BREAKTHROUGH

  DARK ROAD, BOOK FIFTEEN

  BRUNO MILLER

  ABOUT THE BOOK

  Challenge is inevitable. Defeat is not.

  In the gripping finale of this cross-country post-apocalyptic odyssey, Ben and his crew traverse the desolate landscapes of a world ravaged by disaster, facing untold challenges, and forging unlikely alliances along the way.

  As Ben and the others approach their final destination of Durango, Colorado, the group is tested yet again on their final push home, confronting the ghosts of their past and the harsh realities of a fractured world.

  In a climactic showdown against the remnants of a once-civilized society turned ruthless, the bonds of family and the strength of the human spirit are pushed to their limits. The journey culminates in an unforgettable and heart-wrenching conclusion, where sacrifices are made, destinies are revealed, and the true meaning of survival is discovered.

  In the shadows of a post-apocalyptic sunset, Ben, Sandy, and the kids grapple with the bittersweet reality of a new beginning forged from the ashes of the old world. The last leg of their journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring power of the human will in the face of an uncertain tomorrow.

  Breakthrough: Book Fifteen

  Copyright © 2024 Bruno Miller

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover by MiblArt.

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  NEWSLETTER

  READER’S LETTER

  Dear amazing readers,

  As our cross-country odyssey draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions we’ve undoubtedly shared – laughter, tears, and those gripping moments of anxiety.

  For me, it’s been an incredible journey of storytelling and personal growth as a writer.

  I want to express my sincerest gratitude to you for being a part of the captivating saga of the Dark Road series. As we transition to the next adventure in Dark Waters, I warmly invite you to join me for the ride. And who knows what lies beyond the Dark Road for Ben and his crew?

  So, stay tuned, stay frosty, and God bless.

  With heartfelt thanks,

  Bruno

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  About the Author

  1

  Hunched over the Blazer’s wheel, Ben rubbed his weary eyes in an effort to clear his vision. The young couple in the silver BMW ahead had agreed to lead him and his crew out to Route 13, which in turn would get them across the Missouri River and back on track to Durango. But the shattered taillight on the right-hand side of the battered sedan left only one faint red indicator for Ben to follow on the dark and winding backcountry road. He’d been pleased with the concealment the low-light conditions had provided up until this point, but now he wished for fewer clouds to block the crescent-shaped moon.

  He was grateful for the couple’s assistance in getting him and his crew out of Sanctuary, although his head was still spinning from the night’s events, and the bruises he’d acquired during the escape were starting to manifest themselves in the forefront of his thoughts. He could still feel the butt of the rifle graze his cheek and a set of rough, desperate hands around his throat as the man attempted to choke the life from him. The scuffle with the guard had left more than physical marks on his body, and if nothing else, the incident was a reminder that he was mortal and that things could take a turn for the worse, no matter how careful he was.

  Ben glanced around the Blazer, quickly checking in with Sandy and Emma. He ended with a peek back at Joel and Allie behind him in the Scrambler. They were all a little worse off for their time in Sanctuary.

  Thanks to Jerimiah Stone and his twisted cult, they’d lost precious time and who knew what else. Ben tried not to think about the possible long-term effects the opium-laced water might have on the kids or Sandy. Maybe there’d only be the headache that was sure to follow the dissipating high they all felt. Allie had already gotten sick as her body purged the toxins from her system. He wished the others had experienced the same reaction; Ben certainly didn’t wish to see any of them retch their guts out, but he thought it better than the alternative.

  His biggest concerns lay with the younger two. Their small body weights and statures meant the opium would stick with them the longest, and his goal right now was to find someplace safe, where they could sleep off the effects. They all needed proper rest after the most recent nightmarish turn of events.

  The back of the Blazer was a mess of limbs and fur. Both Emma and Brad had fallen asleep quickly after leaving Sanctuary behind, too tired and doped up to bother taking off the armor-plated vests Ben had insisted they wear for the escape. He could have closed his eyes and been asleep in seconds himself, but that was going to have to wait.

  Sandy must have noticed the weariness in his movements. “You all right? I can drive if you need me to.”

  “I’m fine, but we definitely need to find a place to lay low for a while.” Ben was tempted to take her up on her offer to drive, but he didn’t trust that the opium had fully worked its way out of her system.

  “At least we have fuel,” she remarked. “And I’m sure we can get water up here at the next bridge.”

  Ben was sure now that Sandy was still feeling the effects of the drugs. How else could she be so upbeat after all they’d just been through?

