Renee turned towards him, then back to Mary and Jessie. “We went out a few weeks ago, and found some abandoned stores. We were able to get a few loads of supplies. Well, Aidan found the stores. We came later. But, you can go into the closet, and take whatever supplies you need. Right now, we are asking everyone to sign, only for any guns or ammo that we have. If we keep growing. We will have to be more strict on other supplies. But, if you need anything, you are more than welcome to look through what is inside and take some of it.” Jimmy said, “Renee. We are going to run up to town and see if we can find a place to give us the materials we need for fencing, or a wall. We will be back, before dark.” He pointed to Will. Renee said, “Okay. Did you get something to eat?” Jimmy said, “Yes. Thanks.” Will said, “I'll grab something, later. If Stella or Scarlett come up this way, can you give them the things that we talked about?” Renee said, “Sure, Will. Maybe, I'll bring it up to them.” Will said, “Thanks, Renee. Can I leave Elvis here, til I get back?” Renee said, “Sure. If he won't get spooked, here.” Will said, “He will be okay. If he wanders off, he'll go on home.” Renee said, There is the old pasture, over there. The people who used to live here, must have had large animals. He will have room to move around, over there.” Will said, “Okay. Thanks.” He led the horse to the pasture. He opened the gate, and led him inside. Then, came out and closed the gate. Will and Jimmy climbed into one of the trucks that they had found. They started off. Once on the road, “ Jimmy said, “I thought we could go check on Rose and her group. Then, check in with your daughter's.”
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Will turned and stared at Jimmy, as though he had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. Jimmy looked at him, and blurted out,” What?” Will said, “You do know that, Rose and Keith are together....Right?” Jimmy said, “Yeah. I know.” Will shook his head. “Okay. Let's go check on em.” He turned, and stared out through the window. As they drove, they talked about their past lives. Jimmy asked, “How long did you know the others? You know? Before all of this.” Will said, “Well, Rose, Clea, and their family. Since, I was young. Ms. Clea was my Mother's good friend. Rose, and my Girls, went to school together. Dawn was much older than Rose. Her husband, Mike, he and I became friends over the ham. Renee and her family had just moved to the orchard, after this all happened. Her husband bought the place as a surprise for her. He didn't live to get out here.” Jimmy said, “Oh. I understand. Aidan grew up with Renee's older son. He says she is a good person. And, she had been real good to us.” Will said, “She is a good neighbor. I am impressed. When I first met them, I thought that they were going to be dangerous. I was wrong. Did you have family around here?” Jimmy said, “I did. They...they didn't make it. I went to them. I thought that they would be safe on the farm. Major Scott and I went to get his family. When we got back....” From the corner of his eye, Will saw an expression of grief show on Jimmy's face. Will said, “Jimmy, I am sorry. Was it those things?” Jimmy said, “No. It looked like Dad died, first. It looked like it was from natural causes. He must have come up on my Mom, after. He had no marks or bites. I never even thought about one of them having a heart attack, or going in their sleep. Just the dead ones.” Will said, “I think about it, sometimes.” Jimmy glanced over at him, “You? You are so calm, cool, and collected.” Will said, “Yes, I am. But, I just hope that, when I go, I am not around my daughters. Or, any children, or old folks.” Jimmy said, “Do they know how to kill those things? Your daughters.” Will said, “They are learning. But, I don't know how they will do under real pressure. Scarlett, especially. Stella. She's got it together. Scarlett, I worry about, more.” Jimmy said, “We have been talking about training everyone in groups. Scarlett is still young. She'll learn.” Will said, “I sure hope so.” Before they came to Clea's place, up across the road, they saw a woman fighting off several zombies. Will blurted out, “Rachel? Jimmy, get over there, fast!” Jimmy pushed the gas pedal down to the floor. Picking up speed, Jimmy drove the truck into the long driveway. The woman was off to the side of the driveway, in the grass. Jimmy drove right up to where the woman was. Both Jimmy, and Will jumped out of the truck. They could hear a woman screaming. Will realized that there was someone else being attacked. Some of the dead ones came towards him and Jimmy. Will shot two of them in the head. Jimmy pulled his knife out of the sheath, grabbed one of the zombies, and stabbed it in the eye. Rachel was still fighting off two of them with a dagger. Jimmy stabbed one zombie in the temple, and shot the other. She stopped swinging. Several feet away from them, was a grisly scene. The other woman was still screaming, and crying for help. They all turned towards her. Her cries were weaker, now. Rachel froze. She stared at Jimmy. She was in shock. Will rushed towards the woman. There were two zombies gnawing her, like animals. They had torn her flesh, and were eating her. It looked like one of them had bitten her in the neck. Her jugular vein had been torn. She was barely alive, now. The two dead ones ignored the people behind them. Will shot them both. He stared down at the woman. She was covered in blood. She closed her eyes, she looked unconscious. Will bent down and felt her arm for a pulse. There was none. He heard Rachel's voice. She was talking to Jimmy. “Where did you come from? Are there other people alive? Was she with you?” She still held the dagger in her hand. She looked down at it. Then, back at him. Jimmy put his hands up, as if to gesture for her to stop.
