“Great!” Alicia raced into the store ahead of everyone else. “This is why we came here in the first place, but it was closed!” She shook a fist.
“Lorenzo and I headed over to Burger King when the car died, so we doubled back here.” Alicia then slowed down as she reached the shelves. “Lorenzo, bring your lighter! It’s too dark back there.”
“Right.” Lorenzo fished a cigarette lighter from his pocket. With one flick, he ignited a small flame.
“Good work, but keep that thing clear of the shelves,” Carl said. “The sprinklers don’t work, and we don’t know what’s especially flammable in here.”
Carl’s party fanned out through Great Outdoors. It was like a godsend. The store was filled with many of the things they would need to handle a long hike in the countryside. Carl and his friends encountered tents, sealed-up camping food, tools, water filters and even some light handheld weapons such as knives.
“If anybody has any questions about what to bring, don’t hold your peace,” Carl said. “It’s essential each of us gets what we need to survive. Everyone should find a bag first and then stuff in some food, water, a tent or some sturdy shelter, and only then pack what you’re able to carry. Remember, we’re going to be on foot for a lot of the day.”
Tara looked behind her. Preston was milling about, looking a little confused. “Hear that, Preston?”
“I know what to get. I’m looking for bug spray,” he replied.
Tara sped up so she joined Alicia. “The Big Leech looking for bug spray. That’s hilarious,” she said quietly.
Alicia snickered. “You sure you two are not an item?”
“No! Good Lord.” Tara shook her head.
“It’s just you two seem to have some kind of, well, a thing,” Alicia said. “Maybe it’s not a love thing, but it’s some kind of thing.”
“We just love to fight,” Tara said. “I mean, you got to understand political stuff. You’re into hunting. You know liberals like him are always after the Second Amendment.” She huffed. “Although recently he did have to use a gun and he’s, well, having a bit of a problem handling it. But we’re just different. That’s all I can say.”
“Okay, it’s starting to make sense,” Alicia said. “You’re like frenemies. All for one and one for all but you’ll kick each other’s ass in the meantime.”
Tara chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds like us.”
Chapter Five
Tara plopped down on the floor. “I think this is all the camping gear I need,” she said, looking at the sack next to her.
“So what did you find?” Alicia asked as she approached, dragging her own sack with her, Lorenzo trailing behind.
Tara opened the sack and peered into it. “Let’s see, one small camping tent, a hiker water filter, waterproof matches, some cooking ware, high calorie food bars to keep me going…and here they are! One sleeping mat and a sleeping bag to go with it.”
“Awesome!” Alicia set her bag down on the floor. “I got much the same. Although we did find a, shall we say, bigger sleeping bag.” She smiled at Lorenzo. “Suitable for two.”
“Hey now, don’t keep us awake at night,” Tara said with a smile. “You might also disturb the bears.”
“Bears?” Preston approached, carrying his own sack. “There are going to be bears out there?”
“Yes, and they’re going to show up with green hats and ties and ask us for our picnic baskets,” Tara said.
Lorenzo frowned. “Picnic baskets?”
“You didn’t grow up watching Yogi Bear, did you?” Alicia asked with a laugh before turning to Tara. “Speaking of wildlife, did you forget something?”
“Oh yeah.” Tara stood up. “Weapons.”
Tara ran her hand over the glass case. Behind the glass lay a collection of knives. The handles looked fine for gripping, and although Tara could see their use, they were no substitute for bullet magazines for her existing rifle or a brand new sidearm.
“Trying to choose?” Carl asked. Tara almost jumped in surprise. She didn’t hear him approaching. The former Marine had chosen his gear and was wearing the pack over his shoulders.
“Yeah,” she said with a little disappointment in her voice. “I’m looking for something that’s very durable. This is for real, Carl. This isn’t like the hunting trip I was going on with Michael.”
