We made our run for ASDA today. Within 5 minutes we were edging in towards the front doors. We knew it was a risk, but we needed some decent supplies.
We saw the lights were off inside. Not great considering the size of the building, but we had no choice.
We had already decided clothing was first, as it was closest to the door and would be the most dangerous part. I picked up a few random items that were about right and Sam did the same, we had also decided its safer to get changed out in the open so we didnt get trapped, and after flipping a coin I went first. I can't describe how good it was to get out of those boxers and socks. I had changed a couple of times since it started, but the clothing choices in other people's homes weren't exactly nice. I kept my jacket and shoes, and just got rid of a few items of clothing I had been wearing and replacing with stuff in the store.
When I was done I let Sam do the same, she was much more nervous about it, I didn't even think about her watching, but she obviously did. I didn't want to, but I offered to stay out of view, and that seemed to suffice.
So I stood in the darkness waiting for something to get me or run at me, with the air rifle becoming an increasingly aware weight on my arms. After 10 minutes I called to Sam to see if she was okay, she replied 'yeah, yeah just hold on'
Another 10 minutes later I was still waiting peering into the darkness for any movement when I felt something on my back, I damn near jumped out of my skin and swung the rifle round ending up pointing at her.
'Sorry! I didn't want to speak too loud' she said as she ducked under my aim.
'Jesus, what took you so long?'
'I was looking for other stuff to wear later'
'Okay, lets check the rest out'
We made our way slowly through the break between the top and bottom aisles. Looking for packets of things. Settling on biscuits because of the high sugar and low weight, fruit is past it's best by now.
We had filled a couple of bags when we left an aisle and saw one, looking at the ground shifting it's feet awkwardly, but it's body was facing towards us. We froze and looked at each other realising we had pushed our luck enough.
We turned to go back the way we came and saw another at the end shuffling towards us. They must have been idly following their old paths as humans, or following our smells. We turned to our final path towards the entertainment section and moved as quiet as we could, when we got there we noticed more closing in on us. How did I not notice them when this is only 20metres from where I stood?
I looked at Sam and shook her out of her daze. I motioned towards the way we came again. We had the rifle, it would do to take that, then we would run, she knew that there was no other way.
We made the corner again, and as we walked I lined up the shot. The moment I took it the Rani shuddered and fell, and we ran, leaping over the dead one, followed by dozens of living ones. I heard a noise of falling as we carried on, I knew a few had fallen over their brother, and had begun their horror on him, but I didn't care, like always, I ran knowing I had bought us valuable seconds.
As we left Sam went to run towards the bridges like we had discussed, but I grabbed her pulling her to her right, and we ran all the way back to the house we spent the previous night in.
When we arrived and secured the relevant points I explained my reasoning.
The fact is that if we were to make a move now, we would already be tired, and chased by a small group of Rani. A small group attracts more and more, and I'd much rather be hidden from the groups as long as possible.
She agreed without a single word and went upstairs for a while, only coming back down to eat and sit for a while.
I noticed she was crying just as she went to leave, and I stopped her, to ask her what was wrong.
She looked at me teary eyed and said 'it's my birthday, and everyone I've ever known is dead, the only person I get to spend my day with is someone I have known for less than a week and who I know almost nothing about'
I held her close and we sat down in silence for hours until she started asking questions out of the blue, about anything, about everything. It seems stupid in a way, to get so close to someone... Even knowing each others names could be a bad idea; if one of us were to die, it would hurt more than seeing someone we don't know die... I guess we don't have that luxury any more.
But at the same time, it means that there is someone on this planet who gives me a reason to keep trying to survive, if only to protect her from dying, instead of just trying to follow some aimless quest.
Note for later: October 3rd; Sam's Birthday
I hope you make another day
No comments:
Post a Comment