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  So many bodies pressed against one another, probably tripping over each other. I thought I smelled something metallic in the air.

  I doubt that Elise and Nika haven’t noticed yet. The shelves were a mess. A pile of canned dog food (Once a towering pyramid) spilled over scattering the floor. I walked over to the cosmetics isle. Holding myself against the tendency to grab EVERYTHING.

  Even now I think that I should re-apply my make-up. I looked at myself in the little mirror that hung on one of the shelves.

  “Ugh, the eye shadows fading”. I’m someone who really just, loves make-up. Honestly, I only use it to hide all the blemishes among other crap on my face. Without it...I would feel naked.

  Because you know, most men only like sexy or beautiful women.

  I shook my head, leaving that thought aside. Nimbly, I grabbed a small bottle of liquid concealer and a stick of ‘Bubbly peach’

  colored lip gloss. Might as well take ‘em. It’s not like I’m gonna get arrested for stealing, the cops got their hands busy with ‘other’

  things. I roamed around. Looking up each isle.

  I found Nika in the crafting isle. Flipping through rainbow colored crafting paper. I could see that she was having fun. While all this scenario is going down, I guess she deserves a little freedom. The rest of the store is silent. Peaceful even, nothing but the light tapping of my short healed combat boots. I slung my back pack onto my shoulder, tightening the straps so that they don’t slip. I check the food isle.

  Almost everything was taken. Even the frozen food.

  “Oh, god...oh god no”! I rush over to the next isle. My boots squeak to a halt when my eyes set on the most horrific scene.

  Among the jars that were left of peanut butter, marmalade, and

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  jelly my limbs slacken at the empty shelf. Why? Even during the apocalypse why do people have to be such arseholes?

  “No good, picky sh-”. I stomped the ground in frustration.

  Alright I know it’s silly of me to be freaking out about plain old Nutella. Heck! Plain old Nutella my arse. Do I even have to say it?

  Nutella is life. Nutella makes the world go round, not money or. .

  whatever makes the god blasted world spin. I pinch the bridge of my nose slowly moving up toward the temples of my head. This is giv- ing me a headache and I have no clue why. I hear heavy footsteps, before I can grab hold of my katanas Elise waves a steady hand at me. I sigh, and sheath the swords back in place.

  “Hey, what’d you find”? I ask trying to sound nonchalant. She narrows her eyes and crosses her arms.

  “Nothing. They took most of the food but there’s enough clean clothes and other necessities”. She walked towards me. When she got to my side I hooked my arm around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. She turned her head and looked at me, her brows grew together puckering her lips, and she looked at me as if I was some estranged animal locked behind unbendable bars.

  “What...are you doing”? I ignored her question and leaned against her, placing my head on her bonny shoulder. With a sigh I said what was troubling me.

  “They...took all the chocolate gold”. I nudged my head towards the empty shelf. She stilled against me. Then she wiggled loose and took a step closer to the shelf.

  “I know, I know just how you feel Elise. It’s unfortunate but we have to be stron-”. Before I could finish my sentence, she jabs me in the stomach with her elbow. I bend forward wrapping my arms around my waist. Coughing dryly.

  “W-what did you...do that for”. I struggle with the words. As the coughing subsides I take a look at Elise, and she’s scowling.

  Tapping her foot with impatience.

  “D’really have to be so dramatic? It’s just Nutella Jade, It ain’t gonna kill ya if you don’t have any”. She turned on her

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  heal and walked away. I stood in shock. The one person who so openly screams to the world that her stomach is an endless pit just waiting for more food to be pulled towards it. Grumbling, I rubbed my stomach looked at the shelf once more and sluggishly walked away.

