Godead

XXVII

Back at Michelle's place, the group settled in before retiring for the evening. The following day passed uneventfully, and soon, the four fell into a rhythm. Days passed, and the occasional zombie would wander out from the woods. Abby happily killed them, and the others were glad, as they knew the dire need to conserve ammunition. After two weeks, food ran scarce as the pantry stood empty.

"I'm hungry!" Abby complained, stomach growling as she stared at the empty cupboards.

"Same here. We're seriously running low on food," Claude said.

"I had some in my tent, but it's likely too dangerous to go back for it now," Zoe said.

"Yeah. We should probably look for some more elsewhere," Claude said.

"Yes, but where?" Blair asked.

"I know a supermarket about a mile or so down the road. Things will probably be stale or looted by now, but we might be able to salvage some canned goods," Zoe said.

"Sounds good to me. Let's go!" Abby said.

"Wait. We need someone to stay and guard the house. You stay here, Abby," Blair replied.

"Shaddap, cop lady! Nobody tells me what to do!" Abby said with a grin. Claude turned to her.

"I'm afraid I must ask this of you as well, Abby. You're the strongest of us, and the one best suited to hold down the fort. Don't worry. We won't be gone long," Claude said. Abby paused, soon turning to Claude.

"Well... alright. But only since you asked so nicely, my darling," Abby said with a blush.

The three soon left the house, entering the old microbus before hitting the streets.

"Which way, Zoe?" Blair asked.

"That way," she replied, pointing the way as the three steadily drove up the road. "What's with all those cars out front, anyhow?"

"Oh, those were just some... unwanted visitors," Claude replied.

"...What happened to them?" Zoe asked. As Claude briefly hesitated, Blair eyed the rear view mirror.

"Abby killed them," she replied.

"What? How many were there?" Zoe asked.

"Seven, I believe," Blair replied.

"And she... killed all of them?" Zoe inquired.

"Yeah. Good thing, too. They may have been dangerous," Claude said.

"Yes... but then again, maybe they weren't and Abby murdered seven innocent people," Blair said.

"Oh, cut the girl some slack. She may act crazy, but how many situations has she bailed us out of by now?" Claude asked.

"That doesn't change the fact that she's a psycho. Maybe we should just cut and run from her. Now's the perfect time," Blair said. Claude turned to her in shock.

"Are you kidding? And leave her alone during all this?" he asked.

"Why not? The girl is unstable at best. I fear we're in danger the longer we stay with her," Blair said.

"...She's thirteen years old!" Claude replied.

"Yes. But she's... tainted. She's already turned into one of those things," Blair said warily. Claude sat in shock, speechless as he slowly shook his head.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing. You'd seriously just up and leave her?" he asked.

"...I think it's for the best," Blair replied. As Claude fell silent, the three soon reached the supermarket.

As they pulled into the parking lot, they looked around, noticing ruined vehicles lining the pavement. They pulled up to the store, getting out before carefully looking around. As they approached the front entrance, they paused, noticing the glass doors broken and shattered. As they carefully stepped inside, the stench of rotten food came over them.

"Whew. What a stink," Zoe said, pulling her black dress over her nose.

"I'll say," Claude replied, clamping his nose shut.

"Stay alert. I detect the stench of death from this place, as well," Blair said, warily holding her shotgun by her side. They moved through the store, stepping over bodies as flies buzzed around.

As the three traversed the aisles, Zoe froze, eyes going wide as she eyed the ceiling.

"...Oh, my—!" she said, motionless as Claude and Blair turned to her.

"...What's wrong, Zoe?" Claude asked. Zoe said nothing, blinking before slowly pointing up.

As the three looked to the high ceiling, they froze, suddenly spotting a giant insect latched onto the roof. It resembled an oversized grasshopper, body the size of a station wagon as it stood eerily still.

"...Sh*t. Not another giant bug," Claude said quietly.

"...Maybe it doesn't see us?" Blair asked.

Just as the young officer spoke, the insect let out a sharp croak, spotting the three as it quickly scurried across the ceiling. It then spread its massive wings, flying around before landing across the aisle with a crash. As the creature quickly approached, Blair raised her shotgun, gritting her teeth as she fired a shot into its carapace. It shrieked, briefly losing balance before rushing forward. Claude and Zoe raised their guns, firing wild shots at the giant bug. Despite taking damage, the creature crept ever closer, knocking over shelves as it approached.

The three worriedly stepped back, continuing to fire as the creature closed in on their position. As it came within several feet, Blair took aim, blasting a shell into the creature's head as it gave a piercing cry. The bug soon came to a stop, crashing to the ground in a pool of orange guts. As Zoe looked to the insect, she quietly trembled.

"...Is this... is this for real?" she asked, nervously staring down at the fallen creature. Claude turned to her, lightly rubbing her shoulder as Blair lowered her shotgun.

"...I'm afraid so," Blair replied.

As the creature's leg started to twitch, the three jumped back. Claude then looked to a shelf, taking a can of bug spray before pointing at the insect, pressing the can as he sprayed it with a thick mist. As its movements came to a stop, Claude sighed, holding up the can moments later.

"...Bug spray. Don't leave home without it," he said, dropping the can moments later.

The three continued through the wrecked aisles, soon realizing the place had already been looted. As they reached the canned goods section, they stopped, noticing a few items still remaining. They grabbed everything they could, putting them in grocery bags before leaving the store.

As they drove back to the house, they left the vehicle, heading around before opening the back door. As they reached in to collect the bags, Blair paused.

"What's wrong, Blair?" Claude asked. The officer fell silent.

"...I, umm," she said, briefly hesitating before looking to Claude. "...I think I'm going to leave."