End of the Line (Book 2): Stuck in the Middle by Lara Frater

time. I would suggest dumping it all. Better to be safe that sorry.”
    “Why don’t we just use the emergency rations?” I asked. “I mean it is an emergency.”
    “Because the emergency rations are just that,” Mike explained. “They last 20 years. Canned, bagged and box food not as long. If we are unsuccessful at farming and we’re out of cans, we’ll have the emergency food. We currently have a year supply for all of us for 2 meals a day, 3 for the kids. We’re going to need that.”
    “Then why don’t we just leave? It would be better if we stayed in a house away from the ocean. The sea breezes are unbearable. We can find a house with a fireplace. There are plenty of supermarkets—“
    “We’re staying here good or bad,” Tanya interrupted. “You really wanna undertake a move now? We need to find two cars, a house free of bodies and zombs. We’re staying here, Annemarie, end of story. Mike don’t leave any leftover food out. Whatever we don’t finish get rid of. Dump the bag the rice you used. Leave the cans but don’t use them unless we run out. Open a bucket of those emergency meals to give people some variety.”
    I was mad but I didn’t say anything. I looked to Mike for guidance or to say Tanya was a fool but he said nothing.
     
    Three nights later, I awoke to a bang. I opened my eyes to darkness. I heard more banging. The air was ice cold. I got up and threw on my robe. I grabbed my flashlight and headed to the salon. It was pitch black except for two lanterns on the table burning low and I could see some light coming from the crew quarters downstairs.
    I saw a light and someone came up the stairs. It was Grace. She was dressed in her coat and carrying a blanket, pillow and her gun.
    “What’s going on?”
    “Hull breach,” she said, calmly, not a hint of panic in her voice.
    “What the fuck?” I said. “We’re sinking?”
    She looked annoyed like I had asked her a stupid question.
    “It’s a pint size hole. Mike is trying to fix it.” She then took the blanket and pillow and laid on one of the cushioned benches.
    “Should I help Mike?”
    “Whatever,” she said and put the blanket over her head. Not that I expected Grace to panic but her attitude made me think there was no danger. No one had gone to wake up Jim or figure out a way to get off the ship as soon as possible.
    I was curious so I took my flashlight and walked down the steps. Shininess greeted me but not from the lights but water on the floor. It was about a half inch deep. I was only wearing socks and didn’t go down further. A flashlight came towards me. It was Tanya holding Idiot.
    “Good timing,” she said, handing me the cat. “Can you take her upstairs?”
    I took Idiot in my arms. She squirmed but I held on.
    “Where’s the hole?”
    “Engine room, it ain’t pretty.”
    “The engine isn’t working?”
    “No, but Mike thinks it might be fine once it dries out.  Dave and Keith are helping. Come back after you take up Idiot and get Olive and bring back Henry. If he’s well we can use him.”
    I climbed the stairs with the struggling cat in my arms. I knew I couldn’t put her and Olive together, so I knocked on Jim’s door.
    Eric opened the door. He wore a large robe over flannel pajamas.
    “What?” I realized that Jim was on watch that night.
    “We have some water in the crew quarters, can you watch Idiot?” I said, handing him the cat. Eric took her without reluctance.
    “Should I be worried?” he asked.
    “I don’t know— But the engine isn’t working.”
    “Figures,” he said, then closed the door.
    I went back into the salon and slid on my boots before going back downstairs. I wanted to take a look at the engine room. Tanya wasn’t waiting for me. I walked across the cold wet floor and went first to Dave’s room. I knocked and when no one answered, I opened the door. Olive was sitting on the top bunk along with some of Dave’s stuff. She gave me a happy bark when she saw me. I