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all going,” said Kristie. “The zombies are getting more aggressive and we’re much safer in numbers.”
    Dad nodded. “I agree. One hour everyone, please be ready.”
    I went to my room and threw together some clothing and toiletries into a backpack, then went to Allie’s to prepare one for her. I wanted to bring something from home to comfort her.
    “Oh Allie,” I sighed, sitting on her pink and white satin bedspread. I picked up the stuffed kitty she’d slept with for the last ten years and crushed it to my chest.
    As I looked around her room a photo sitting on her book shelf caught my eye. It was a picture of the both of us at the state fair; I was about ten and she was four. Allie was wearing a sparkly pink cowgirl hat and I had on a blue Mohawk wig that our grandmother had just purchased for us. I hadn’t paid much attention to the picture before, but now as I stared at it, tears welled up in my eyes. We were holding hands and she was smiling at me with such loving adoration that it broke my heart. Like most sisters we had our rough moments, but there was never any doubt in my mind how much she loved me.
    “I’m coming, little sister,” I whispered, wiping my eyes. “I’m coming.”
     
    ~~~
     
    “Cassie!” called Austin about ten minutes later. I was still lying on Allie’s bed, staring off into space and holding the prized stuffed animal.
    “In Allie’s room!” I answered.
    He walked in and closed the door behind him. “I need to talk to you.”
    “What’s up?” I asked, getting off the bed; being alone with him in a bedroom felt slightly awkward.
    “The pain in my shoulder is getting much worse,” he said slowly, his normally tan face was very pale. “I really need to find my buddy’s duffel bag. How about taking a quick trip with me to the military vehicles?”
    “Better idea, just ask my dad to stop on the way to Atlanta,” I told him. “He’ll do it, no problem.”
    He shook his head. “No, I already asked him and he told me it would take up too much time. Please, just come with me. It’s only a couple blocks away. I need you to cover me while I search the truck. In case any zombies show up.”
    I didn’t think it was a good idea but I could see from the look in his eyes that he was really in rough shape.
    “Is it infected? I should probably look at it for you.”
    “I’ve already cleaned it, again. I just really need something for the pain, especially if we’re going to be driving around for the next few hours.”
    “Fine,” I said walking out of the bedroom. “I’ll grab Bryce so he can come with us.”
    “Bryce is busy helping Bobby pack. We have to go now so we make it back in time.”
    I rubbed my forehead and sighed. “Okay, let me grab the war hammer.”
    “Thanks,” he said, flashing me a grateful smile.
    “Bring a weapon this time,” I said.
    “You’re dad’s letting me use his ten millimeter Ruger for the trip,” said Austin holding it up. “It’s already loaded and good to go.”
    Ten minutes later we were sneaking out of the house to get to the Vicodin. The sun was just rising and as I looked back towards the house, I saw Eva watching us through the window.
    “Great, Eva’s going to open up her big mouth and tell my dad,” I grumbled, glaring at her nosy face.
    “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get to the truck quickly. It’s only about three blocks away.”
    We started walking west and ran into our first zombies only a block away from my house.
    “Get ready,” I said.
    Two of the undead were racing towards us, looking like they’d just won the lottery.
    “Save your bullets so my dad doesn’t wonder where they went,” I said, advancing towards the two zombies holding the sharp war hammer.
    “No, Cassie,” argued Austin. “Protecting you is my job.” He raised his gun and shot the first one.
    I groaned and swung at the second zombie, hitting him square in the forehead. As I removed my weapon I said, “You know Austin, I’m not