He then stripped off the coveralls, mask, gloves and shoes. He was naked in the bright sunlight. He was self-conscious and quickly began to spray himself with the betadine. He’d been covered head to toe with the coveralls, but he sprayed himself completely. He looked like some kind of gory ghoul. The betadine pooled at his feet. Then he took the alcohol spray and spritzed himself. He had to hold his breath; the smell of the alcohol took his breath away. The breeze was cooling his body and it felt good. He hurriedly went to the back of the truck with the bags and put them in the back. He tied them together so they wouldn’t fly out.
There was an old towel on the tailgate and he dried himself off, then tossed the towel away, they’d not take it home. He got dressed and felt human again. He came around and got in the truck and looked at Cliff.
“You okay?” Cliff asked, looking him up and down.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you, I was scared to death. I didn’t touch anything or get near any blood. I only got into the places that had localized blood or no blood.” Flynn said, and grabbed a bottle of water.
“Good, that’s good. Once we hit the CVS’s, we’ll head home. Sarah will have fixed the cottage up for us. With plenty of food.” Cliff smiled, though it trembled a bit.
They’d all agreed that after the run, he and Cliff would go into quarantine for a week. If he or Cliff got sick, they’d stay in the cottage and when they died, the cottage would be burned to the ground with all the equipment, and supplies they’d gotten today. Flynn thought it was very brave of Cliff, because Flynn was fairly sure he was immune, but Cliff hadn’t been exposed, nor the people on the farm.
Cliff pulled out and headed for the first CVS pharmacy. When Flynn walked into the store, there was no sign of death. The air was stale. He walked back out, and looked at Cliff.
“This store has a bunch of coffee; you want me to pick up all the cans?” Flynn asked, smiling.
“Heck yes, we’ll take all the coffee cans from all the stores. Thanks.” Cliff grinned; his face more relaxed.
Flynn went back in and cleared out all the medications and creams in the back of the pharmacy. He figured Beth would know what it was all for, along with the help from the reference books. He moved through the store and picked up the cans. As he was leaving, he grabbed a handful of candy bars. He knew that Xandra would like that.
They drove in silence; they were heading back. The other stores with the CVS pharmacies had been just as easy, with no one in the stores. The last one he’d had to break the glass door. It had been locked. He stared out the window, Cliff wasn’t driving fast, he was looking around at the homes that lined the road. The yards of all of them were overgrown and garbage blew across the road, it was desolate and lonesome looking.
“It’s like a ghost town here.” Cliff said softly, breaking the silence.
“It is. I also think we shouldn’t leave the farm for a while. Maybe not until you go to see Claus. When do you think you will go?”
“Not for another three months. I think you’re right, we’ll stay put for a while. Thank you again for doing this Flynn. My family and I appreciate it. I don’t know what the future holds, but with these medical supplies, Beth will be able to help and treat us. We owe you.”
“No, you don’t Cliff. Xandra and I are so grateful you took us in. You took a chance on two strangers. We know what’s out there and what it takes to survive. We wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for you and your family’s kindness. So no, you don’t owe me anything, I think you’ve paid me in full.” Flynn grinned.
“All right, we’ll call it square.” Cliff chuckled.
They pulled onto the property and Cliff drove around to the back. There was a small cottage, more like a small bunk room. It had a bathroom, small kitchen and three bunkbeds. Cliff pulled the truck up to the cottage and both men got out. They took the bags into the bunkhouse and left the gurney in the bed of the truck. Flynn saw a walkie-talkie on the counter and looked at Cliff.
“We use that when we’re out in the fields, cheaper than cellphones.” He grinned. He walked over and picked it up.
“Sarah, we’re all set in the bunkhouse. Thanks, honey, for the food and for the fridge.” Cliff said and let the button go. Flynn heard static and then Sarah’s voice.
“Figured you boys would like a few beers. We’ll drop food off at the truck. You’ll be getting paper plates. Not my best china.” She laughed.
“Okay darlin, I’ll be in touch.” Cliff laughed and then set the walkie-talkie on the counter.
“I’m going to take another shower.” Flynn said and went to get the clean clothes setting on the bunk. He smiled when he saw the Stephan King book he’d been reading.
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Emma’s mouth was dry and her body was shaking. They’d been trapped and the men were using the children as hostage for their good behavior. Tears filled
