XI
Enid placed the box in the hallway before going into Yoko’s apartment to grab her duffel back and her backpack. Everyone followed her out, Ajax helping her with the box once he was done packing his stuff. The group made its way downstairs, glad that the apartments seemed to be empty since most people who lived there had jobs. Once in the garage, they put everything inside the trunk but there wasn’t enough space.
-We need a second car. We will also more fuel., said the blonde.
-Well, good thing that grandpa left us his keys to everything., replied Wednesday as she pulled the keys out once again.
Enid then heard a car being unlocked. She turned around, seeing a pickup truck. Ford F-150. She instantly nodded, seeing the army stereotypes coming through the older dude’s belongings but not caring.
-Perfect. Now, we need a tube and something we can stock fuel from the other cars in., said the blonde.
-There’s a gas station down the street. We can steal gas cans from there., said Ajax quickly.
-Okay. We might as well loot the place then. Entirely. For food and stuff., replied Yoko with a shrug.
-I don’t think the kid should go loot with us., stated Bianca.
Enid looked at the little girl who was now just sitting on the floor next to Buddy, holding onto dog.
-Bianca and Yoko, you stay here with the girl. Me, Wednesday and Ajax will go loot., said the blonde, putting the box down.
-What? No. We shouldn’t split. And no offense to Bianca but I know that neither of us will be able to keep us safe., argued Yoko.
-I’ll stay with them. I know how use a gun if needed and I’ll go loot my neighbor’s basement room., intervened Ajax.
Enid sighed, realizing what that meant. Just her and Wednesday. Again. The blonde walked up to Ajax and looked him in the eyes.
-If one of them gets hurts or dies on your watch, I will end you., warned the blonde.
-Understood., said the boy quickly.
Enid nodded, satisfied with his response. She then looked at Wednesday and motioning for her to get in the pickup truck. The smaller girl rolled her eyes at the order but got in anyways, getting in the driver’s seat. Enid couldn’t help but find it amusing how such a small person was going to drive such a huge car. She didn’t say anything though, simply getting in the car as well.
-Do you know where this gas station is?, asked Wednesday as she started the car.
-Yeah, I passed it this morning., nodded the blonde.
Wednesday just replied with a simple nod before driving out the garage door, up to the main street. They were once again met with chaos. Numerous of abandoned cars, corpses on the sidewalks, some of those things roaming around the streets and running after any sort of noise. Wednesday just drove down the street after Enid had given her the direction, running over a zombie.
-Hey, what was that for?, frowned Enid.
-What? They’re dead anyways. I just put them out of their misery., shrugged the smaller girl.
-Still. Refrain from doing that again., sighed the blonde, not believing Wednesday’s action.
-Whatever., shrugged Wednesday as she pulled up to the gas station.
There were some abandoned cars still with the fuel gun inside of the cars. One was even leaking. Enid got out the car and took her gun out. She looked back at Wednesday.
-Stay in the car while I clear the shop inside. I’ll be right back., said the blonde as she closed the door.
Enid walked up to the small building, gun in her hand. She made her way inside, not hearing or seeing anyone. She walked up to the checkout counter, taking a look behind it and seeing a dead woman, around 30 years old. Her chest had been completely shot open, you could see her ribcage and lungs, covered in blood.
-That’s great., said Enid sarcastically to herself.
She was about to turn around when she heard someone step on some plastic item.
-Don’t move., said a voice.
A young voice. Enid, being stubborn, turned around to a young boy having a shotgun in his hand. That would explain the dead woman. He had a similar outfit to the woman though. Probably a student, working during the holidays to make some money.
-Easy there. Lower the gun., tried Enid.
-Don’t fucking move or I’ll shoot. I’ll do it., said the boy.
-I believe you. Okay? I’m not moving., replied the blonde, trying to defuse the situation.
The boy was clearly scared. Probably traumatized after the morning they had witnessed.
-You killed that woman, right?, said Enid, her hands up to show him that she meant no harm.
The boy just nodded.
-Let me guess. She became aggressive all of a sudden?, started Enid.
-How did you-, tried the boy.
-There’s a lot of them out there. I had to kill some too, to survive. Hence, the blood on my clothes., said the blonde.
-Survive? Are they like…like zombies?, frowned the boy.
-Yeah. They are., nodded Enid.
-How do I know you won’t turn into one?, asked the boy with a frown.
-Well, if I had been affected, I would have turned by now. Don’t you think?, replied the blonde with a little smile.
-I don’t know., frowned the teenager, confused about the whole thing.
He had probably spent the entire day at the gas station, unaware of the things going on outside, in shock by what he had done. He killed his coworker. Probably someone he had spent some time with. He killed her with a shotgun. That’s not an easy thing to watch or to do. Enid knew. She tried to be careful and patient with the teenager.
-Just lower your gun, okay? No one has to get hurt., said Enid, taking a step towards him.
-Hey!, yelled a voice behind the boy.
Wednesday. The boy turned around, ready to pull the trigger.