Chapter Four – Supply Run
The car pulled to a stop in the parking lot. Darci exited the vehicle and closed the door while the other two did the same. Glenn opened up the trunk and pulled out a few bags. He tossed one to Darci and another to Michonne. He carried two himself.
They all stopped in front of the door as Glenn knocked a few times. She peered inside—the doors being somewhat clear—looking for any moving shapes. Nothing came. Michonne opened the door, allowing them to enter. She carefully closed the door behind them. "Okay, baby formula is at the top of the list. Another thing we can look for is probably canned or jarred food." Glenn explained.
They split up to look for the listed items. Darci was going down aisles at the west side of the store, looking at the sign above each one for anything that may say "baby" or "formula". She then begin going down each aisle in case it wasn't listed exactly on the signs.
She managed to pick up a jar of jelly and threw it in the bag. Darci was just heading to the next when a sudden groaning stopped her in her tracks.
Getting down to her knees she parted a few items on the shelf to look through. There was a box on the other side of the aisle in the way, but a small crevice to see the source of sound moving slowly by. Carefully and quietly stepping out of the aisle she was in, she looked up at the sign above the 'Nightmare. Thankfully it didn't seem to carry anything they would have needed.
She then glanced down near the end and the word "powdered milk" caught her eye on one of the signs. Just as she was going to head that way something grabbed her arm. Alarmingly she spun around reaching for her knife when she realized it was Glenn. He shook his head putting a finger to his mouth. Michonne was behind him with her hand on her sword. He pointed to the aisle she was just about to head towards; where she saw what he stopped her for. There were quite a few Walking Nightmares huddled around the opening of the aisle.
She gave a silent frustrated noise. Darci put her hand up to say "wait here" before sneaking up behind the one 'Nightmare she saw earlier. After coming behind it she quickly stabbed it in the skull and grabbed it before it fell to the ground. She carefully put it down, knowing even the slightest noise could attract the other 'Nightmares. She killed this one in case it noticed there were living people nearby.
Darci came back to where Glenn and Michonne still stood. Glenn was looking around. She herself tried to come up with something. Michonne then quietly whispered, "Just throw something in that corner," she pointed beyond the 'Nightmares, "Then while they're distracted we can quickly grab some formula and go."
"Did we at least get some other stuff?" Glenn looked around to each of them, "In case something goes wrong we might need to make a fast get away."
"I got a few cans that haven't expired yet…" Darci's voice was barely heard as she was trying her hardest to make as less noise as was possible.
Glenn shrugged, "That's something, what about you?"
"I found a few bottles of water and a box of noodles."
"We still need the formula…"
Darci thought for a second, "How low are you guys?"
"One last can left." Glenn looked up to see if any of the 'Nightmares noticed them yet.
He then turned to them, "Like Michonne said, one of us can distract them with an item, then I can go grab the formula and whoever's left can keep watch to see if there are any other Walkers coming."
Darci gave out a small breath of anxiety, "I could look out."
He shook his head, "No offense but I trust Michonne with that a little more. You can find something to distract them with."
"Alright," she understood, "Tell me when you're ready," with that she began to look through a few small shelves until she found a box of cans.
She grabbed a few of the cans and turned to find where Glenn and Michonne was. She could see Michonne walking down a few rows, whereas Glenn was peeking his head around an aisle three rows down from the one they needed to get to. He gave her a short nod.
Darci put the cans down quietly, leaving one in her hand. She then took a moment to see where she would throw it. Please don't ricochet off the wall… She took a deep breath and pulled her arm far back. After feeling sure, she threw the can with all her strength.
Darci was beyond relieved when it soared over the 'Nightmare's heads and landed on the other side of the shelf with a loud bang. They all began to swarm the next aisle. Darci made sure to signal for Glenn to wait. She picked up another can and attempted to throw it further. It only landed on one of the 'Nightmare's shoulders and rolled off. Shit. Quickly she grabbed the next and shot it over to the next aisle. Distracted once more, the Walking Nightmares rushed to the next row.
Feeling as if it was safe, she signaled to Glenn to go. He ran to the aisle as silently as he could before disappearing within. Michonne was a few rows down keeping an eye out behind them. Darci was clenching her teeth together in anticipation.
Just as Glenn ran back out with a few cans of formula, Darci gave a sigh of relief. She was about to move forward when her foot kicked the remaining can in front of her. She froze in fear as it remained airborne for a second and hit the ground with a loud thud. It seemed to be ten times louder than the other ones she threw as it rolled across the store.
She could feel both Michonne and Glenn's eyes on her as it finally came to a stop against a shelf. Suddenly the groans of the 'Nightmares became louder as they exited the aisle they were formerly in. Darci hoped they wouldn't see them but it was useless. The 'Nightmares began to rush toward the three, snarling. Michonne yelled out, "Run!"
Getting a better grip on the handle of her bag, Darci followed behind Glenn and Maggie as they made a dash for the door. Glenn was there first as he fiddled with the handle. At last the door flew open as almost fell forward at the sudden movement. He held it until both Michonne and Darci were outside. Glenn then closed it and began looking frantically for something to hold it closed.
It was far too late so he quickly caught up with them as Darci was opening the door to the back of the car. The Walking Nightmares were already shoving their way out of the store, running toward them. She threw her bag onto the farthest seat from her before jumping in herself. Michonne was already closing her door while Glenn started up the car.
Just as Darci went to grab her door, a 'Nightmare had attempted to grab her arm. She quickly took one of her knives and stabbed it in the head. She couldn't pull it back out so she threw the 'Nightmare out and slammed her door close. "Go! Go!" She was putting a seatbelt on while the Walking Nightmares surrounded the back of the vehicle.
When the car started up, Glenn slammed his foot onto the gas pedal. The car took a moment before speeding forward, causing a few of the closer 'Nightmares to fall forward. After a short few seconds they were out of the parking lot and on their way back to the prison.
Darci was catching her breath, looking out the back window of the car. The 'Nightmares were just dots on the horizon now before they made a turn on a road.
She broke the silence and asked, "Did you manage to save anything?"
There was a pause.
"I had to drop a few of the Formula cans while getting the door opened." Glenn replied.
Damn… She wished she would have helped him open the door. "Actually I managed to grab a few of the ones you dropped," she held out two of the said cans with what seemed to be a forced smile.
Darci let out a breath, "At least we got something." She began to rummage through the bag she had, noticing only one jar of grape jelly."
Hope they actually like jelly. She thought to herself. Glenn was beginning to release the gas pedal slightly. Darci was trying to calm her racing heartbeat, relieved to be out of the store.
"Well… That went perfectly well."
To Be Continued…
