Living Dead (23 page)

“…reports are coming in from Africa that infected people are reportedly falling into deep comas, then reviving and getting up.  They are allegedly attacking anyone around them, except for other victims.  We have heard reports of horrific violence, and the entire continent seems to be on the verge of collapse.  For exclusive videos and uploads, please visit our website for the latest information.”

I turned the radio off as I sped down the back roads to the last gun shop I wanted to visit. I felt an almost overwhelming urge to get back home as quickly as possible.  Every warning bell I had, was clanging as loudly as possible that if I did not take this seriously, there would be no second chance.

I stopped at the gun shop, which happened to be on my route home.  It was more crowded than the others were, and several people were trying to buy more guns than they had money for.  One guy, who came in to sell his gun, received four offers from other customers.  I watched as two men nearly got into a fight over an AR that one wanted to see, and others wanted to buy, right then.  Everything was selling, from .22 pistols to big 7mm Magnum rifles.  Ammo was flying off the shelves, and I was relieved when I saw that no one had picked up the 30 Carbine ammo yet.  Pays to have an unusual caliber gun, I thought.

I signaled the man behind the counter who was waiting for a customer to make up his mind on shotguns.

“Can I help you?”  He asked.  I noticed he was wearing a .45 on his hip.  Prudent, I thought.

“I need to get some .30 carbine ammo,” I said.

“Right.  You want it by the box, or case?”  He asked, reaching behind him.

I was surprised. “You have cases?”

“Sure thing.  Cheaper to buy a case than to sell it piecemeal, but we just got an order in yesterday, so if you want a whole case, I’ll sell it to you discounted.  Bigger discount if you pay cash.”

“Deal,” I said, reaching for my checkbook.  I kept emergency money there and something told me this was definitely an emergency.

“Let me go get it.”  He walked off to a back room that had a large padlock on it.  As the door opened, I could see stacks of varied ammo in a wide range of calibers.  Bet a lot of people would like to see that room, I thought.

As I finally headed home, I thought about what I had seen and heard.  I thought about what I had in the trunk and hoped to God that I was wrong.  If I was, I was going to have a hell of a shooting day at the range, the next time I got out.  If not, well, I did what I could to protect my family.  I just wish I had a clue as to what I was protecting against.  If the virus was airborne, I could do little.  If it was spread by contact, that was something else.

A raindrop hit my windshield and I looked at the darkening sky.  Storm.  Great.  Maybe I’ll get home before it hits. With any luck, it’ll all blow over.

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