OUTNUMBERED volume 4: A Zombie Apocalypse Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

TWO
     
    T he second week of April, Kira and I made a trip to Cedar Rapids with two companions. We were looking for clothing articles for the entire group. Our plan was to accumulate clothing for all seasons including, shirts, pants, socks, shoes, underwear and outerwear. We weren't primarily concerned about sizes because everything was going into a communal storage where anyone could take what ever they wanted that fit. We enforced mandatory exercise programs, and Ira encouraged all of us to control our weight, so we rejected only the XX and XXX plus sizes.
    Kira was in the back seat of the crew cab pickup with me. Verlie Halcom rode shotgun across from our driver, Sam Williams. The twenty foot enclosed trailer behind us was close to half full after two stops at Farm and Home stores. We were after rugged work type clothes, not dress outfits or even what had been considered casual dress. Jeans, sturdy shirts and shoes and boots were stylish enough for the fragile existence we all led.
    We approached a large shopping mall where three large chain department stores were listed on a huge sign near the street. Sam spoke, "Look up ahead. Two people are being attacked by a fair sized group of zombies." A pickup and trailer sat straight ahead on the other side of the street. As we closed the distance I saw a scissors type jack had been used to raise the rear end of the Ford pickup. A tire was off the hub and lay flat on the ground.
    A man and woman stood against the street side of the pickup firing rifles at a group of zombies approaching them. We stopped in the right lane and exited our truck. Another small mob of undead was hustling toward us from straight ahead.
    I said, "You three start on the new bunch while I join the other people before they're overrun. Watch your backs." I ran across the two center lanes to approach the middle aged couple. The man heard me coming and drew a pistol as he turned. Gunfire from my companions had erupted and blotted out other sounds. He raised the large bore revolve and pointed it at my chest. His beard and hair matched his grubby clothing.
    I stopped in my tracks. "Whoa! I'm human and I'm here to help." My rifle was in my hand at my side. I slowly advanced to stand beside the man. "Let's shoot zombies, not each other."
    He didn't speak, but quickly turned to work his lever action carbine to shoot at the undead. He was a good marksman. I took a deep breath as I wondered what the hell was wrong with him. Surely he'd heard the diesel engine truck stop behind him. The woman beside him stopped firing to change magazines and then the three of us continued to mow down the horde until it was a small group and finally all the undead were on the ground. The middle aged man set about reloading the tube on the lever action.
    Gunfire behind us had slacked and finally stopped. I spun around completely and didn't see anymore zombies running toward us.
    I extended my hand. "Tom Jacobs." The man gave me a harsh glare before his right hand met mine. "John Mitchell and my wife Bea." He broke the hand clasp quickly and turned to his wife. "I'll go look for a tire. Watch yourself."
    Before he could walk away, I said, "I have two spare tires, you're welcome to one. It's dangerous to be out alone or to leave Bea here alone. I'll replace it later."
    My crew stood beside me. John scowled and spit on the road. "Don't need no help. I'll go find one." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Let's go. If he doesn't want help it's time to leave."
    Bea yelled. "Damn it John, take the damned tire so you don't have to leave me here by myself. I'm scared and want to get on home."
    John stopped in his tracks, spun on his heels, and stomped back to Bea. He stopped right up against her and she backed up a step. "You don't yell and curse at me like that woman, you know your place."
    I motioned for our group to step away. "We're leaving now. Do you want the tire or not? It's a Ford wheel so I'm sure it'll fit." John broke his glare at Bea