Contacting Space

Chapter 22

Ms.Moor parked the bus next to a grocery cart drop off making sure that the unprotected side would be facing the carts. "We will get in and out as fast as we can." Mr.Moor said as he exited the bus with Finn, Eli, and Michelle. Mr.Moor and Finn grabbed two shopping carts to fill. They marched their way into the store which was surprisingly empty of people, most likely because half the population have killed one another. They walked through propped open sliding doors into the dark store that was only lit by the sunlight. They stayed silent walking through the store filling the carts with necessary items and foods. They grabbed bags of chips, boxes of cereal, cases of water and period products. Finn also threw a few containers of condoms with various sizes in. They grabbed some flour to use to cook bread along with some seasoning so they wouldn't get bored of the same flavors. "Finn? Is that you?" The group of four turned around to see a woman standing on the opposite side of the isle. "Oh my gosh Finn! We were worried sick!" The woman began running towards them prompting Eli and Michelle raise their weapons. "Finn?" She said with hurt in her voice.
"I'm sorry. I cant stay with you."
"But we're family."
"I've already committed myself to a group."
"These three can join us!" She moved closer with slight tears forming within her eyes. "Your sister's dead, but me and your father are still living! We're gonna make it through. You, me, your dad, and these three others."
"We have six others with us, and we're going south."
"Can we join." A tear left her eye sliding down her right cheek. Her lip began to quiver as she tried to force a smile but couldn't hold it anymore.
"No."
"B-but..."
"We're not accepting anyone else in." Finn looked away from his mother. "We can't risk it."
"Family?"
"No." Finn's mom collapsed to the floor with her hand outstretched. Her eyes were pouring tears. Finn turned away from her walking away with a sad face. He began to cry wishing that he could bring his family along, but he knew that it would also put the group at greater risk for something to happen to them.

Outside at the bus people occasionally tried to board. When someone tried to get on they were promptly assaulted then dragged from the vehicle, leaving a pile of bodies next to it. "I didn't expect killing people would be so much work." Wendy said out of breath.
"Me neither." Jessica panted out. "We should ask the two in the back to swap with us, no one tries to get in back there. And doesn't Jasper do sports or something like that?"
"True. Let's ask." Wendy climbed the stairs of the bus leaving Jessica closer to the door. "Hey you two."
"Yeah?" Dan said.
"You wanna swap? You're not getting any action back there, and I know you enjoy action."
Dan blushed. "Sure! I've been waiting to slaughter people." Jasper said. Jasper walked to the front with Dan limping behind swapping their spots.
"My ass is killing me." Dan said.
"Sorry, I kinda got carried away."
"Don't be. It felt amazing. I think I just need to stretch it out more."
"I can help you with that." Jasper grinned as he put his hand to Dan's ass. He rubbed it a little before squeezing it.
"Don't forget." Ms.Moor said. "I'm sitting right here." She had her nose buried in a book with a black cover. It has some words written in a light green color with a circle that has shapes within it. Jasper removed his hand from Dan blushing in the process. "If you want to do that I can move a little further back." She continued with her eyes scanning the pages.
"That would be nice..." Jasper said.
"Alright." She got up from her seat moving a few rows back. Jasper replaced his hand back onto Dan, slowly lowering it to his lower front zone.
"Jasper!" A voice called out. His eyes shot up, and he yanked his hand out of Dan's pants. "What the fuck are you doing with your hands in his pants?" A man began approaching them.
"Dad, I can explain."
"And why are you on this bus. We thought you died!"
"Dad, this is my...friend. We grouped up with our other friends and a bus driver. We've been living in it for the past few days."
"There's enough room for your family too, right?"
"No. I'm sorry."
His dad moved closer, this time increasing the volume of his voice. "There's room for us right?"
"Babe get back." Jasper said to Dan. His eyes widened realizing what he said.
"I should've known you were a fag. I should fucking take you out right now, and your little faggot of a friend too." He started charging towards them. *THUNK* Jasper's dad's body fell to the pavement.
"Did I just-"
"Yeah." They both stood looking at the limp body that laid in front of them with wide eyes. Jasper held the bloody bat in his hand, looking at the stain left from his father.
He kneeled down and heard a silent whisper. "Go to fucking hell faggot."
"I don't think I will." He slammed the end of the bat into his dad's head watching the bones and brain rip through the skin. He turned around to Dan who already had his hands wide open. They embraced each other in a hug and heard a shopping cart rolling towards them.
"We're back!" Mr.Moor said.
"You guys alright?" Michelle said noticing the pair hugging. Dan pointed to the body on the ground causing an instant understanding. They emptied the shopping carts into the bus and got prepared to leave.
"Can I get one more sec before we leave?" Jasper asked. He got off the bus walked to his fathers dead body kneeling down. 'Dear God. Please condemn him to hell. I don't wish to ever see him again.' He rose up and re-entered the bus. Ms.Moor started the engine and they left the grocery store's parking lot.