by Lybeck, Kyle
“Damn that’s a lot of people,” Ben said from the back seat.
“Language,” Caroline said, half-turning back to her brother.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“We can do it, mom. Everyone is probably just stocking up because they’re seeing on the news what is happening out east. Just like when the news predicted snowstorms back home last winter.”
Abby was smiling at her daughter’s confidence, as she was pulling into a spot on the outskirts of the parking lot.
Exiting the car, Abby this time placing the pistol into the concealed holster at the back of her jeans and securing it. Both kids were leaving the car, while at the same time watching as throngs of others were rushing to the Walmart doors.
“Should I bring my swords just in case?”
Abby couldn’t help but chuckle, then realized her daughter was serious.
“No. No honey, don’t bring them, I don’t want us to scare anyone and put them into a panic. Everything seems just fine, no ragers, just people trying to get stuff and probably go back home to wait this out.”
“What if I need them though, like before?”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I have the pistol just in case.”
Closing their doors, Abby pressing the key fob to set the alarm as the trio set out for the store. Around them, cars were screeching into the parking lot, and people were yelling the closer they got to the store.
“Sir, we can’t let anyone else in for a few minutes. The store is at capacity.” A Walmart employee was standing tall, blocking the main entrance with a security guard.
“We need to get food and water before those things invade the town!” A woman was screaming from the middle of the crowd, others echoing her concern in turn.
“Everyone will get their chance, don’t worry. We have a fully stocked back room, I assure you.”
“Come on man, just let us in! People are leaving, look!” A man pointed to the exit doors near them to the left.
“Please, just wait until we have the space to let more people in,” he replied, holding up his hands to the growing crowd in front of him.
“Fuck this, there’s more of us, just shove him out of the way!” someone yelled from the back of the crowd near the Baker family. Abby’s heart rate began to climb at the growing intensity of those around her.
Just as she was going to tell the kids they should go back to the car, the crowd around them strong-armed the employee and security guard, flowing into the doors like a river after a rain storm.
Abby and the kids were brought along with the rushing crowd, being pushed by dozens behind them. Once inside the store, everyone dispersed around them and they were left to find each other again.
“You guys all right?”
Both kids nodded, then they walked with purpose to grab one of the few remaining carts, before venturing further into the store towards the hardware and outdoor sections.
“Crud, this really wasn’t a good idea,” Abby mumbled more to herself, but the kids heard her. Around them were dozens of other shoppers, grabbing all they could in regards to ammunition, knives, tents, flashlights, anything they could get their hands on.
“Quick, Caroline, go get shotgun ammo. 12-gauge, 2 ¾ shells. Anything you can find. I’ll try and find 9mm with Ben.”
Caroline scurried down an aisle as Abby took the cart down the opposite in search for handgun ammo.
“Ben, help me look for anything that says nine-m-m on the box,” she said, pointing at the disheveled boxes on the shelves in front of them. Pushing others around them to get what they needed, Ben came away with two boxes, as she came away with three. Tossing them in the cart, they were turning back to find Caroline as she herself was coming towards them with two boxes.
“All I could find, and I had to almost punch a guy for the second one,” she said, breathing heavily from her own encounter.
“Good job honey, let’s go see what else we can find in the outdoor stuff.”
Turning the cart in a half-dome on the linoleum, Abby accidentally ran directly into a man’s crotch. He doubled over the cart, grabbing his pulsing manhood in silent pain.
“Oh hell, I’m so sorry!”
The man grumbled, breathing a heavy sigh and raising himself from the cart. Opening his eyes, he saw what they had managed to salvage from the quickly emptying shelves. Reaching in, he took two boxes of the 9mm ammo.
“Hey, that’s ours!” Ben yelled at the man, taking a step forward.
“I’ll take it as payment for your mom busting my nuts you little shit,” the man spat, then quickly turned towards the aisles of ammunition and supplies.
“It’s okay guys, I don’t want to fight anyone for it, we just need to get anything else we can use and get the heck out of here.”
The three hurriedly went for the outdoor section, as these were the precious materials they had left behind in their rush to leave Cody.
Without any more incidents they were able to secure a tent, matches, a camp stove, pots and pans, two sleeping bags, and two bags of freeze dried desserts. They couldn’t find any rope, hatchets, knives, or batteries, all items they were looking for the most.
“Anything else we should try for?” Caroline asked.
“I suppose food, we were only able to keep one of the coolers after we ditched the Ford. Canned stuff would be great, actually.”
Walking amongst the panicked shoppers they reached the canned chili and vegetables, but it was slim pickings. Canned corn, green beans, and a few cans left of chili. They took them all, heading for the front where the cash registers were located.
Each line was over twenty customers deep, everyone looking irritated and impatient at having to stand in the lines waiting to be checked out.
“Come on!” a few patrons were beginning to yell from around the lanes.
“I see empty lanes, open ‘em up!” another was yelling.
More in the lanes began to yell their opinions, but to no luck with the Walmart staff who were continuing to ring through customers as fast as they could.
