With Randy's driving, they reached the station in record time. He parked the car at the pump and left the engine running as he got out.
“Stay here,” he said, walking gun first toward the door.
He moved as if he was expecting something to jump out on him, as he crept into the gas station. A few minutes later he walked out, then continued around the building.
“All clear,” he said in a loud whisper.
Georgi reached over and turned off the ignition.
The gas station was open, but no one was in sight. Peering in the garage of the station, they could see an old car with it’s hood up, but no mechanic.
The place just looked like who ever worked there just walked out. All the lights were on, the coolers were still humming, and the AC was blasting.
So much for Randy’s idea that the power would be out, thought Rosemarie.
"Ewe," Alex held her nose as she passed the cricket box.
"Yeah, they're stinky." Rosemarie agreed.
They stepped inside and took in their surroundings. It looked like a tiny country gas station. It had everything from snacks to fishing gear.
"All right!" Georgi smiled as she grabbed two gas cans and headed toward the door.
“I’ll start the pump,” Rosemarie called after her. She looked around on the register for the start button. She couldn't find it so she poked her head outside. "I don't know how to turn it on."
"Don't worry, it's working," Georgi called back to her.
"God bless little country gas stations." Rosemarie smiled.
Randy walked to the back of the car and pulled out a duffel bag. He carried it into the store and started filling it with water bottles.
“What are you doing?” Rosemarie asked.
“Taking the things we need,” he replied.
“You are going to pay for that, right?”
“There isn’t anyone left to pay,” Randy said, gesturing to the empty counter. “This is survival.”
Rosemarie put my hand on her hips. “That is STEALING!”
“Shhhh!” he waved at her. “You’ll lead them to us!”
"Who?" Rosemarie asked.
"The zombies!" he hissed.
She sighed and began to massage her temples. She realized she was doing that a lot. “Look, Randal, you pay for that stuff or you won’t have to worry about them finding you.”
He glared at her as he reached into his pocket and took out a couple tens. “That should cover it,” he said, slamming the money on the counter and continued to load his bag.
“Fucker,” she said under her breath knowing he would hear.
“She…” he started to say as Georgi and Alex walked into the store. He snapped his mouth shut at that moment.
“Problem?” asked Georgi.
“No problem,” Rosemarie said staring hard at Randy.
“We better get what we can. You never know if we'll ever get an opportunity like this,” said Randy.
“I’ll be outside with Murphy.” Rosemarie said as she walked out.
Five minutes later, Georgi and Alex came outside.
“Do you have any cash on you?” Georgi asked, her face a little red.
“Yeah,” Rosemarie pulled out her wallet and fished out all her bills. “This is everything.”
“Thanks,” she said as she took the money and turned to Alex. “Sweetie, remember, we pay for things we need. We don’t steal.”
“Yes, ma’am.” the girl responded.
“Do you want Alex to stay with me?” Rosemarie asked.
“Yeah,” she looked back at the store with a determined look on her face. “It might get colorful.”
When Georgi and Randy returned to the car, he was quiet and sulky. She was beet red and her jaw was set.
"What happened?" asked Alex.
“We’re not gonna talk about it,” replied Georgi as she climbed behind the steering wheel.
Randy grumbled about all the good supplies that he had left behind as the car rolled down the road. Rosemarie tried to keep Alex occupied with a game of I spy.
“I spy somethiiiing...green!”
“Trees, bushes, grass!” Alex called off.
Rosemarie shook her head in response.
“Ummmmm, that sign?”
“Awe darn, you got it!” Rosemarie laughed.
“I spy with my little eye something...shiny!” Alex said.
Rosemarie looked around trying to find the shiny thing that Alex could be looking at when her eyes caught the sight of something gleaming on the road.
“Trash?” Rosemarie asked, her brain processing the view.
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