Days Nevermore

Danger Interrupted

It was almost written like a movie; the fool went down the aisle and squatted to see the contents on the bottom shelf. Dallas went around at coast clear and snapped the neck of the man before returning to my side. Unfortunately, in this aisle we could not see the mirror anymore. We made our way down the one we were on and peered around the end cap. I saw no sign of the second guy but could see the child standing at the door. Nervous holding a firearm that was twice her size. I shook my head, then looked at Dallas. “Hey, Cap. Did you find anything? Yo, Cap?” this made the child look in, even more nervous like she hoped to not use her weapon. We heard the clunking boots and rattling chains coming from the other guy coming closer opposite the aisle. When the child looked away, we quickly moved away to another aisle. “Cap! Lenny, get in here! We have visitors!” the third adult came running in to where the other guy was. “s**t!” Lenny exclaimed. “Come out, come out wherever you are!” The second male taunted like a psycho.” We won’t hurt you. Just want to play with you.” He laughed like an i***t, not believing his own lie. The chains on his person sounded closer, Dallas went down the aisle to me and peered around. When it seemed clear, he went to the next aisle. Found something and threw it to the front of the store, making it clatter against the cooler door. The sound of footsteps rushing to investigate the noise gave us enough time to stand and open fire. The new guy fell with an audible thud and the menace that I saw red, he ducked into the aisle beside him. “So, you want to play, do ya?! Do you know who I am?!” we remained silent. I peered around the end cap to see Ruiz with the now limp and disarmed kid dragging her away to safety.

“Well, little girl, I hope you’re ready to make your first kill. You’re going to help me!” when he received no response, he growled “Little girl, you better answer me or you’re next!” again there was no response. Dallas reappeared and we made our way aisle by aisle to the man’s voice. We spotted him in the mirror once he came into view again. He laughed like a psychotic menace off his meds. “Little chicken s**t probably ran off. I’ll find you, little b***h, and make you pay.” He stood and penguin walked to the other end of the aisle in an attempt to be quiet and looked around, noticing the doorway was empty. “You’re gonna pay for this!” he shouted, but we still remained silent. We made our way down to the end of our aisle and peeked to see him looking around. His dark hair was greasy, messy and sticking to his dirty face. His clothes were so dirty they had wreaked like they hadn’t seen a drop of water in months. “I’m going to make you pay for all of this!” he shouted, but yet no answer came. He looked around even more psychotic as his breath began to speed up in fear. I slowly pulled my pistol from its holster and aimed directly at his temple through the end cap. He slowly turned his head at that moment when I pulled the hammer and his eyes met mine, with a smirk on my face, his eyes went wide. A quiet, but dangerous “Boo.” came from my lips as I pulled the trigger. His head snapped back from the impact, knocking him to his back where he would never get up again. I stood up and holstered my sidearm. Dallas stood after watching the encounter and followed me from our hiding place. I looked at him and there was a flicker of concern that flashed across his face before it disappeared. He nodded and walked through the storeroom to the exit. I searched the bodies for anything useful before finding some charcoal and lighter fluid. I pushed the car back from the building and dumped the charcoal in the driver’s seat, soaking the coals with the fluid. I pulled a matchbook from my pocket, lit a match and tossed it on the coals. The flames erupted immediately. I watched a few moments to make sure the fire would go well and properly and headed back inside to make my way back through the stock room. I heard the men talking and as I approached, they ended their hushed conversation mid-sentence. I looked around at them and they cleared their throats, “Well? We don’t have all day.” I crawled into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. They all looked at each other before occupying their seats. As Davis was closing the side door, our furry friend hopped into the van just in time. “Well, hey, boy. Where did you go?” With a silent, blind stare, he laid down at Davis’ feet and closed his eyes. He slept the whole way back to camp. “Camp” couldn’t call it a town anymore. Makeshift high fences, guards at every corner and wall. Our small population of maybe eighty survivors. All living in their chosen housing. Makeshift offices for the leaders. Courtyard to make judgments and meetings in the reception hall. We made the best of our small camp. Only going out to look for supplies as needed. With this current encounter, it only means we may have to pack up and move again.