"See here's my issue, I don't trust being the end and I don't trust being in front, but all the middle is taken.", I complained. If we are on the outer perimeter the worry of getting ambushed by infected wouldn't stop playing in my head.
"Okay well there's a tent over on the left, it looks…. well, there's a tent over there. It's far from the cluster of people here so technically, we won't be the outer tent"
"I hate your logic. Fine, we can set up there. But be prepared that if I find a better spot, you and I are moving"
"Fine"

Hauling our stuff across the ground was less than ideal, but we just didn't have the strength to lift everything up. The bags felt like they weighed a ton, and my arms were like jelly. It was hard to believe we had come this far. Past a tree, there was a tattered red tent with string hanging from the branches like clothing lines. Deciding to move closer to the neon grey tent, I plopped my bags down.
"I always hated this part. I remember mom and I used to run off until we were sure you and dad were finished so we didn't have to help", the memory brought a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye.
"Yeah, we knew what you guys were doing but dad always said 'There's always a way to show your wife you love her, like setting up a tent by yourself and pretending you don't know that she hates it", I used to think it was dumb, but now? Now, I understand how much they loved each other…."

After that, we set up the tent in silence. It was a dull blue cover with a flimsy separator in the middle. Glenn and I begged our parents when we were little to buy this because we hated sharing a tent but were too scared to be in our own.
After it was finally set up, we dragged our bags inside.
"I know cowboy wants us to contribute everything, but honestly, I think we should hide a few for emergency", I whispered. Rolling up the separator and zipping all the windows shut for privacy, I started the hard conversation.
"So, we have to discuss something that is going to determine our well-being. We have food, water, supplies, but what are we going to share?". This was the first time we truly looked at what we brought. When I was packing it felt like we had a good amount, but truly looking at it, it was practically nothing. There were 4 cans of brown beans, a can of peaches, a can of apple sauce, 3 cans of chicken noodle soup, 4 bags of chicken ramen, 6 water bottles, and a small camping first aid kit.
"Okay here's what I think", he started, "we keep 4 cans and the ramen, that way it doesn't take up much room. We can keep the water in here, it won't even last us 3 days at best. As for the first aid, we can hand over a few band-aids. He did say we might not be able to stay, and I don't want to lose this. If it works out, we give up the rest of the stuff, if not…. Well, then we take our losses and leave." He made two piles casually while talking. In one pile was the ramen, water, first-aid, a can of beans, a can of peaches, and 2 cans of soup. The other had 4 band-aids, 3 cans of beans, a can of applesauce, and two cans of soup.
"Honestly, it's still a gamble, but I agree."

We finally came out of the tent and were met by two dirty-looking men. Their clothes were tattered and filthy, and their faces were stuck in a scowl.
"Well, brother, looks like China town decided to move in", his laugh was a dry and unamusing sound.
"Yeah, you're hilarious. The last time I heard that I fell off my dinosaur!", I knew the remark was practically used by second graders, but nothing else came to mind.
"Ouch, I', so hurt. I like them feisty, don't I brother. Add a little exotic flair, and ooh wee we have a winner", the way he licked his lips made me want to puke. His gaze was all over me, and it suddenly made me feel as if a snowsuit wouldn't be enough.
"Merle, don't be an asshole.", his 'brother' told him. He locked eyes with me, and it was different than most people. Those blue eyes almost looked sorry and broken, yet angry.
"You know what, don't worry about it. Let's just stay out of each other's way if we can't get along. I'm June, this is Glenn. You're Merle and you're…?"
"Names Daryl, and we will be staying out of each other's way", he put his hand on Merle's shoulder. He rolled his eyes and shook him off.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, probably a rug muncher anyway", he stomped into his raggedy tent.
"Sorry 'bout Merle, he won't bug you's again", He nodded awkwardly and followed his brother.

Glenn looked at me weirdly and whispered, "Man this shit couldn't get any weirder".

