20

"Grandma always has mom park down in the shop," The older boy answered. 

Shop? Shop meant more then one vehicle. I headed towards the front door. I went through the destroyed door making a mental note of the new scratch marks on the roof as I walked. I'd noticed them when I was coming down the stairs, and didn't say anything so the boys wouldn't be even more frightened then they already were. 

I looked back at them. One handed the bow as I stepped out onto the porch. Turning to them, and placing my finger over my lips in the universal gesture for be quiet. We didn't know what was out here so it was just better to be quiet. The older boy nodded. 

The younger tightened his grip on the handle of the dagger. We walked around to the side of the house cautiously, and I rustled around in my car for my wallet. I stuffed my wallet into the pouch on my sweater, and left everything else behind. The stuff that wasn't destroyed was basically worthless. I did feel a little guilty leaving it behind, but I couldn't carry my random slightly useful junk while watching these two. 

I decided it would be a good idea to make a dagger for myself as well. I preferred to avoid close combat whenever possible, but I couldn't predict when I had something on top of me again. I needed a mana core before I could make a blade for myself. I smiled to the boys gently again as they realized that I had survived being in this car. We moved away from the car slowly. 

Circling around the building, and heading down the hill toward the shop. I could see the top of the shop from the downhill side of the house. There were numerous trees, and small bushes between me, and the shop so I couldn't see anything, but the roof from here. There was a gravel path that seemed to lead down to the shop. It curved into the landscaping in a way that would basically force you to walk though the garden.

It was probably the quickest path down to the shop so I started following it. The boys trailed behind me with nervous energy. I didn't blame them. I knew the only reason they'd been able to leave that bathroom was because I was with them. I could hear the younger boy's guts grumbling. 

When was the last time these two ate? Now was not the time to think about that. Get the boys out of here then get food into them. I ignored the blood spots that were showing up more, and more as we headed toward the shop. It was a big building, and the boys were right it was surrounded by an assortment of vehicles. 

I wouldn't have stopped if that was all it was surrounded by. There was blood, and body parts all around the two open shop bay doors. There were even a few bones that had been picked clean as well. I could practically hear the terrified heartbeat as the panic started to set in. 

"Stay with me," I turned my head so I could lay an eye on them, "I know it's scary, but we can't get out of here without a car. We aren't fast enough. I will keep you safe as long as I can, but we aren't getting out of here without a car."

I kept my voice quiet, but the number of bodies that had been dragged over here were dangerous. I ignored the cars with open doors. Their batteries would probably be dead after who knows how long the doors had been open. I wanted to go for a truck instead of one of the cars, but I was worried about the keys. An automatic would be the best case scenario in case I needed the older boy to drive. 

I started checking all the vehicles outside for keys. There were a couple that were blocked in. Which was fine if they were big enough to push the other vehicles out of the way. I gently opened doors as quietly as possible. I could tell there was something dangerous in the shop so I went for the vehicles that were furthest from the shop first. 

I found keys in a mini van, and pocketed them. It was an automatic, and fancier then I was used to, but it wasn't very heavy duty. It wouldn't be able to take very many hits. I had both boys climb into the mini van just in case it was the only vehicle I managed to find keys for. I also didn't like how stiff their movements had gotten when they started seeing the body parts. 

I didn't blame them. They were kids. Kids were not meant to be exposed to such dangerous, and disturbing things. I kept my bow drawn at all times. I was waiting for something to attack.

A part of me wanted to see what exactly was in the shop. I could resist the urge while I was with the kids, but now that they were in a vehicle I could go take a look. Maybe find some keys to something more heavy duty while I was at it. There were bloodied limbs all over the place just beyond the shutter doors. I took one step into the shop, and saw all the mass all over everything inside. 

The smell made me want to gag. There was black goo splattered all over nearly everything in the shop. There was a heap of bodies, and body parts toward the back of the space. There were two vehicles in the shop. One was clearly a project car. 

The other was an old truck. Older then me for sure from the angular design. A splat of black goo dropped not far away from me. I looked up. My guts felt as if they dropped right out of me.