“The great things about knives is that you don’t have to reload them. The bad thing is you can’t take out someone from a distance, and if you have multiple enemies bearing down on you, you’re screwed.” Carl rested his hand on the display case. “I checked the rest of this store. They don’t sell any firearms.”
“Damn,” Tara said, “so I can’t even reload my hunting rifle. I don’t like the idea of going out there without a gun, and I’m sure Preston doesn’t either, as much as he won’t admit it.”
“You both understand that survival’s everything now?” Carl said. “The bad guys out there don’t give a damn about human life. They will kill with anything they can get their hands on, from a gun to a knife to a piece of wood.”
“I know, but…” Tara swallowed. “You can understand where I’m coming from. I’m not very…big.”
Carl grimaced. “Big? You mean…weight?”
“No!” Tara stifled a laugh.
“I mean my build, my muscles, my height, everything. I’m a pipsqueak compared to most guys and definitely compared to you. There’s no way I can match a guy fighting hand to hand. If I didn’t have my gun back at that strip mall where I fought those guys with Michael, I’d be dead by now. With a gun in my hand, the whole balance changes. At least I stand a chance.” She drew back from the display case a little.
“Without a loaded gun, I can’t protect me or Michael.” Tara winced. “You know if he comes with us, there’s no way he can handle a gun. Don’t try saying he can. You know how out of it he is.”
Carl nodded. “I hate to admit it, but I have been thinking the same thing. Until he actually can talk to us and tell us what he’s feeling, I don’t think it’s a good idea to put a weapon in his hand.”
“Right. So, I’ve got to protect both of us.” Tara then rapped the glass with her fist, though not very hard. “And I don’t think anything here will do shit for us.”
“Maybe not the knives here, but I don’t think we’re out of options,” Carl said.
“Really? Where else here sells guns? I mean, we would have found them, or the survivors here would have, or damn sure Cyrus and Jason would have,” Tara said.
“Something I’ve been thinking about,” Carl said. “What if we open our search to the stores beyond the mall?”
“Beyond the mall?” Preston asked.
“Absolutely.” Carl addressed his friends at the storefront. “There’s a street that leads off to the right of the mall past the parking lot. Now, I remember there was a strip mall off in the distance. It looked like there might be some stores out there for us to try.”
“There is.” Alicia turned to Lorenzo. “Oh, where’s my head? Lorenzo, didn’t we pass by a store? Um, it was…” She snapped her fingers.
“Prime Outdoors and Sports,” said Lorenzo.
“Ah! That was it!” Alicia wagged her finger. “And it looked pretty big. I can’t believe they wouldn’t sell gun bullets at least.”
“Sounds like that’s us,” Carl said. “We’ve still got plenty of daylight left. We can head on over there and get back before nightfall.” He turned to Preston. “Looks like you’ll have to work your magic again to get us inside.”
“Hey, if he can’t do it, we always can smash our way inside like we did with that SUV in the parking lot,” Tara said.
“You sure love to smash things, don’t you?” Preston asked.
“Hey, it does the job.” Tara punched the air. “Sometimes you just got to go all in.”
“Wait, I have a question.” Lorenzo raised his hand.
Alicia chuckled. “This isn’t a classroom, Sweetie. I’m sure he won’t bite your hand
off for just asking it.”
“What’s on your mind?” Carl asked.
“How do we know there won’t be squatters or anarchists out there waiting for us?” Lorenzo asked.
“We don’t,” Carl said, “but I have been thinking about that possibility. We’ll leave our gear here. That way we can move much faster. If we have to run, nothing’s weighing us down.” He looked at Shyanne. “You probably should stay here, too.”
“No! I want to come with you,” Shyanne said. Then she held out her hands. “You may need me to carry something.”
“She’s got a point there,” Lorenzo said.
Alicia jabbed him in the chest with her elbow. “Lorenzo! You want a little girl to follow us into danger? What’s wrong with you?”
“Actually, if Shyanne wants to come, that’s fine. I probably would prefer it if we don’t split up,” Carl said. “Even though the mall probably is safe, I’d feel better if I could keep an eye on everyone.”
