Preston’s voice quivered. “Up to now, they haven’t stopped until dawn.”
Georgie nodded. His eyes were wide, and darted nervously about in the weird silence. He spoke in a rasp. “It’s eleven thirty-five? Yeah.” He pointed straight ahead, into the space we could see, and stopped the car. That spot, right in the road there. I can tell from the trees.”
Georgie turned off the engine, but left the headlights on. We got out wordlessly and started to unload the items Georgie had brought. He took a large wooden box out of the trunk. I carried a can of lighter fluid, a wine pot and its three cups, and some pots and pans. Preston brought serving bowls and the bag of groceries.
Georgie set down the wooden box and scanned the dark woods around us. Then he gestured for me to handle the food, and he b
