The Grey Ones

by Candra Baguley

Chapter 15

  The deserted street is lined with abandoned buildings and cars that gives the place a sense of a ghost town. Shards of broken glass cover the sidewalks, crunching under our feet with every step. Most of us are still soaked and shivering from the chilly river water. It took an hour of rowing down river before the sun rose and we were finally able to step back on land safely. We would’ve changed into dry clothes then, but while unloading our backpacks Billy accidentally dropped a few in the river; losing those supplies and dry clothes.

  I search the business names for somewhere to stock up. When I spot a sign for a convenience store, I raise my voice, “Let’s check there for clothes and supplies.”

  I don’t know if the store will have anything useful. We’ve avoided Portland ever since we were first attacked at the zoo. In the first few months we had heard from other survivors that Portland ran out of supplies quickly. Once the Grey Ones had spread out to the surrounding areas, survivors were using it for a supply top up spot. Travis never saw a reason to use the big cities for supplies since we had everything we needed available in the small towns we passed through.

  The store’s automatic doors are firmly stuck together. A few of us dig our fingers in between the pocket doors, attempting to open them, but when it deems useless we fan out to search for anything that can pry them open.

  The rain makes the pavement appear darker than usual, but with the sun rising high above, puddles have already begun to evaporate. After a few minutes, Travis ends up finding a metal crow bar inside one of the deserted cars in the lot. He shoves the flat end in between the doors. Moving it from side to side, he pries them open. It’s a small gap, but it’s enough for Jace and his brother Luke to reach in with their bare hands to pull them open.

  When they open up, a strange smell escapes. I step inside and within a few feet I can see what’s causing the stench. Decaying bodies cover the floors. Rotting in here during the summer heat have made the entire place reek.

  “Ewe,” Lilly says plugging her nose, “On second thought, I think I’ll stay outside and keep watch.”

  “Me too.” Allie says pinching her nostrils shut. She follows her sister’s lead back outside to the front of the store.

  I hold back a gag as I step over mutilated bodies lying in the middle of the aisle. A small brown teddy bear is soaked in blood on the floor. The fabric looks like it used to be soft, but now it’s hardened from the dried blood. As I glance around, I wonder about who these people were. Their mutilated limbs are too destroyed now to ever know who they used to be.

  Travis takes control. “Let’s split up.” He motions to Billy, Ty, and I as he continues, “We will grab first aid supplies, water, and clothes for us and the girls. You guys grab any weapons, food, or clothes you need.”

  Jace rounds up his brothers and leads them out the aisle. The sun has only been up for a couple hours, but the store is already becoming hot and humid. With the black hair tie on my wrist, I begin to wrap my long hair up into a bun. My fingers slide through my dampened hair. I can feel the sweat on my scalp as it begins to build up at the root.

  “Let’s get what we need and get out of here.” I say, still gagging.

  “Billy, you can grab waters. Isabelle you should grab some dry clothes for you and the girls.” Travis says as he points us in the direction of our supplies.

  “What about me, dad?” Ty asks.. He stands tall and pushes his small palm on the top of Cano’s head. His short black tail wags side to side cheerfully.

  Travis kneels down. “I need your help grabbing first aid supplies.”

  Ty smiles, his missing tooth front and center, he replies happily, “Okay. I’ll help you.”

  Most of the clothes I find are pants and long sleeve button ups. Better than being wet and cold. I grab a few sizes that seem like they’ll fit Lilly and Allie. When I begin to walk away I notice a pair of jean shorts stuffed in a bin. They’re a size too big but it’ll be better than wearing pants in the hot weather today.

  I clutch onto the clothes and wonder if anyone else is ready to go. My eyes dart over at the entrance. On the other side of the pried open doors, Allie and Lilly sit on a bench, alone. Glancing around the open department store, I can’t see anyone else. Large Christmas decorations block my view to the medicine area where Travis and Ty should be.

  I stroll through the aisles until I find a hiker’s backpack in the camping gear. After I stuff all the clothes inside with room to spare, I slip my wounded arms through the shoulder straps. Still searching around, I make my way toward the pharmacy.

  Wherever I step, there is dried blood stuck on the concrete floors. Some of the puddles are accompanied by mutilated bodies of children, adults, and the elderly. Some don’t appear to have been eaten, but instead cut into. Something besides the aliens did this. Or someone.

  When I make it to the medicine aisle I find that it’s empty. As I glance around the store I find Jace and his brothers making their way to the front entrance. Their fat backpacks seem heavy by the way they all keep readjusting the shoulder straps.

  “Travis? Ty?” I call out, my voice echoing in the empty aisles surrounding me.

  No answer.

  When I turn around to head towards the front entrance, I notice a back door open slightly behind me. “Travis?” I call out. My body moves towards the opening with a worn out ‘Employees Only’ sign. Gently pushing it open, the metal door creaks loudly. Without any windows, the backroom is dark, humid, and smelly.

  “Travis?” I call out again, walking behind the freezers full of melted ice cream and popsicles.

  I jump at the sound of empty cans rolling on the concrete floor to the right of me. My right hand reaches for the dagger strapped to my thigh. I’m caught off guard when I find it’s only two rats. They squeak quietly as they scurry past my feet. Their long tails graze my boots before disappearing into the darkness. A loud thud a few yards ahead causes me to jump again. My hand wraps around the dagger, gripping the red handle tightly. I follow the sound to a set of metal shelves and scan the dark corner. Without a flashlight, I can only see the figures of boxes and random objects. “Stupid rats.” I mutter under my breath as I head for the door. Pulling it towards me, the squeaky sound is drowned out by an even louder one.

  “Cano!” I yell in surprise when the big dog greets me with a loud bark.

  “There you are.” Travis’ voice sounds relieved. With Ty close behind, Travis runs up behind him. “What’re you doing back here?”

  “I was looking for you.” I reply, clutching my chest where my heart is beating rapidly.

  “Okay?” Travis replies with a smirk.

  Laughing off the scare, I say, “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  We begin to head back towards the front of the store; our feet step over spilled food, drinks, and mutilated bodies. My boots make a sticky sound when we step onto what appears to be juice that’s leaked onto the floor. When we reach the doors, Jace and Luke standing right outside.

  “We were starting to worry about you.” Jace says sarcastically before turning and walking into the sunlight.

  “Hey, wait for me.” Billy yells from behind us. His skinny legs move quickly while he carries two gallons of water. “This was all they had left.”

  “That’ll work for now.” Travis says. He takes the jugs of water from his hands and continues, “Let’s nchange and move out.”