96 Miles

Unable to walk quietly, John and Cleverly run across the gravel; thankfully, the buzzing cicadas masks their loud footsteps. They start slashing tires and notice a four-wheeler and two dirt bikes that hadn’t previously. Even though she’s terrified to split up, Cleverly goes around the opposite side of a truck from John to make their work go faster. To reach the dirt bikes, John has to stand up, putting himself in view of the person sitting at the campfire: Clayton Presley. John notices Clayton’s eyes, staring and void of expression, as he looks into the fire. Stewart wears the same empty look. John had wanted to confront Clayton but seeing him like this shows John that confrontation wouldn’t give him any satisfaction.

John still wants the water tanks back. He walks into the open to reach a tank, but Clayton continues to stare at the fire. John fills his water bottle with the tank hose, chugging the entire bottle before refilling it and drinking more. He remembers Cleverly, and realizes he’s deviated from their plan. Filling the empty canteens for Will and Stew, he overhears snippets of the radio broadcast Clayton is listening to. He hears that the state borders are closed, which would explain why his dad hasn’t returned.