Zuflucht

4

Once again I found myself walking through the abandoned cities of Colorado. Instead of a hot miserable day, the clouds took over and a part of being couldn't help but feel joy from it.
My heavy bag made the journey a lot more tough, but I had to do it if I wanted to have enough supplies until next week when I have to go out again.
The foreign buildings and roads soon became familiar once again as I weaved myself passed abandoned vehicles, every now and then looking through one for any usefulness. A part of me wanted to use one, but at times like these you don't want a loud vehicle giving you away with all the rebellious bandits that go through killing anyone for no specific reason. Being a woman I'm even more at risk for who knows what with everything that's been going on...

I paused on the empty streets to thrust the backpack on my shoulder to a better position, the items I've gathered over the few days making the trip a lot harder than when it started. Luckily already looking for supplies I have food and water for the trip so I don't have to worry about needed anything for the most part.

Just great....

A small droplet of water landed on my arm and it didn't take long before more and more started making their way down. Quickly, I scanned the area until my eyes landed on what looked to be a coffee shop and immediately wasted no time in making my way over. The trip may already be bad enough but being weighed down by soaked clothes and a backpack don't sound pleasing at all.

I pushed the glass door open and made my way into the open space, the smell of coffee beans filling my nose. It looked rather cozy and a part of me wished I could have visited before the world came crashing down.

I just about threw myself into one of the small wooden chairs that sat facing the large window overlooking the street and gave myself time to chill and collect myself before I have to keep tracking throughout the area.

A random gunshot was heard in the distance, followed by two more before complete silence. It didn't sound super close but definitely withing a two mile radius.
Overall if I stay quiet I could avoid the situation which is what I expect to happen.

Before I could even finish my thoughts the sound of a trashcan being knocked over in the back room caught my attention. Already alerted, I grabbed my bat from my bag and gripped it tightly as I made my way to the small door.
Quietly yet swiftly I braced myself  and slowly made my way over to the small wooden door, my nerves spiked from the possible sudden danger.
In my mind all sorts of different scenarios were starting to play out and a lot of them weren't good. You can never be completely safe here.

I placed my hand on the door handle and couldn't help but hold my breath as I swung it open.

Nothing

Nothing.

I felt relieved as I looked around the kitchen area of the shop that seemed to be empty. Obviously being smart about it I didn't completely let up my guard cause clearly something knocked it over.

As I suspected a large trash can with old rotten contents spilled out across the shiny tiled floor. Sadly, the smell of coffee beans began to mix with a more putrid odor which I couldn't help but flare my nostril at.

I couldn't help but jump at the sound of a loud thud coming from the door labeled 'storage closet' at the corner wall of the room. Once again my instincts told me to tread carefully as I now made my way over to the new door. More and more thuds now started to happen as a more foul smell began to get stronger. The door was slightly cracked with the wood splintering and the door knob missing.
I swollowed hard as I reached out and softly and quickly opened it just a little so it would open enough for me to see inside.

While gripping my bat harder than ever I looked inside to witness an infected banging it's head over and over against the shelf in the room. Mops and brooms covered the floor as a few were lightly coated with the red and black fluid coming out of it's opened wound. I could help but notice it used to be a man from the clothes and few hairs it had. Unfortunately, it is severely decayed beyond me being able to predict what his age could have been.
I lightly shook as I slowly stepped away from the scene and made my way out into the rainy streets.