  “I’m not sure I want to stop for water just yet. I know we need it, but I’d feel a whole lot better if we could put a little more distance between us and Sanctuary.” He squinted against the Jeep’s headlights in the rearview mirror as he searched the narrow road behind them for followers.

  Sandy’s brow wrinkled. “But Stone is dead, and the place is in flames. Do you really think they’ll chase us? Is there even anybody left to chase us?”

  Ben didn’t like that Sandy was making sense, and her logic forced him to question his immediate plans. He’d been fortunate back at the vehicle impound yard and managed to gas up both vehicles, but that only solved one of their problems. They needed more than full fuel tanks to survive.

  “Probably not.” Ben sighed, relenting to her rationale.

  If it was just him, he’d put another hundred miles on the odometer before calling it a night, but if he was going to be realistic with his expectations, he’d need to lower the bar when it came to travel right now, no matter how bad he wanted the buffer of distance. Navigating the narrow, unfamiliar back roads of Missouri’s countryside was dangerous enough on its own; adding their current level of fatigue to the mix certainly wouldn’t make it any easier. Stopping to find a secluded campsite was the lesser of two evils, and it was what needed to happen.

  “Let’s at least get across the river. Then we can start looking for a spot with water access.” Ben pulled the atlas from between the console and seat and tossed it in Sandy’s lap. “Find us a spot.”

  “Dad… can I take this off now?” Emma yawned her way through the question and started to shed the tactical vest before getting Ben’s okay.

  “Yeah, I guess so.” He looked back and smiled at his daughter, but she was already out of the vest and had her eyes closed again. The tables had turned in the back seat, and Bajer had become the pillow for a change, although the medium-sized gray dog seemed perfectly content with the new arrangement, as evidenced by her loud snoring. Brad had taken a spot on the floor in front of the bench seat, sprawled out on a mixture of gear and blankets. Sam was awake in the back but struggling to keep her head upright in the glow of the Scrambler’s headlights.

  Ben thought about Joel. His son would be as tired as him, although he hadn’t noticed the Jeep wandering from its lane. They were both running off the remnants
of the adrenaline from their escape, but the influx of energy wouldn’t last much longer. As the miles clicked by and they became more complacent with their newly earned freedom, what remained of the night would continue to weigh heavy on their eyes.

  After a few more miles of weaving along the dark country road, they found themselves at an intersection with Route 13. The BMW’s lights flickered as Eli put the sedan in park but left it running. The young man got out of the car gingerly, still sore from the unwarranted beating he’d received at the hands of Stone’s goons.

  “Hang on. I’ll be right back.” Ben slid out of the Blazer, leaving his door ajar.

  “A left will take you back to 70. Right will lead you north of Kansas City. Then you can make your way back south toward Colorado.” Eli shuffled about nervously with his hands in his pockets while giving both directions a lengthy gander.

  “We’ll head north a bit and make our way around the city.” Ben eyed the young man, then the bullet-riddled car. “You guys gonna be okay?”

  “Oh yeah, we’re gonna be all right. Thanks to you. I owe you, mister.” Eli stuck out his hand.

  Ben grabbed the kid’s hand and gave it a hardy shake. “Nope. We’re square. Just take care of that kid. And you might want to stay off the road for a while in case there are any surviving patrols in the area.”

  “Plan on it. I got relatives down in Lincoln, ’bout an hour south of here. Once we get there, we’ll be safe.”

  “Thanks.” Jessica stuck her head out of the BMW’s passenger window and waved.

  Ben and Sandy both waved back.

  “Good luck to you.” Ben headed back to the Blazer.

  “Same to you.” Eli limped back to his car, and in a matter of seconds, the couple were nothing more than a fading taillight heading south.

  Ben took advantage of the stop and made his way back to Joel and Allie in the Jeep. Gunner got up and intercepted him by sticking his head outside the vehicle and pushing his snoot into Ben’s open hand.

  “Good boy, good boy. You good to drive until we cross the river?” Ben asked Joel. “I think we’re gonna look for a place on the other side and make camp. Maybe another half an hour or so.”

  “Yeah, I can do whatever we need to. I feel pretty good,” Joel answered.

  “All right. I’ll give you a heads-up when we find a place to turn off.” Ben rested his hand on Joel’s arm, which was hanging outside the open window, and gave Allie a quick smile. “You guys did good back there. I’m proud of you both.”

  Ben headed for the Blazer without giving either Joel or Allie a chance to respond. He felt bad for Allie; she still looked a little green, but she’d ingested more of the opium-laced water than anyone else.

  “How are the kids holding up?” Sandy strained to turn her body and looked back toward the Scrambler as Ben got back in the truck.

