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military base my group found it overrun with Fallen all dressed in camouflage. Can you imagine that? The four others that came back with me including the pilot had a hell of a time making it off the base. Lost three men in the attempt, all good soldiers under my command. The fourth man and I were at the end able to get into a Hummer before being surrounded. Luckily the keys were still in the ignition. Of course being a military Hummer it wasn’t hard to plow our way through. Unfortunately, they don’t get the best of gas mileage. We didn’t make it far before we ran low on fuel. We pulled into a Stop and Go to get gas. With the power being down we attempted to syphon from nearby vehicles after checking the perimeter. One of those infected was hiding somewhere and crawled under the Hummer while we were checking the area. It took a nice chunk out of Captain Martinez’s leg before I put a bullet in its head. Found out the hard way a few hours later that being bitten was one way the infection was transferred. Had to put Martinez down myself. He had my back on many missions over the years and it wasn’t easy. Then just yesterday the radiator on the Hummer decided to spring a leak. Been walking ever since except for a few short hours rest and a meal while up on a roof of a carwash.”
    That is indeed one hell of a run of shitty luck.” Dan shuffled in his seat uncomfortable from such a long unexpected story.
    Dan filled Jessie in on their ordeals the last couple weeks. He unknowingly gave personality and character traits about all of them which Jessie was listening intently for. She used her talented skill of reading a person’s honesty while he spoke. She learned everything she needed to in a few minutes which had been her intent when going in depth with her own story.
    “Well, if you don’t mind riding with three armed men we might could give you a lift to where ever it is that you’re heading. Also, I do believe the guy I mentioned that is heading to Ruidoso planned on trying to gather survivors. He might be trying to put together a community of sorts which actually seems like a good idea. That’s where we are heading after seeing if our family in Colorado made it or not.”
    I’m kind of used to being around armed men. None of you seem to have a criminal element or hidden agenda that I picked up. I suppose a ride definitely beats walking. I wouldn’t mind the company or getting out of the snow either to tell the truth. I’m heading to Colorado myself.” Kurt opened the back door sliding over to make room for the woman he no longer felt a threat. “The environment in New Mexico would be wonderful, but need to weigh my options before committing to the trip to meet your friend.”
     
    -2-
    It did not take very long for me to make it to Ruidoso. I turned off at the long winding road that led up to my cabin. The closest neighbors consisting of a small block of tourist rental cabin (for an elite few that did not mind paying extravagant prices for a few days of enjoyment) and vacation homes were at least a quarter mile away. My cabin was huge compared to most cabins and built on the crest of the mountains. It was surrounded by a multitude of large trees and usually wildlife at any time of the year. The cabin had been built to my specifications. I have remodeled it occasionally to add on additional space for various reasons. It took me a little while to unload all the gear I had brought with me. After that I sat down to eat a bowl of chili warmed over a small fire pit out back. Finally satisfied, I fell asleep in a soft comfortable recliner in the living area.
    The following morning I added homemade silencers to all the guns in my arsenal that I would not draw unwanted attention from multiple Fallen if I had to take down one. I then went to the closest grocery store where I found very little on the shelves. I decided that I would have to search a few unoccupied properties. My neighbors seemed like a good choice since