Bite

Rachel Got a Gun

We had soon piled the back of the truck up with gas-mart commodities, like all the bottled water and paper dishware from the slushy stand. Rayford kept protesting and saying there was plenty in the shelter, but no one wanted to risk taking it for granted only to find an empty shelter.

Trying to think ahead, I went on the other side, and grabbed things like aspirin, cleaner, toilet paper, a few of those weird shirts with racecar logos that no one recognized, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. When I added my loot to the back of the truck, which Rayford backed up to the store doors, he gave me a nod of approval.

Eventually, we realized there was a problem. We couldn't find a bathroom.

"They all have bathrooms," Pedro said. "I've done enough traveling to know that they don't stick a cashier out here and not give em a toilet. It must be at the back of the building."

"If you don't mind, I'll take Davey first," Wayne said. "Then you girls can go. I can guard you."

"I'll pee in the bushes!" squeaked Dave indignantly. "I don't want to go to a bathroom. That's where zombies like to hide!"

"And I don't want him listening to me pee," Hailey squeaked.

Pedro laughed. "What the f—seriously? You're kidding right?"

"I'll take a gun, and guard Hailey," I said quickly.

"Do you know how to use a gun?" Wayne said doubtfully.

"YES, I do," I replied sternly. "I'm not incapable."

"Reeeeally."

"Yes, really."

"Stop harassing her," Rayford cut in. "You might not even remember, Rachel, but your dad and I used to shoot together. You went with us, once, when you were twelve. And she's right. She wasn't bad."

"I... I don't remember," I said, sorrowfully. "I didn't know you and dad were still close...?"

"We hung out once or twice. When we were bored. We weren't friends." Rayford says this without any hard feelings, only in a matter-of-fact way. He pulled a second handgun out of the back seat, this one a shiny, modern colt. "Here," he says, handing it to me.

"Right," I said, gesturing to Hailey. "Do you need to go, or what?"

"Okay, okay," she replied, defensively. "Aren't you supposed to scout ahead or something?"

"Got the key!" Pedro appeared from behind the counter, dangling a very large key over his head. He tossed it to Hailey, who surprisingly, caught it and gave him a seething glare.

She might have enough gumption to survive, I thought.

"Come on," I said more gently. "Follow me."