The four determined nomads pass by shops and ruined homes, keeping their focus in front of them. The interstate is close and in clear view. The on-ramp just two traffic lights ahead. There have been no diseased, no Adapted that they've noticed. Of course, Karo knows this could be a fallacy, they could be watching the beating hearts, waiting for an opportune time to attack, just as they did when the monsters took Jack's life.
He breathes a small sigh of relief when he takes his first step onto the on-ramp. He peers over his shoulder, looks back onto the town, scans for movement, listens for unusual sounds, and finds none.
"Here's what I'm thinking, Route 19 will take us all the way to Casselberry. We're about twenty miles away from entering Florida, so we won't make it there before sundown. Camping on the interstate is too risky. I know I said it's the most direct path, but we're this close, and we got this close by being as safe as we can be. We shouldn't abandon that now. I think it's better to stay off the interstate, but near it, keep it in sight at all times."
Norman's head bobs.
"I agree, no reason to change what we've been doing, its brought us this far."
Daisy nods in agreement, "Sounds good to me."
The lean, rugged wanderer grunts as he unhooks his canteen. He splashes a small amount of water into his mouth, then returns the container to its holding spot. He looks over his companions, knowing his days with them are numbered, feeling a small bit of joy in having helped better their lives, a bit of sadness that Jack couldn't be here with them, and a bit of thanks for the possibility that Jack's death could provide the basis for the future to come.
"Let's get moving then."
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
The short warrior grimaces and hunches down. She peers around the corner of the broken glass door, holds for a moment, then retakes her hidden position. She looks to her left and shows two fingers. KP bobs her head, then glances to Rad, who returns the gesture.
KP puts her hand near the ground, hovering just above it, pats down, then picks up a rock and mimics a throwing motion. The Guide points at Rosaline, then to the inside of the gas station. The short fighter returns a gesture of understanding, holds her hammer near her head, and turns to forward face the opening in the glass doors.
The Guide heaves the rock inside the store, aimed to the back right corner, away from Rosaline. A thud is followed by the moving of feet, and gurgled groans. Rosaline inhales, then enters the building.
She keeps low as she races to the back of the store. She intercepts the infected, her hammer cracks against the bend of a knee, and the beast slouches down, meeting the claw end of her hammer against its head. A forceful tug of the hammer, followed by a blade embedding under jaw.
The second monster screeches as it spins around toward the fresh audible commotion. The butt of a rifle smashes the side of its head, revealing a rising brute of a man. The diseased smacks against the wall, its arms flailing about. As it shoves off the wall, a long matted blade pierces through its skull.
KP digs her foot into the infected chest, tugging with all her might. After two pulls do not dislodge the weapon, she gathers her strength again, leans back, and pries the machete from thick cranium.
"Stockroom." she whispers to Rosaline, then turns to Rad, "Bathrooms."
KP darts to the checkout counter, sliding over it in one fell swoop. She scans the area, it's not large enough to contain any non-visible hiding spots. She exits the small enclosure, rounds the corner, then places her hand on the handle of the door to the manager's office.
An exhale, the door flings open, nothing and no one inside. Rad reappears from the short corridor across the store. He shakes his head. A long moment passes, the two wait in silence, then Rosaline emerges from the stockroom.
"All clear."
"Let's get everyone in here, then barricade the doors." the Guide says.
Hawaii and Zee claim the check out area, jumping the counter, and set off to attempt making it comfortable for the night. Crashes and screeches cloud the air as KP and Rad clear off a large stand alone shelf. A difficult ten minutes of pushing, pulling, and wiggling later and the shelf is pressed against the broken front doors.
"It can be climbed over by something small, but it'll take a bit of effort, so it should be fine for the night."
"Sounds good to me." Rad replies through huffed breathes.
Rosaline slides her fingers in-between Sweetie's, interlocking them. The grieving companion flashes a forced smile to her lover.
"You don't have to do that."
"What?"
"Fake being happy. This is a fucked up time, it's okay to be sad. I just want you to know I'm here for you."
"Thank you nena."
The five year old wraps his arm around the grief stricken woman's leg, "Me too." he says, a soft warmth exuding from him.
Sweetie pats his head, brushing her fingers through his shaggy hair.
"What kind of stuff used to be in here?" the child asks, his brow furrowed.
"I don't really know niño, maybe they sold food and stuff? Look around. Check it out."
He grabs Sweetie's hand, looking up to her.
"Come with me?"
Her lungs deflate, the corners of her eyes gloss.
"Okay chacho, lead the way."
The young boy paces in front of them, still attached to the sorrowful woman's hand. His inexperienced gaze wanders over the shelves and old coolers. Dirty mildewed products are strewn about all over the floor, he kicks them aside as he pass over them, his vibrant imagination making a game of it. The heart broken
