Carrion (The Bren Watts Diaries #1)

Chapter 24

DAY 5: April 13th, Tuesday

"We can get to my boat," said Bobby one night. Everyone was already asleep except for him, Joe, Miguel, and I. "Take the children. The others. We can make it."

"You own a boat?" Miguel asked.

"It's not that big. But I have one."

"Since when?"

"Not the point," Joe interjected. "Is that true?"

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Yes, damn it. I have a boat. It's docked near Pier 62. A forty-footer."

Miguel scoffed. "That's all those Rolex, Gucci-ass motherfuckers' nest."

Bobby shrugged. "It's overrated."

"How far is that?" I asked.

Bobby thought for a moment, but Miguel quickly added, "twelve blocks: less than two miles."

"That's not exactly a stroll," I said.

"No. It isn't. But it's worth it. Like what Joe said, the military's shutting us off."

"They're helping everyone. They're going to," I said, though my voice cracked a little at the end.

"No offense, kid, but I don't think that's happening. Have you seen what's going on outside the past couple of days? We hardly saw any people anymore. And those things roam around freely now. I'll take my chances for the boat than stay in here like a pack of sardines waiting to be eaten."

"Do you even have the keys to this boat?" Joe asked.

Bobby turned pale, and then he shook his head. Joe sighed, adding, "Well, that's a pile of shit rain right there."

"I have the keys."

"But you just--"

"I have the keys. Well, not with mine physically. I know where we can find one."

A sudden realization dawned on me. "It's not your boat, isn't it?"

Bobby glared at me, and I could tell he was annoyed that I called him out. He turned a deep shade of red and clasped his hands close to his belly as he shook his head. But I already knew the answer.

"What of it? It belongs to my boss. But he's in Paris banging a French chick behind his wife. It's not exactly like he'd miss the thing."

"And how are we going to Paris, huh? You nut?" Miguel jeered.

"It's in his apartment! I was the one who just took it back from the shop to replace its rotors, okay? We're on 26th street. His place is only three streets up north around Chelsea. We can get the keys and then get to the boat."

"And it's as easy as that?" I said sarcastically.

"You, Miguel, and that Logan kid managed just fine out there. Why don't you do that again?"

"Bitch, we just got lucky! We almost died with those things biting our asses trying to get into this church," Miguel seethed and jumped right out of his seat. "You know what, I need some fresh air before more crazy enters my head."