Jimmy said, “ I am telling you, Major Scott! It was her!” Nicole walked into the room. “He's asleep, again.” Scott said, “Jimmy here, met the internet lady. You know, the one that goes out, and get's video's of the dead ones. Crazy arse!” He shook his head back and forth. Nicole replied, “ Did you get her autograph?” Jimmy said, “ Oh, haha. Very funny!” He said, “ Tomorrow, I am going out to scout. She may be listening on the radio. I told them when to listen.” Major Scott repeated, “They? How many were there?” Jimmy said, “Just one other. It's the guy that makes the video's with her. I think that you guys should meet her, and Keith.” Major Scott asked, “Do you think they are safe to deal with?” Jimmy said, “Yes. They were trying to warn people, when we were being sent in, to close everyone off from a way out.” Major Scott said, “Okay, you get on the radio, and set up a meeting. We go talk to them. Maybe, we can help each other.” Jimmy said, “Alright. I'll take first watch, tonight. Do you mind letting the Pastor know?” Major Scott said, “Yes. I'll tell him.” The Major stood up, and went to the back room of the house that they were staying in. Jimmy went to the front porch. They had built a wall of buses around the home and yard. They found the buses inside a storage facility a few miles up the road. They left a gap, for parking their vehicles in the front. Jimmy, Major Scott, and the Pastor went to the local lumber yard and took enough supplies to built an eight foot wall on one side of the property. They built a tree house, in the tree to the side. It gave them a perfect view of anyone coming from the west side of the house. Pastor Dominic Sora, a Baptist minister, escaped with the others from their captors. They had been hiding out ever since. His new house mates called him the Pastor, or Pastor Dom.
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The Pastor sat at the desk inside his room, reading his Bible. He heard a faint knock at the door. He said, “Come in.” The door opened, and the Major walked into the room. He said, “Hey, Pastor.” Pastor Dom said, “Yes, Scott.” The Major continued, “Jimmy said, he'll take first watch tonight. He asked me to let you know.” The Pastor said, “Okay. Thanks, Scott. Did Nicole get Devon down okay?” He replied, “Yes. It took a while, tonight.” The Pastor said, “He's young. This has been hard on him.When we find a better place, he'll be more at ease.” Major Scott said, “I don't know what we are going to be able to find, anymore.” Pastor Dom said, “I am praying, for a safe place for us. We'll find a better place, eventually. God brought us through this terrible change. He has to have a plan for us. I know it.” Scott turned to leave, “I hope so, Pastor.” He closed the door behind him. The next morning, Jimmy got on the radio. He called out to Rose Fox, with no reply. Before running into her and her camera man, he had wondered if she was alive. He didn't get a response. Did something change? Was she attacked by a horde of living-dead, flesh-eating, zombies? Was she trapped in some building, or car somewhere? Waiting for her chance to run for her life? Had she just changed her mind about connecting with other survivors? Or was, what was left of the government, chasing her around somewhere? He wanted to know. “Jimmy.” the female voice from behind him, called. He turned around. Nicole said, “Scott needs your help with something.” He said, “Okay.” He sat on the porch for a minute. Then, he got himself up, and went to help the Major. When he made it to the garage, the Major and Pastor Dom were looking at the old trailer that they had been fixing up. The old owners left it behind. When they arrived at the house, the Pastor found it in the back yard, and the three of them pushed it inside the garage to fix up. Now, the Pastor and Major Scott were trying to figure out the best way to convert it from an open trailer to a covered trailer. They had wood, and some steel that the owner of the house had left behind. Scott asked Jimmy, “Don't you think that we should weld the walls and doors with the steel, and make a wooden roof?” Pastor Dom said, “ I think that we have enough material to make the roof steel, too.” Major Scott said, “Okay. So, what about the tires? Are they good?” The Pastor said, “ From what I can tell, they are.” Jimmy said, “I can get started on it, tomorrow. I am going to make sure I have enough fuel for the blow torches.” Pastor Dom said, “ I found a drill and some bits.” Jimmy said, “ That's better. Then, we can take it apart, if we have to, later on. I can use the drill to put it all together, if I can find the right bits