Charlie shook his head derisively. “I find that impossible to believe, but firearms are a good long-term investment, so you won’t lose anything buying them. A good friend of mine in Gotebo has a federal license to sell. I buy all my guns and ammo from him, and he treats me right. He also sells to trusted people under the table. Rick claims to be the largest private dealers in the state, and I believe him. He sells a tremendous number of guns and huge amounts of ammunition. I’ll call him and let him know you’re okay. He’ll likely give you a good discount if you buy the quantities we discussed.” Charlie had made a list of guns he recommended Sam buy before he phoned Rick Mabry. Charlie suggested Sam buy some older rifles that had been inspected and reconditioned as opposed to the newest and most expensive weapons. Buying new rifles could easily top three or four thousand dollars each.
Tom and Clarise debated their few options as Sam half listened. Like the vast majority of others, they, too, had ignored the zombie rumors as nonsense and had not even a semblance of a plan to react and escape. Sam highly suspected they would be turned into zombies in the coming days, unless he could change their mindsets.
Sam’s mind drifted; he recalled his drive from Charlie’s place several hours later that afternoon to the gun dealer’s house. From Rick Marbry he bought two Vietnam war era M-21 sniper rifles with the original type scopes, a .22 caliber semiautomatic rifle, two Glock G 24 .40 caliber pistols, one Remington and one Winchester 12 gauge semiautomatic shotguns, a case of .00 buckshot shells, a case of no. 4 shot shells, and a case of slugs. For the rifles and pistols, he bought two cases of hollow point shells for each. He wasn’t surprised at the nearly fifteen-thousand-dollar price tag even after a ten percent volume discount; he’d quickly done his homework online to learn the current prices being asked. Rick assured him the M-21s had been completely disassembled, inspected and test fired to ensure their reliability and accuracy. Sam was pleased with his purchases to supplement the guns his dad left him. But the Remington .308 caliber scoped, bolt-action deer hunting rifle, a .22 caliber bolt-action squirrel hunting rifle, and a Charter Arms .38 caliber snub nosed revolver were seriously lacking in firepower for what he was certain was ahead.
Tom and Clarise roused him from his thoughts with their nonstop jabbering.
He turned off the highway and drove the short distance into Richard’s Spur. Tom directed him to the elder Haden’s white painted frame house at the far edge of the nondescript, dying town. White dust from the nearby limestone mine coated everything with a ghost like look. As they pulled into the driveway, a middle-aged, heavyset, graying man waved from beside a newish looking Dodge truck with the hood raised.
As soon as Sam stopped, Clarise ran from the truck to Tom’s dad with the child in her arms while yelling about what they had witnessed.
“I guess this is my dad’s day off. Thanks for the lift,” Tom said. He looked bewildered.
“My advice is to pack lightly and drive north as quickly as you can, take anything you can barter with because paper money will be worthless very soon as the federal government fails.”
Tom nodded but appeared stunned by Sam’s opinion as he closed the door. Sam shook his head as he backed out, then drove back toward the highway.
Sam detoured and stopped at Charlie and Ilene’s house. He had to warn them. Again. Ilene opened the door as he pounded on it furiously. “Sam, what’s wrong?”
He barged inside past her. Charlie heard the commotion and approached them from the back of the house. “Ilene, they’re here. Just like I told you, they’re here.”
“Who’s here?” Charlie and Ilene asked in unison. Confusion was etched on their faces.
“The zombies are in Lawton. I saw them, and they’ll be here next. You need to leave.”
Charlie gripped Sam’s shoulder. “Calm yourself Sam. What did you see and where?”
Sam breathed deeply. “On Cache. Zombies were on the street to the north of the highway. They’re chasing people and attacking them. When people were bitten, they died and then turned into zombies too.. ..” He saw the doubt in their expressions. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.” It was clear they didn’t believe him. “The army at Fort Sill has heavy equipment and soldiers in full battle gear stationed around the south fence toward Lawton. I’ve never seen that before. Near the main gate Military Police are rerouting southbound traffic to the north. When the zombies were chasing people in town, I shot three of them that were chasing a family. They’re real Charlie. You and Ilene need to pack as quick as you can and drive north this evening.”
Ilene moved toward the living room. “I’ll turn the TV on and listen to what they say.”
“You won’t get any information. The government has kept a lid on this so people don’t panic.” Sam said, “Look, please listen to me, I’ve been following this on the internet for over six months. The world’s governments keep shutting down the sites as soon as they post reports and show videos. It’s real and it’s here. We’re the last major country in the entire world to be overrun, but it’s happening here today.” Sam hugged Charlie and Ilene. “I’m going home and load my equipment. You’re welcome to come with me when I leave in about three hours from now. I have room for both of you. Please say you will.”
Ilene and Charlie stared at each other with blank, uncomprehending expressions, until Charlie said, “Sam I don’t know what you saw to