“I’ll never take shampoo for granted again,” I said. The women’s barracks had a hose running off the back of the building and an array of hair products and soaps on a ledge. I’d stepped behind the wooden partition that provided privacy and taken full advantage of them, shivering in the cold morning air but not caring a whit. Then I’d pulled on the clean clothes given to me and almost cried at the absolute joy of feeling clean again.

“Charlie’s gone,” I told him. Headed west with a nineteen-year-old fangirl in her daddy’s car.

“I figured,” Tuck said. “So is the gun. I left it in my backpack in the locker when I was showering and shaving. He must have taken it then.”

My mouth dropped along with my heart. “What?” That rat! Our weapon was gone? Our protection? And if so, of course it was Charlie—only the three of us had the combination to the locker Hosea had given us to store our things. I closed my eyes for several moments. When I looked back at Tuck, he appeared grim but not angry. “You’re not mad?” I asked, surprise clear in my voice.

“I was, earlier when I discovered it. But…there were only two bullets left and honestly, it might be the only way Charlie survives.”

I shook my head slowly. I’d even thought about the fact that I was concerned for his welfare just a few minutes before. But now things would be harder for us. More proof of Charlie’s selfishness. If I’d had any niggling doubts about his character—which I really didn’t—this would have squashed them entirely.

I almost inquired about Hosea possibly replacing the gun Charlie had stolen but changed my mind. Weapons were precious right now, not only as a means of protection, but as a means of food. We’d needed both on several occasions. Now we’d have to do without.

Tuck helped me loop my arm through the other strap of my backpack, eyeing me. “Are you okay?”

“Regarding Charlie? Yes. More than okay. Our parting is for the best. Although I’d like to kick him in the teeth for taking the gun.”

He stood there for a moment as if adjusting to this new reality. “Okay, then,” he finally said. “Hosea has arranged for us to ride with a couple crewmen heading to an army base near the border of Kansas and Oklahoma.”

“Oh. Do they think the government is operational there?”

“They have no idea. Someone here happens to know about that location and it’s in driving distance, so they’re going to sacrifice some fuel and check it out.”