and some steel screws. And, I will get it done faster, too. As long as we have enough raw material, we are good.” Major Scott said, “Okay then, we use it for supply runs. It will be good to use it move what we need to bring with us, if we pick up and move on, again.” Jimmy said, “I'm trying to find some material to camouflage the place, out front.” The Pastor cut in, “That is a good idea, Jimmy. I took a walk through the back, yesterday. We may be able to make a path in that direction. Just in case, we need to get out fast. It would be a good idea for you two to take a walk through there, and decide what you think.” Jimmy asked, “ What's back there?” The Pastor said, “It looks like an alley way that has a lot of over growth. It is too over grown to be recent. This looks like it's from a year or two back. But, it has to lead to somewhere. It may give us a way out. If, we need to run, again.” Jimmy and Scott exchanged a look. The Major said, “Maybe, you and I should take a hike through there, and see where it leads.” Jimmy agreed, “It's worth a shot. Never know what we'll find, though. We could find more of the dead, too.” The Pastor said, “I hope not.” Jimmy said, “We'll see. It may be a way out. Or, who knows, maybe we can even find some supplies.”
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Scott said, “We can try to check it out tomorrow.” Jimmy said, “Alright, then. We should bring a radio. Just in case.” Major Scott said, “First thing in the morning,we start. This way, if we find something that we can use, we have time to collect it.” Jimmy said, “Okay. I am going to check the snares, and I'll go up to the lake. Gonna see if I can get us some fish.” The Pastor added, “Well, we can always try to lure the dead away from the old store, up in town. Then, one of us can slip in and grab some canned food.” Jimmy said, “No, not right now. I'll do some scouting, first. Give me a day, or two.” Scott asked, “ Do you think we'll be ambushed?” Jimmy said, “ It's always a possibility. Rose Fox and her people are alive. Others can be, too. Just want to make sure we don't walk into a problem.” Pastor Dom said, “ What about the people you met? Do you think that they can be trusted?” Jimmy said, “ I think that they can. She was making videos to warn the public, when it all started. I have not met her group, yet. After I talk more with the lady, and her people we'll know what their intentions are. I want to find more out about them, first.” Scott said, “We can't trust anyone right now, Jimmy.” Jimmy said, “They are are not soldiers, Major. They are regular people trying survive, just like we are.” The Major said, “Just, be careful.” Pastor Dom added, “ I think that we should meet with them. Try to get to know them.” They all walked back to the house. As soon as they came inside, Devon, who was coloring a page in a coloring book said, “Daddy, are we moving, again?” Major Scott answered his young son, “Not right now, Son. But, we are looking for a better place.” He said, “Good. I don't like this place.” Nicole interrupted, “Dev, come on in the kitchen. It's time to eat.” Devon said, “Okay, Mom.”
The boy placed his crayon onto the top of the open coloring book. He followed his mother into the kitchen. Scott thought that he would go out and look around at a truck stop, close by. He wanted to go, before Jimmy went out scouting. He said to Pastor Dom, “I am going out again, today. Do you want me to keep and eye out for anything specific?” The Pastor said, “Well, candles, books. Of course, food.” Scott said, “Anything specific? Fiction, or history?” The Pastor answered, “Whatever you can find. It would be a good idea to grab some books for Devon. Maybe, some personal hygiene things for us, too.” Major said, “Okay, Pastor Dom.” He took his gear, went to the kitchen to kiss his wife good-bye, “Stay by the radio.” She said, “I wish that you would stay here, today.” He said, “Honey. I just want to see what is up there. I may find some things that we can use.” She said,” I don't like you go
ing out so much.” He said, “It'll be alright. You stay by the radio. Remember, if you talk, don't say anything about location. Just in case, someone is listening. I will be back as soon as I can.” He kissed her a second time. As he walked out the door, he called out to Jimmy. “Hey, Jimmy!” Jimmy was sitting on the porch. He said, “Yeah, Major.” The Major invited him, “I am going up to the truck stop that we saw. You want to to come along? Jimmy said, “Sure. Let me get my gear.” He held his radio up in the air. Scott waited for him. A few minutes later, Jimmy came out with a back pack, and they left.
