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All of the group, in their individual vehicles, listened to what Renee said on the radio. They knew that she was right. No one said anything. Renee knew that they could make it, if they could find a way to hide from the new dangers of this world. They had to put their heads together. They had to try. Nina and Rosa heard several vehicles coming up the driveway. Nina looked out through the window. “They're back.” Rosa looked relieved. The two women went outside to meet the group. Aidan kissed Nina. Nina said, “We were starting to get worried.” He said, “We hit pay dirt. Found some new friends, too. Tomorrow, we have a long day ahead of us.” Nina and Mrs. S. turned to see Naomi and Frank standing there. Mrs. S. said, “Well, hello. I am Rosa Sandoval, and this is Nina Barone. We are pleased to meet you.” The two looked like, they felt awkward, but relieved. Frank replied, “Nice to meet you Mrs. Sandoval. I am Frank Jessup, and this is Naomi, my daughter.” Naomi said, “Hi.” Renee suggested with a question, “Why don't we take out most of this tomorrow? We have a lot to go through. Frank, Naomi. I'll show you the old school. You can bunk there, until we figure out what will be more comfortable for the two of you.” Before she finished speaking, she turned to see them wearily walking behind her. She felt guilty. These two must have seen terrible things out there, she thought to herself. She led, as they followed. Frank said, “Miss Renee, anything away from what is out there, is just fine. And, I want to say, thank you to you, for helping us. Really.” She said, “It's okay. Just glad you two are alright. And, we just picked up some supplies, so if you need something that we have, let me know.” She led them to the old school. They walked up the halls. She said, “Go ahead, and pick a room or two. Make yourselves at home. I'll see what I can do about getting you something to sleep on. I know that, this is not a house... ” Frank said, “ It's okay. I understand. We have sleeping bags, for now.Thank you, again.” Renee said, “We'll have a supper in a while. Get comfortable. Then, come up to the house, and have something to eat.” Naomi said, “Thank you, Renee.” Frank nodded, “Thanks, again.” Renee left, and went the house. They had supper, and got to know each other. The new friends were happy that they had found each other. The next day, Aidan had coffee and breakfast early, then he went scouting.
Mean while, Major Scott and Jimmy were walking down the path. They saw an opening in the path. They continued to the end. As they came to the clearing, they saw a field. Across the field, were buildings. Jimmy said, “I think that this is the little town we passed, when we first came here. Remember? We saw so many stiffs walking around that, we had to turn back the other way.” The Major said, “Yes, I think it is, too. So we have been hiding out behind a herd of those things, all
along.” He shook his head, in disbelief. “We should be extra careful. If they are still around here, and they see us, we could have a real situation on our hands. We don't want to lead them back to the house. We get what we need, and get back. If it's clear, then we can come back with one of the vehicles and load up, later.” Jimmy agreed, “Yeah. I thought I could look for another vehicle, too. We need something else. Just in case.” Scott said, “I was thinking that same thing. If this place is cleared, maybe there is a better place to hide out.” Jimmy said, “We'll see, in a few minutes.” To one side of the clearing, the buildings reached all the way back to the tall grass. Jimmy said, “Let's go through the grass and come up behind those buildings, there. Just in case, someone is watching.” They walked through the tall grass, crouching, as they moved closer to the buildings. They were careful to look over their shoulders. They didn't want anyone to sneak up on them. Dead or alive. They made it behind the building, to the farthest end. They ran to the back of the building. They ran up the side of the building, stopping at the front corner so that they could get a look at what was out front.
