Some people would think I was a bad person for driving away, that I should've helped the poor girl, but who would have? How many people would let a disembodied kid into the back of their car with no idea who she was or what had happened to her and take her somewhere with them? Not many, I'm sure. I wasn't going to risk my life for some stranger that scared the crap out of me. It hadn't occured to me when packing that I should've brought any weapons but now I realised my mistake. I didn't know if that girl had got the disease everyone was freaking out about, but I didn't want to investigate further into the matter, nosiree. I drove for miles until I found a small town I'd never heard of, and then pulled up at the gas station.
There didn't seem to be anyone around so I helped myself filling up my tank and then walked into the store to pay and pick up some stuff. A bell rang as I opened the door and I heard the click of a gun from the other end of the room.
"Say somethin'." the man yelled at me.
"Um," I stammered, not sure how to react.
"Well say somethin god'dammit!"
I was shaking so much I dropped my purse, and I stood watching as the coins bounced around onto the floor. "I-I'm sorry Sir, I just needed some gas and this was the first place I found."
"Well then Missy, I suggest you take your gas and find somewhere else. It's not safe around here." He didn't sound as vicious as he did before, but he still held the gun at me.
"Yes, I plan to Sir. Thankyou?" I walked towards him and went to hand him my money, but he batted it away from me.
"I don't need that fool, money's useless now. Just take what you want and go."
I wasn't sure what to do, in case it was a trick, so I stood still.
"Well what're you waiting for? Just take whatever and leave this place!" he demanded, starting to get angry again. I stepped forward and looked around, trying to figure out what I actually wanted. I scurried towards the drinks and grabbed as many bottles of water as I could, as well as some boxes of cereal and tins of food and then I shoved them all into a bag as quickly as possible. I stopped again for a second, unsure of what to do next.
"Are you done?" he asked.
"I-I, yeah I think so I was just wondering," I began, scared to ask him for more. "If I could get some more gas and fill up some canisters. You know, for the road. I don't know if I'll find another man as, uh, welcoming as you."
"Do whatever, and just go. Prepare yourself. You're the first.. person that I've seen for a while now."
I walked back to my car, his words burning into my mind. 'Prepare yourself'. For what? I knew home wasn't safe but I really had no idea where to go, or what I was up against. I filled up some containers with gas and watched as man walked oddly into the store, and thought nothing of it until I heard a gunshot. The guy I'd spoke to earlier ran out of the store and up to me, shouting at me to "Leave already" and "Get outta here!". He looked terrified and he was turning round to see in every direction. I got into my car and turned on the engine, looking at all of the stuff I'd just got sat on my back seat.
"Do you want to come with me?" I asked randomly. I didn't know if I wanted him to, but he didn't seem to have anywhere but here.
"No just go on, leave! This place isn't for you!" He shot again, and I took the hint and drove off, leaving the man behind.
It was ridiculous, my mind was blank. After all that had happened - the encounter with the man, the raid of the store, the monster outside of my car in the middle of the night - I still didn't have any idea what to do. The guy in the store was the first person I'd seen for what felt like forever, and I was determined not to forget his random act of 'kindness' no matter how things end up. Although he didn't seem like the type of person I'd get along with, I had to admit I'd have preferred him to come along with me. He seemed to have a much better idea of what was going on than I did, and he knew how to use a gun. Potentially, he'd saved my life - whatever it was that went into the store after me could've turned on me, and all the supplies he let me have would surely help me in the long run. I only wish I'd got his name so I could thank him properly, and maybe contact him later. But it was too late - I was already miles away, speeding down the freeway.
The amount of cars piled up was fascinating, much worse than I had ever imagined. The road was completely blocked and there was no way through except on foot, and no way was that an option for me. The road was completely silent and nobody seemed to be around, so I considered getting out just for a look. I wasn't ecstatic about the idea of stepping outside of my car (or mobile home, I should probably refer to it as), but I knew it was something I had to do. I put my hand on the handle of the door and was about to open it when I changed my mind. All the cars must have been there for a reason - to escape somewhere maybe, but why were they still there? There wasn't a building around for miles, and I couldn't decipher why anyone would want to camp out in the forest on the outskirts. Where was everyone?