What's left

Caden POV

It took longer than I thought to clear out two more stores. By the time we were wrapping up, we had multiple types of medicines, guns to last years, clothes that the girls would like, tools, knives, and food. Lots of it. Canned, dry, grains, seeds. It was a "good run". That's what Hunter called it anyways.

I help load it all into the back of the truck. Hunter got up onto the truck bed first which made me tremble. What if he looks in the bin? But then I look and am instantly horrified when I see the lid to the crate is off, lying there beside it.

He's such an idiot.

They're gonna find him so easily now. I watch, paralyzed as Hunter tries making room for the supplies we're about to load up. He bends down and lifts up the lid, placing it firmly back into the crate.

What? How did he not see Tatum?

Just lucky I guess.

***

I had to sit in the bed of the truck on our ride back home. Zakk says he needs me to make sure none of the supplies fall out since we packed on the truck pretty tight.

As we drove, I figured I'd check up on Tatum but when I looked behind me, I see there's a big box overtop of the crate he was in. There's no way I could move it by myself, let alone without knocking something off of the truck.

I remained seated. He'll be fine.

I watch the passing fields and trees. The sun was the highest in the sky. It was probably around noon. We pass the house we'd stopped at first and I watch as it whips by.

There was a bag of grain that was skidding loosely in the truck bed with every small bump we made. I put my hand on it so it couldn't move about any longer.

I see the overpass coming up. I've always wanted to walk on the little bridge road thing on top of it. I'd like to look out over it, but not down. I'd probably get scared. I've always wanted to leave our town to broaden my horizons. I just wish I could stay a little longer, but I knew our camp was nearby.

The curvy road that led to the college's gates was now visible. They must've known we were coming. I was curious if my shed was visible from outside the gate. I quickly jolted my head to the direction my shed occupied, nothing but trees. A glimpse of a still body at the roadside caught my eye, must've been a dead lurker.

The truck came to a stop after passing the guard tower followed by truck doors slamming shut. I stayed where I was, I couldn't believe how much stuff we brought home and I helped! I smiled as everyone came toward the truck, Terynce in front. He was probably going to give me a pat on the back or "yeah bruh that's what I'm talking about!" As he came closer, I could see the concern on his face and my excitement slowly faded.

"Where's Tatum?" Terynce said still approaching the truck.

"What?" Hunter remarked confused. I started to sweat, I had to say something.

"You guys don't have him? He's been missing all morning," Terynce stated growing more concerned.

Sierra's voice came from behind Terynce, "Caden, do you know where he is?"

I could feel my face getting hot and my hands starting to falter. "Uh, kinda," I quietly answered. They would be relieved when they found him in the crate, but we would definitely get in huge trouble.

"What?!" I jumped as Brad's voice yelled. He walked toward us from the guard tower with a gun at his side, "I've been looking for his little ass all morning, are you kidding."

I felt fragile whenever Brad yelled, he was like a louder, scarier Terynce. I found a spark of joy, maybe I could turn this into something funny. "Tatum, get out here!" I turned toward the crate to see it motionless. "I said Tatum come out!" The crate remained still.

"Stop playing around Caden!" I shudder at Brad's voice.

"No, really. He's in there. Look." I extended my legs and walked over to the crate. I removed the lid quickly, throwing it aside. "What-"

"Caden this isn't funny," Sierra said folding her arms. My heart leaped, I was speechless.

Hunter rushes over from the side of the car and leaps onto the truck bed, snatching up the crate in anger and seeing only guns. He drops it instantly and glares at me. "He was in here?"

"Yes."

"Well now he's not so where the fuck is he?"

My mind races with possible answers. My eyes flash from person to person, them all awaiting my answer. Then I remember the body at the side of the road. It was most likely a lurker but at least it'll be enough to stall them until he turns up. He's probably making his way back right now.

"I think I know."