Walking towards the R.V. with a backpack of donations, I was ready to accept Shane's leadership. Anything was better than being on my own with Glenn, responsible for both our lives. I saw the brown cap and peeking out from behind my car.
"Hey officer, where do you want this stuff." His head whipped back and looked at me. He walked towards me with that stupid smug grin.
"It's a few cans of stuff and a few band-aids, if you need more stuff Glenn and I would be willing to go get it"
"We are?", Glenn asked quietly. Looking back, I nodded at him. I passed the backpack to the cop, and he peeked inside.
"Names Shane I don't think I know your name yet"
"I'm June, June Rhee, Glenn here is my little brother"
"Well June, considering that you made a decent contribution here I don't really think it's necessary for you to 'go get it', but if you're offering to be a part of our runs team I won't tell you no"
"We can do that, stuff is going to run out, I doubt that would even feed this camp for a meal"
"Yeah, we try to strictly ration here, keeps everyone eating two meals a day, been workin' may as well keep to it"
"How long would you say that would last?"
"One day, but it's honestly the biggest contribution someones came with. Nobody has rationed enough to save some food. If it weren't for the Dixon's, God knows there the two biggest pains in my ass, we would've run out days ago"
"How long have you guys been here?"
"About 9 days, even then, with this many people food doesn't last"
"Well Glenn and I can see what we can come up with, maybe we will venture to Marcie's near highway 64, it's small, and not a lot of people know about it"
"Marcie's? The one by Hilwakers Road?", Glenn asked confused.
"Yeah, I'm not going near the city!" I exclaimed.
"That's fair"
"We will leave now, Glenn grab some stuff let's go"

He went and grabbed our empty bags and my car keys. His face glistened with sweat, and fear was evident on his face. He was wearing a plain beige tee, and it was stained with sweat and some dirt. He looked like hell; I can't imagine what I look like, and I don't want to know.

Starting up my car once again, my mothers' screams filled my head. We were silent for what seemed like years, but it was less than a minute. I backed up the car and went down the mountain. It felt good to get away from camp for a moment, like I could ignore the end of the world was happening.

Hilwakers road wasn't very far, it was mostly used by truckers who knew this area and occasional campers, like Glenn and me. It was worn down looking, and the words on the sign had been bleached by the sun. It was empty, not a car in sight, not even Marcie's bright yellow bug wasn't parked in the Owners Parking spot. Pulling up beside her spot, I turned off the car. It made a funny noise as it shut down.
"Well, that's a great start", Glenn mumbled looking into his lap.
"Glenn I know you're scared, but this benefit's us too. We can keep some stuff for our stash, and win the cops' trust at the same time!", it was truly a perfect plan.
"Who are you? You've never been selfish. Suddenly you are somebody different. I understand it, but it is making this all so much scarier and harder to wrap my head around this."
"I know, I keep thinking that too. To be honest Glenn, I can't stop thinking of what mom told me. She told me to prepare for this to not be over. And it keeps sticking with me, and I feel like I'm making the right decisions in these circumstances. I get it, I feel like crap for doing this, but I can't keep that from clouding my judgment. Don't forget, if we want to stay here, we will be handing our stash over, no more lies."
"Promise?" His puppy dog eyes tore my already broken heart a little more.
"Not only do I promise, but we will hand everything over today"
"Good, I can't lie"

We approached the close sign, it was barely hanging on to the other side of the door. There were no lights on, and it was dark inside.
"Glenn, give me your shirt." He handed it over with a questioning look. I wrapped it around my fist and punched through the glass door. Taking it off my fist I fluffed it out.
"Try to make sure there's no glass before you put it on". I put my hand back through, and the broken glass scratched my skin, it stung terribly. Concentrate, unlock the door! Breathing in and out slowly I could feel the little lock between my fingertips. Pushing it towards the right, the door clicked. A small victorious smile climbed its way onto my face. Suddenly, the world seemed a little bit nicer with the adrenaline in my veins. The trees were brighter, the sky bluer, and the creaking of the sign in the wind was music.
"I can't believe we're doing this" he muttered behind me. Sticking out my tongue at him I pushed open the door.

The aisles weren't full, but truthfully, they never were. Marcie did her best, but she could never fill up her store, but what she did have was way too overpriced. Looking at a piece of jerky hanging by the register I laughed.
"4.99 for one piece! Wow, glad I'm not paying for this!"
"Oh my god, Dad would have a heart attack at these prices!" We were laughing and it felt good.
"Glenn, grab all the canned food that you can find, then work your way onto whatever else you can fit, I'll grab medicine and hygiene crap"
"Why am I stuck with all the heavy stuff?"
"Hey, you grabbed the duffel bag, my backpack is not going to fit all of that"

Walking towards the last aisle, it was hard to not notice how dark it was. Grabbing all the ibuprofen, and over-the-counter medication I could find, I quickly stuffed it into my bag. Next, I grabbed the 4 boxes of tampons that were available, and then the 2 large bags of pads. Going further into the darkness I grabbed the few bottles of shampoo, body wash, and deodorant I could see. Squinting my eyes, I could see the outline Of the word NEW. Just behind the sign were water purification tablets. My jaw could practically drop, this was one of the best finds today! Stuffing it into my bag, I practically started jumping for joy. Suddenly, the sound of wheezing filled my ears. The door labeled EMPLOYEES ONLY was cracked open with a cane, and it was starting to open. The fear dripped down my spine and trembled through my legs.