It didn’t take long for Carl and his party to reach the end of the curb, about fifteen minutes from the mall’s far right-side entrance. The street before them was actually two streets bisected by a median. The street between Carl’s party and the median was intended for traffic going south, and the street on the other side was used for traffic heading north. But right now the streets were silent. A few cars to their left and right were frozen on the road as if someone had clicked the pause button on a DVD player. The vehicles had come to a halt when the EMP took out their electronics, and their owners had fled to fates unknown.
Alicia slipped her leather boot off her right foot and massaged the bottom of it. “Why couldn’t I have worn tennis shoes when I left the house?”
“I told you we could have grabbed some new ones from the mall,” Lorenzo said.
“Sweetie, they didn’t have any in my size,” Alicia replied. “You know my feet are freakishly large.”
“They are not,” Lorenzo said, “A lot of the shoes already had been looted or the other survivors needed them.”
The pair continued bickering. Tara, who was beside Carl, chuckled. “What gives you a case of the giggles?” Carl asked.
“I just thought of what my life might be if I got married.” Tara gestured to Lorenzo and Alicia. “I just thought it was funny, arguing about shoes and everything. Is that what married people do?” She sighed wistfully.
“What would I have argued with Michael about? He was always such a quiet guy. I mean, normal quiet, not the kind of quiet he is now. He could be passionate sometimes but…” Tara crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t remember him ever getting fussy with me.” She blushed. “Well, except when I kept podcasting in his truck or out on vacation. I guess that’s one problem he won’t have now.”
“Hey!” Shyanne cried. She was pointing to the street. “There’s a duck! A duck is crossing the street!”
Carl checked out where Shyanne pointed. A lone duck with green feathers was waddling across the three-lane street from the other side.
“Awwww.” Alicia let her arms dangle. “I don’t have any bread to give him!”
“You know, he would make a good meal,” Lorenzo said.
Alicia slapped him in the chest. “Don’t you dare! You’re not going to eat the poor little thing!”
Preston, eyes narrowing, turned to Tara. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the idea first.”
“What, to eat the duck? Naah.” Tara watched the duck approach the curb. “Besides, I prefer deer.”
“Uh oh. I better cover Shyanne’s ears. She might think you’re the one who shot Bambi’s mom,” Preston said.
“Oh shut up!” Tara snapped back.
By now the duck had reached the curbside. Its goal was a small puddle of water gathered in a low place on the asphalt. Carl stepped onto the street, but took care not to get too close to the duck so he wouldn’t frighten him. Shyanne followed him.
“It’s funny,” Carl said. “For that duck, nothing has changed. Everything’s been turned upside down for us, but for some animals, life is just as it was before the EMP hit.”
“Are we going to have to eat animals?” Shyanne asked, with worry in her voice.
Carl started walking across the street. “I guess you’re disturbed from listening to those guys.” He pointed his thumb behind him. “Well, we may need to, to survive. You’ve eaten hamburgers, right? Well, hamburgers come from cows.”
“They do?” Shyanne asked.
Carl chuckled. “I guess they didn’t get to that part in school yet. Well, where we’re going, we may need to hunt for food. Not everyplace has vegetables or crops for us to eat. I know it’s not pretty to think about, but we have to do what we need to do to keep living.”
Shyanne frowned. “I wish we didn’t have to.”
“I agree,” Carl replied. “But, maybe things won’t be so bad. If we find enough supplies, we probably could find a safe haven before we have to hunt for food. Besides, having our own packed food means we don’t have to spend time hunting.” Carl had reached the median. He held Shyanne’s hand to help her over it. “Anything we can do to speed up our journey can only help.”
“Mister Carl, do you want to go home?” Shyanne asked.
“Home?” Carl stepped onto the next street beyond the median. “What do you mean? I have an apartment, but it’s too far away by now and it’s not worth trying to go back there. There’s a lot of dangerous people out there.”
