Dead Days

Chapter 20

I lead the other three through the front door; it was unlocked. We made our way in, everyone managing to have a flashlight and our own makeshift weapons. We all went down different sections, going down the isles while keeping an eye and an ear out for anything. Eventually, we all managed to meet back up in one corner that was set up as a sitting area. The seating area was three couches with other, single person chairs and beanbags littering the rest. 

Carl was the first to plop down on one of the chairs, "This seems like a good place to set up for a little bit while we do supply runs. We should bring all of our stuff in though just to be safe other people don't steal it." 

We all nodded in agreement before heading back outside to get everyone and everything. The kids had fun bringing in the blankets and pillows; the grocery bags we had left of supplies, not so much. 

We set up little beds in the corner, the kids more into the inside of the corner and adults on the outside. We had moved some of the bookcases around to make a wall between us and outside. 

The next day, Matt had burned a few books to make a fire. The front door was open to ventilate air so we had to extra quiet. That went double for the kids. He made his usual; bean and peaches to give it a bit of flavor. We used paper bowls and plastic silverware since we assumed there would be no chance to wash it. 

Once done eating and cleaning up, Carl, Beth, and I (Matt thought it was a good idea to leave someone to watch the others, make sure nothing happened) had joined up outside and were looking around at all of the stores. We were in some kind of shopping district in the town. We had managed to get into a debate about what store we should start in. We decided that the grocery store would be the best start and get some food; so that was where we headed to first. 

The glass sliding doors to the store had been shattered along with one of the windows. Half of the shelves had been knocked over, whatever was left on them was spilled onto the ground and the shelf it was laying on. We quickly made our way to the fallen shelves, rummaging through what remained and stuffing whatever we could find into our bags. Carl also made his way into the pharmacy portion of the store and was quickly picking his way through the medicines; while Beth and I stayed on our side and continued getting food and water. 

After gathering supplies, we made our way back out of the building. We looked up at the sky. It was sunny, but in the distance, very dark gray clouds were gathering. 

Carl covered his face with a hand as he watched the sky for a few more moments, "Looks like it's moving fast. I would say it will rain overnight. Maybe all day tomorrow?"

I looked up at him, "Should we go back and get some umbrellas?"