The Returners

  The last one that had appeared was now moving towards them. This one seemed to move faster and with more purpose than the others. Jessica put the cross-hairs of the scope between it's eyes and squeezed the trigger. The shot missed, the Returner continued moving briskly towards them.

  “Shit,” Jessica said. She aimed and fired again, missing for a second time. The Returner's shambling and stumbling movements were making it hard to zero in accurately.

  Taking a deep breath she took aim once more and when she squeezed the trigger it stopped it where it stood. Blood ran down from its forehead as it dropped into a pile on the ground. Jessica sighed with relief.

  The group stayed motionless and continued searching the area for anymore Returners. After several minutes Jacob stood up, and the others followed his lead.

  "Keep a sharp eye out and be extra alert." Jacob was still on edge, not a hundred percent sure they were safe yet.

  They moved the last hundred yards to the store, passing by the Returners Jessica had dropped. The door to the store was partially open and looked like someone had kicked it in. Bloody hand prints stained the wall around the door frame. Jacob approached first while the others stood a few feet behind him. He peered in, looking and listening for any movement before stepping inside. When he was sure it was safe he motioned for the others to join him.

  "Everyone stay together in here, no one wanders around alone. Emily can you watch the door and make sure nothing comes in behind us?" Jacob said as everyone stepped inside the building.

  Emily enthusiastically replied, "Yes!" to his question. She was proud Jacob trusted her enough to stay on guard while they searched the store,

  "Thanks, lets see what we can scrounge up that might be of use to us. We're only about a mile from your house aren't we Jessica?" Jacob said as he looked around the store. The store seemed to have been fairly cleaned out, but there were still things on the shelves and items scattered about on the floor of the isles.

  "Yeah, my house isn't far, why do you ask?" Curious as to why he'd asked that specific question.

  "Well I figure we can take some stuff now, then some of us can come back later and get more. Doesn't make a lot of sense to bring everything until we know what's ahead of us," Jacob said. He didn't want to have to drop it if they got into trouble. They might lose it permanently if they got caught out in the open and had to do that. "Everyone only take what you can throw in your backpacks for now. If we find enough stuff, we'll stash what we don't need in a hiding spot."

  Moving through the store together, they made sure to look back at Emily when they could to check on her. After searching the clutter they found several cans of food, dried pasta, feminine hygiene products, matches, batteries, half a case of water and some toilet paper. Most everything had been picked over, but whoever had done so had done so in haste. It was obvious they hadn't taken time to look over everything thoroughly, leaving behind plenty of useful items. Most of the stuff wasn't items they needed right at this very moment so they left it alone, but it would be worth coming back for.

  After spending twenty minutes searching they had gotten everything they could use and thrown it in their bags. Not wanting to stick around any longer then needed they were just about to leave. That's when Joe thought of something.

  "I used to work in a store like this after school. It had a small storage area they used to put some of their better selling items in. That way they would have it on hand between deliveries. I'm thinking maybe this place might have something similar." Joe figured it was worth mentioning. It might end up scoring them more things they could use.

  "Maybe we should take one last look around before we leave. I saw a door over that way that had a dead bolt on it." Briella pointed in the direction of where she saw the door, "It was over by the coolers."

  "All of us don't need to go and check that out. This place looks pretty secure for the moment. Joe if you and Briella want to go and check that out go ahead. We'll wait with Emily." Jacob was a bit hesitant about staying any longer, but it might prove useful if there was a storage area and it hadn't been cleaned out.

  Jessica and Jacob joined Emily who was staring out the shattered window of the store.

  "You see anything?" Jacob asked as they walked up to her.

  "Nope, nothing at all. Haven't heard anything either." She continued to look out the busted window.

  "Good." That was a positive sign. Something he hoped stayed that way on the last leg of their journey.

  Briella and Joe walked back to the door she had seen. The dead bolt was stuck and Joe was doing his best to get it to come undone. Putting all of his force behind it he managed to pop the bolt open, but jammed his hand in the process. Pulling it back he winced and shook it.

  "Dammit, that hurt." He looked at his hand to see where the bolt had pinched it.

  Briella grabbed his hand and looked. "You big baby it's just a little cut." Laughing as she teased him about it.

  He couldn't help but laugh as well. "Lets see what’s in here. Stay close to me."

  The room was fairly dark, but with the door open there was just enough light for them to see. It was a storage area like he'd thought, there were cases of canned food as well as other items. He couldn't tell for sure what they were in the low light.

  "Looks like we might have hit the jackpot, can't believe no one else found this. Guess we lucked out." It was right then the smell hit him. It was faint, but putrid. "Briella do you smell that?"

  "Must be rotted food or something, hard telling, I can't see that well in here." Briella pulled her shirt up over her nose to cover up the smell.

  The smell was becoming stronger the longer they stood there and seemed like it was getting closer. It was odd and they couldn't figure it out.

  "I think we better go back and tell Jacob and the others about this. Can't take it with us right now anyway," Joe said.

  Briella put her hand on his shoulder. "Do you hear that?"

  He wasn't sure what she was talking about, he didn't hear anything. "No."

