Tom shrugged. "The truth is that there are probably more kids than we could get out in one bus load. Maybe it would be better to concentrate on getting out of town ourselves and returning with help?" As a teacher he hated to take that attitude, but he sensed his companion's fear and realized that the task of rescuing all of the children might be beyond their capabilities.

They sneaked around the edge of the gas station and it was then that he saw an old pickup truck with the keys still in the lock, as if someone had meant to escape and had not been able to, though he did not see any bodies around. Maybe it was a trap? His heart thudded inside of his chest.