  We must have spent a good 3 hours searching each isle. Finding more shelves disheveled and cleared. At one point I found Elise snacking on a bag of Doritos...specifically the cheddar cheese kind. I couldn’t walk away or say anything. I just stood there while she devoured the contents inside plastic bag. It might have been a full bag three minutes ago, but from seeing her tip the bag up and shake the last bits of dorito crumbs into her mouth...the poor thing wouldn’t have lasted two minutes the second her sights set on it. It. Was. A full bag. Might have been the last bag. The least she could have done was to save some for us.

  “Excuse me miss, you gonna pay for that or am I gonna have to call the cops”? I said in a deeper voice. I must remind myself to drink some water, it’s a bit scruffy. She burped quickly and crum-bled the plastic bag in her hand tossing it to the floor. She turned to me and grinned.

  You could almost see the evidence on one corner of her mouth.

  I blink slowly at her.

  “You know...saving food does wonders during times such as these”. I said with the wave of my hand. A slight British accent accompanying the sentence. She stood tall (Taller) jutting her chin out.

  “First come, first serve”. She said flatly. I clicked my tongue at her and side stepped playfully to the next isle. I heard her laugh after I turned the corner. Suddenly, a low pitched ringing wailed from the speakers suspended high up onto the ceiling.

  “Attention...attention Walmart shopper’s. May I request persons: Elise and Jade to the main office” A pause then the sound of a bottle popping open “I got surprise for both y’all, so get your chunkyass’s up here”.

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  Both Elise and I made our way up the stairs, which we found at the back of the store behind a security door. We had to wait a couple minutes for Nika to open it manually from her position. Once inside, I took in my surroundings. A compact room, glass windows surround the space. Covered by sand colored blinds. Several desks fill the room, and knick-knacks over flow them. Nika was sitting down on a rolling recliner I didn’t notice the bottle of beer in her hand until it was too late. I leaned against the door frame as Elise went into full attack mode.

  “What the heck do you think you’re doin”? Elise snags the bottle from Nikas hand, the fizzy liquid inside sloshes out, dripping onto the floor. It’s a Sam Adams...interesting choice.

  “Give that back to me”! Nika pushes the recliner against the wall, it barely misses Elise.

  “You’re a dumb fool if you think I’m gonna give this back to you”. Ah, this is another one of their day to day fights. And over a simple bottle of beer. I unclipped the back and front straps of the holder. Letting it drop to the floor quietly. I wouldn’t want to interrupt. I took the chance to get comfortable by sitting cross legged on the gray carpeted floor.

  “I deserve this Blasted! I have every right to drink this Stupid beer”. Nika slammed her hand against the desk top making some of the objects on it topple over.

  “No you don’t, what if we have to run at any moment and you’re not sober enough to escape”? Elise’s face was turning bright red now. Even though the subject of their bickering involves alcohol I’m quite amused by it.

  “For god sakes Elise, It’s not like I’m gonna get drunk right this moment. D’you really think I’m that stupid? It’s just a bottle of beer, if I would have known you were gonna be a biatch about it I should have tossed the whole blasted pack out in the trash.

  Will that satisfy you”?

  Alright maybe now I should intervene. I mean it’s getting a little dangerous. Anymore argument and this might conflict all our plans.

  It’ll put them at odds and they’ll never cooperate with each other.

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  JOHN EDWARDS

  I’m gonna have to get up and stop this huh...

  I
grunted and rummaged through the back pack. I took out a piece of paper from a spiral notebook and crumpled it into a ball.

  I took aim and threw it right between the two of them. Making sure they notice the random white ball smack lightly against the window. They both quieted down, looked at the ball for a second, then turned slightly towards me. Elise was still holding the beer bottle. Must be lukewarm now...sucks.

  “Alright you two, I’ve allowed you both to yell at each other for some time now but, I think that’s enough” I cleared my throat before continuing on. “I’d like to consider Nikas opinion on the matter. Beer: consuming it during times such as these...I’ll allow”.

  I crossed my arms knowing that when I do this my bosom like to push up...unfortunately waving to the world of their glorious existence. God, just stop

  “What do you mean you consider her opinion”? Elise growled at me.

