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the trip harder. Am I glad I came across these three when I did? Hell yeah. I’m not alone anymore, but the extra responsibilities are wearing me out.
     
    ****
     
    Pulling the truck to the side of the road, I glance up to see the Welcome to Kansas sign. I need a break from driving. We'd been on the road for two days and I've barely had any sleep, letting Blu drive only when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Even then I made Gage stay awake and armed, just in case. As of yet we haven’t come across anyone, and I am hoping it stays that way. I know we have to keep driving, stopping only long enough to stretch our legs for a few minutes at a time.
     
    "Blu, can you drive for awhile? My eyes are so heavy and I can't keep them open a second longer." I say.
     
    "Yeah, sure. Let me wake Gage so I'll have a second set of eyes." He replies as he walks to the truck to wake his younger brother. "Gage, wake up man. Gage, wake up!" I hear the alarm in Blu's voice when he can't get his brother to wake up. "Mak, he's burning up." He says, concern reflected in his eyes.
     
    Running back to the truck, I feel Gage's forehead then the side of his neck. He is on fire. Why the hell didn't we notice this earlier? "Help me strip him down to his boxers then get in the truck and turn the ac as low as you can get it." I shout out orders as I begin to undress Gage.
     
    By this time Tessa wakes up. "He's not turning into a zombie, is he?" She asks in a tiny voice.
     
    "No, sweetie, he's not." I answer, hoping I'm right. "Tessa, go in the back and grab the lightest blanket you can find. Once Gage starts to cool down he'll need it." I say giving her something to do.
     
    Damn I wish I had some water.
     
    After placing Gage inside the truck, Blu pulls me to the side. "What do we d… d… do, if he does turn?" He asks as a tear slips from the corner of his eye.
     
    "You drive I'll sit in the back with Tessa. If I notice the change starting to take effect, I'll deal with it."  I say sadly, looking him in the eyes. "Let's look for a drug store on the ride. Antibiotics may be needed." I add trying to give Blu some hope for his brother.
     
    "Ok, I'll keep my eyes peeled." He says with a trembling lip.
     
    The hours pass slowly, the ac keeping Gage's temp down somewhat, but it still rages through his young body. Not at all sure what is going on, we pull to the side of a pharmacy. I am not taking chances this time, my Glock is in my hand.
     
    "Blu, Tessa, stay by the truck, but not inside with Gage. We need to be careful just in case it is the zombie virus. Understand?" Both nod, tears glistening their eyes. Damn, I've scared them. I just want them to be prepared.
     
    Blu reaches out, grabbing my elbow, "Be careful in there."
     
    "I will." I answer, glancing up into his sapphire eyes.
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Walking into the pharmacy, I can just barely make out the peeling sign. It reads; Welcome to Penn's Pharmacy .
     
    Casting my eyes from side to side, I wait for a brief moment before I move forward; my Glock cocked and ready. I can see two doors from my vantage point, one leads to the bathrooms, the other I’m not sure as it doesn't have a sign.
     
    Sliding into first one bathroom then the other, I find both empty. Trying both faucets, wishing for water, but nothing comes out. "Damn!"
     
    Back in the main room of the pharmacy, I slowly walk behind the counter. Once there I go down aisle after aisle of meds, looking for anything that can be useful. I reach for the plastic containers next to the long abandoned cash register and fill them with pill bottles; everything from vitamins to antibiotics. Once those are full, I move out into the pharmacy; grabbing bandages, alcohol, peroxide and, thank you God , gallons of distilled water.
     
    I want to open a gallon right there, but I don’t because I know Gage needs it more than I do.
     
    Once I have everything gathered, I run outside with my hands full and throw everything to Blu,