Chapter 16: One Man Short

Ethan Warren

September 10th 2022

113 days after outbreak

Minnesota

Season 1

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"You ready to go, Aiden?" I asked as I tied my belt around my waist.

"Almost."

We were going to the hunting store today. We were one man short though. I could tell it bothered Aiden, he hated taking Rudi out of his sight but this had to be done and he needed to help, he knew that. Khai was excited to leave this "shit hole" as she called it. She enjoyed killing those things but not with a blunt knife because then you have to think about it more, at least that's how she phrased it.

"Come on, I got the car filled up. There'll be enough to get us there and back," Khai smiled from the doorway. We took all the knives, we couldn't take any chances.

The ride there was slow. Aiden tried to start a game of "eye spy" but the only thing we could spy was the dead and the depressing state of the world. At one point we could see the aftermath of what they did to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The city was still burning and the dead were still making their way inside. I knew the plan to burn them out sounded pointless but I wasn't about to start a conversation with them, especially after what they did.

"There it is, we made it," Khai exclaimed. We drove into the lot, the place was overrun from the inside but to our surprise the outside was fairly clear.

"Grab whatever you can, lead pipes, road signs, pieces of wood. Anything so we can clear it," I said as we searched around. Aiden said he was just going to use one of our knives. I grabbed a fallen road sign that was left on the side of the road. Khai amazed both of us by taking a hubcap off of one of the cars.

Aiden opened the door, quietly. We all scurried inside, trying desperately not to make too much noise. From what we could see, there were about a dozen of them in here, we could handle a dozen.

"Okay," I whispered, "we'll start making our way towards the guns, try not to let any of them see you. If they do, screw everything I just said and kill every last one." Aiden and Khai nodded back at me.

Before we could get to our first destination one of them looked me directly in the eyes. It made it's way towards us, I backed up but I knew that wouldn't help. Khai went at it first, a huge smile spread across her face. We followed behind her. Slicing through every rotting head that came our way. There were a few close calls but we all had each other's backs. No one was bit that day.

When we were done we all searched the store for whatever we could fit in our duffel bags. Guns, ammo, knives, and medical supplies. Not enough for us all but enough to help Rudi. I also grabbed a bow and arrow for him, it seemed more his style or maybe if he didn't want it he could give it to someone who does.

"What's your haul?" Khai asked.

"12 handguns, four rifles, and lots of ammo," I shared.

"What about the bow?"

"That's for Rudi."

"I found some stuff for Rudolph as well. Stuff for Edin to do whatever they do. They said it can't get infected so I found some isopropyl," Aiden informed.

"I found knives, and lots of them. Pocket and sheathed," Khai said, proudly.

"Then let's head back, we shouldn't keep them waiting longer than we have to."

We closed the door behind us so no more of the dead would get inside. Hopefully another group of people used it to their advantage.