  “What I mean, is that who would care? None of the laws that once existed here exist now. Personally I’d love to take a shot of some tequila but, I choose not to because I would like to stay focused during these times. Now will you two please shut the heck up”?

  They both focused on me, for a short while until Elise sighed and gave up. The bottle hovered over the piles of neat paperwork stacked high on the desk. At first I wondered if she was going to spill the rest of the liquid onto. Then, she thrust the beer bottle in my direction.

  “Take it and toss it out”. She said firmly. Her vivid green forest eyes burning (Literally) holes straight through me.

  “What do you want to me to do with the rest of the alcohol”?

  I asked, taking the warm bottle out of her grasp.

  “Just make some Molotov’s from half and the other for refuel”. She straightened herself and stalked out the door. I took

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  a glance at Nika who was otherwise very solemn. Just give them a couple minutes to cool down, don’t involve yourself in their argu-ments Jade “You wanna help me with the Molotov’s”? I asked Nika in my ‘not-so-creepy-but-friendly’ tone. She looked at me and grinned.

  “Naw, I think I’m just gonna scout from here. Oh yeah...” She lowered herself down and rummaged through the bottom drawer of the desk, she skipped over and placed a small plastic square in my hand. I looked at it closer, you could see the green, red, and yellow buttons taking up most of the square piece.

  “What’s this for”? I asked her.

  “That my dear Watson, is the dock remote for the back”. Her voiced sounded higher than usual, but I won’t mention that to Elise.

  “Great, we can put the truck inside”. She spun around and dropped in the recliner.

  “I’ve also got eyes on the outside...” She nodded towards the blue painted door in the far corner of the room. “Security system and camera’s on all corners of the building, one in back, a couple more in front and of course ten inside”.

  She then gave me the keys to the blue door. When I got inside, the room was filled with at least 20 small video screens and a work desk. I sat down on a folding chair and played around with the video screens. Taking note that, in all of them you could see nothing but Bodies. There were more than the last time we got here. I shivered inwardly, no amount of killing those things will make the terror I feel go away. Appearing in and out of the camera view, my skin began to prickle, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Thankful for the blue door separating me from Nika, I’d hate to show how weak I could become. I flexed my hands above the keyboard. Calm down, you’re okay, just calm down, in and out, you’re fine

  I took a shaky breath in and slouched into the chair. I stayed there for as long as I could, forcing my hands to stop trembling. After about an hour of looking over the surveillance feed, I stuck with a

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  plan for the truck. I’ve got to go over this with Elise, see if this works for her

  I cleared my throat and got up from the chair. I shut the door behind me and tossed the keys to Nika, she caught them without even looking up. We’ve all trained ourselves to be flexibly alert, it’s become a habit for all of us. Even my mom can catch things without me telling her to.

  “Are there any walkie-talkies or comms”? I leaned my hip against the desk.

  “Mm, second drawer to the left, there are four talkies”. She was distracted by something in front of her. I looked over her shoulder; she was reading one of those magazines. Where she got it from, is the main question.

  “What...the heck are you reading”?

  “Ah, I found it rolled and snugged behind a drawer. Bet that person is missin’ this thing pretty badly. .I mean look”. She flipped to a page that showed one girl on all fours; wearing something that resembled a bathing suit, crossed with bejewels. And that was all. I choked on my spit and slapped the mag shut.

  “You really...shouldn’t be looking at that, you’re sisters gonna kill you and me for even finding it”. She looked up at me, her face contorted, her lips twisted in an odd angle.

  “Pshh, she ain’t gonna care. Besides, it’s only curiosity right”?

  I really have no comment for that.

  “Nika. Get your arse up and monitor the surv cams”. I snatched up the magazine and tossed it across the room. Before I could make it out of the room, I felt something tap the back of my neck.

  A crumpled paper ball rolled between my legs.

