Shopping

Vaughan's group sat opposite Mason's and remained quiet during the drive. When they reached Culton's city limits Vaughan's attention was on the state of the city. The stillness of the city was a shock to him, he knew that it had only been about a week since they had come through town. The difference was stark.

"The streets are so empty."

Bates spoke up, his eyes were glued to the window like the rest of Vaughan's team.

"It's empty until you step out. They're smart enough that they won't attack us while we're moving, but the moment you leave the vehicle they're on you." Mason turned to address them.

Vaughan drew attention from the window. He found it odd that that's how the mutated would run. He did not understand how they could guarantee there would be an ambush when they left the bus.

"They can't get that lucky every time."

"They aren't. We're being tracked and they're picking up more the further in we get." Mason closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. "There are four right now, one more coming in up ahead. We stand a good chance of at least ten by the time we stop, maybe more."

"That shit's creepy, you know."

Gabriel called out from the front seat. Mason laughed and flipped off his friend.

"At least it won't be a surprise when they ambush us. They almost had us in KC. At least here there were only twenty thousand people. Kansas City is a fucking death trap with nearly five hundred thousand.

"Even if half mutated it's safer walking the streets of Culton than KC."

Vaughan did not like those numbers, not at all, and knew that half was most likely too small a number for the true state of things. He would be traveling on foot with his men when they separate from the other team. He planned on getting a vehicle as soon as possible, but it still put them front and center for any nearby hostiles. More than he wanted.

They traveled a good distance before parking in a supermarket parking lot. Mason soon right before the bus came to a stop and tapped the ceiling.

"All right, gentlemen, prepare yourselves and be ready to fight the moment you step out."

The bus doors opened and Vaughan's group headed out first, then Mason's people. Mason looked at Gabriel as he passed by.

"Stay close to me, I'll do my best to keep myself from having to raise that child of yours."

Gabriel smiled, "He loves you, too."

Everyone's gun was out and up, ready to move into action when it was needed. Seven mutated ran toward them from the side of the parking lot. It took them little time to catch up to the group once they started running. Their speed was greater than any human could reach.

Vaughan's group started shooting the moment the mutated got in range. Their shot accuracy far outpaced Mason's group. There was a thud and Mason turned in time to see a mutated standing on top of the bus. It let out a growl and jumped down. Mason moved into its trajectory. He raised his hands up, connected with its chest, and threw it down, hard, using its own momentum to strengthen the landing.

The mutated was left stunned, but not dead. Mason closed in and slammed his foot down on its head and splattered brain and blood on the ground.

"On your right."

He called out as a mutated came out from either side of the bus. He took the one to the left, his right. He ran up to it and landed a punch through its chest. Mason was stunned and just stared at his arm inside the creature. The smashed head had not given the shock of seeing his arm elbow-deep in someone's chest. The visual was just more eye-catching.

A growl pulled him back to reality and he found the eleventh mutated rushing to his side. Mason swung his arm to meet the charge, half-alive mutated still attached. The bodies came together in a wet thud as his arm ripped out the side of the creature's chest. He turned with his arm and stepped behind the second mutated then drove his elbow into its spine. There was a crack and the creature cried out.

Gabriel stepped up as the mutated fell to the ground and fired three shots into its brains at near point-blank range.

"That's some scary shit, watching you fight them. Almost makes me wish I'd opted for that instead of the vaccine."

Mason looked down at the mess he had made and could only shrug. He could not help but think that if he had had this strength before that maybe he could have saved her. Maybe he could have gotten there sooner, stopped her from going out. Maybe.

"Everyone cleared out?"

Mason looked up and glanced around. He found everyone looking at him and could not help but smirk a little. His people were a mix of awe and excitement while Vaughan's group only allowed a small amount of fear to leak through their stoic expressions.

"All right, let's head out. Gabriel and I will bring the bus closer so we can load up. I've got a list, look it over while you walk. I expect it back."

Gabriel and Mason returned to the bus and drove it to the front of the building. They lined it up so that the open door was near the supermarket's door. They waited for the others at the end of the bus.

"How can you be ok working with a monster like that?"

Mason's hearing allowed him to hear the group even though they were halfway across the parking lot. It took him a moment to recognize that it was Saunders who spoke. The question had been directed at Darcy. Darcy made a face, but it was Ashton who stepped to the side and pushed Saunders, which caused him to lose his balance and fall on his ass.

"Watch your mouth, fucker."

Darcy flipped him off and followed behind Ashton. Vaughan was the one who stopped and helped Saunders up. The two groups closed ranks and created an even bigger divide. When they finally arrived Mason took Vaughan aside. The eyes of the other three were on them and wary.

"I need your boys to behave themselves. Saying shit and riling up my guys won't do them any good."

"It won't happen again."

Vaughan would not look him in the eye and, while the human part of him was annoyed by it, the parts of him that were not human were pleased by the submission. Soren had walked the whole team through what he called evolved etiquette. The things you should and should not do as a human.

"Look, I know the story, I know you don't want to be here. The whole reason you're here is because we don't want you around, but none of that matters while we're working together. You can believe me if you want to or not, but none of us will harm you or your men. None of us will get it your way when it's time to part ways."

Vaughan nodded, "I understand."

They returned to the others and Mason took back his list.

"All right. Let's go do some shopping."