  They both stood there in silence, a faint scrapping sound could be heard and it sounded like it was right in front of them.

  "I hear it now." He was about to suggest they leave when he felt teeth sink into his leg and screamed out in pain. Hands grabbed ahold of his leg as broken fingernails clawed into his flesh. He could feel it being torn from his leg.

  "Run!" Joe screamed as he was pulled off his feet.

  Briella heard Joe scream, her mind filled with terrible thoughts about what was happening. She ran towards the door, as she made it into the store area she saw Jessica, Emily and Jacob running towards her. All she could manage to say was, "Joe."

  Joe felt teeth sink into his leg, his whole body began to burn. Pulling his knife from its sheath he began to flail wildly at whatever was biting him. He felt it sink into flesh, he pulled the knife out and swung down again. This time the grip on his leg loosened as the knife drove into whatever was attacking him. His heart felt like it was going to explode, liquid bile came up in his throat. He could only gasp for air when he tried to breathe.

  He heard Jacob's voice call out his name as he lost grip on the knife. He convulsed a few times, blood filled his lungs as darkness began to engulf him.

  "Briella, I love you." Blood spewed from his lips as he forced the words out.

  "Joe," Jacob spoke loudly, but didn't holler as he stood in front of the door. He got no response.

  Briella stood beside him and they both heard Joe's voice brokenly say, "Briella, I love you."

  The sound of his voice gurgling in death spasms were so loud they filled the room. It was something they had all heard before and Briella began to sob uncontrollably. Jessica grabbed ahold of her, afraid she was going to pass out. Emily grabbed Briella as well, helping her mother steady her.

  Jacob knew it was only a matter of seconds before Joe would return and come after them. He'd seen it before and knew it was inevitable. The least he could do was end his suffering when he d
id. It seemed like forever, but the sound of feet shuffling quickly towards them came soon enough. The returned corpse of Joe stood before them in the doorway, blood running from his mouth, his eyes glazed over and void of life.

  "Girls look away," was the only thing Jacob said as he raised his shotgun. "Sorry kid," He said, pulling the trigger as Joe lunged towards him. The blast echoed throughout the store. Joe's body was flew backward as the pellets struck him and knocked him into the supply room.

  Briella crumpled into Jessica's arms, her emotions overwhelming her. Jessica and Emily managed to keep her from falling and helped ease her gently to the floor. Both Jessica's and Emily's eyes filled with tears and they began to sob. Tears ran down Jacob's face as he lowered the shotgun. Wiping them away he turned to the girls, the three of them stood there silently looking at Briella.

  How quickly a situation could go from good to bad. One minute you were alive and full of life, the next gone. That point was hitting all of them hard at this moment. A gruesome reminder of what life now was.

  The blast of the shotgun echoed outside the store, even though it was indoors the sound still carried. A quarter of a mile away a large horde of Returners turned and began moving to where it had come from.

  Chapter 18

  Jacob, Emily and Jessica moved Briella away from the door of the storage area. Jacob shut it and put the dead bolt back in place, doing his best to not look at Joe's corpse. Briella was lost to the world at this point, they couldn't move until she came around. All they could do for now was wait.

  It was close to an hour before Briella's eyes opened. She didn't speak, only sat up and looked around. Tears ran down her face, realizing what had happened. Jacob and Jessica each offered her a hand and helped her get to her feet. Jessica couldn't help but shed tears at the pitiful, heartbroken face she was looking at.

  "I'm sorry," Jessica said as she hugged Briella.

  Jacob looked at Emily and motioned for her to follow him. He wanted to give the girls a few moments alone before they left. They couldn't stay here long and he knew it. It was just now becoming clear to him the shot may have brought unwanted attention, but he didn't want to cause panic or worry. He put his hand on Briella's shoulder, looked at Jessica before he and Emily moved to the front of the building.

  After a few minutes of tears Briella wiped her eyes. She knew she needed to be strong right now and she would have time later to mourn. "I know we need to get going, I'm sorry."

  Jessica wasn't sure what she was sorry about. "It's alright hon, you don't have anything to be sorry about. We do have to get going though."

  Briella nodded that she understood, Jessica was amazed at how quickly she'd pulled herself together. It must have been extremely difficult to do so.

  “You ready?” Jessica asked.

  “I think so.” Briella knew she had to keep it together. They still had to make it to the house.

  The two women walked to the front of the store. As they rounded the end of one of the isles they saw Jacob and Emily crouching down looking out the busted window. Both of them crouched down and moved slowly towards them. When they reached their side they could see why they were antsy. Somewhere around thirty Returners stood within fifty feet of the building.

  Jacob looked at both of them and put his finger to his lips. He pointed back to the isles, the whole group moved as low to the ground and quietly as they could.

  Once they had made it he spoke, his voice hushed and nervous. "We're in a lot of trouble. The shotgun blast must have caught their attention."

  "Do you think if we got the main door shut we could defend the building and pick em off? We have enough ammo." Jessica knew it wasn't a probable solution to the dilemma, but at the moment she wasn't sure what else to suggest.