Around their lane, people began to push their carts forward and forcing others through without paying. Others ahead of them received the signal clear as day, pushing on through without so much as giving the cashiers a glance. Ahead of them two police officers were trying to stop the raging crowd, but were receiving zero recognition.
Before long, one of the officers was pulling his pistol and shooting into the air.
“Now stop right there, everyone! You will not leave without paying for all of your shit!”
The officer had barely spoken the last word, when three customers were tackling him to the ground, taking his gun and continuing to rush out of the store.
Quickly, the lanes began to empty forward and out of the exit doors. Abby was then pushing forward as well, feeling horrible to not be paying, but not knowing what else to do. They needed the things they had in the cart, and this was about survival more than it was about someone making a profit.
Caroline kept a strong hold of Ben’s hand as they were exiting through the doors and out to the sunny parking lot. Around them chaos had descended, those waiting to still get in attacking others who were barely managing to escape with cart-loads of survival goodies.
Carts overturning, fights began to break out around them, as they were rushing towards their car. A woman took it upon herself to try and grab their cart, but without blinking an eye Caroline was kicking her right knee in the side, watching her crumple to the ground in agonizing pain. Two aisles from theirs a man was attempting to rip the clothes off a young woman, whether in an attempt at rape or just for her clothes was unsure, but Abby had a clue. To their left, a car fire was starting, as multiple crowds were breaking windows and trying to get at those already attempting to escape with their car loads of goods.
Reaching their car without further incident, the three threw everything into the trunk and pushed the cart away. Heaving themselves into their resp
ective seats, Abby was starting the car and throwing it into reverse before they knew it. Clipping an old woman in the hurried backup process, slamming on the brakes and placing the car in drive, the Honda flew towards the main road.
The ragers weren’t in the parking lot of the Walmart, but the monsters within had begun to rise.
---
“Honey, look up on your phone and see where another place might be nearby to get the rest of the gear.”
Picking up her phone, Caroline was pulling up the maps app in no time. She then was directing her mom to continue down the road they were on, as it would lead them directly to the Sears Hometown Store.
Less than three minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot, which was vastly empty in comparison to the Walmart.
“Let’s make this quick you guys, before more people head this way,” Abby said, quickly standing from the car as the kids were scrambling out. The three were then marching into the store with purpose. Inside there was only one other person, who gave them a look but then paid them no attention as he went back to looking at a socket set.
“Okay, Ben, go for rope over there. Caroline, batteries and see if there are painter suits that could work like Hazmat suits. I’ll find an axe or knives, something sharp.”
The three split up to save time, each finding their assigned items in no time. Walking to the cash register, Abby found nobody present, and the back room behind was vacant as well.
“Screw it, I’ll just leave some money,” she said, placing forty dollars on the counter and leaving with the kids and their items. As they were exiting, a shot rang out, kicking up bits of concrete and causing the trio to jump back.
“Don’t you dare steal any of my stuff!” a voice was yelling from across the street atop the bank.
“Sonuva…” Abby uttered. “We put money on the counter!”
“I don’t care, drop what you have! I’m not going to fight people down there but I sure as hell can from up here with my rifle!” Another shot rang out, impacting next to Ben’s feet.
The three stood still, not knowing what the next move should be. Abby thought of telling the kids to run to the car. She didn’t know how good of a shot this guy might be. Maybe he was actually trying to shoot them now and he was that far off.
As she was continuing to contemplate the stalemate, a door was slowly opening behind them.
“Duck,” a deep voice said. They did, as a cannon of a pistol shot rang out above their heads. The man from the store stood behind them, holding a .44 magnum Desert Eagle.
“You leave these people alone, Wade, you damn old man!” the man shouted out the door, as Wade was ducking on the roof across the street. “They paid and everything, so fuck off and let them take what they need!”
Abby stood slowly to thank the man, but he interrupted her just as she was about to speak.
“Go. I’ll hold him off.”
At his insistence, with ringing ears, she was grabbing the kids, making sure they had all their items and ran for the Honda. Once back inside, she was starting the car and pealing out of the parking lot in no time. Behind her another shot rang out, the man making sure Wade wouldn’t take any long shots at the vacating car.
“People are really starting to go off the deep end,” Abby spoke to the thick air inside the car.
“At least we got what we were needed. Hopefully it will last us a while,” Caroline said, passing the batteries to the back seat with Ben for safe keeping.
Driving back to US-20, the roads remained relatively clear in town. The mess of Rexburg behind them, Abby drove her family south towards where she hoped their stop for the night would be.
Chapter 18
Pocatello, Idaho
US-20 turned into I-15 as Abby drove them into the city of Pocatello. The roads were quiet as they were reaching their destination for the night. In the city proper, it appeared as if most residents had already vacated. No signs of bloodshed could be seen, making the constantly worried mother of two feel a little better.
