“Shit, I wish the damn thing would come on already. The anticipation is killing me!” Roosevelt said, holding the shotgun up toward the basement door.
“Careful what you wish for jackass! I’m down here too!” Johnny scolded. Just then a small bit of wood flew from the door and down the stairs at the two men. They looked at one another just as the door exploded inward. Chunks of wood and debris rained down on the two men as several of the zeds tumbled down the stairs in a ball of snapping teeth and reaching hands. Roosevelt squeezed both of the shotguns’ triggers sending two rounds of buckshot ripping through the downed monsters’ bodies. Several more shuffled down the stairs and Johnny moved forward, pistol raised firing on the advancing zeds. Nine-millimeter rounds slammed into heads and torsos, dropping a few of the undead as they came down the steps. This proved to be too much for the remaining group as they tripped and tumbled down on top of the first few to come down.
“Back up and get ready!” Roosevelt shouted, stepping back in front of Johnny as he raced to grab the two revolvers. BOOM! The twelve-gauge rounds rocked the basement again making it nearly impossible for either men to hear the other. Seven infected lay at the bottom of the stairs in a mass of legs and limbs, some silent while others twisted and growled as they tried to get up. Johnny quickly stepped around Roosevelt with the two revolvers and dispatched the three remaining infected. Silence swept the room causing both men's ears to start ringing. Roosevelt reloaded the shotgun and stepped over to the stairs to see if there were any more of the dead coming for them. When he saw that they were alone again he sighed and moved back towards Johnny who was counting the remaining rounds of the revolvers.
“Eight rounds left for these.” Johnny said, holding the two pistols up for Roosevelt to see.
“Just have to make do. Let’s get upstairs and make sure no more of those things get in.” Roosevelt said. They climbed over the pile of corpses and made their way up the stairs. When they reached the landing, they turned toward the open front door. Outside sat a big four-wheeler with an enormous fat guy perched on the seat. The guy was turned around holding up a fat meaty finger to the two men.
“Keith got yo’ asses again!” He shouted with glee before gunning the engine and ripping across the front yard toward the road ahead.
“That fat little shit needs to be taught a lesson before we leave here!” Roosevelt said in an angry tone. Johnny agreed and moved forward to close the door.
“Bet we can track those wheeler prints to wherever he goes.” Johnny suggested. Roosevelt looked over at Johnny.
“You’re right! Those meaty tires probably leave one hell of a trail! We should have thought about that yesterday.” Roosevelt said.
“Let’s wait till the sun comes up then we’ll go look for him. He just tried to kill us by letting those damn things in this house. He has to pay for that.” Johnny replied. They spent the next thirty minutes packing the bed of the UTV with their bags and all the food they could fit. Johnny searched the shelves in the garage for ratchet straps to tie everything down with. Once everything was secure, they got in the side by side and sat there talking about their plan while the sun slowly crept up.
“So, what are we going to do to that thieving bastard if we catch him?” Johnny asked. Roosevelt shrugged.
“I’m not sure yet. Probably just scare the shit out of him real good.” Roosevelt replied as they both watched the sky turn from a deep dark blue to different shades of orange as the sun rose.
“Good. He deserves that much but I didn’t want to just kill him. He may be a fat bastard but I’m sure he's hungry just like the rest of us.” Said Johnny.
“Might be but that still doesn’t give him the right to steal peoples shit.” Roosevelt said.
“I know. Let’s just find him before we decide what we're going to do.” Johnny said.
“Let’s go check outside for zeds. By the time we finish looking around the house it’ll be light enough that we can take off.” Roosevelt said as he climbed out of the side by side. They returned inside the home and went to each window looking out to see if there were any zeds shuffling around. Seeing nothing they each stepped out of the front door and watched the surrounding areas for any incoming threats. Deciding that everything was quiet they headed back inside and hit the button to open the garage. Thin beams of sunlight shown through the opening bathing the two men in orange light. Roosevelt climbed in the passenger seat and cracked open the action on the shotgun. Seeing the two rounds of buckshot he snapped in closed and looked back over his shoulder to see Johnny searching through one of the bags strapped down in the back.
“What are you looking for?” Roosevelt asked as he turned in his seat to look at Johnny.
“I’m getting your nine out just in case we find some ammo for it. If I can swap out for it, I’m going to.” Johnny replied. He pulled the pistol from the bottom of the duffle and walked back around to the driver's seat. He set the gun down on the seat along with the two revolvers before leaning forward and twisting the key. The small engine popped and sputtered for a few seconds before producing a satisfying healthy growl. Johnny smiled as he put