  “They’re good. I told them we’d be stopping soon.” Ben hoped his answer was enough to keep Sandy happy. She looked tempted to get out and check on them herself, and he thought she would have if not for the residual effects of the drugs in her system.

  “I’ll tell you one thing. We’re never accepting food or water from anyone else, ever again.” Sandy’s tone was stern, her anger over what Stone had put them all through showing itself one final time.

  In a perfect world, Ben would have agreed with her. For the time being, he did, but he also understood the wound was fresh. The betrayal they’d experienced from their last two encounters with people was at the forefront of their minds. He knew she didn’t mean they wouldn’t accept help from anyone, ever, but he let her have this moment anyway. She was partially right, after all. It would be a while before they took anything at face value, maybe never. But in this post-EMP world, there was no use pretending they wouldn’t need help from someone at some point. They’d just have to be extra careful, although Ben wasn’t sure if it was possible to be any more cautious of those they encountered. He kept telling himself they’d do better and be more vigilant, but trouble had a way of finding them no matter how hard they tried to avoid it.

  Ben steered the Blazer right, away from the young couple and out onto the double northbound lanes of the larger highway. The bridge over the Missouri River wasn’t far ahead. He just hoped the crossing was free of any wrecks or road blockages. If they couldn’t cross here, Ben had already made up his mind that they’d head back to the interstate and try their luck elsewhere. Anywhere but back toward Sanctuary—or whatever was left of the place that had nearly been their end.

  2

  The scattered clouds began to drift west as the early-morning sky cleared. The sun wasn’t ready to make an appearance just yet, but the dissipating cloud cover let a hint of moonlight reach the faded pavement. Ben was tempted to cut the Blazer’s lights and attempt to navigate by natural light alone, but thinking back to the couple with the young girl who’d bent their tie rod after running into a wreck on the road at night quickly brought him to his senses.

  He was too tired to play the guessing game and didn’t trust his eyes anymore. He wasn’t a big fan of broadcasting their location, but the alternative was too dangerous. Two trucks out here in the middle of wide-open farmland would be easily spotted, although if they could find a place to get off the road in the next few miles, that wouldn’t be a problem for much longer.

  After spotting the bridge, Ben took his foot off the gas and coasted for a bit. Satisfied that there was a clear path over the water, he continued on.

  “Come in,” he said over the radio. “Bridge looks clear for the most part. Let’s take it slow and watch out for parts on the road. Over.” He sat more upright in his seat, hunching over the wheel and occasionally leaning out his window to get a better look at the roadway.

  Parts and pieces of vehicles lay strewn about from some of the cars colliding with the bridge’s guardrail and each other, and Ben had to be careful to avoid the litter. He still didn’t have a spare for the Blazer, a fact that lingered in his thoughts. Slowly, he and Joel made their way around several burned-out cars scattered along the northbound lanes of the bridge. Fortunately, they were staggered in position, allowing Ben and his son to weave through the mess.

  Their last obstacle was a commercial passenger bus that looked remarkably intact. The rear engine cover was left propped open, and Ben imagined the driver trying to make repairs after the EMPs hit as his frustrated passengers watched impatiently. How long did they wait before realizing there was no fix for the bus and that they were on their own?

  Ben was tempted to speed up and quickly pass the abandoned bus but remained at a steady speed instead. He kept one hand on his pistol as he rolled by the bus’s open door. The bus looked empty, but he couldn’t be too sure. The tinted windows kept the interior of the large coach hidden from view. The empty bus would make a great place to spend the night for any weary travelers coming through here on foot.

  Sandy noticed his hand on the Glock. “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah, I think so. Just being careful.” Ben’s hand drifted back up to the steering wheel as he moved away from the bus, and the Scrambler followed.

  He gave the Blazer a little more throttle and picked up speed once he saw the road in front of them was wide open.

  “Can’t really see anything.” Sandy leaned her head out the passenger window and looked down at the river below them. “But I can hear the water moving.”

  “We’ll find out soon enough.” Ben saw that the guardrail was ending. “It looks like there might be a place to get off the road up ahead.”

  He didn’t expect to be able to pull over right away after the river crossing due to the elevation of the road over the surrounding farm fields, but backtracking to the water that much still bothered him. They took the first break in the guardrail and pulled off the road into the window-high weeds.

  The last thing he felt like doing was getting out of the truck to cover their tracks, but if he expected to get any rest and feel good about it, the task was necessary. Joel helped him stand the overgrown weeds back up as best they could until it looked more like someone had simply pulled over to rest rather than left the highway altogether.