Dead of Knight: A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Tale by Stephen J. Beard Page B

it’s empty.  We don’t want any surprises,” I said.
    It was.  And Michael searched the cab while Lois and I looked in the bed.  Mike Jr kept watch.  There was a toolbox in the bed and it wasn’t locked.  Bingo!  Another hammer and a screwdriver with a long shaft.  The screwdriver wasn’t perfect but it would do in a pinch.  It would be really awesome to find something with a longer reach.
    “The hammer is good,” I said.  “But the screwdriver is just a backup.  Let’s look some more.”
    The next two cars were mostly empty.  Just people on their way home.  Maybe the owners of the cars were the ones in the store?  No time to worry about that now.  The only other vehicle right here at the convenience store was a minivan.  It, too, was empty of people and zombies.  But, it must’ve been owned by a soccer mom.  There were several pieces of athletic equipment.  We found cleats, shin guards, a mitt and finally, a baseball bat.
    “That’ll do nicely.  Two hammers, my crowbar and a baseball bat for Lois I think.  Here’s the plan.  I don’t want us to go into that store.  There’s no place to move around and too many places for something to sneak up on us.  We go up to the door and get their attention as quietly as possible.  We’ll open the door if we have to but we’ll do better I think, if we can get them out one at a time.”
    The four of us moved up toward the storefront.  There were three zombies inside that we could see.  They paid no mind to us outside until we got to about 15 feet from the door.  Then they started moaning and staggering towards the glass front of the store.  Only one actually made it to the door.  The other two apparently had forgotten what a door was and walked right into the glass, knocking over a few displays.  It seemed like they were trying to make a bee line to the food like the ones in my backyard had done.  The zombie that hit the door didn’t notice it.  He walked through it rather that opening it.
    As the zombie came through the door, I stepped up and bashed his skull in with a mighty swing of my crowbar.  He fell immediately, twitched a bit then fell still.  The other three living people just stared.  And the two zombies inside still hadn’t remembered what a door was.  I opened the door and stuck my head in to get their attention.
    “Here zombie, here zombie, zombie.”   I couldn’t resist.
    The two zombies began staggering toward me and then ended up at the door.  As the first one came through I stepped back and said…
    “Next.”
    Then I turned and started walking away.
    The family froze for a moment, looking shocked.  Then Michael stepped up and with a mighty swing and a yell, bashed in the brains of the zombie.  Mike Jr. did the same and they both stood ready to strike again if necessary.  But, all three zombies were down for good.  Lois dropped the bat and sank to the ground crying.  Michael walked over to his wife and knelt down to put his arms around her. 
    I had never been so angry.  Why didn’t this woman want to live?  Samantha had a gun on her hip and Lois drops the bat?  I walked over and grabbed Lois by the arm pulling her up.  Michael started to protest.
    “You had the best weapon and you did nothing.  You froze.  We already had this conversation.  You do what you need to or you die.  What’s it going to be?”
    Her husband grabbed her away from me and held her tight.  I could see Michael would do what was needed to protect his family.  It would be a deadly job unless Lois could pull her weight.
    I turned from them, a little embarrassed at my outburst.  They were basically good people.  They didn’t want to die any more than I did.  But, everyone reacts differently in emergencies.  Mike Jr followed me into the store as I checked the bathrooms and the back storage area.   It was all clear.  I grabbed a few Gatorade’s and walked back outside to where Michael and Lois were standing.
    “I’m