The Waiting Game

Gemma managed to calmed down after a while and we concluded that we wait out the purge. We stayed hidden in that store for five more hours.

Her tummy have been going off for a while and there was nothing edible in the shop.

"Daryl I'm hungry" she said weakly.

"Just a few more hours and I'll find something for us alright?"

She could barely keep herself awake. She lost quite a few blood because of the cut and accident. It will probably be best to find her something in case we may need to leave here.

"Gemma I need you to listen to me okay? I'm gonna go out and find something for you to eat. Stay here and do not make a sound, if you hear anyone come in… don't assume its me, stay hidden and stay quiet"

I gave her a large fabric to use and cover herself with.

"I'll be back soon I promise"

She nodded her head and I set off.

I checked through the door to make sure the coast was clear and ran across the street in a crouching form.

I peeked around the corner and saw some men pillaging a supermarket. I stayed hidden but they were taking too long and I can't stay out in the open. I ran the other way to behind the building. I hoped the fence and came across the backdoor.

Miraculously it was unlocked, someone already busted it open.

Quietly stepping inside, I kept my head low and tried to be absolutely quiet.

They were making a mess of things. Taking and breaking stuff.

"I love purging man" a man said chugging down a beer.

"It's the only time a year we can be free you know" they were about three in number.

Using the cover of the shelves I managed to stay hidden. I grabbed a fallen basket and made my way to the snacks aisle.

I found bread, water and some other things and quietly put them in the basket.

I tried to make my way out back again but one of them blocked my path.

"We can do whatever the fuck we want for 12 beautiful hours" he said kicking something down.

Alarmed by the sound I took a step back and stepped on a bag of chips which popped.

"Shh did you hear that?" one of them said. There footsteps became heavy and were getting closer.

The shelf close to me was almost empty, I used all my strength to push it down and made a run for the front.

"There someone in here! Shoot him!"

Hearing that, I froze in my tracks as one of them raised a gun at me.

"Hold it!" his friend pulled him back and the bullet breezed past my cheek. "It's just a kid"

"I don't want any trouble" I said with my hands up "I only came for some food and I'll be gone"

One of them came closer to me, studying me as if to find out if I was lying.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

"Yes"

"That's a lot of food for one person" he gestured to the basket on the floor.

"What can I say? Near death experiences works up quite the appetite"

He chuckled, "I like this guy" he turned to his friends "What do you say he joins us"

"Is that really necessary?" the one who almost ended me said.

"I'm good thanks" I quickly said "I just want to survive the night"

"It's not a bad offer… we aren't bad people, if we don't protect ourselves we will get killed. Here now, just avoiding people isn't enough"

"I'll take my chances" I slowly crouched down and picked the basket and backed away until I gained significant distance before running back to my hideout.

I safely made it back to the store in one piece and made my way to the counter but Gemma wasn't there.

"Gemma?" I jumped to the other side but only saw the fabric I gave her, then I heard a noise nearby.