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They peeked around one corner. They saw no one. It was a small town. The main street stretched a few blocks, then curved around some other buildings. They could not see what was on the other side of town, unless they could make it to the other side. Jimmy said, “It looks quiet here, but we don't know what is over there.” Scott said, “Okay,” He looked at his watch. “You go one way. I'll take the other. We stay on the radio. We check in every thirty minutes. We meet back here in two hours, unless we find trouble.” Jimmy said, “I'll go that way. I am going to keep my eyes out for some kind of truck, and a fuel source. If it's clear here, I will get whatever supplies I can find.” The Major agreed, “Okay, then. Two hours.” They walked up the street in opposite directions. There were a few cars abandoned on the side of the street. Jimmy approached each one carefully. He looked inside the first one. It was empty. He went through the glove box. He found some papers. He looked into the back seat. There was an empty booster seat for a young child. He imagined how terrified that poor child must have been before dying. He popped the trunk open, and looked inside. He found some water, snacks and little girl clothes. He looked around, and went to the second vehicle. Inside was a corpse, he inched his way to the drivers side door. He made himself ready to fight, in case it was the living dead. When he looked inside the window, it was a dead man who had a bullet hole in his temple. Jimmy opened the door. The gun was still in the corpse's hand, he had to force open the hand, to take the gun out of it. He looked through the car. He found a box of bullets, a knife, some canned food, and water. He took the duffel from the back seat and loaded everything into it. He walked further down the street. He saw a corner store. He had to make sure there were no dead inside. He knocked on the window. Three rotting zombies slammed into the glass on the other side. He walked a little further down to the door, they followed him, snarling, and clawing the window. He tried to open the door. It was unlocked. He put the duffel down, here they came. He opened the door, and ran backwards. One by one, they all came right at him, grabbing and growling. He stabbed one in the eye. Then, the second, he stabbed in the temple. He went down. The next one, was big. He pulled his hatchet out of his belt. He grabbed the big snarling zombie. He held him back, by pushing on it's chest so that he could get a good swipe at him. He could barely hold him back. He struggled, as the large zombie pushed against him. He swung, and landed the hatchet in the monsters' head. That did not faze it. The gray, leathery zombie fought harder to get his bloody hands on Jimmy. He still snapped his teeth, and fought to bite Jimmy. Jimmy pushed back harder on his chest. He took out his knife. He stabbed the big dead one in the eye. It fell. Jimmy stumbled backwards. He leaned on a car to catch his breath. “Damn!” He went into the store front. He looked around. The shelves were full. He turned on his flash light and pointed it towards the back of the store. He walked up and down the isles, looking for more dead. As soon as he knew that the coast was clear, he got on his radio. “Major. Where are you?” A minute later, “I'm walking through a car lot. Killed a bunch of those things.” As he walked to the back of the store, Jimmy asked, “Did you get ambushed?” The Major said, “No. One or two, here and there. I'm going to try to get inside.” Jimmy said, “If you can find a truck, come this way. I'm at the corner of North and Main. Major. We need a large vehicle. I am inside the grocery store.” The Major said, “I'm looking. Is there something there that we can use? I'll meet you down there in a while. There isn't much here. Some houses. I would imagine that they may still have dead inhabitants inside.” Jimmy was looking out through a back window, from the storage room. He said, “Yes, there is a lot of stuff here. Meet me here when you get ready. I see some buildings in back. That's where I'll be if I'm not on the corner waiting. But, we need to stock up on what food that we can carry.”
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Scott said, “That's good. See you in a few.” Jimmy looked around. The place was filled with supplies. They just needed a way to bring some of it back to their place. He opened the exit door at the back of the storage room. He peeked out to make sure it was safe. There was a field to the right, and a small group of buildings to the left. He took out his field glasses, and scanned the landscape. The
buildings looked older, but well kept. He started walking towards them. When he came to the first one, he realized that he had been looking at the back of buildings. They were brick, with flat roofs. But, were not commercial buildings. He came to a window, then peeked inside. There was a dining room table and chairs inside. It was a house. “This is a group of townhomes.” He whispered. He went to another window, and looked through it. It was a bedroom. He didn't see anyone inside. He went to the second building. On the corner of the building, he saw a rain barrel with a gutter attached through the top. He studied it for a moment. He peeked through one of the windows, and saw a living room. He said, “You are wasting time, Jim. Go find some supplies.” He turned to head back to the store. Then, he hesitated. “Aw... I'll go in, and take a quick look.” He went to the door. It was locked. He had to force it open. He went in, slowly. He expected a family of living dead to attack him, as soon as he walked in. The first thing that he noticed, was that, the place was neat and clean. There was no dust. In the corner, sat a doll house. There were dolls, and a few toys laying on the floor next to the doll house. He walked into the kitchen. There was no dust, anywhere. He looked around the kitchen. He opened the cabinet doors. The cabinets were full. On the table was a plate of sliced peaches. Whoever was eating it, did not finish. He saw a bottle of chewable vitamins for children sitting on the table. Someone with children was living here. Should I leave? he thought to himself. He turned, and walked back through the room he had entered through. To the side was a hallway. He went towards it. He slowly opened the first door. It was a bedroom. The bed un-made. Again, he noticed that nothing was dusty, or dirty. He closed the door. He tip-toed a little further down the hall. He opened the second door. He peeked inside. Another bedroom. The bed made, and nothing out of order. He went inside. The closet door caught his attention. He went to where it was. He opened it. The clothes all hung, neatly in order. But, nothing else. He went to the third room. He peeked in, to make sure he would not get mobbed by dead zombies, once inside. He saw no one. He walked inside the room. The bed was made, and there were some toys in the corner of the room. He tought that he'd heard a noise coming from the closet. He took out his knife, and pulled open the door. He was going to stab the first walking corpse that lunged at him. To his shock, he saw a little girl, and a young woman crouched in the corner of the closet. The woman held a gun pointed right at him. They both looked terrified. “Whoa! Whoa! Take it easy. I am not going to hurt you!” He held his hands out to the side. He continued, “I didn't think that anyone lived here. I expected to see the dead.” She stared at him. She ordered, “Get back! Now!” He slowly, stepped backwards. He said, “Miss. I am not here to hurt you.” She asked, “What do you want? Why did you come here?” The little girl cut in, “Mommy, I am scared.” Jimmy said, “Honey. I am not going to hurt you.” Her mother ordered, “Don't speak to her! Do you hear me? It's okay, Jasmine. Don't talk to him.” The girl didn't say anymore. He said, “I'm sorry. I am only looking for supplies. I didn't think that anyone lived here.” A voice came over the radio.” Hey Jimmy. Where are you? Thought you were on North and Main.” He said, “Okay, Miss. I am going to reach for my radio. Don't panic.” She said, “No! You better not tell him where we are! Or, I will kill you! Don't talk to him!” He said, “If I don't respond, he will get suspicious. We are not going to harm you. I promise.” She looked down at her daughter. She didn't know what to do.
