Sometimes We Ran (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

handsome was thin, tall guys with swimmers’ builds and designer shirts and pants. Maybe they drove cool, foreign compact cars and skipped class to go to coffee shops and surf the free Wi-Fi. Maybe so, but I still felt a blush coming up. I instinctively reached up to feel my two days of beard growth. I should have tried to shave today. My hair probably won’t set any hearts aflutter either. ”How long has it been since you’ve eaten?” I asked, changing the subject.
    Her face darkened. “I’m starving,” she said in a low tone. “Pretty thirsty too. I think I am about ready to die. In fact, I have been passing out a lot lately.” Her eyes welled up with tears again.
    She did look a little pale and wasted. My heart hurt for her. Even though I didn’t entirely trust her, I had to help. “Okay. Let’s get off this road and eat.”
    Her smile returned, but it was a little weak. “Okay, but you may have to help me. I feel a little light headed.”
    I took her hand and we walked over to the ruined strip mall to find a little shelter. I thought I heard her mutter, “Thank you, God.” She must have been praying someone would show up.

Chapter 5
My New Companion …A Real Live Human
    I sincerely hoped I hadn’t walked into a trap.
    Claire and I headed for some shelter at what used to be a shopping mall. She gripped my hand tightly. She was a lot weaker than she let on. I estimated she was at the edge of malnutrition. A couple of times I felt like I was dragging her, she was so weak. I had to stop a couple of times when she looked like she was going to pass out. I gave her some water from my supply, and she drank it down heartily till the whole bottle was gone. The water helped a little. At least some color returned to her face.
    The mall didn’t hold out much hope. It looked like a bomb had gone off and destroyed everything in sight. Most of the glass windows were broken, and the contents of the stores were piled in the parking lot. “I already checked it out,” Claire said. “There’s not much left.”
    We continued to walk along, looking for a safe place. Frankly, I thought the mall was too exposed. Anything on two or four legs could walk on in and feed to their heart’s content. However, one look at Claire told me we needed to find a place soon. The poor girl was slowly fading from hunger. She needed to eat, like, right now. I stopped at what used to be a jewelry store. The glass was cracked and broken in spots, but large areas were still intact. “This might work,” I said to Claire. She nodded in agreement. “Stay in the doorway where I can see you. I’ll check it out.” She nodded again, and leaned on a nearby counter.
    I got my rifle ready, and slowly walked inside. The place was a total wreck. Most of the cases were smashed and jewelry and glass littered the floor. The store had been looted repeatedly during the outbreak. The coast looked clear, so I walked further inside. I walked slowly, trying not to make any noise that would attract any bad guys. The showroom was clear, but I still had to check out the back. I shot a quick glance towards Claire, and she flashed me an okay sign. She was hunched over and fading fast. I knew I had to speed up the pace a little.
    At the back of the store, was a small bathroom and office/storage area. I pressed my ear against the closed office door to listen for any tell-tale zombie noises. Not hearing any, I turned the knob and pushed into the office, expecting to see the worst.
    I found nothing but a dark, empty room. There was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air, with a tinge of death. Jewelry littered the floor, looking a little like a starry night. As my eyes adjusted to the darkened environment, I saw an office chair and a small desk with stacks of money piled in the middle. Looks like someone was trying to bug out when the end came. With the office cleared, that just left the bathroom. I approached slowly. The door was open slightly, and a really bad smell