue out.
Cathy gave the canine a kiss on the head, then faced forward. “That sounds good. There should be a mom and pop gas station coming up soon if I remember correctly. It’s been some time since I’ve taken this drive. My late husband, Bill, liked to fly when we went to visit Amber in Philly. I preferred the freedom of the open road. He’d always say, ‘Why waste time driving when we could get to our daughter faster by plane?’”
Russell looked over the fuel gauge on the dash, then said, “Probably wouldn’t hurt to fuel up if we can. This truck is drinking fuel like crazy.”
“We’ll see if we can get some gas wherever we stop. Hopefully, they’ll have a backup generator running the pumps.”
Russell spotted a blue-tinted sign on the side of the road with an image of a gas pump imprinted on the front. “Looks like we might be in luck. Keep your eyes peeled.”
They cruised along I-66 for a bit longer, scouting the area for the gas station. Any homes or businesses they passed showed no signs of power. The interior of the structures beyond the windows loomed dark and endless.
The sun dipped below the horizon, bringing forth another night of pure blackness. Thick, bulbous clouds hung overhead like a shroud. They’d be hard pressed to see the moon’s gleam or stars twinkling in the sky.
Russell cranked his window down, allowing the cool breeze to funnel inside the cab. The noise and nip of the wind brushing against his face kept him alert.
Cathy rapped her hand against Russell’s arm, then pointed out the windshield. “Looks like there’s a Shell station coming up. Sign isn’t lit, though.”
“It’s better than nothing. Worst case, we’ll move on to the next station,” Russell replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Max sat on his haunches at attention–focusing on the road ahead. He groaned, then pawed at the seat.
Russell slowed the Bronco as they neared the station. He didn’t spot any cars in or around the building. There weren’t any other houses or businesses along the highway either.
“I wonder if they’re even open.”
Cathy shrugged. “No clue. We can stop to see. Worst case, they’re not, and we’ll move on, like you said.”
Russell thumbed the blinker, then turned down the concrete drive. They pulled alongside the older looking pumps and stopped. He placed the truck into park, killed the engine, then removed the keys from the ignition. “Well, I guess we’ll at least go up to the door, and see if they’re open.”
“There’s a car parked on the far side of the building. You see the bumper?” Cathy pointed out the cream-colored bumper of the sedan that protruded from the corner of the station.
“Yeah. Could be abandoned, though.” Russell tugged on the door handle, then pushed the door open. The hinges squeaked.
He slipped out of the driver’s seat to the cement, then slammed his door shut.
The stiffness in his legs caused him to walk with a slight limp at first. Russell stretched and rubbed his thighs, then continued on.
Cathy and Max got out on the other side.
Russell made his way around the back end of the Bronco. Max greeted him with a sharp bark and wag of his tail.
Cathy studied the pumps, leaning close to the dust-covered plastic fronts. Her hand swiped over the dirt. A disgusted look washed over her face. “These pumps are old school. They have the numbers that flip over.”
“If they work, it doesn’t matter, right?” Russell asked, petting Max’s head.
“True, but I’m skeptical that their age will be the worst of our problems.”
Russell nodded at the building. “Let’s go see if we can get some water and food. As much as I’d love a thick, juicy hamburger right now with a mound of hot, crispy fries, I’d take some candy bars and chips.”
Max licked his lips from the mere mention of the delectable treats.
“I think I’m going to see if the bathroom over there is unlocked. I’ve been holding it for a while.” Cathy passed between the faded-white gas pumps and made for the far corner of the station near the cream-colored sedan.
“Looks like it’s you and me again, bud.” Russell rubbed the top of Max’s head who trotted along at his side.
Cathy veered toward the corner of the station as Max and Russell approached the front glass door.
Russell read the name of the business on the bulkhead fixed to the top of the building.
Debbie’s Gas and Gulp.
Max lowered his head and stared at the darkness beyond the glass door. He didn’t growl or offer any sort of warning indicating that a threat lingered within the dull light.
Russell leaned close to the door, then placed the ridge of his hand above his brow. What little bit of light remained from outside penetrated only so far.
The open sign to the side of the door had no power. No other indicators hinted that the station was closed, or open for that matter.
“Hello?” Russell knocked on the glass, waiting for a response. None came. “Is anyone in there?”
He waited a bit longer for a reply, but there was nothing more than dead silence.
The shelves closest to the door were stocked with an array of sugary treats that made his mouth water. A mixture of Snickers, Milky Way, and Butterfingers could be seen.
Russell grabbed the silver metal handle on the door and pulled. It opened without restriction.
Max waited at the gap for Russell to open it far enough for him to slip inside.
“Keep your eyes peeled and ears open, bud.” Russell opened the door farther, allowing Max to take the lead and venture inside.
The hinges on the door creaked the more Russell moved it.
The air was stagnant and hot.
Silence filled the store with no audible sounds to hint anyone lurked within the ether.
Max trained his nose to the black and white checkered linoleum tile floor and investigated. He sniffed along, then hooked down one of the rows between the shelves.