Taking the exit for East Clark Street, Abby drove where Caroline directed her with the cell phone. Looping back and crossing under the highway, a minute later pulling into the parking lot of a Hampton Inn & Suites.
The parking lot was practically empty, activity outside was minimal. Parking the car, Abby asked the kids to stay put as she went inside to the reception desk.
Inside, Abby found one woman working the front counter. A large mountain painting on the wall behind her was creating a calm ambiance. No one sat around the lobby, as you would normally find during the afternoon in most hotels. Colorful fish swam in the tank located in the far wall of the room.
“Pretty slow day, huh?” she asked the smiling woman.
“Yeah, everyone started leaving town this morning. They keep thinking something is going to happen ever since they heard the infection had reached Cokeville.”
“Where is that now? Sorry, I’m from central Wyoming, heading west with my kids to find a safer place on the coast. Our neck of the woods got hit pretty hard.”
“Oh, it’s about two hours southwest of here.”
“That’s… actually not that far,” Abby said, her blood pressure raising slightly. “We had areas back there within two hours of hearing about the infection become overrun in no time.”
“Well, the last I heard, the police had the situation handled. We still haven’t seen anything this far into Idaho, at least nothing I’ve heard of yet.”
Abby was struggling internally about whether to stay the night. It was getting later into the afternoon, and she was fading fast. A good night’s sleep was needed for her to recharge. Could she really get a restful sleep with the worry of another Cody situation looming over her, that was the question.
Weighing the pros and cons, she decided they would stay the night, booking a top floor suite and thanking the woman before heading back to the Honda.
Pressing the key fob to unlock the doors, Abby was watching Caroline visibly jump in the passenger seat from the sudden noise of the door locks.
“Okay guys, we have a room,” she said after opening the driver’s door.
“Is it going to be safe?” Ben asked, gathering his things from the back seat.
“The nice woman inside says so. Sounds like the police have it under control a few hours from here.”
“Yeah, well, we thought it would be safe in Cody too,” Caroline pointedly chimed in. At her comment, Ben instantly stiffening and stopping his gathering of things.
“Come on Caroline, let’s try and stay positive, okay? Especially for your brother. We’ll be fine here, get a good night’s rest, and start our way further west tomorrow.”
Abby was motioning back to Ben for him to continue getting all of his possessions to bring with him. As he did, she was then gathering her own things, including the cans of food from earlier in the day. Chili and vegetables would be a pretty good dinner, definitely not the worst thing they’d ever had.
Locking the car and walking into the lobby, they passed the still smiling woman on their way to the elevators. Pressing the button for floor four, Abby stood back with the kids, smiling.
“It’s going to be nice to rest for a while,” she said, the elevator jolting upwards. Moments later the door reopening on their floor, they were walking out and down the hallway to room 431. Opening the door with the keycard, she let the kids go in first to see their accommodations.
Inside was very spacious with nice amenities. Two queen beds, a couch, table, fridge, microwave, plates and cups, large TV, and comfy robes to wear around for after they took relaxing showers. The kids threw down their items from the car and each jumped onto a bed, laying out as if making snow angels on the covers.
“Are you guy’s hungry at all?” Abby asked, placing her suitcase and other items on the table next to the TV.
Both kids shook their heads back and forth. They were too busy relaxing on the soft sheets to think about food at the moment.
“Okay,
then I’m going to take a nice, warm shower.”
“Sounds good, mom,” Caroline said, picking up the remote from the nightstand and turning on the TV. As Abby closed the door to the bathroom, she heard a news anchor begin to talk.
Twenty long minutes later, clothed in a soft robe, wet hair hanging down her back, Abby walked out to join the kids. She could hear the voices of Jerry and Kramer coming from the TV on a rerun of Seinfeld. Hearing something so normal made her smile.
“Anything good on the news?”
“It was local news, but they said the infection was still pretty far away, and under control in this area. Back home and going towards the east coast it’s pretty bad though. They said a lot of people are dead, and there is no cure.”
“I’m glad you changed the channel before it scared you or your brother.” She looked over at Ben, who had already fallen asleep on his side, head deep into a pillow. “Or maybe not.”
“He passed out pretty quick. I’m glad, I didn’t really want him hearing all of that either, but I wanted to know what was happening out there.”
“I don’t blame you, honey. It’s pretty crazy, all of this going on. I’m glad we’re safe at least, though.”
“We are. Dad’s not.” She said, wiping a forming tear from her right eye.
Abby sat down on the bed next to her teenage daughter, giving her a warm embrace.
“I know it was hard, honey. Your father was an amazing man, a great husband. I’m still coming to grips with him being gone too, but at the same time it’s hard to even think about with everything else that’s happened since we left home.”
Leaning over, Caroline began quietly crying into her mom’s shoulder, Abby holding her tighter as her own tears began to form.
“Remember that one time he took me to the fair and won that giant stuffed dog for me?”
Abby chuckled between gasps of air.
“He made that other dad really mad too. He wanted the dog for his son so bad. Your dad almost got in a fist fight over that stuffed dog for you.”