24

I'll do it," you say.

Carl nods his head. He walks over to Mindy and grabs her shoulders. She shrugs and walks away.

You lift the AK-47, put some ammo in the chamber and shoot Dave in the head. His lips and mouth were already beginning to curve to reveal sharp, dark teeth.

You walk over to Mindy and Carl, throwing the gun back over your shoulder.

Killing another human being, you cannot help but feel the loss of your own humanity. Even though the act was human, you still feel that a part of you was lost when the trigger was pulled.

"Do you have a vehicle?" Carl asks.

"The truck is a long way off," Mindy replies.

"There's a truck here, loaded with supplies. Let's take that for now and bring Dave with us."

You leave the barn and walk to the farmhouse, keeping your weapon ready and checking every angle for signs of activity. The area appears zombie-free, almost quiet from the lack of activity. The house is a two-story, former American colonial house, with rows of plants and shrubs lining an open white porch and a brown-and-white wooden fence coiled at the edge of a unkempt lawn. The window decorations show signs of a birthday party - Maggie turned eleven.

You stand guard while Carl and Mindy carry some crates of vegetables into the back of the Chevy Silverado, along with several bags of coffee, flour, potatoes, and corn. A basket with thick blankets and clothes can also be seen, followed by a milk carton with dishes and other kitchen utensils. Finally, Dave is brought to the truck, wrapped in blankets, and placed in the back.

Carl takes the driver's wheel, while Mindy gets in the backseat this time, and you get into the passenger seat. It follows the road in the opposite direction from the path to the Cathedral and takes a small side path that winds around until it merges with the main paved road.