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loud. Carly stayed behind Justin, experiencing that awful rabbit-in-a-football-field feeling again, terribly exposed with nowhere to hide. Justin didn’t seem troubled at all. He strolled down the street, his stride casual, one hand on the strap of the backpack he had slung over one shoulder.
    When they came to the corner, Justin glanced back at her. “This is your town. Which way?”
    “There’s a Food Mart up the street about three blocks.” Carly pointed the way.
    “Good place to start.” Justin sounded cheerful.
    “I didn’t bring a lantern or a flashlight.”
    “I have a couple in my bag.”
    She should have known he’d be prepared. Carly glanced down at Sam to see how he was taking this new experience, and he seemed delighted by all of the new smells and sights. 
    The parking lot in front of the store still held a handful of cars. An elderly car with blooms of rust around the wheels was parked in front of the store, the driver’s door yawning open. Justin made a quick “stop” gesture, and Carly froze. He crept up and reached inside the car, but his broad shoulders blocked Carly from being able to see what he was doing. He backed out and motioned her forward.
    “What did you do in there?” 
    “I checked the key to see if the battery was still charged. If it was, the person who owned the car might still be inside the store, but the battery was dead from the door hanging open.”
    “That’s clever.”
    Justin shrugged. “One of the tricks of the trade.”
    “What trade is that?”
    “Survival.” Justin took off his pack and unzipped the top. He fished out two heavy metal flashlights and handed one to Carly. “These things weigh a ton, but they’re as tough as hell and can be used as a weapon in a pinch.”
    Carly tried to imagine clubbing someone over the head with it and shuddered. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to do it, if it came right down to it. 
    The glass door was locked when Justin tugged on the handles. Without even blinking, he used the butt of his flashlight to smash the glass. Carly looked around the empty parking lot, as though someone might hear the shattering of glass and come running with the cops in tow.
    Justin reached in through the hole he’d made and turned the lock button on the inside of the door frame. He pulled the door open and gave Carly a little bow. “After you, my lady.”
    Carly bobbed a little curtsy with a small smile. “Thank you, my lord.”
    “I could get used to being called that.” Justin’s grin was infectious. 
    “I wouldn’t count on it happening.” 
    “Ah, but a man can dream.”
    “Can you lift Sam over this glass? I don’t want his paws to get cut.”
    “He’s a lot tougher than you think he is,” Justin said, but he picked up the puppy and carried him inside before depositing him on the tile beyond the shards.
    Carly pulled a cart out of the line and laid her shopping tote inside the child seat as Justin turned on his flashlight and shined it around in a swift arc. The vestibule was littered with discarded sales fliers. There was a corkboard beside the entrance door, which had been used to hold notices of garage sales and free kittens, but currently was covered with fliers asking people to call if they’d heard from missing relatives or had news about other cities where their loved ones lived. Carly had to look away from it quickly. It hurt too much to remember the desperation of those days.
    “Stay beside me,” Justin said. Carly nodded. What happened with Merle was still fresh in her mind.
    The store was in the same condition as the one near Carly’s apartment building, and had a similar stench. Carly gagged but continued inside behind Justin, her hand cupped over her nose. The shelves were almost bare, and what was left was in shambles. Cans and boxes were scattered on the floor. Justin picked up one. “Ooh! Jackpot! A box of Lucky Charms!” He tucked it into Carly’s shopping cart.
    “Now all you need to find is a cow