Zack pulled the bus into a cluster of trees in the park in their hometown that was still standing, successfully shielding it from view.
"Everyone, grab the gear and the gas cans. If there are empty gas cans, someone fill them all up with the gas that is still in the tank in the bus," he called back. "Don't forget to bring the siphon hose."
Everyone quickly grabbed all the gear inside the bus, including the filled gas cans. There were a couple of empty cans, which they quickly filled using the bus's gas.
Making sure they had everything, they headed across town toward the hidden bunker, blasters ready, just in case zombies showed up.
It was a long trek to the bunker on foot. They moved as quickly as they could. It took them nearly an hour to get to the collapsed home where the hidden tunnel was located that led to the bunker's thick metal door.
Once at the door, Zack activated the locks, releasing the mechanism that secured the door.
It swung open, the hinges squeaking as it opened. "We need to oil that; it's too loud," Carrie noted aloud. Then looking at Zack. "Does it look like anything was tampered with?" she asked.
Shadick hearing what Carrie told Zack, pulled out his blaster, ready to defend. Joe, Jamie, and Zack did the same.
Entering the bunker, the automatic lights switched on, revealing that it was exactly as they had left it only a few days ago. Without hesitation, Zack, Joe, and Jamie checked all the rooms, blaster at the ready, just in case. Shadick waited with the girls, not knowing where the other three were headed. He had never been here before.
Once confirmed still safe, Zack looked at the group behind him. "We need to share rooms again. I will share mine with Shelia," he said, blushing faintly. "Carrie will share hers with Shadick, Joe with Nisa, and Jamie will stay with Alice.
Shadick looked at Zack in question.
Sighing, Zack explained. "We only have four bedrooms. One large bed in each room. Either sleep on the floor or share the bed. Every couple will have to figure that out on their own," he explained.
Zack headed to his room, Shelia in tow, already knowing where it was.
Carrie headed to hers. When she noticed Shadick wasn't following, she sighed deeply, then looked at him. "This way," she said, gesturing for him to follow. He did so, but he appeared uncomfortable about it.
Jamie and Alice headed to their room; it was the same one they had stayed in before.
Joe looked down to the floor, his face turning red. As if an afterthought, he turned toward his room, awkwardly gesturing for Nisa to follow.
Nisa followed slowly behind Joe, equally uncomfortable as he was.
Once everyone was settled, they took turns showering, then met in the control room.
Carrie was first. When she finished, while everyone else was showering, she made sure a meal was prepared. Studying the supplies, she realized that they weren't going to last very long. They needed to find a way to get food.
Once everyone was in the control room, meal in hand, she decided it was time to bring the issue to everyone's attention.
Carrie stood up, successfully getting everyone's attention. "Starting tomorrow, we need to hunt for food. We are dangerously low," she began. "It was helpful when we went hunting while we were away. We need to continue to rely on hunting for food rather than dipping into our stock. Our stock isn't going to last very much longer. I'd rather save it as long as possible since most of it is MREs and will last longer than fresh meat," she explained.
Alice didn't like hearing this. She shot up, pissed. "It's too dangerous out there!" she yelled.
Carrie looked at her in disgust. "Would you rather die of starvation?" she asked sarcastically.
Jamie gently pulled her down, whispering something to her, making her sit quietly and pout.
"Hunting is fine with me. I like your rabbit meat," Shadick said, smiling.
"I'll go too," Zack offered. He didn't want to volunteer anyone else, so he didn't throw out names. He wanted to wait for someone else to offer.
"I'll go too," Carrie stated. "We need as much meat as we can get. We can smoke it or cure it to make it last longer. Maybe we can make jerky. We have a lot of mouths to feed," she continued. "So, we need a lot of meat."
No one else offered.
The group had been traveling all day. It was getting dark outside. They needed to go to bed and rest.
"Do we need to set watches at the door?" Carrie asked Zack.
Zack suddenly looked exhausted. "I wonder if we will be fine for one night?" he asked no one in particular.
Carrie seeing her brother's exhaustion, cut in before anyone else could, not that anyone else would offer. "I'll take the first watch and wake you up when I can't stay awake any longer," she told her brother.
"I'll stay up with you," Shadick offered, smiling. "It will give us a chance to speak," he said, grinning widely.
With great effort, Carrie didn't roll her eyes.
"Actually, that's a good idea. We can take the watches in pairs. Wake us all up if there is trouble. We will take four-hour shifts, then switch to the next couple," Zack said, nodding. "That's a good idea, that way, someone can be there to defend everyone if there is an issue, and it will also prevent anyone from falling asleep. You can wake me up next, then Joe and Nisa and Jamie and Alice last. We can do a constant rotation," he said.
"I can agree to that," Carrie said. Shadick nodded in agreement, smiling.
"That gives twelve hours between shifts," Shadick stated. "It should work out well."
Joe, grumbling, got up. "I'm going to go get some sleep then," he said, heading to his room. Nisa followed shyly.
Jamie and Alice were next. "Good night, everyone," he called, pulling Alice to their room.
Zack got up too. "If I'm going to be on watch in four hours, I'm going to bed too," he said, then took Shelia's hand, pulling her along.
After everyone disappeared, Carrie got up, pulling a set of machetes out along with her and Shadick's blasters. "We have to be prepared for anything," she explained.
Shadick nodded in understanding, then sat on the sofa in the small entrance as Carrie checked the heavy security door, ensuring it was secure. When she was finished, Shadick pulled her into his lap, burying his nose in her neck, taking in her scent.
Carrie couldn't help it; she moaned in pleasure, shifting a little. Her bottom making contact with his bulging member, she blushed.
Shadick realizing what just happened chuckled. "Only for you, my mate. But only when you are ready. I will not force you," he said softly, taking in her scent and pressing soft kisses on her neck.
Pulling one of her hands from her lap, he gently kissed her knuckles, then intertwined his fingers with hers, still kissing her hand gently.
Carrie couldn't help it; she moaned in pleasure. Heat pooled in her core as Shadick continued to kiss her gently, sucking and nibbling on her neck, knuckles, and fingers. She had never felt so aroused, doing nothing but accepting his kisses.
He stroked her face softly, his eyes growing darker. His eyes were already black, but somehow, they radiated the heat of his arousal. Lost in the pleasure of his touch, she moaned, his lips meeting hers, first gently, then more insistent. Their tongues intertwined, fighting for dominance. It was a dance of heat and passion, one that neither could nor wanted to stop.
The four hours ended too quickly. They had been locked in each other's arms the entire time.
There had not been any issues, and Carrie was thankful for that. Reluctantly, she got up. Shadick was close behind her.
Waking up Zack and Shelia for their shift, they waited for them to exit their room before going into their own.
Entering their room, Carrie changed into sweats and a t-shirt; Shadick watched her, admiring her form; her soft curves. Shadick changed into boxers; there was nothing else they had for him to sleep in. He was too tall. Carrie watched him undress, getting a look at the bulge she had felt most of the night. Seeing his size in its true form, she blushed, arousal shooting through her as heat pooled in her core.
That had to wait, though; they were up too long. They both needed sleep, and she wanted to take her time with what he had for her, not rush it because of exhaustion.
They got into bed, wrapping up in each other's arms, and they fell asleep almost instantly. It had been a long day and night; they had no choice but to sleep.