“It has a full tank,” Stephan replies. “They all do. I’ve been siphoning gas for years, filling them all up, just in case.”

“In case of what?”

“In case I ever found somewhere to go.”

For the first time since I’ve met him, I feel bad for Stephan. He’s a survivor like me, who’s done morally questionable things to survive just like I have. Making Molly a hostage was just a desperate act on his part. Can I really say I wouldn’t have done the same if our positions were reversed?

“Thanks,” I say, trying to sound sincere. “We’ll get to the Mississippi in no time at all with these. Come on, guys, grab a bike.”

Everyone enters the dark garage and chooses a vehicle. I make sure my bike has a sidecar so that Bree can travel with me with Penelope on her lap. It makes me feel better to have her close. Charlie chooses to ride in a sidecar with Ben. As Ryan attempts to mount a bike, I rest my hand gently on his arm.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to be in control of a vehicle after what happened yesterday.”

“I’m not an invalid, Brooke,” he replies. “I’m fine now.”

“I know, I’m just being cautious. And anyway, you should be in a sidecar with Jack really. You are his master, after all.”

He finally agrees to get in the sidecar with Molly driving.

Before we set off, Zeke pulls out the map.

“It’s four hundred miles direct,” he says. “But that takes us straight through Chicago.”

I shake my head. “No way. We need to avoid Chicago entirely. There’ll be an arena there. I’m certain.”

He nods in agreement. “Then how about we take this route, heading slightly southwest? We’ll avoid Chicago completely, but it will add an extra three hours to the journey.”

“Three more hours?” Ryan repeats. “That’s a hell of a lot more gas used up than needs to be.”

“I think we should take the direct route,” Molly says, joining in the debate.

“I think we should take the safest route,” Ben contests.

I sigh, my head filled with thoughts that swirl around. “Is there anywhere to stop off midway?” I ask Zeke. “We could do with hunting and picking up some more provisions.”

Stephan makes a scoffing noise. “Yeah, great idea, since you’ve eaten all my rations.”

Even though it’s true that we finished up the last of his rations over breakfast, I shoot him a glare and he quiets down.

Zeke shows me a spot on the map that’s meant to be a wooded area. It’s on the direct route, close to Chicago. It would be risky to go that way but I’m starting to think it’s our best bet.