Chapter 97: 97
When I heard the names, I shouted to Kaley and Olivia.
“Hey! They’re here! They saw the note!” I immediately ran towards the gate and opened it. Kaley and Olivia followed after and I saw a camper outside the fence.
I opened it and let the camper in. It has a few dents here and there but it’s still in good condition. A couple of blood is smeared across it and it looked like that it has been rammed on a few of them.
The door opened and I saw them walk outside.
“Mom! Dad!” the two shouted with tears in their eyes.
I locked the fence behind and looked behind me. I smiled brightly looking at the four of them and tears fell on my eyes as well.
The four were in the ground crying and laughing and I just stood at the side happy for them. Allan was a slobbering mess while looking at them from the catwalk while Jenny was also teary along with Aubrey.
Olivia was crying her heart out hugging his dad while Kaley did as well while hugging her mom. The two parents looked a bit famished but they have joy and relief in their faces.
“We were so scared when there was no one at home when we came back earlier!” her mom said.
“You just came back today? You saw the note then?” Kaley said while wiping her eyes though tears is continuously flowing from her eyes.
“Yeah we figured that you are safe when we found that the place has the supplies taken out. We found the note in our bedroom and we found the stash that you hidden where I place my gun.” Matthew said.
“Well it’s all thanks to him.” Kaley looked at my direction and they scanned their eyes towards me.
“Mr. And Mrs. Payan, I’m not sure if you remember me but I’m Sky whom you helped years ago when your daughter transferred to my highschool. It’s great to meet you again.” I said respectfully as I made a small bow.
“Who?” her dad said.
“Oh! Are you that young man from back then? Dear, he’s the one you almost scared to death with that look of yours. You look really different now!” Marisha said.
“Ah!” he finally remembered.
He let go of Olivia and he approached me. He still has this domineering presence but it’s nothing to me now.
He places his left hand on my shoulder and then he raised his right hand for a handshake. I raised my right hand as well and we had a very strong handshake.
“This old man…! Same as always. I’m not the same as before though.” I said to myself as I feel him squeeze tighter.
I held my ground and squeezed harder.
I saw his eyebrow twitch while we’re staring at each other. We’re in a deadlock and I heard a clang.
*clang*
The grip he has on me lessened and he immediately let go.
“Ouch! What was that for?!” he exclaimed.
I looked back and her wife was holding a pan.
“I know what you’re doing!” she exclaimed.
“Oh, Kaley takes the most from her mom while Olivia from her dad. That almost psychic ability and this death grip is evidence.” I said to myself.
“I’m just testing him you know…” he said weakly.
“We should be thanking him at least, you doofus!” she exclaimed once more.
“‘You doofus?’ Yep, definitely from her mom.” I said to myself.
“Anyway, we’re just having lunch. Care to join us? You must be tired and hungry, please.” I asked.
I opened the gate of the compound for them and they drove their camper next to the HUMVEE.
I introduced them to the group and I grabbed them a plate. I left them alone for now and I walked back to discuss the plans with Oscar.
“That their parents’ kid?” Oscar said.
“Yeah, let’s exclude Kaley for the plans for now. I’m thinking of another gas run to take every last drop from that station so we could go to the other one past the DDR camp.” I said.
“That’s good. I remember that there is a store there that has propane tanks and a bicycle shop.” Oscar said.
“Yeah, if we’re lucky, we could get one of those gas compressors so we could refill the ones that are empty.” I added.
“Hold on, why don’t we just get those electronic stoves? We have a lot of panels, right?” Jared added.
“It’s possible, but when it hit, people rushed to the appliance store before they thought about food, so most of them are gone now. Remember the appliance store near the public market? Most people here use those fueled by propane tanks and we only had 2 electronic stoves here. My aunt uses both types of stoves since only using those electronic ones will take too long because of our numbers. But if we find a house who has them we’ll definitely get it to save on gas.” I said.
“Let’s prep now and we’ll leave in half an hour.” I announced.
When I walked up to my room, I saw Kaley following me from behind. I waved her down and told her to stay for now since her parents are here. I checked my loadout and I brought an extra gun for Lois.
“Hey, come with us for the moment yeah?” I said as I handed him a Ruger 10/22 rifle and a Berreta M9.
“Oh! You’re taking me outside? Cool, this is a Ruger 10/22, right?” he said.
“Yeah, focus now and don’t doze off like last time. Remember the lesson we took?” I said.
“Of course, stay strapped or get clapped G!” he said proudly.
*thunk*
I threw a knuckle at the back of his head.
“Ow! I’m joking! Ahaha… it’s always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. Treat your weapon like it’s always loaded. Keep your trigger finger outside the guard and off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Be certain of your target, your line of sight, and what lies beyond it. And lastly, always wear ear and eye protection when using and maintaining them.” he recited what I said before when he went for my lessons.
“Good. And?” I asked once more.
“Protect everybody and in turn they will protect you. Leave no one behind.” he said solemnly.
“Are you fine with that Ruger or do you want an M70?” I asked.
“Nah, I like the .22 that’s why I came for practice like last time. The rounds for the M70 hurts my shoulders.” he replied.
“Hah! You should get used to it in the future. I thought you want the Henry .45-70?” I asked.
“I just like the sound it makes when you push a round in the chamber, that’s worse than the M70. Besides, good shot placement is key, right?” he said.
“Well, you’re right about that. Let’s go now, they must be waiting.” I said.
He strapped up and then we headed out.
Russel was with Oscar and Jo to get some gas while I’m with my usual group where Lois replaced Kaley for the moment.
We split off the elementary school and we drove right with the truck.
We reached the destination and we parked in front of the store that has propane tanks. We managed to get 20 tanks of 15kg in weight and 10 tanks of 5kg in weight. There was no gas compressor inside unfortunately so I opened the next store with the bicycles on it.
We loaded 5 road racers, 3 kiddie bikes and 5 normal bikes with the basket in front of it. The ride was pretty uneventful and we only used a few of our ammunition to kill a few that got too close.
When we got back, Oscar’s group was still not here so I made a quick call.
*bzzt*
“You still kickin’ old man?”
*bzzt*
*bzzt*
“Bah! Filling this tank takes too damn long! This kid kept on insisting we take the good stuff.”
*bzzt*
We then unloaded the truck with its contents while I saw Jay approach me.
“Hey, can we have one of those bikes?” he asked.
“Oh, those are for you guys since you’re the farthest one from us. Take a pedicab too for your parents so someone could drive them here. I gave one to Andrew’s family as well because we’re conserving gas so use those for now.” I said.
He was taken aback from the statement but he’s wearing a bright smile.
“Really? We could use this?” he affirmed.
“Yeah, this place is not a sweat shop yeah? I treat everyone as my own.” I said with a smile.
His smile was bright and he took one to test-drive.
As the guys were unloading the contents of the truck, I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked back and saw Matthew looking at me with a solemn expression.
“Can we talk in private?” he said.
I nodded and I guided him to the gym. A few people were using it so we headed to the rooftop where there was only the two of us.
“We’re pretty much alone here. What do you need to talk about?” I said as I turned around to face him.
The wind was blowing and it masked what we were talking about. You’d only see us looking at each other with serious expressions and our mouth moving.