He pressed his back to the brick façade and listened intently for any noise inside. He glanced at Patricia and nodded toward the double glass doors. “You smell anything?”
She stared back at him blankly.
“Right. I’ll take that as a ‘I think it’s safe.’” He stepped away from the wall and bent low as he crossed by the glass windows in the front. When he reached the double doors he froze in place. He turned back and saw that Patricia was standing next to him, her form clearly visible to anybody who might be inside.
Trevor sighed heavily and gave her a stern look. “We’re really going to have to work on your stealthy approaches.”
He reached out slowly and pressed on the glass door. It moved inward and he held his breath, his ears straining to hear any kind of movement within. He stepped out from behind the low wall and pushed his way into the store, his rifle at the ready.
Patricia followed him inside and stared at him.
Trevor pulled the small flashlight from his bag and flipped it on. He scanned the looted shelves and as much of the huge store as he could. “We’re too late.” He relaxed and stood at his full height, the AR dangling in his grip. “I don’t think there’s anything left.”
Patricia pulled at his arm and he followed her, his flashlight lighting their path. She stopped at the end of the aisle and Trevor scanned the area. “I’ll be a son of a…” He looked down at her and smiled. “I guess first impressions aren’t everything!”
The pair walked down the aisles, picking at the scattered remains. Whoever had looted the place had taken most of the canned food items but not all of them. He picked through the remaining stock and found tins of tuna fish, shredded chicken, corned beef hash and even a whole bone-in chicken. “Who cans an entire chicken?” He glanced at her and made a face. “I hope they pulled the feathers off first.”
Patricia simply stared.
“Maybe it still has the feet on it.” He made a grimace and she smiled at him. “Or worse, they left the face. I don’t think I could eat a chicken with a face still on it.” He gave her a crooked smile. “I’m sure you could probably eat a plumber even with its face still on, huh?”
He tugged the huge can from the top shelf and peeled the key from the side of the can. He quickly opened the container and winced at the smell. “I think they left the feathers.” He looked at her; her face was lit up, eagerly waiting for the greasy, meaty treat.
“Yeah. I guess I should have known, huh?” He peeled the lid off and handed her the can. “Be careful, Peanut. That thing has bones and…” His voice trailed off as he watched her tear into the canned bird. Skin, bones, flesh, all of it was quickly devoured. He actually felt a bit nauseous when he heard her crunching the bones. “I really don’t think you should…” He swallowed back the rising bile and simply waved her off. “Maybe you need the calcium.”
He picked through the rest of the canned goods and set out a variety of foods on the checkout belt. “Let’s see. We have canned peaches for desert. I know you like peaches.” He picked up another can and shook it. “I don’t suppose you like brown gravy do you?”
She stared at him, still licking the chicken from her fingers. “Right. I should have saved the chicken for this, huh? I’m sure anything from a can tastes better with gravy.” He set the can aside and picked up the hash. “Now here’s something I bet you haven’t had. Corned beef hash.” He pulled out his pocket can opener and began working on the top.
He held the can where she could smell it and she wrinkled her nose at him, her brows knitting in confusion. “I know, it’s not cream of mailman or fricasseed lawyer, but it’s pretty good stuff.” He stuck his finger into the can and pulled out a mouthful of the stuff. He shoved it in his mouth and froze. He forced himself to swallow and gave her a quick shake of the head. “I think this needs to be heated up or something. That tasted like assholes.”
He handed her the can and she let it drop to the floor. “Come on now. We can’t be wasteful.” He paused and stared at the canned goods scattered across the floor. “Well…maybe this time we can make an exception.”
He picked her up and set her on the belt, crossing her legs under her. “You’ve had a chicken. Maybe you’re ready for desert.” He opened the can of peaches and watched as she greedily slurped it down.
He popped open a jar of olives and popped one into his mouth. “I think we’ll be safe here for a little bit. Maybe we can pick through everything in the light of day and just take our favorites.” He popped another olive into his mouth and studied the grocery store once more. “Or…maybe we can figure out a way to defend this place and call it home?”
She looked up at him and smiled, peach syrup running down her chin.
“Yeah. Well, we can sleep on it at least.” He pointed outside to the lightening sky. “It’ll be daylight soon.” He picked her up from the belt. She stood and watched as he scooped up some of the canned goods. “Let’s see if this place has an office or a breakroom with a couch. Some place away from windows.”
He picked her up and turned for the back of the store. “Tomorrow is a brand new day.”
Chapter 20
Hatcher watched the sun rise and breathed a silent sigh of relief. “You weren’t worried were you?”
He turned and saw Vicky staring at him. He nodded solemnly. “Actually, yeah. I was.”
She stepped closer and
