Infected

John pulled onto the pavement as before, the rest of our convoy lining up behind. John and I approached the door; this time it was not only unlocked, but slightly ajar. John put his hand up, indicating to the others to stop. I cocked the shotgun, loading a shell into the chamber, and John did likewise with the Ruger. I slowly pulled the door open, poking the barrel of the shotgun through the doorway as I started to enter, and went inside as quietly as possible with John close behind. We moved silently through the small storeroom, and as we approached the second doorway, which led to where all the guns were displayed, I could hear a rustling coming from in front of us. The only other sound was my heart, beating very fast. The shop owner suddenly stood up from behind the small counter on the right of the room, with his back to me. ŁGod, you scared the life out of me,Ł I said. ŁTold you we would be back.Ł Suddenly there was a movement of boxes on my left. ŁWatch out, Dad!Ł John shouted. A man appeared from the badly lit far end of the storeroom. I could not distinguish his facial features, only the bright red eyes as he rapidly approached us. John lifted the Ruger to his shoulder, and I also turned towards him, lifting the shotgun ready to shoot. That was nearly a fatal mistake as the owner turned, showing the same red eyes, and came at me climbing over the counter. John fired two shots. I was trying to turn back towards the owner to get the shotgun lined up, but it was too late Ł he had reached me. I managed to strike the owner on the nose with the butt of the gun, but with little effect. I started to topple backwards as he grabbed the gun. I landed on my back with him on top of me, separated only by the shotgun that I was holding out at armŁs length. My arms were getting weaker by the second as the infected shop ownerŁs full weight came to bear. This is it, I thought. The man was getting ever closer as my arms started to give way. I was transfixed as I stared into those bright red eyes and black, lifeless pupils. Then I heard a crack! and his left eye disappeared as various body parts and fluids splashed over my face and jacket; then another crack! and a red spot appeared in the middle of his forehead, as his body went limp. With the help of the shotgun I managed to push him off to my left.