WE GIVE OURSELVES TWO DAYS BECAUSE MY ANKLE STILL SMARTS from when it got stuck in the coal trough, and Wyatt’s scab continues to ooze. We need rest and prep time.

Trey takes charge, making sure we use the time wisely. The first night during tower-down time, we break into the pharmacy and take three inhalers for Wyatt, along with some antibiotics, painkillers, and a few other things. I pretend not to notice when Trey grabs a handful of condoms. I’d rather use the pill, but there are so many different kinds on the shelf and I’m not sure what to take. After a moment of staring, I randomly grab a few packs.

Trey and I will have to have the contraception talk soon. If we make it through this.

As the sun comes up, we sneak over to the marina and refuel the Tardis at the pumping station there. We also break into the boat house where rental keys are kept and liberate a Jet Ski. Tanq chooses the nicest one—metallic black with neon green racing stripes. Kenneth Anderson taught Tanq how to jet ski, before he decided she wasn’t really his daughter, and Tanq insists that she’ll be able to drive it just fine.

The next night, we hit pay dirt at a local ski shop, and everyone gets fitted with a wetsuit and deck shoes. We also find a doggy life vest for Emmaline; now that the bunker is destroyed, there’s no leaving her behind.

Then we head to a sporting goods store, where Wyatt loads up on ammunition for the guns. “You’re going to teach us to use those things safely, right?” Trey asks.

“Sure. But we won’t have time for that before we hit the tower. The basics are: point and shoot. Never point at friendlies, even as a joke. Keep the safety on unless you’re absolutely sure you’re about to use it. Never store it loaded.”

After that, Trey orders us all to try to get some sleep, but I can’t. I lie awake on my bare store mattress, going over the plan. It’s easy, though not exactly foolproof. I’ll drive the barge right into the tower, do as much damage as I can. Then I’ll ignite the coal, and as the fire races down the barge toward the bow piled with propane tanks, I’ll bail out the side and get picked up by whoever reaches me first.

During my initial run at the tower, Tanq and Trey and Wyatt will circle around making nuisances of themselves, hopefully causing a distraction that will leave my path clear.

So many things can go wrong.

Eventually, I give up sleeping alone, and I crawl over to where Trey lies on his side, mouth open on his pillow. I stretch out behind him, put an arm around his waist.