At that point, a chorus of voices spoke up from all corners. Things were degenerating fast. Shelley started shaking her head.
What a mess...
“EXCUSE ME!” Somebody yelled at that point.
“EXCUSE ME!” he repeated as the rest of the group’s discussion died down and all eyes turned to him. It was Craig. Jack’s dad. He was not a terribly imposing sight. Just a tall, lanky man, who looked like he was in his early forties. His dark hair was slightly receding at the temples, giving him a bit of a Dracula look. He stood straight as people stared at him and made the classic ‘slow down’ movement with his hands.
“Ok.” Craig said as all noise died down. He stepped back to the exit that he had just locked, choosing a position central and in front of the group. With his back turned, Shelley heard him mumble ‘Ok.’ to himself once more before he turned to face the group.
“Hi.” He said with a disarming smile.
He had positioned himself so that most of the people could see him clearly. “My name is Craig.” Craig looked at several people around him, meeting eyes whenever possible.
Shelley noticed it. This guy was obviously experienced in dealing with groups.
“Let’s not worry about who the leader is for the moment, ok?”
He continued before anybody could respond.
“What we do need to do, folks, is to focus. We need to work together. The enemy is not here amongst us, but out there.” He stated as he threw a thumb over his shoulder towards the exit behind him.
“Hey–” Joe started to speak but was hushed by several people including his wife. She had walked up behind him and tugged on his arm. “Let the man speak, Joe.” She said in a low voice.
Craig continued with a grateful smile directed towards Joe’s wife. “We can deal with other things later, but I for one would feel a lot more comfortable if we can get this place secured... So, none of those things can get at us!” He said this last bit as he was nodding at the people around him and received affirmative nods in return.
“I have an idea. Can I share it with you?” He received several nods, so continued.
“Look, we need to cover this floor and the basement floor as quickly as possible. What I propose is that we split into two groups. Each group takes care of one floor. We just need to make sure that all the exit doors and windows are closed and locked.”
The soldier, Bill, took that moment to stand beside Craig. His uniformed presence provided a feel of authority, despite the bandage that covered his face and the sling around his arm.
Shelley thought about that for a second. Or maybe his presence provides motivation exactly because of those visible injuries...
Craig organized the group into two teams. One team, led by the two remaining soldiers, went downstairs, and the other team was to take charge of the main floor. Shelley noticed, that as Craig was talking, Joe Collins was starting to bristle again. But then Craig asked Joe to take charge of the group responsible for checking the main floor. That surprised the big man. It surprised others too. Shelley could sense that while some approved of the tactical step, others resented it.
“Erm... Yes. Yes, I can do that.” Joe’s face betrayed a flash of pride. Craig had appeased Joe’s ego and still gotten what he wanted out of the deal.
“Ok, great. Let’s get this one thing done and we’ll all feel safer.” And with a nod to Joe, Craig relinquished control of the group. Shelley was impressed. This guy knew how to motivate folks – or at least disarm situations.
The first group had already left. Joe looked at the remainder of the group. Eight expectant faces were turned to him.
“Ah. Ok. ... I think we’re right in the middle of the school. So, half of us can go check the cafeteria area and the rest of us take the opposite direction.”
Shelley had to give credit to the big man. He could think on his feet.
“Ok – you,” He pointed at Shelley. “and you three,” this time he pointed at Craig, his wife and his son Jack. “take the cafeteria area and meet us at the gym at the end of the hall when you’re done. The rest of us will start in the offices here to our left.”
He nodded once and the group got started.
Shelley had already met Craig and the seventeen-year-old Jack, so quickly introduced herself to Craig’s wife, Sarah.
“Nice to meet you!” Sarah said enthusiastically. She smiled at the younger woman. “I heard from Craig that you’re a nurse. It’s good to have somebody with your skills! I’m just a housewife, myself...”
Shelley returned the smile shyly. “My mom used to tell me that a housewife is both the humblest and noblest profession. I’m sure you have more useful skills than me.”
“Well isn’t that just the nicest thing to say!” She stuck her arm though Shelley’s elbow. “You stick with me, Shelley.” She said as they entered the cafeteria.
Craig and Jack took one side of the cafeteria, while Shelley and Sarah took the other. It only took a minute. The windows weren’t ones that could be opened. The emergency exits at the far end of the cafeteria and in the back of the kitchen were securely locked.
The four-some exited the cafeteria and quickly checked the washrooms before meeting up with the Collins group further down the hall. They all walked into the gym together, but other than two exits, there were no windows to secure. Unless zombies could scale buildings, that is. The only windows in the gym were located about twenty-five feet up. After ensuring that the doors were locked, the group had a quick look at the supply