“No, not that home. Your mommy and daddy. That home,” Shyanne asked, “They live on a farm, right? You want to go there, don’t you?”
Carl was a bit surprised to hear this subject brought up. “Well, it is in the general direction we are going but I can’t divert our party over there. I have to find someplace safe for us all. To be honest, I don’t know if my parents’ farm is all that safe. We don’t have working cars anymore, so it’s not like I can drive back and forth to Camp Jefferson with all of us. We don’t know how dangerous the journey’s going to be.”
“But you’re worried about them, right?” Shyanne asked.
Carl nodded. “Yeah.”
“So we should go to them.”
Carl picked up the pace a little. “Someday I’ll try. But I have to think of everyone else first.” Though as he approached the other side of the street, he wondered if he could hold to that promise.
Chapter Six
Carl and his friends gazed at the lettering on the storefront, Prime Outdoors and Sports. It was a large store amid a row of smaller ones that stretched out along the strip mall. Predictably, about half the parking spots were filled with vehicles that were stalled out from the EMP. Their owners were not in evidence. They likely fled as soon as it became clear they could not restart their automobiles.
However, at least this place was spared a round of looting. The stores were not broken into. Glass doors remained intact. The walls were not vandalized. The windows on a few cars were smashed, perhaps by random thieves who took advantage of the chaos.
The front doors were closed off by a white overhead door. Carl placed his hand on the metal surface and pushed. It remained locked in place. There was no slack at all.
“This is great.” Alicia shook her head. “Guess we arrived before opening hours, huh?”
Preston knelt down at the bottom of the door where it hit the concrete, near the door’s center. There was a lock down there. “Actually, I think opening time is going to start any second now.” He fished out the pins Tara had given him and started picking the lock with them.
“This is so weird.” Alicia folded her arms as she glanced at her husband. “We’re breaking into a store. I never in a million years thought I’d be doing this.”
“Well I never thought we’d be in a Mad Max nightmare either, but here we are,” Lorenzo replied.
The door suddenly clinked. “Ah ha!” Preston rose to kneeling height, then pushed up on the door. It slid upward, separating from the ground. Carl and Lorenzo quickly helped him. The three of them qui
ckly pushed the door up enough to expose the glass display windows and a set of entrance and exit doors.
Preston, smiling from ear to ear, turned to Tara. Tara tugged on the glass door, but it did not budge. “Yeah, great work, but we’re still not inside yet.”
Preston raised one of his pins. “Forty seconds.”
“What, this is a race now?” Tara asked, “It took you over a minute to raise the last big door back in the mall.”
“How do you know? Your watch doesn’t work.” Preston said as he jammed one of the pins into the lock.
“I can count.” Tara smiled as she twirled her left foot. “Besides, I remember how long a minute feels from high school. I counted the last five minutes until the bell rang in physics class because I hated it.”
Preston was fiddling with the lock as Tara spoke, so as soon as she finished her sentence, the door snapped open. “How long was that?” Preston asked.
Tara’s eyes widened. “Wait, you…”
Preston pushed the door open. He didn’t say anything. Tara just said to him, “Shut up,” before rushing past him and into the store.
“Batteries, batteries...” Alicia mumbled it over and over as she fumbled over the display stand near the cashier station. “Wait!” She turned to Lorenzo. “Lorenzo, you’re blocking the light!”
“Sorry.” He stepped out of the way.
“Thanks.” Alicia then grabbed a pair of triple A batteries off the stand, nearly knocking over a tabloid magazine in the process. She tore open the plastic and dropped the batteries into her hand. “Sweetie, flashlight?”
Lorenzo turned over the orange flashlight and then popped it open. Alicia slid the batteries into the flashlight. “Thanks,” she said. Lorenzo quickly snapped the cover back on. With a flick of the switch, the flashlight emitted a beam of light. “Yes!” She quickly grabbed it from Lorenzo. “Now we can see around here!”
Silent Interruption (Book 3): An Uncertain Passage Page 4