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“Honey. We are not going to hurt you. Let's talk about this.” She said, “Step back a little.” He obliged She turned and looked at the house. Jimmy asked, “Is that where you live?” She asked, “Who wants to know?” Will stepped forward. “Rachel?” Then, she saw Will. She had been so focused on fighting off the dead that, she didn't even realize that Mr. Neely was there. The look on her face, showed pure shock. “Mr. Neely?” The same expression showed on his face. “Rachel, are you out here alone? Is Jake with you?” She relaxed, and lowered the dagger. “He went out, and never came back. Emma is here with me.” Jimmy and Will exchanged a look. Will blurted out, “Rachel, it is not safe for you two to be out here, alone. Is Emma inside the house?” She said, “Yes. I need to get back there. Why don't you two come on up, and have something to drink? I'll take care of them, later.” She pointed towards the dead that lay on the ground. She had a lost look on her face, and walked away. Jimmy noticed her trance-like appearance, as she headed towards the house. He addressed Will, and quietly suggested, “Hey, Will. Uh. Why don't you go talk to her? I'll meet you up there with the truck.” Will shook his head. He was shocked to see Rachel here. He was shocked to see that she was even alive. He followed her up to the house. When he made it to the porch, he realized that, she had left the door standing open for him. She was standing in her living room with little Emma. Now, standing behind her, in the doorway, Will said, “Rachel. We should talk.” Rachel said, “You and your friend should come inside, Mr. Neely.” Will turned, and waved for Jimmy come up into the house.Then, he walked inside the house. After a minute, Jimmy followed him. Emma asked, “Who is it Momma?” Will said, “Rachel. How long have you and Emma been out here alone? I thought you and Jake had moved to town.” Rachel said, “Since it started. The day I realized what this was, I didn't think that we would make it back here. I thought that when I made it home that, Jake would be cutting the grass. I think that he went out to check some traps. He never came back.” Will said, “I am sorry, Rachel. You need to come out to our place.” Rachel asked, “What do you mean? We won't be any safer there, than we are here.” Will tried to convince her that she should come. He said, “Rachel, we are working with Jimmy's group, and Rose and Clea Fox. We are trying to get materials to close off the land mass around our places. Believe me, Rachel, you don't want to be here alone with Emma, if a large mob of those things comes through here. There is strength and safety in numbers.” She asked, “Are Rose, Stella, and Scarlett okay? Do you even have room for us?” Will answered, “Yes. And, if you don't like it at my place, you can go to Ms. Clea's, or the family that bought the old orchard. P
eople are starting to come together, Rachel. There are more, too. Jimmy here, he is at Renee's place. We have to be ready to re-form a civil community. This is Jimmy.” He pointed to Jimmy. Rachel turned to Jimmy. She said, “I don't know if I want to leave my place.” She was trying to comprehend what Will was saying. Jimmy said, “Rachel. He is telling the truth. We are trying to close off the properties, now. Trying to stop those things out there from coming up on us.” She replied, “But, our things....” He cut in, “We will help you bring whatever you want to move out. Will said, “Does Jake have any wood in the garage?” She answered, “Yes,but...” Will cut her off, “We will help you board up the place. You pack your truck with everything you two need, now. Then, we will come out, and help you get the rest of your things. Rachel, the numbers of those things out there, are increasing. We have plenty of room at my place.” She cut in, “Okay. Okay. I'll need to bring all of Emma's things. Her bed, too. Are you sure that there is room?” He said, “Yes. Yes, there is. We are going to check on the girls, then Rose, and Ms. Clea. Then, we'll be back to get you. Get your things packed. Find your deed to this place. If the government ever gets a hold of this, you'll want to be able to re-claim your property.
