Who We Were (Abby Anderson x FemOC)

Chapter 8: The Mall and the Weak Truce

It only took them a short while to reach the mall. Or rather, what was left of it. Part of the roof and wall had collapsed long ago and grass and ivy covered the caved-in section, draping over the gaping hole left in the building. This made a convenient entry point for Jess and Abby, since they wouldn't have to try to find a quiet way in. Unfortunately, it also meant that it was a convenient entry point for anyone else too, infected or otherwise, so they approached as cautiously as they had been walking the entire trip, staying alert for any sign of someone or something else. Suddenly, Jess's stomach growled loudly and she realised she hadn't had breakfast.

"Oh, shit," Abby said, and Jess flinched, looking around worriedly, barely registering that Abby was pulling her backpack off and unzipping it.

"What?!" Jess said urgently. She looked back to Abby, who was removing 2 tin foil packages from her pack and offering one to Jess.

"Sorry, forgot I had these," she said sheepishly. "Breakfast." Jess took the burrito and hit Abby on the bicep with it.

"For future reference," she said, glancing around to make sure the area was clear. "Don't say 'Oh shit!' while we're out on patrol. You scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry," Abby said, laughing lightly. They finally approached the entrance, and stopped to listen. After a few moments of silence, Abby nodded to Jess, and they stepped into the mall. Their boots crunched on the rubble as they climbed over the threshold. They passed through the caved-in area and made their way into the interior of the mall, which was fairly intact considering the giant hole in the roof, and furthermore, the mall looked relatively left alone, especially considering its prominent location. Sure, things had clearly been broken, many displays had their glass shattered and contents removed, but many stores appeared to still be locked shut. They looked around, amazed. Surely more people had been through than it looked like, right? Abby walked over and sat on a nearby bench, unwrapping her burrito. Jess followed suit with a raised eyebrow.

"Break time already?"

"I heard your stomach. Can't have you fainting on me," Abby said simply, nodding towards Jess's burrito, which she opened and started to eat. They ate in silence for a few minutes, listening for any signs of life in the mall, but all was quiet besides the crinkling of the aluminum foil every few seconds as they finished their breakfast, stowing the balls of aluminum foil back in their packs and standing up. Abby pulled out the map again and flipped it over, revealing an interior map of the mall, with a few 'x's on it. Abby furrowed her brows and tilted the map in Jess's direction. Jess looked at it, and then glanced around.

"If this is the front," she said softly, gesturing to the map. "Then this should be about where we are. Looks like the first one is down that hall to the left." Abby squinted at the map for a moment more, then began folding it up.

"Yeah, I think you're right," she said, putting the map back in her front pocket. "It's pretty quiet in here but don't get too comfortable."

"Agreed."

They began walking down the hall, observing the area as they passed through. Jess saw a camera shop and gasped, quieting it at the last second so it wasn't too loud. Abby turned to look at her, a confused look on her face. Jess gestured to the camera store.

"Quick pit stop?" Jess asked, already practically begging. Abby looked uncertain. "I haven't seen a camera shop this intact in years. It's gotta have what I want." Abby thought about it for a few moments more. She walked to the camera store and peeked her head inside. All was quiet. She nodded Jess on.

"I'll wait out here. Be careful, okay?"

"'Course," Jess said, already moving towards the door which had the glass broken out, making for the easiest entrance Jess could hope for. She stepped in, crunching the glass under her boots, and immediately couldn't believe her luck. The store was practically untouched. If the glass hadn't been broken, she'd have sworn that no one had ever come in here since outbreak day. After a moment of looking, she spotted the sign, Polaroid, and began walking to that section, where she could've actually jumped for joy. More film than she'd ever seen was piled on the shelf, packaging completely untouched by time, though the film was undoubtedly expired, as was any film she'd ever used. She took off her backpack and began to toss packs of film in, feeling free to take a fair share since Abby had said they didn't need to bring anything back for Isaac today. Once she had about 10 packages, she felt unimaginably satisfied and more excited than she had in a long time.