I wasshocked at how much ‘stock’ they had. Shelves lined the walls and down thecenter of the room was a huge shelving unit. The shelves on the walls held avariety of weapons, I saw handguns, grenades, big heavy looking guns although Ihad no idea what any of them were called. The shelves in the back of the roomon the wall were full of boxes of ammo there were also some large, blackplastic crates on the floor also filled with ammo. They looked like the cratesthe guys moved from my small local shop. What was that guy into??
Theshelving units in the middle of the room were full of food, cereals, rice,noodles, tins of fruit, soup, beans and spaghetti were plentiful as were thebreakfast bars. There were boxes of washing powder and washing up liquid. Theend shelf was empty, I assumed it was for the medicines we were getting today.
My familycould do with so much of this stuff, I wish I could fill a bag full and take itwith me, but I had to remain as normal and inconspicuous. Nobody could knowwhat I planned on doing today.
“Georgehave you ever used a gun before? Or would you rather stick to a knife?” Willasked me checking out a handgun.
“Only once,my father in law took me to a gun range. To be honest I wasn't very good butI'm eager to learn,” I admitted, especially now, as to be able to shoot a gunand be good at it in this new world was a definite must. “I'll take my knife aswell though, just in case,” I added.
“Yours isstill in your backpack, I left it in there in case you needed it. Things canget rough here, quick,” he said.
He handedme a similar hunting knife that I tucked into my waistband. “This will be agood beginner gun for you.” He showed me the basics, how to knock the safetyoff and reload. It seemed pretty easy although I wasn’t sure how I would doonce out there face to face with zombies. Will, then grabbed four small bottlesof water from a box on the ground, four cereal bars and two apples. He gave mehalf and a small backpack to put them in. He led me through another small doorthat I had not noticed before. The room was about as small as a janitor’scloset. It was full of clothes. “Women's on the left, men's on the right. Shoeson the floor.” There were also a few boxes on each side for toiletries.
“Better gocheck in with Deacon,” Will said.
I led theway through the door.
“He’ll bein his office,” Will said.
I carriedon in front, through to the reception area and off to the right was Deacon’sliving quarters. Deacon and Tony were talking low to each other and they did notseem happy. Adam was off to the side and looking awkward.
“Hey guys,everything ok? Shall we get going?” Will asked walking confidently toward them.
I wasslower, more on guard, nervous about the trip.
Theystopped talking. Deacon shook his head no to something Tony said and the lookDeacon gave Tony was enough to stop anyone from talking. “Got the list righthere,” Deacon said waving a piece of paper. “Each team has a different list.Will, you and Adam go together, here is your list and George, you go with Tonyand here is your list. Ok?”
I movedcloser to Deacon and took the list. Ours had all toiletries on it:
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shower gel.
Plastersand bandages
Antisepticcream, wipes.
Soap
Sanitarytowels
Tampons
Condoms
Babybottles, food, teethers Etc.
Anythingelse you think is important.
I read andre read the list and nodded my head. I passed it to Tony for him to read but heheld up his hands. “You find the stuff I will be your backup ok new guy,” hesaid almost too aggressively, as if challenging me.
I ignoredhim and turned to see Will and his partner Adam had both finished reading theirlist and Will was tucking it into the front pocket of his jacket.
“Alrightget going guys, it goes without saying anything else you think may be helpfulgrab. Stay safe.”
I was thefirst out the door desperate to get some fresh air and as far away from Deaconas possible. The guy gave me the creeps.
Chapter6
We walked togetheraround the building to the back where they kept the cars. It was a hugeenclosed area that was locked by a simple bolt lock.
“Wait here,I'll go get the car,” said Tony, he unlocked the gate easily and walked offtowards a big black jeep. He got in, started up and brought it around to us. Itwas a Ford pickup truck with nudge bars and a line of lights on top of the cab.I got in the back with Will and was surprised to find myself with ample legroom. At 6ft 4 I had always found myself cramped in the back of vehicles.
“Nice huh?”Adam called from the passenger seat. “It's a Ford Ranger. 4x4. My baby,although I can't drive her at the moment because of this.” He held up his handthat was lightly bandaged. “Caught my hand in the gate rushing to close itbefore being swarmed by the spookies, that's my word for the zombies. Coolhuh?” Adam talked too fast and seemed really nice.
I smiled athim. “Yeah cool,” I agreed, Poppy would love that name, it sounded fun and notat all like the zombies.
“Shut thefuck up Adam, that's all you do is talk. How about we ride in silence for awhile huh?” Tony shouted from the driver’s seat.
“Ok no needto shout.” Adam held his hands up in mock surrender.
Theystarted to argue back and forth, I tuned them out and turned to look out of thewindow. I was saddened by what I saw.
Emptybuildings abandoned by their owners, some missing their windows, others hadbeen burned in fires, most of them had blood and other body parts, I wouldrather not describe, smeared