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After we board it all up, it will protect what you leave here. It will keep those things out.” She shook her head up and down. “Are you sure that there is room for us?” He said, “Yes. And, I know that the girls will be glad you are coming. We can bring you out here to get more tomorrow, if we can't get it all today.” She said, “How will I know when you will get back this way?” He pulled his radio out of his pocket. He said, “Keep this with you. We'll let you know when we are coming. Okay?” She shook her head up and down. She said, “Mr. Neely. I have a garden planted. What about food? I still have a lot of seeds. I will come back, and pick what I can every week. We'll need to make two trips for everything. I have a lot of canned stuff. You know? In the pantry.” Jimmy said, “We'll try to get some help from the group to come and help. We have a couple of large supply trucks there. I'll ask Renee, if she minds us using one.” She turned to him, and said, “Thank you.” He said, “Sure. You get everything ready. We'll move it for you. But we have to do it, while we still have daylight.” She said, “I'll be ready.” Will said, “Give us an hour. We'll be back.” The two men walked out of the house. Rachel locked the door after the men left. She turned to her little girl. She felt a huge sense of relief. After a few minutes, she heard voices on the radio. It was Will. He was speaking to Stella on Jimmy's radio. He said, “ Stella. “ Stella answered, “Yeah, Dad.” He continued, “Get the spare bedroom ready for Rachel and Emma. They are alive. We found them alone at the farm. They are going to stay with us. And, we'll need some help moving them. You up for it?” Stella said, “ Yes. Are they alright?” He said, “Go ahead and ask her yourself. I left a radio with her. I think, considering the circumstances, they are okay.” She said, “You guys be careful out there.” He said, “Always.” After a brief pause, Rachel heard Stella say, “Rachel? Rachel, it's Stella. Are you listening?” Rachel felt so happy. She held the radio to her mouth, “Hey, Stella.” Stella was happy that her old friend survived this. She had not heard from anyone, outside of her family, since everything fell apart. She spoke into the radio, again. “Rachel, how is Emma holding up?” Rachel answered, “Better than expected. We'll talk, when I get there.” Stella agreed, “Yes. We will. I am so glad that you are alright. We're getting one of the spare rooms ready for the two of you. I figure that, you want Emma with you?” Rachel said, “Yes, I do. Thanks, Girlfriend.” Stella replied, “You bet, Sister from another Mister.” Rachel continued, “I may have a problem.” Stella asked, “Why?” Rachel said, “Well, in addition to our things, I also have a pantry full of canned stuff.” Stella said, “I will come and help.” Rachel asked, “Do you want to drive my car back? I will drive the truck.”
Stella said, “Sure. We'll get it all. Don't worry.” Rachel said, “I'm not, now. Stell, I have not been away from the house, since it all started. How bad is it out there?” Stella said, “It's bad. I am not going to lie. Those things tend to show everywhere, but they are saying that they are moving in herds, now. There are places where you're safe, if you are quiet and careful.” Rachel said, “And, there is something else.” Stella asked, “ What?” Rachel hesitated. Then, spoke,“I'll show you when you get here. If you promise not to tell anyone.” Stella said, “Rachel, please tell me that you were not bitten.... “ Rachel cut her off, “No! I'll tell you when you make it here. I'll show you.” By the time Will, and the others came to get Rachel, she had the truck packed. She had clothes, and personal things crammed into her car. She had thrown a blanket over the things that were in the back of the truck. Jimmy, and Will had brought Ben, Jose, and Stella with them. They rolled up in a large supply truck. Rachel said, “Okay. The vehicles are packed full. If you guys can get the bed in Emma's room, and her toy chest, I would be grateful.” Ben said, “Sure. Which room?” Stella pointed into the doorway that was in view from where they stood. Jose said, “Anything else?” Jimmy said, “She has a bunch of tote bags in the middle of the living room floor.” Rachel walked into the house, with Stella.