  "The only problem with that is the door won't stay shut if we don't have anyone to keep it closed. It's in pretty rough shape. Those things may be slow, but you know how strong they are. They'd knock it down in no time." Jacob responded to the question as best he could. "I'm afraid we aren't going to be able to get out of this without a fight. We'll have to use the guns."

  Jessica began to speak, “What if...” The sound of dragging feet entering the building stopped her. The Returners were in the building now, they had to figure out something and quick.

  Briella pointed to the back of the building and whispered, "Back there, they're getting closer."

  The group stood up and moved back as far as they could. The problem was the building wasn't that big. Even though they were at the back they were still only fifty feet or so away from the front. The isles provided very little cover, sooner or later they would be spotted. Jacob scanned the area for a side exit or emergency door. There had to be some other way they could escape the building, but he couldn't see any. The sound of items being knocked over, feet shuffling and low moans now filled the store. His thoughts raced for a solution to the problem at hand, their choices limited at this point. A light bulb went off in his head as something hit him that might work. He leaned over and whispered into Jessica's ear and she nodded her head. He turned to Briella and Emily, getting as close as he could.

  "Listen, Jessica and I are going to go to the very end of the isle up there." He pointed to his right. "I want you two to go to the other end. We're going to make noise and try and distract them. We'll draw them away from your end and when things clear out enough, you guys make a break for it and run. If you need to shoot do it, but whatever you do don't stop."

  Emily didn't like the sound of this plan. "How are you and mom going to get out?" Tears ran down her face.

  "We'll get out, we just can't all do it at once. You know how to get to your house from here, right Emily?" Emily nodded her head. "You and Briella run as fast as you can and don't stop until you get there. We'll catch up to you."

  Emily hugged Jacob and then went to her mom and hugged her.

  Briella hugged Jacob. "Just make sure you two get out safe as well." She let go of him, turned and hugged Jessica.

  The four of them stood together in silence for a moment. None of them wanting to split up, but deep down inside they knew they didn't have many options at this point. The longer they waited the less likely any of them would make it. The sounds filling the store were becoming even louder as more Returners entered the building.

  "It's time," Was all Jacob said as both he and Jessica raised their guns and stepped out from behind the isle. Both of them began to scream and holler to draw the Returners attention.

  Briella and Emily ran down to the other end of the isle as soon as Jessica and Jacob stepped out and started hollering. Briella peeked around the corner and could see the building was now full of Returners. Most of them were moving towards Jacob and Jessica. The sound of gunfire erupted as Jacob and Jessica began to fire. Now was their chance to make a break for the door.

  There were so many Returners in the store it didn't leave them much space to get through, but there was a small opening.

  Briella looked at Emily and grabbed her shoulders. "Have your gun ready, but remember what Jacob said, don't stop. On the count of three we run." She didn't wait for Emily to respond. "1........2......3."

  The girls took off towards the door as fast as they could. Flailing arms of the Returners barely missing them as they ran by.

  Jacob saw the girls dart by and both he and Jessica began to make as much noise as they could to keep the Returners distracted. They held off on firing afraid they might hit the girls. As soon as the girls hit the door and were outside they raised their guns and began to fire again. Bullets tore into the Returners, but many of the shots weren't direct head hits and only slowed them down.

  Jacob grabbed Jessica's arm. "Follow me."

  They ran down to the other end of the isle, Returners began to fill the end they were just on.

  "I'm out of bullets, I didn’t have many to start with." Jessica looked at him confused. "What I'm telling you is you need to run for the door and catch up with the girls." He leaned in and kissed
her.

  The Returners were only a few feet from him now. He dropped his shotgun and pulled his knife from its sheath. He looked at Jessica one last time and saw her mouth the words, "Don't." Handing her his backpack he smiled and kissed her on the forehead. He turned and ran towards the horde of Returners.

  Knowing she only had a small window left to get out of the store, she turned and ran as fast as she could. A few Returners were now blocking the door. She raised her 9mm and took careful aim as she moved towards them. Both were clean head shots and dropped the Returners to the ground. Hurdling the fallen Returners she made it outside the building. While she was still in the air an arm reached out and knocked her to the ground. She hit hard but immediately scurried to her feet. A female Returner grabbed at her, barely missing. She kicked with all her strength and knocked it backwards. Quickly aiming her gun and firing the female Returners body fell as the bullet ripped into its skull.

  There were several more Returners near her, but she'd used both of her clips and only had a few shots left. She couldn't risk stopping to reload, so she ran, running faster than she'd ever done in her life.

  The only thing Jacob could think about was Jessica's safety as his knife blade slashed at the Returners blocking his way. That thought was fueling his fight right now. He managed to knock a few of them over when he charged, but the crowded confines of the narrow isle weren't enough for him to maneuver around in. After dropping a few with the knife he began to think about escape.

  He began to back up, but realized a few had come to the opposite end of the isle. There was nowhere to go, he was blocked in and it wouldn't be long before the Returners overwhelmed him. Jacob tried to figure out what to do, anger and sadness filled him as he spun towards the ones behind him. Driving his knife into the skull of one, he saw several more had filled the isle taking the place of the one he'd just dropped.