“We do this right and careful,” Ed said firmly.
The four of them slowly moved toward the swinging metal doors.
The battered metal doors swung open into a long narrow room filled with boxes piled along one wall almost to the ceiling. At the far end was the open door to a narrow bathroom.
“Hello?” Jenni called out cautiously.
They all jumped when the metal doors that opened to the loading dock outside began to shake as something on the other side beat on them. Snarls and growls that set their hair on end emanated from beyond the closed doors.
“Okay. We got one outside. Those doors are locked and holding.
Check the storage room,” Ed ordered.
It took ten long minutes to scour the narrow room. They moved slowly and purposefully. They checked the shelves, the boxes, the small bathroom, and the small manager's office. Nothing appeared.
Nothing was hidden. They made as much noise as possible to try to get something to come out. Nothing.
“One more sweep through the store,” Ed ordered.
In twenty minutes they stood outside in the street.
“Got the empty stores now,” Ed said.
Jenni nodded and hoisted her ax up. “Let's do it. ”
Chapter 3
1. Army of One
Nerit climbed down the ladder slowly. Juan looked down at her with concern as she lowered herself into the blocked off street.
“Be careful, Nerit. ”
“ I'm not that old. ” Though her voice was stern, she winked at him.
She ignored Bill's attempt to help her off the ladder, but he still took hold of her arm as she lowered her booted feet to the redbrick road.
“Stores are all clear, but we got one or two dead guys trying to bust in a back door. Making an awful fuss now that they know we're here,”
Ed said.
Nerit nodded. They had called her over when no one could get a clear shot at the zombie or zombies. They had seen her in action and knew she was a deadly shot. All the survivors were fascinated by her past as an Israeli Army sniper. It amused Nerit, but at the same time it gave her a sense of purpose in her new home.
Nerit had brought her old Galil sniper rifle with her from the hunting store she had shared with Ralph. Over the years it had developed a few issues, but Ralph had carefully restored it. Her ammunition for the weapon was limited, but she had shunned several hunting rifles offered to her. It was a good weapon, but also it was a reminder of her deceased husband's thoughtfulness and appreciation for her skills.
“I can get him,” Nerit assured Ed.
“You ain't seen him yet,” Ed answered.
“I can get him or them,” she repeated.
Ed looked at her for a long moment, a thoughtful expression on his grizzled face then shrugged. “We'll get you up on the roof. ”
Nerit smiled warmly at Jenni as she passed the much younger woman. The brunette was holding an ax smeared in foul, congealed zombie blood and looking at the older woman worriedly. Nerit knew Jenni had confidence in her abilities and did not doubt her. The look of concern was because Nerit had lost her husband to the bandits.
What Jenni didn't understand was Nerit had accepted that loss. It was not easy to let Ralph go, but he was gone. She was part of a new family: she was determined to help them survive.
“Good luck, Nerit,” Jenni said.