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Jimmy continued, “Listen. Can I ask your name? My name is Jimmy. That guy you just heard, he is my friend. Major Scott.” She cut him off, “You are soldiers? Oh Great!” She lifted the gun higher. He said, “We were! Until we saw what was happening.” She vehemently blurted out, “The soldiers were robbing, and killing everyone! Is that what you guys did?” He said, “No. That is why we left our unit. All of us were not killing people. His wife and son are back at the house that we are staying at.” She became confused. She lowered the gun a little. She said, “Throw your gun on the floor. The tools and knife, too.” He did what she told him to. He said, “Can we talk now?” She said, “I don't trust you. You need to leave, now!” He said, “Is there anyone else here with you? You can't stay here with the girl, alone. Not in this.” He pointed to the window. She listened to him. She said, “I am not telling you anything. Okay? You need to go away.” Jimmy asked, again, “What is your name? You should come and talk to Scott. He has a son, not much older than your little girl. We are staying at a house, on the other side of the field. Honey, you are not safe here. What's your name?” She hesitated. “Ava. This is Jasmine. I'm sorry. But, I just want you to leave.” Jimmy urged, “Why don't you talk to the Major? We can meet him over by the store, you can talk to him. Ava, there is safety in numbers. You and the girl don't stand a chance here with the little girl. I know. We lost people to those things, already.” She said, “I don't know you. I'm sorry. If you tell that man where we are. I am going to kill you. If you need food, take some from the kitchen. That is all that I can do for you.” Jimmy! Hurry up! We have a herd coming! It's big. You there?” He put the radio to his mouth.“Yeah. How big is it?” Ava watched Jimmy speak to his friend. She was contemplating how to get away. The Major said, “We have to get to the house. We have to hurry. I already told Nicole and Pastor Dom to get their clothes packed. I found us a truck. Hurry get back here! We have to move!” Jimmy said, “Ava, you have to get your clothes, and come with us. You can't stay here with her. Ava heard the urgency in the mans voice. She knew that this was not a lie. She had to protect her little girl. She said, “You better not try anything.” He said, “Tell me what you want to bring. Get the clothes you can carry.”
“Mommy. Are the bad people coming?” She bent down, and hugged her daughter. She said, “It's okay, Honey. We are going with Jimmy, for now. Okay?” Jasmine shook her head up and down. Ava rushed to pack a bag of clothes for them. She grabbed Jasmines blanket and pillow and shoved it in a bag. They rushed out the door, and ran through the field. Ava pulled Jasmine by her arm. “Mommy. I'm tired.” Jimmy picked the girl up, and ran with her in his arms. He yelled, “I've got her!” They ran to the store. The Major was standing outside of a pickup truck. When he saw Jimmy, Ava, and Jasmine, he ran to the passenger side of the truck and opened the door. “I'm glad that I got a two-seater.” Jimmy asked, “How far are they? How much time do we have?” The Major said, “They are half a mile out. Saw them through my scope. I figure, a half hour, an hour at the most. The others are packing the RV, I don't think the fences will be enough to hold those things back.” Jimmy said, “Okay then. At least, we have another truck. We needed it. This is Ava, and her daughter Jasmine. They were held up in a building behind the store.” The Major said, “Hi Girls. I am Major Scott.” Ava said, “Hello.” Jasmine asked, “Do you have a son? Jimmy said that you have a son.” Scott smiled, “Yes. I do. His name is Devon.” Now, they were inside the truck. The Major drove fast. He made it to the house in a few minutes.They all ran into the house. Jimmy said, “What all needs to go?” Nicole, and the Pastor were rushing out past them, carrying duffel bags in their hands. Nicole asked, “Who's this?” She was looking at the little girl. Nicole winked at her. Devon came out, next. He was carrying a bag of canned food.
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