Back at the orchard, Renee and the others were discussing how to map out, and keep watch of the property. Aidan said, “I will take watch at night. Tomorrow, I'll head up to town, and see what supplies that I can find for us. If it's dead, no pun intended, I may call for someone to help. Chloe we all need to know anything that you know about boundaries, here. And if you know about any other houses or roadways running along any part of any of the boundaries, I need to see them. We will have to check them out to make sure that, those areas cannot open us up for attack.” Chloe asked, “Do you really think we will be attacked?”
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Aidan said, “It is a possibility. People will start to get hungry, soon. Some of those people are already criminals. We also need to be looking at, closing off any areas where the dead can get in.” Renee said, “He is right. If we get surprised by them at night, or even in the day time, we will all be at risk.” Ben said, “I'll help.” Jose added, “Me, too.” Renee suggested, “Aidan, it might be a good idea if, you start training the boys to shoot. In fact, we all need to learn how to shoot.” Aidan said, “I was thinking about that. I need to find us a place that is away from here. Where there are no people. Dead or alive. We have to be careful, not to bring attention to this place. The gun fire will bring the dead here, in hordes. And, the living, too. We can't risk it.” Chloe cut in, “I think that we should look for people.” Aidan said, “That will come later. We just found new neighbors. We have not even gotten to know them, yet. Right now, we need to get a system set up to protect what we have.” Nina said, “This is Renee, and Chloe's home. We should respect whatever they decide to do.” Renee said, “Aidan is right, we should be careful.” Then, Renee looked at Rosa. Rosa had been her neighbor, and friend for many years. She asked, “Rosa, what do you think?” Rosa thought about it for a moment. She sighed, and sat there with her hands folded. Then, she addressed the group, “I agree with Chloe. God has blessed us with a safe place, we should help as many people as we can. But, I know that Aidan and Renee are right, too. So, we take it one day at a time. The people will come. We survived. So will others. We have to figure out a way to know how to help others, without endangering ourselves.” Aidan said, “Tia. There will be people that will kill all of us for a can of corn. We have to be more careful than we ever have been.” She said, “I know, Mijo.” Renee cut in, “Okay... So... Aidan, you figure out a set up that, you think that we need to keep us safe. We follow Aidan's lead, everyone. Maybe, things will calm down, and it will get safer, eventually. But, I agree with Aidan. We have to protect this place, and us. If we see someone and think that they need refuge. We take them in, carefully. We watch them.” Aidan said, “I am going to hike around the place. Chloe, can you draw me a basic map? You know, round-about dimensions, the acreage, if you know what it is. Then, I can scout the area, and try to figure out weak spots, versus, strong points. Then, we can set up a strategic perimeter. Chloe said, “ It's in an aerial view they gave Dad when he bought it.” She looked over at her mother. “Mom, do you have the paperwork from Dad?” Renee said, “ Yes. Let me get it.” Renee walked out of the room. A few minutes later, she came back holding a stack of documents. She lay them down onto the table, and started to look through them. She came to the aerial view of the property. She said, “Here it is.” Aidan looked at it. He said, “Okay, you have one hundred acres. There is no way that, we can close all of it off. But, we can use this ridge here,” He pointed to the picture, then continued....“ as a watch post. And, the top of that school, and the steel building, too.We have to get out and hike the property. All of us. We can use the vehicles on the flat land. But, we will have to walk the rest.” Jose asked,” Why do we need to hike?” Aidan said, “ We all need to know what is on the property. It may help defense, and escape, if ever needed ”
Renee said, “Jose, Honey. We will learn a little at a time.” He said, “I don't think we should go too far away from here.” They all turned towards him. He continued, “You all have not seen them, when they come in big mobs. When they do, they come at you from all directions. If we get out there, those things could come up on us, and we may not be able to get back here.” Aidan said, “It will be okay, Buddy. I'll do the scouting, first. I'll mark off the area that I cover, in sections. Just like we used to do overseas, when we would go into a new place. Then, I'll take some of you out to show you the boundaries that I have covered. We all need to know the landscape. It may save us one day.” Jose said, “Alright, Aidan.”
