𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐔𝐌 (𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑥𝑜𝑛)

𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑦 𝑇𝑤𝑜

The town of North View was like a storybook. Every building that stood looked old, but homey. The dated architecture gave the place character with brick walls and gable roofs on top of every store. Admiring the place felt like reminiscing on happy memories that didn't belong to me.

But on every street and every corner stood a walker. Instead of lively chatter, all I heard was low guttural moans.

"Over here," May whispered in my ear and ushered me behind a giant dumpster. Jack and Grant followed close behind.

The bottom of my feet ached painfully as I crouched. Our walk to town was hurried and unrelenting. Jack didn't let anyone slow down, not even for a sip of water.

"Everyone knows what to do?" Jack looked at each of us for reassurance. I nodded silently and my heart began racing. I was a nervous wreck.

Lee told us the meds were on the crosswalk at Vintage Street. From where we were, that was only one block away. While May and I retrieved the duffel, Jack and Grant would find the truck parked two streets over. There was a gift shop right where the meds were, and we were to wait inside for Jack to come pick us up.

"Okay, we'll see you girls in a bit," Jack said to us.

His eyes lingered on me for a moment before getting up and leading Grant away. As soon as the men disappeared into an alley across the street, May poked her head out from behind our hiding place.

"Put your gun away," she urged.

"What?"

"The shots will echo off the buildings and draw more biters in. Use your knife instead."

May pulled out two slender knives and twirled them confidently in her hands.

My gun went back in the holster hanging off my belt and I held onto my blade.

"Let's go," May cocked her head to the side and swiftly rose to her feet.

I felt like a toddler following her mother through a busy mall as I trailed behind May. She turned to check on me and her long black ponytail whipped my cheeks.

"Sorry," she hissed.

A walker stumbled around on the sidewalk up ahead and May sped up, putting the thing in a chokehold while sinking her blade into its head.

As she lowered the stick-thin body to the ground, a burly woman turned her sights our way.

"I got it," I told May.

I didn't have the advantage of May's height and long legs, so I used my own method.

The walker lunged for me, and I kicked the bottom of my boot directly into her knee cap with all my might. A sickening crunch ensued and the woman fell to the cement floor. She craned her head back and looked at me with ghostly eyes. With both hands, I plunged my knife into her forehead until the hilt met bone. She went limp, and I pulled my weapon away. Small specks of blood landed on my chest and I frowned.

We continued on before more walkers could notice our presence and quickly reached the end of the block. I glanced up at a nearby street sign.

Vintage St.

This was it. All we had to do was pick up the bag and wait for Jack in the shop. I felt relieved as the idea of going back to camp crossed my mind, but when we turned the corner to find an empty crosswalk, my gut sank.

"Shit," May hissed. "Someone beat us to it."

"What do we do now?" I said.

A group of stragglers across the street began shuffling our way.

"We stick to the plan."

Goosebumps rose on my arm as May laced our hands together and pulled me towards the gift shop.

"Lee said the shop is clear." May let go of my hand and pushed open the door to let me through.

I quickly stepped inside and took in the shop. Various shelves were knocked over and their contents spread on the floor. Dust covered every surface I could see, and the air felt heavy to breathe in.

The squeak of a shoe on the linoleum floor chirped from my left. Before I could react, something hard crashed into the side of my face. The ground disappeared and I landed hard on my side. A gunshot exploded less than a second later and the sound of something heavy collapsed on the floor.

I forced my eyes open and saw the blurry outline of large boots standing by some empty shelves. Next to them, sat the blue duffel bag that carried our meds.

"DON'T FUCKING MOVE."

May's sharp voice cut through my daze like a knife and I scrambled to my feet.

"You shot Kevin!"

The man standing across from us kept a large assault rifle pointed at us as he frantically looked to the floor. I pulled out my own gun and glanced to my left. Dark blood spilled from the motionless body of a scrawny white kid. He couldn't have been much older than 17.

"YOU SHOT KEVIN!" The man shouted. He seemed to be only a little taller than me, but his thick muscles made up for his height.

"Shut up!" I spat. He was going to get us killed.

"That's our bag," May nodded to his feet. "Give it back."

The man bent down and quickly snatched up the duffel with one hand.

"I need the medicine," he asserted with a shaky voice.

"So do we," May said back. "We don't wanna hurt you. Just toss the bag over and you'll get to walk out of here."

"How do I know you ain't fuckin lying?!"

"We could have killed you already. That's how," I told him.

The man fidgeted with the strap on the duffel as he contemplated his response.

"What about half? You said it yourself, you need the medicine too," he finally spoke. "I have three little ones sick with fever. I can't go back empty handed, my wife's counting on me!"

May thought about his proposal for a moment before slightly lowering her pistol.

"Okay. We'll split it," she nodded. "But you gotta put the gun down so I know you won't shoot."

"Okay," visible relief came over him and he slowly lowered his rifle to the ground.

"Kick it over," she ordered. The man complied and sent the rifle our way with his foot.

"Okay, we'll start by–,"

May was interrupted as the door behind us suddenly swung open. I whirled around to find Jack staring wide eyed at the three of us. His sights fell to my face and then to the man. A dark look overcame him and he raised his gun.

"Jack, don't!" I started towards him.

Jack placed his hand on my chest and pushed me out of the way, sending me stumbling into a magazine stand. A look of terror befell the man before Jack took his shot.

The man's head suddenly jerked back and a concoction of brain matter and blood exploded on the wall behind him.

✯✯✯

(𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 6/5/21)

𝑊𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑡 100𝑘 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 :)