Chapter 24
VENTURA HARBOR, CALIFORNIA—THE DIOS—DAY ONE
Kip, Ronni, and Becca crossed Main Street and turned west. Above them, another drone zoomed in low and detonated an EMP. People were running in every direction. Becca slowed, turned back for a moment, and saw the hungry fire leap from one house to another on the hillside. A mushroom-shaped black cloud billowed up and expanded horizontally as the fire grew in intensity and breadth.
Kip removed a water bottle from a pocket, and they all stopped for a few seconds to drink, then ran again, turning south down California Street toward the ocean. When they’d reached Harbor Boulevard, they paused to catch their breath. Ronni noticed that Becca was no longer limping.
“Do you want me to carry you on my back?” Kip said.
“No, I can keep going
