Desperation

After walking another twelve miles the reach the outskirts of the city nearest to the hardware store.

"Well were here thus is probably not going to be easy maybe you should stay and hide richard. you take my rifle and ill take your pistol." Mr stien was not happy about parting with his rifle but close quarters require smaller firearms.

"Are you sure i think it would be better to stick together." Richard didn't want to be stuck alone but also felt the need to protect his little brother.

Sensing what Richard was thinking mr stien said "don't worry ill take good care of jason pluss your the best shot a spotter might get us out of a tight situation." Reluctantly Richard agreed and climbed to the highest part of a small tree that was overlooking the hardware store. "Try to stay in front of the left two windows that's my line of sight."

Mr stien nodded and looked at jason "ready?" jason was visibly nervous "yeah now or never." the moved twords the hardware store taking cover behind abandoned vehicles and being carful to survey there surrounding. "Some walkie talkies would be really useful we need to look for some inside" "Yes they would be useful just be carful looking for them we don't know what's in here." Mr stien replied Jason nodded in agreement.

After making it to the front door the noticed it was unlocked and partway open. "This could be our lucky day" Jason said with a grin. Mr stein was hesitant to be so cheerful knowing what an already open door could mean. After signaling to Richard in the tree the two headed inside. "You have the backpack so you gather nails small planks hammers glue and anything else that might be useful." Jason nodded and proceeded down the aisle.

The moved as slowly and as quietly as they could listening for any sounds of danger. "ok i have all the materials i can carry did you find any walkie talkies" Jason whispered "The electronics section is out of your brothers line of sight we have to split up, i promised id keep you safe, go outside and be lookout in the other window for me." jason nodded and moved outside to look through the window.

Mr stien spotted the walkie talkies and snuck over there was only on pack left he grabbed it and went to put it in his satchel but as he picked it up he noticed a red rat with black cracks and spikes all over looking at him from where he grabbed the walkie talkies. knowing about black striped creatures he jumped back whacking his head on the shelve behind and making it wobble it wobbled backwards and didn't go all the way over. it cam bck and had more momentum crashing on top of mr stien.

Now pinned under the shelf he reached for his pistol but couldn't grab it the red rat was staring at him walking slowly closer with a smile like facial expression.

The rat reared up to jump twords his face. all of the sudden a shot was heard.