  “You and Elise are a bunch of ugly faced fun suc-”. I grabbed my katanas from the floor and closed the door behind me, hook-ing the holder straps on my shoulder and walked down the stairs.

  Elise was in the food isle...again. Only this time she was snacking on a box of chocolate chip brownies. It’s a good thing that some food was left on the shelves, enough for all three of us to last for a month. I made sure that we locked the front doors and stacked

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  a few car tires in front of them. It wasn’t hard getting the truck inside. We waited out until the back and front were clear. Nika was on the cameras, Elise was the driver and I was sort of like the distraction. I sliced through a few of them, the roar of the trucks engine was loud enough to pull more of those things our way. I took care of them mind you, most of them didn’t even have any legs so it was easy-peasy

  Thankfully the loading dock was large enough for the truck. We then, filled it with two 24 water packs, granola bars, canned foods, some spare clothes, and a first aid kit. We’d be set if the time came for that. For now, we can relax, at least that’s what I hopped for.

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  Chapter 10

  “Y ou’re gonna break a bone or worse”! I shouted from across the isle. This idea was definitely, absolutely dumb. Nika and Elise where both in mountain bikes on the other side of the store.

  I’m not sure whose idea it was but, who’s ever it was must be some sort of undiagnosed retard.

  “Its fine, it’s fine! Just wave the signal flag already”. Nika shrieked.

  “C’mon, Jade”! Elise made a sound which was supposedly the rumblings of an engine. I shook my head, this was idiotic!

  “Fine”! I grabbed the make shift race flag (which was made from some checkered cloth and a decorative bamboo stick) I stood firm, towards the end of the store, “Ready”!? I shouted, my voiced echoed around the open space.

  I’m gonna regret this...

  “GO”! I swung the flag downwards, letting the tip, tap lightly against the polished floor. And they were off, Nika was ahead for a few seconds, then Elise rushed forward, the tires squeaking with each peddle thrust. When they got closer, I took a step back.

  Depending on how fast they were going I would not like my toes to be crushed, No thank you

  “Put those long legs to good use Elise”! I chuckled when she growled past me. They both screeched to a halt, the tires marking black smudges on the floor. I waved the flag once more to finish off the race, I was too distracted to tell who won.

  STAYING ALIVE

/>   “So”? Nika was panting beside me, sweat glistened on her forehead. I shuffled in place.

  “Who won”? Elise was putting her bike away, grunting while she placed it back on the bike rack.

  “You know what, I’m not really sure”. Dropping the flag on the floor, I shrugged at them both, I found their expressions funny, too funny. So much so, that I wanted to laugh in both their faces about how ridiculous they looked. With their eyes slightly closed, and their lips puckered like a fish, how could a person not, “I think I won”. Nika sauntered to my side and hooked an arm around mine. She looked at me, fluttering her eye lashes. She then leaned in and slipped something into my hand. I felt the rough edges of paper and stilled. Oh, she can’t be serious.

  “Nika...” She looked up at me and gave me one of those “whatever is the matter officer” looks.

  “Keep the change”. She whispered into my ear. Good lord, what the heck is wrong with this child.

  “You...cannot be serious right now”. I wiggled loosed from her hold and held up the crinkled five dollar bill in the air. She just did it...

  “Nika...” I sighed.

  “All you gotta do is scream, “I DECLARE NIKA THE WINNER”! I blinked slowly at her, and heard Elise tsk behind me.

  “She gave you money right”? She asked, holding out her hand.

  I gave her the green bill.

  “Where’d you find that”? I asked Nika. She was spinning in place, jabbing the hair with her fingers.

  “In one of the registers in front”. She spun around until she tired herself out.

  “Is that all you found”? Elise stepped up beside, she crossed her arms. I glanced over and found that she was scowling again.

  Don’t fight

  “Yeah, I checked the others but, they were all cleaned”. She paused to take a breath. “I only found that five and a roll of quarters. People prolly looted them during all the chaos”. She pouted.