Rewrite the Apocalypse dream (by Dee Cari) novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140 We are here as your escort!

Finished

wh a nod, Joanna walked out of the apartment. Beside her, Rachel, Julian, and Kailee flanked her sides. Everyone wore small packs with sleeping gear. Beneath her calm demeanor, Joanna felt a spark of anticipation, excited to finally try the sword Kailee had given her. The rest of the crew had chosen simpler, less conspicuous weapons, carrying hatchets and baseball bats to maintain their ordinary civilian cover Behind her, only Joanna, Ryan, and Jake stood there to see the team off as they reached the street.

Three heavy military trucks rumbled to a halt to meet them, their diesel engines idling loudly in the morning air.

The door of the lead vehicle swung open, and Will stepped out. “Hey, Joanna! We are here as your escort.”

Joanna smiled in greeting, her voice steady and relaxed. “Our van is almost ready and we are loading up

now.”

As they spoke, Kailee and Julian efficiently loaded the last of the basic gear and supplies into Joanna’s van. Turning her attention back to the soldier, Joanna asked, “When should my team meet up with the base tomorrow to leave Aurora?”

Will smiled brightly, clearly pleased with how organized they were. “Well, actually, we don’t mind sending a car for your group at 0900.”

“Perfect,” Joanna replied. She turned to Jake, her authoritative tone clicking right back into place. “Make sure everything is ready in the RV vehicles.”

Jake paused, looking at Will concerned. “Why so early?”

Will’s bright smile vanished, replaced by a thoroughly disgusted look. He spat on the ground, his expression hardening. “That snake Commander Jax. He was supposed to pull out and head north tomorrow evening to buy us some cover time. But Commander Briggs just got word they are pulling out tonight instead, leaving us with the entire mess. We have to stay up all night breaking down the base.”

Joanna paused, her analytical mind immediately locking onto the new data point.

Interesting, she thought, her inner tactical radar spiking. What are Elliot and Jax up to now?

The pieces from her nightmare and Caleb’s warnings were shifting faster than expected. Jax moving his timeline up to tonight meant the ambush at the Eldon mall was likely accelerating too, or worse, they were clearing out early to let the horde completely overrun the sector before Briggs could even react.

“Tonight?” Joanna asked Will, keeping her voice carefully neutral while her mind mapped out the new logistical nightmare. “That doesn’t leave much room for error.”

“Tell me about it,” Will muttered, running a frustrated hand over his tactical gear. “Briggs is furious. We’re scrambling to secure our perimeter before Jax opens up a massive blind spot in our defenses.”

Just then, Caleb ran out of the apartment building and straight up to Kailee, pulling her into a tight, sudden hug. They whispered something quickly between themselves, and Caleb let go, stepping back with a rare softness in his eyes.

He walked over to Joanna, a serious expression settling on his face. “Take care of Kailee. I really think she is the only one who can put up with my nonsense.”

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Chapter 140 We are here as your escort!

Joanna’s brows lifted in slight surprise, but she nodded and agreed. “We’ll keep her safe, Caleb.”

Finished

Then, moving with practiced stealth, Caleb smoothly snuck a folded piece of paper into Joanna’s hand, entirely out of sight from Will and the other soldiers. Joanna didn’t blink; her fingers instantly closed around the note, tucking it away into her tactical gear in one seamless, unnoticeable motion. She gave him a small, knowing nod.

“Take care of yourself, Caleb,” Joanna said quietly.

He smiled, turned on his heel, and walked back into the safety of the apartment building.

Joanna climbed into the passenger side of the van, letting Kailee take the wheel. Kailee had mentioned earlier that she wanted to drive, and Joanna had simply nodded, her mind too preoccupied to care about who was steering. Behind them, Julian and Rachel settled into the back seats, checking the locks on the doors and keeping their eyes on the dark streets. Jake and Joliee waved before returning to the apartment. Jake would get everyone to the shelter safely.

The van smoothly pulled into the rear of the convoy as they set off, falling into formation directly behind the three armored military trucks. Julian and Rachel grabbing snacks and drinks from the cooler in their hands while sitting in the back.

The city around them was dead silent, the heavy stench of diesel exhaust and the unmistakable tang of decay hanging thick in the cold night air. The headlights cut through the heavy shadows of the abandoned streets, illuminating the first real leg of their dangerous journey.

Sitting back in her seat, Joanna felt the solid weight of Kailee’s sword resting against her leg. She kept her gaze fixed on the armored tailgate of the military truck ahead, but her fingers were already tracing the edge of the hidden note Caleb had slipped into her pocket.

Joanna turned to Kailee, her eyes narrowing slightly. “So, what did Caleb whisper to you?”

Rachel gasped in the back seat. “Joanna, let the pair whisper their love to each other in secret, jeez!”

Joanna looked back at Kailee, saying nothing and waiting for a real answer.

Kailee laughed, shaking her head as she navigated the dark streets. “Caleb always said you were smart. Me and Caleb aren’t together, Rachel… not really. He is my best friend, though. As for what he told me, he said to beware of Galen. He is with Jax.”

Joanna asked immediately, her tactical mind clicking into gear, “Galen? Who is that?”

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