lost

I don’t know where I am. The ground is rocky and dry, and brown mountains line the horizon. I can’t see any houses, or roads, or fences, or any other sign of civilization. We’ve spent two days in this trailer, waiting for what dad calls our ‘contact’ to get us to some place called ‘Bascomville.' There’s a gas generator here and a dozen tanks filled with fuel. Countless bottles of water and canned food. Like a bomb shelter whose only real protection is being in the middle of nowhere.
We’re traveling at night, but I keep falling asleep. Each time I wake up it feels a little warmer outside, so we must be going south.
Every time I close my eyes I hope that sleep will somehow spring me from this nightmare.
Something is terribly wrong with mom. I saw the changes happen right in front of me. I keep seeing that red in her eyes, like ripe cherries. It keeps showing up it in my reflection.
But I must’ve imagined it. There’s no way all this can be real. My parents must be lying to me. Probably because they think I can’t handle the truth.
Mom’s been awake about four hours in the last week. She tells me not to worry, that Z will protect us. But how can you get protection from yourself?
I have to go. If dad wakes up to find me using his laptop and SATphone he’ll change all his passwords again.