We're Not Alone

Chapter 9

"Let's set up camp in here," Dad suggests as we arrive in an abandoned shop.

We have traveled all the way to a city in Louisiana, with a small mall. It's not a very big mall. Only two stories, nothing compared to The Galleria. They must have just been locking up when everyone got evacuated because the roller-door was down, but unlocked. It looks to be a M.A.C. shop, not a giveaway that there are multiple M.A.C. signs around the walls.

"Come on! It's only a make-up shop, stop being so mesmerized about it," Dad moans.

I lay my backpack on the floor as a pillow and try to get as comfortable as I can. As I am trying to get into my preferred position Trevor almost slams his bag next to mine and lays down next me.

"It's a bit cold tonight, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I wish we brought blankets or something."

"Well come here," he says holding his arms wide open.

I shuffle into him and find this as a very comfortable position. He holds me in his arms making me feel the safest I have felt since the gas leak. I fell asleep very quickly.

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"Jamila, it's time to wake up, we've already slept in for an extra hour," Trevor whispers gently in my ear.

I rub my eyes, groggily my eyes slowly open to bright lights.

"Come on, we can get some supplies," Dad says helping me up from the ground.

I haul my bag over my shoulders and walk with Paisley to the Mini-Mart across from M.A.C. We get more bandages, rubbing alcohol, wine bottles- to just use the bottles-, and sugar for smoke bombs. We also get a few energy bars, and we sneak a chocolate bar each.

I'm half way through eating my chocolate bar when I hear a gun shot.

"Paisley, get down," I half whisper, half yell. "Get your pistol out too."

I unzip the pocket, throw my chocolate bar in and pull out my bow. I move stealthily to the front of the shop and hide behind the counter. Paisley follows close behind me and we wait for any action.

"Look in the mini-mart, it's wide open!" I booming voice yells from not too far away.

"Get ready Paisley," I whisper loud enough just so she can hear it. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I know you're in here assholes, I can tell."

I peer up, over the counter and see he's facing away from us. I take advantage of the opportunity and strike him in the back of his head.

I got you asshole. I say to myself. I walk similar to a crab around the back of the counter to the outside of the shop. There is a big statue right outside the shop that I hide behind. There's a guy walking around to my side of the statue. Thankfully he is facing away from me so I shiv him in the gut until he falls to the ground.

Before I know it, I've shot two other soldiers and the others come scrambling towards us and we run out of the front door.

We keep running until we get to a reserve where we discuss what we collected. We all spread out our supplies and sort them evenly for each person.

"Let's try get as close as we can to Mississippi today," Dad declares and we head of into the day.

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"You can't tell me you haven't been tempted to raid these houses," I complain for the fifth time.

"Yes, but we would feel guilty, wouldn't you?" Nirvana asks me.