“Just as good as full auto in my eyes.” Roosevelt said as he rested the rifle on his shoulder and headed for a different rack across the room. He grabbed several P-Mags for the rifle and then turned to go stand next to Johnny. The pair stood their loading mags and stacking them on the counter for the next hour. When they had several stacks of loaded mags Roosevelt motioned for Johnny to follow him around the corner to the clothes racks and non-perishables.
“Better find something warm. Gonna be a long trip on those wheelers if your freezing your balls off the entire time.” Roosevelt stated, pointing his chin at the rack of camo gear. Johnny browsed through the clothes and found a set of camp coveralls just like Roosevelts. He pulled them off the hanger and continued to search for a set of thermals.
“Probably going to need a couple of these as well.” Roosevelt said, pointing a thumb to a rack of tactical bags. He held one up that could be worn like a bookbag. It had a long pocket to hold an entire rifle in along with a smaller section for any other gear one might need.
“Think we should grab a couple shottys too?” Roosevelt asked as he stuffed the Smith and Wesson into the rifle pocket of the bag. Seeing that it fit snuggly he pulled it back out and looked up at Johnny.
“Do we really need more than a rifle and pistol?” Johnny asked as he pulled a set of thermals from the shelf.
“A man can never have enough firearms my friend.” Roosevelt replied.
“I understand that but it's just going to take up space and weigh us down even more. Do we really need it?” Johnny asked once more. Roosevelt sighed like a big kid.
“Fine! But I’m getting a damn blade!” Johnny chuckled.
“Grab me one too. Those we might actually need.” Roosevelt headed back up front to the counter with the pistols and knives. He grabbed a matching set of KA-BAR’s and looked over at the row of pistols.
“Might as well have a matching set of guns as well.” He muttered. He set his stuff down and circled the counter. He knelt on the tile floor and slid open the display case doors and reached in grabbing a Smith and Wesson pistol to match his rifle. He spotted a Sig Sauer and grabbed it as well for Johnny. If they were going to steal guns for the fight that was sure to come as they crossed the country, they were going to take the good stuff that he knew wasn’t going to break after a few hundred rounds. He stood up and grabbed all his stuff before heading back around to Johnny.
“Get rid of that Beretta.” Roosevelt said as he laid the arm full of stuff down on a countertop.
“Why?” Johnny asked as he pulled on the coveralls and slid the orange beany down on his head.
“You grabbed a Sig rifle, right?” Roosevelt asked. Johnny nodded and leaned over to lace up the new boots he had grabbed.
“Well I got you a Sig pistol to match.” Roosevelt said, setting the pistol down next to Johnny’s rifle.
“Grab yourself a pair of those boots.” Johnny said, pointing a finger to the back wall. Roosevelt found a pair in his size and slid them on. Once they were both covered in new clothes for the trip and gear to protect themselves, they headed for the boxes of jerky and MRE’s. They loaded their packs down with the food and ammo along with a few fresh pairs of extreme cold socks. They shouldered their packs and rifles and then stuffed their pistols into the holsters they had found on one of the shelves. They each looked over the others gear making sure nothing was going to break free or fall off. Satisfied that everything was good they turned and headed for the exit.
Chapter Five
8:42 p.m. New Year’s Day 2049
Inside Rick’s Rifles & More
Georgia
“Hold up.” Roosevelt said in a low even tone as he twisted the lock on the steel door. He turned the doorknob and eased it open just a fraction of an inch. He watched the area outside for a long minute, waiting to see signs of the infected. Seeing nothing he eased the door open even further, ready to slam it shut at the first sign of trouble. He watched through the crack of the door longer this time than the first but only spotted the zeds they had dispatched earlier.
“Let’s go.” Roosevelt said over his shoulder before slowly opening the door the rest of the way. He stepped out, pistol raised, sweeping left. Johnny stepped out behind him sweeping right. Seeing that the area was clear they sprinted out to the field. They took cover behind an ancient rusted tractor that looked to have been parked in that spot over thirty years prior. They watched for the infected back toward the gun shop, but it was all clear. This had them curious. A city full of the undead and not one was after them as they made their way back to the barn across the field.
“What the hell has these things attention?” Roosevelt said as he and Johnny watched the back of the gun store.
“I don’t know but I’m taking it as a blessing. Let’s get the hell out of here before those things spot us.” Johnny replied. They jumped to their feet and sprinted across the field. The sound of the tall yellow grass swished across their pant legs along with the rucking sound of the items in their packs as they darted across the field. They made it across the field without any fanfare and pushed through the barn doors. Inside was pitch black as the sun had went down hours ago. Johnny anticipated the darkness and pulled a brand-new flashlight he had taken from Ricks and switched it on. He shined the beam across the far side of the barn