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Stella asked, “What next?” She saw all of the furniture covered in sheets. Rachel said, “Just some of the blankets in the spare closet. And, anything else that you think we will need.” Stella said, “Okay, blankets. You should probably show the boys your pantry. They could start bringing that stuff out. It's going to be too heavy for you and I.” Rachel and Stella moved some of the things outside, while Will and Jimmy boarded up the lower level windows. Jose came into the house. “Anything else?” Rachel said, “Yes, just these bins, here.” She pointed to the many bins, and crates full of her pantry food.” Ben came in, just in time to see Jose picking up one of the the crates. They loaded as much into the truck as they could. Will and Jimmy finished covered the windows and door with boards. Rachel went to the garden, and locked the gate. She had decided that she would come by and water a few times a week. Then, just pick what she could salvage. They all made it back to Will's place. They helped Rachel move things into her new room. It is not like she was a stranger, she had grown up with Stella and Rose. She had spent many a night at the Neely's place. After the men carried the heavy things into the house, they decided to let the girls finish with the rest. Jimmy and Will, met with Aidan and the others. They all sat around a fire pit. Rose brought everyone some sweet tea. Major Scott said, “So, this warehouse, is it deep inside of town?” Will said, “It's on the edge of town. But, I haven't been inside, since before it all happened. It's fenced in. Got fifteen feet high wood fencing around the whole backside. They had to do it like that, because someone kept breaking in. I was thinking that, we go in and take materials by the truckload. If we still don't have enough, there is another way. But, it will require a little more, ingenuity.” Keith asked, “What kind of ingenuity? Is this about the storage containers?” Will said, “Yes.” Jimmy said, “There is no way we can move enough of those things here.” Keith said, “You should hear Will out. He may be on to something.” Scott said, “I don't know...” Will said, “We take the trailers they have there. They have flat bed tilting trailers. And, they have the trucks that contain the hydraulic lifts connected. We can move several of them a day. And, my plan is to use them around the front and lower parts of the properties. We weld them together, afterwards. Also, I found a trucking yard. It is loaded with trucks, and trailers. Box and reefers. We can make round trips, and use those trailers, too. We can cut them up to make strong walls on uneven ground. If we hit the three places that I have been watching, we will have more than enough materials. If my estimates are right, we can double up on the trailers, and shipping containers for the lower land.” Aidan said, “It will be work. But, the tractor-trailer thing, is a good idea. Are there places clear to go into?” Will said, “I have not gone too far into any of them, yet.” Scott said, “Okay. We check it out tomorrow
. Who here, can drive a big rig?” Jimmy said, “Me.” Will said, “ I can.” Keith said, “If you guys show me how, I'm in.” Nina walked up, “I can drive a rig.” They all turned around in surprise. Aidan said,” No. You are staying here.” She said, “Aidan. It's a good idea. And, if what Will says is true, there are a whole bunch of trucks and trailers. We will need to move as many here as we can. We can get a lot of them out here, if we all pitch in.” Aidan said, “No. You need to be out here watching the place. No.” Will said, “We can check out what is inside the trailers, too.” Nina added, “They used to leave full trailers in the yard, if they were going to stop in for a day, or if one driver could not finish the drop.” Pastor Dom spoke, “Nina, it may be too dangerous out there. Where did you learn to drive a big rig?” She proudly answered, “My Dad was a truck driver. He owned his own company.” Scott said, “Okay. I can drive, too. We have five drivers. Six, if we can teach Keith. If we can get in there, and there are not any of the dead inside, we make round trips all day.
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