Survival

What'd I Miss?

We start walking again. We turn right at the first street we come to. We go forward for a while before we all stop at a dilapidated, old shopping market. Its roof has caved in and there's a big hole in the wall. I get a sinking feeling that going inside would be a mistake, but we need the supplies.

“Come on! We all need to gather things.”

Everyone splits up and looks for supplies. I stay back and wait. Charlie is the first one back. He carries six new backpacks, water, juice, and a couple beers. Phil arrives next with a pan, some chex mix, some rice, and some matches. Dan follows him carrying lighter fluid, rice boxes, and some canned fruits and vegetables. Dean arrives next with Jack, holding boxes of cereal, peanut butter, and some salt. Jack has granola bars, sausages, and he carries bleach in his right hand.

“What's the bleach for?” I ask him. He smirks at me.

“Bleach erases all traces of us from wherever we stay. It's crazy, but it'll stop those creatures from tracking us.”

“Good thinking, Jack!”

Bethan shows up carrying new coats and running shoes. Good thing too! Our shoes are worn down a lot! Jenny turns the corner holding blankets and shirts. Jamie comes from my left. He holds bandages, ointment, and gauze wraps and gauze pads. He stuffs them into a backpack while I watch Tom and Bing come from the weapon and hunting area. Bing carries a bow in one hand and a few bundles of arrows in the other. Tom carries new guns. Both have bullet boxes in between their teeth and under their arms.

“Guys,” I say while they put the bullets in a zip of a bag, “those need cases and a quiver.”

They look at each other before Bing looks at me:

“Got it! Let's go, Tom!”

The two go off for the hunting section again and I go with them. I pick up a pair of binoculars, some batteries, a lantern, and some oil. Bing and Tom are already back with the group when I finally leave the area. Suddenly, I feel like something's watching me. A foul stench fills the air and I feel sick. I slowly turn and I'm face to face with a monster. I cautiously back up away from it, but it steps toward me with every step I take. I swear it's taunting me.

“WE'VE GOT YOU!!!” Bing screams, his voice more raspy than normal. I hear a small thing zip by my ear and see an arrow connect with the thing right between its eyes. I pull out my knife and slit the creature's throat. The head rolls off of its shoulders. The body shrivels to the ground into a pitiful heap while the head rolls into a shelf. I jump backwards as another creature takes a swipe at me. In the corner of my eye, I see Bethan beginning to freak out.

“Bethan! It's okay! You'll be fine!”

“But-”

“No 'but's!” I holler over my shoulder, “Just focus!”

I turn my attention back to the fight in front of me. Just as I am about to stab the other monster, Bethan cries out from behind me. I whirl around and gasp. Another creature holds her fast in its grip. I lunge at it. Charlie hits it from behind with the butt of his gun. It stumbles and lets one of its hands off of Bethan. The other still holds her tightly. It growls at me and I strike it. The horrible monster drops her and I finish it off with ease. I scoop Bethan up and I run with her for shelter. We find an empty storage room and I go inside, locking the door behind us. Setting her down, I wipe the tears from her eyes.

“Where does it hurt?”

She points to her left arm and her left shoulder blade. I take out my flashlight and shine it on her. I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Was I...?”

I smile at her, “No. They're just new scratches.”

I take some bandages out of my pocket and cover her bloody gashes with them. I hold out my hand and she takes it. I help her up and I unlock the door. We leave and make our way back to the rest. We turn down and aisle and we see the group hovering around something in a circle. I run up to them:

“What the hell did I miss?”