The Hole — Chapter 11

A Novel of Supernatural Apocalypse

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Shortly before the sun came up, Elliot found a promising exit and took it, now driving roughly north, parallel to the barrier. Evajean woke some time later and they stopped long enough to eat a quick breakfast of apples and cold oatmeal. Hope devoured a few strips of jerky. The water jugs they’d gathered and filled in Nahom still had plenty left for another week of travel.

Near where they pulled off sat a service station with attached convenience store. Elliot broke the glass door, went inside, and came out with more snack foods and a road atlas. He also found several cans of dog food for Hope and a cheap can opener.

They traced their journey on the map and found a highway only another thirty miles north that would take them back to I-70 — provided the wall of light let them through.

As they drove, the barrier could occasionally be seen, off in the distance to their left, but it was mostly lost in the glare of the cool light from the September sun.

“What do we do if we can’t find a way around?” Evajean asked.

“We will. That thing can’t go on forever.”