Extinction Event¹ ━ FTWD

CHAPTER 12: Unnatural Disaster

EXTINCTION EVENT

chapter twelve: unnatural disaster

[ season 1, episode 4; not fade away ]

DAY 13

Five miles from the Safe Zone, Alicia's bike skidded to a halt in front of an auto shop. Meghan quickly hopped off, checking around to ensure there wasn't a patrol heading through.

The family owned and operated place wasn't pretty, and had been struggling against the larger corporate dealerships prominent in LA, but it was hard to spot unless you were looking for it, even on the street, and they'd given Meghan a good deal on fixing her windshield.

Faintly, she hoped that the older man who'd run the shop, a barrel-chested guy named Liam who only sort-of reminded her of Paul Bunyan, managed to make it out okay. He seemed nice, and didn't give her side-eye when she explained the accident. He'd even thrown in a free oil change for her — something not many people would do when faced with someone who almost committed vehicular manslaughter.

The auto shop's windows and doors were hidden, worn and graffitied metal roll-down doors covering the front entrances. Probably for the riots, Meghan assumed.

Meghan tugged valiantly at the bottom of the garage door's shutter, to no avail. She stood with a brief sigh. She'd need to find a way around back — they had a window in their bathroom she could use to get in.

Walking the bike into the side alley, Meghan stopped under the window that led to the shop bathroom. It was too high for her to reach, so she'd need a boost. Glancing side to side, she paused as she took inventory of the area.

Their dumpster was located right beside it. All it needed was a little push in the right direction. Well, technically, a push in the left direction, but that made for a far more awkward turn-of-phrase.

She pushed hard against its side, straining furiously before slumping over. Looking beneath it, she paused and left out an exasperated groan upon seeing the bricks and concrete block wedged between its wheels to keep it in place.

Crouching, Meghan slid out the worn bricks, then stood, pushing heavily against the side of the dumpster. Her arms strained as it slowly began to roll. Meghan grit her teeth, pushing hard against it — one foot in front of the other. Making little progress, she twisted, leaning her back hard against the side and pushing with her legs instead.

Slowly but surely, she came to a stop beneath the bathroom window.

She threw down the top of the dumpster, testing the lid briefly to ensure it was safe, then placed the brick on top, following it shortly afterwards as she hoisted herself over the side, upper arms straining with the effort as she swung one leg up and over.