PROJECT ANDERSON

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: SARGE

We had been driving for approximately 30 minutes before Johnny started bellyaching about needing to rest.

"Johnny its only 7:45...we have a ton daylight left, so knock it off." Melissa said sternly.

"At least let me get out and stretch my legs...I feel like a sardine back here..." Johnny said as he readjusted in the backseat.

"Fine there's a gas station over there." I said as I pointed tiwards a white brick buliding and a big red sign on the front that read Gas&Go.

"Do you think that Andie has been here?" Melissa asked as she opened the doors, so Johnny could get out.

"Probably...she didn't have any food or water with her." I said before I pulled out my pistol and handed it to her. "We'll go check the place out and grab some more supplies. Do you mind holding down the fort?"

"No sir, I'll protect them with my life." Melissa said with a smile at my daughter.

"I'm glad that I met you two, I probably wouldn't have been able to do this on my own." I said genuinely.

"Come on Sarge...I need protecting." Johnny said as he looked around the empty parking lot.

"Pansy ass." I whispered under my breath as I got out of the truck.

"Go easy on him Sarge...he's only in this situation because of me." Melissa said through her open window.

I nodded and readied my weapon before me and Johnny headed into the store.

Inside there was nothing moving around, so I figured that it was safe enough to let my guard down at least a little bit.

"Let's search for any sign of Andie being here." I said hoping that maybe she left something.

"I think a good indication would be the dead body over there." Johnny said as he pointed to a woman laying in the middle of the floor.

I walked over to the woman and saw a bullet hole in her head.

Her name tag read Nicole...I knew her, she was a daughter of one of my soldiers...Ritchie.

"Poor Nic-Nic..." I said with a slight quiver in my voice.

"Did you know her Sarge?" Johnny asked from behind me.

"Yeah...I used to know her." I answered softly as I composed myself.

Johnny nodded before moving passed me and headed towards one of the aisles.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I headed after him.

"Checking the shelves for extra supplies." Johnny answered with a small frown. "Unfortunately there isn't much here."

"Andie probably took most of it for her and her niece." I said before moving further down the narrow pathway towards the back of the store.

"That's a lot of food for just two people and didn't you say she was on foot, so how did she carry it all?" Johnny asked as he grabbed a monster from the fridge.

"Maybe she found another survivor with a vehicle." I answered with a shrug. "Come on let's see if there's anyone else here."

Johnny took a long drink of his "energy" drink and walked over to me.

"You know that shit will kill you." I said before I turned away from him.

"Hey I had to wake up early because Melissa wanted to feed the little ones for you." Johnny said with a smirk.

"Thanks for that by the way..." I said before heading towards a storage room.

Inside we found a woman around 350 or more pounds and 31 years old...her skin had a yellowish tinge to it, abd according to her name tag her name was Amber.