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Ben said, “Don't worry, I'll be there, too.” Aidan continued, “Okay. I'll cover some ground, today. I'll take the radio, so one of you guys stay on back here.” Rosa said, “Mijo, don't go too far.” He said, “I won't, Tia.” Nina said, “I'll come with you.” He said, “No. You stay, and help here. I'll be back before dusk.” Aidan grabbed a few bottles of water, and a couple of protein bars. He walked outside, and started out out hiking through the high grass, past the old school, then up the hill. As he came to the top of the hill, he trekked through tall trees and some thick brush, marking the trees every now and then. As he continued his hike, he came to a path. He took out the aerial copy of the property. He looked at it, then looked around. He took out a compass, and started walking up the path. After a while, he came to the back of a large building. It was fenced all around. It looked like it was an office building of some kind. On the other side of the building, was what looked like, an alley way crossing the path way that he walked along. He looked around. He went through the gate, then crept around the side of the building. As he made it half way up the side of the building, he looked inside a window. He could see racks of clothes, and store shelves. The shelves were full. He saw a side door. He walked closer to it. He tried to open the door. It was locked. He went back to the window. He pushed up on it. It slid upwards. He peeked inside, to make sure that no dead were lurking around. It was dark. But, there was enough light for him to see. He jumped up on the outer sill. He climbed inside and tip-toed through the isle ways. He came to the end of the isle. He peeked around the end of the tall shelf. He turned slowly, walking through the dim store front. He heard snarling. All of the sudden, two living dead zombies came at him. They were snapping their teeth at him. They were dressed in torn, dirty, collared-shirts. They had name tags pinned on their chests. One of them, grabbed his arm. He wiggled out of it's grip, leaving his top shirt in it's hands. He shoved the other to the ground. He turned around, to see the other coming at him. The dead one looked twisted, with his milky, lifeless, eyes. He was growling and snapping his teeth at Aidan. He grabbed it, and jabbed his knife through it's eye. It fell to the ground. The other one had already gotten back up, and lunged ast Aidan. He struggled with it. They both fell sideways. Aidan pushed back on the snarling zombie, as he struggled with it. He strained to pull his right hand up, and hold on to the knife. When he was finally, able to get his hand in position to stab the rabid zombie, he pushed the knife up, through it's throat, and into his brain. The snarling, and teeth snapping had stopped. The leathery- rotting head, fell onto Aidan's chest. Aidan, a little out of breath, from his zombie fight, leaned back and exhaled. He pushed the bloody, gray, zombie off of him. He stood up, and scanned for more of them. He tip-toed around a counter, and between some racks of clothes. Now, he could see the large window at the front of the store. He could see a view of the street, outside. He inched closer to the window, to get a better view. The street was empty. H
e could not even see a zombie in sight. He stood there, for a minute, assessing the scenery. The street had garbage strewn all over the place. It looked like a ghost town. There were some bloody clothes piled on the curb. There were only two cars on the whole block. One of them had the door left open. Aidan assumed that, it was because the driver was running for his or her life, and had no time to close it. He peered up and down the street, attempting to get a glimpse of anyone left there. Anyone that was alive. He saw a sporting good store a few doors down. He went to the mens shirt rack, grabbed a flannel and put it on. He walked over to the store doors, to get outside. He tried to pull it open. It was locked. He went over to the counter, he looked around for a drawer, or a place that the former employees would keep the keys. He saw a door with a sign on it.
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