The three of them strode the hall like a trio of veteran mall walkers. Roger and Elliott were ahead with Junie walking behind them, her tactical cup on hand, still giving longing glances back to the Badger’s Hovel till it was lost from sight.
“I can’t help but agree with you that the beer needs to be saved,” Elliott said. “The undead are in San Diego now. I think that if we leave right now we will be able to beat the contagion before it reaches Widmer Brothers in Portland. Rogue in Ashland on the border of California, that could be harder.”
“It’s just three of us, how do you expect that we are going to save that much land, my boy? A plan will be needed.”
“Roger, you’re only a year older than me,” Elliott said.
Roger turned into the Deek’s Sporting Goods. The place was large; it had taken over an old department store a few years back, and the walls were painted green and gold.
“Roger, thank goodness you’re back.” One of the cashiers was hurrying up to him, all a panic. “There is this lady that wants to do a return, but she doesn’t have a receipt and I’ve tried to tell her that we must have it for a return but she’s not listening to anyone and…”
Roger held up a finger and walked past her. “Not now woman, there are far more important things afoot than some damn refund!” The cashier blinked at his rough tone, but said nothing.
Elliot and Junie hurried past the cashier, looking apologetic, as Roger pushed through the half swinging door behind the firearms counter. He walked into the backroom through a door that was painted the same green as the walls. Pulling his jacket off a hook he checked for his keys. He always knew that it was going to come to this; all the work that he’d put into this moment, he knew that his grandfather, rest his soul, would be proud.
He walked back out and found Elliott was browsing through the glass at the handguns there.
“I don’t see anything that will work with my mug,” Junie said with a dreamy-eyed pout.
“Come on it’s time to go,” Roger said, even as he walked over to the computer and clocked himself out for the day.
“Are you daft boy? It’s the end of the hops and barley world as we know it, and if we don’t do something about it soon the damn zombies are going to make sure that we drink nothing but Michelob till the end of days!” The man shook his head looking a little taken back. “Sure Roger, I’ll cover your shift. You could have just asked.” Roger nodded to the man, walked out from behind the counter and headed across the floor with a purpose, making for the mall exit. “Wait, Roger,” Elliott called after him, but he didn’t stop. “Roger?” Still going. “Roger!” “What is it dear boy? I thought you said we were in a rush!” Roger looked flabbergasted. “Don’t we need to get firearms? Isn’t that why we came?” “Shit no, I just needed my jacket. I have everything we need in the car, so stop dawdling and move your hump!”