Taking a few steps back, a pop came from under my foot. Looking down, there was a small bag of animal crackers now exploded from my weight. Looking up I saw a small old lady covered in what I hope is ketchup, and she was shuffling towards me. Turning around I ran behind the counter. Grabbing my hair shears from my back pocket, I used both hands to hold them in front of me. Adrenaline made my body shake uncontrollably as the old lady rounded the corner. When the light shined on her face, the true horror set in. It was Marcie, and her eyeball was sitting on her cheek, and her neck was torn up and bloody. She groaned and growled as she sped up to attack me.

"Marcie, stay back!", I screamed at her.
"June?!", Glenn screamed from somewhere in the store. Looking down at my feet I noticed a baseball bat labeled FOR THEIFS. I grabbed it quickly and pointed it at Marcie. She started to run towards me as I swung it back I closed my eyes, when swinging it forward it hit something hard. Peeking open my eyes I saw Marcie on the floor, with her head cracked open. I instantly puked. Refusing to look down, I hopped over the counter. I was hunched over, and a second wave of nausea took over my body as I puked again.
"June are you okay?"
"Nope, I am NOT okay. I just killed Marcie!" Glenn left my side for a moment, and when he had come back, he was holding my black bag in his hands.
"Let's get the hell out of here"

Glenn drove us back to the camp, looking out the window at the pretty scenery helped calm down my nerves. That wasn't even Marcie, my mind repeated over and over, that was the infection. There's no way she was even alive at that point, she was so injured. The fact she was able to even run at that point was a mystery. The sun glistened on the beautiful water entering our view.
"June, seriously, are you okay?"
"Honestly, not really, but I'll get over it"

Pulling up behind the R.V. the cowboy came back into view. He smiled at us and approached Glenn's window. Glenn just opened the door, barely missing him.
"So I take it, that store wasn't any good?"
"Oh, it was great, besides the crazy old lady trying to kill us. At least we got a lot of food" Glenn pulled his very full duffel bag out from the back seat and handed it over. Cowboy nearly dropped it for a second before laughing.
"In my bag, I found some medications, and water purification tablets, tampons for the girls too"
"Well I could kiss you both, this is, well, thank you guys!"

Getting out of the car I left Glenn to handle the cowboy, I wasn't feeling like dealing with him. Walking up to my tent, I was hit by somebody running into me.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm Carl, who are you?" He was a small boy with brown hair and a freckled face. He was wearing a bright blue shirt and jeans.
"Carl, what did I tell you about running through this area?!", a woman voice called from the distance.
"I'm June, I'm new here", I said to him. The woman came around from behind a row of tents. She had matching hair to the young boy, and she was skinny.
"Carl, c'mere" She said holding her hands up, Carl ran into them.
"I'm June, I'm new here. My brother and I just went on a run into town, got a lot of food and medicine, that's why…" I looked down and my bloodied shirt, "That's why I'm dirty…"
"Well, I'm Lori. We are all very grateful that you guys were able to do that. Shane and I were a bit worried for a moment about food. It was getting a little scary", she chuckled. She ran a hand through her sweaty hair. It looked like she came back from a workout.
"It's no problem, it was pretty nearby", I crossed my arms across my chest. This was the most awkward interaction of the day.
"Well honey, Shane asked me to come to talk to you today. The ladies here have some chores to help do our part around here. We were going to ask you how you felt about pitching in"
"Well, I want to do my part."
"Good, we usually only do a few things a day, it doesn't take long, especially with more hands. We just do the laundry, cook, scavenge, and the odds and ends"
So housewife chores, the thought entered my mind.
"Shane the cowboy?", I asked. She laughed a little and nodded.
"Yeah he's the cowboy"
"Do you mind if I start tomorrow? I'm kind of tired now"
"No problem hun, you go get me tomorrow mornin' kay? Come on baby let's go" She guided Carl back around the corner and disappeared behind the tents.

Entering our tent, I put the separator back down. Unrolling my lime green sleeping bag and matching pillow, I set up my "room". Putting my sleeping bag in the top left corner, I placed my suitcase beside it as a nightstand and put all my belongings on top. Inside I had our emergency food packed among some spare clothes. I tied my mini flashlight onto the strings hanging up from the roof, almost like a light. For some reason, this made the weight on my shoulders a lot lighter, as the stress just peeled away. We can do this; we can feel normal my brain reminded me. Climbing into my sleeping bag, I decided a nap was the perfect way to feel normal.