The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

The big metal door to the hunting store opened and an old man with thinning silver hair dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt motioned to them.

Turning off the truck, grabbing the keys, and snagging Jack's collar all in one deft movement, Katie slid out of the truck and hurried into the shop.

Jenni slid out of the truck behind her, looking flushed and anxious, and followed her through the doorway.

"Na

me is Ralph. Wife is up top. Her name is Nerit," he said as he bolted the door behind them.

"I'm Katie, this is Jenni, the dog is Jack," Katie said.

"Nice to meet ya," Ralph said and immediately pet Jack, who gave him a big goofy doggy grin.

"Thanks for letting us in. We're pretty desperate for more weapons. We didn't have much ammunition to begin with," Katie explained.

"Got plenty here," Ralph said and motioned about the shop. "This is a hunting store. "

"I can pay," Katie offered.

"Money means nothing now, missy. We can do business later. Come meet the missus. Relax. We're safe in here. "

The old man wandered past them and started up the stairs.

All around them were racks and racks of rifles and cases full of guns. In the back of the store were all sorts of camping gear.

Realizing they were staying awhile, Katie followed him. Her hand gripped her weapon a little less tightly as she felt the tension in her body drain out a little. Jenni followed and slipped her hand into Katie's other hand as they climbed.

"Are you sure this is okay," Jenni whispered softly.

Katie cast her a reassuring smile over her shoulder. "About as okay as anything is going to be today. "

When they came out onto the roof, the absolute beauty of the hills around them struck Katie. Endless, rolling green hills, lush and beautiful spread out around them.

A thin woman with long yellowish white hair stood near the edge of the roof, rifle in hand. A large tent was set up as well as some chairs and a small table. The old woman leaned over the table crossed out three names written on a notepad.

"That's the rest of the Greens," she informed her husband.

Katie slowly realized that the scenery was dotted with dead bodies: halffallen into bushes, next to cars, in the doorways of nearby houses and of course, the little boy in the street.

"Out of towner came here bitten. Went into the store. Now they're all dead. Some got out and ran home. Infected their families. Got seventy in the town. We've shot twenty dead. No accounting for tourists," the old man informed them, hands tucked into his pants.

"You're both okay though," Katie said.

"Yeah. Store closed today. It's my birthday. ” Ralph shrugged.

Nerit smiled at her spouse for a moment, then narrowed her eyes at something down the road and raised her rifle. Another shot rang out. She turned and crossed off another name.

"Last of the Millers," she said in a rich accent.

"Nerit is from Israel. She was a sniper in the Israeli army. Married her two years ago. Glad I did. Dead on shot. "

Katie laughed and looked at Jenni. She was glad to see the other woman was actually smiling. Jack sauntered over to an old hunting dog lying nearby.

"That's Tucker. He won't mind the pup. He's too old. " Ralph shook his head sadly. "Damn shame to happen on my birthday. Damn zombies. "

"Car coming, Ralph," Nerit said.

They all drew close to the edge and saw a very fine silver car pull up. A man climbed out and looked around frantically. He was completely oblivious of the hungry zombies in the store behind him.