Two Alive, стр. 79

But Miles still felt in his gut that the old man wouldn’t be happy about their going to the Costco Superstore in the first place. Even if they were running low on food, the old man would’ve thought it was too risky to get so close to such a large group of people. But how was Miles supposed to know there was a whole community here? He was just trying to find food for himself and his brother. Not his real brother, not really. But that’s what he and Antonio called each other. That’s how they treated each other. That’s how the old man raised them. And Miles was just trying to think what the old man would do. How would Johnathan react in their circumstance? The old man always made the right calls.

Julia watched the young boy and could see how eager he was to get his gun back. On the walk through the store to the entrance, Miles kept looking back every few seconds, looking for Captain Baker. Even while he helped everyone pick out new clothes to wear, Miles kept looking for the captain to return. Julia still wished the captain was accompanying them outside the store. Torrez, Burrows and Castle weren’t making her feel very confident in their ability. Torrez could be too trippy at times and was heavy into his religion. He often talked about this being the end of days and would get intensely biblical if you let him. Even now he was standing at a dead cash register, rubbing the rosary under his shirt.

Burrows and Castle were two lunkheads on their own, but together they were Beavis and Butthead. Julia snapped around when she heard one of them laugh so loud behind her, it startled her. Burrows covered his mouth and Castle turned away trying not to laugh. They were children. Why did Dr. Manson, the mad scientist, have to have Burrows come along on this expedition? And Major Carver was only sending Castle along because he had the big oaf in his pocket. Castle did whatever he was ordered to do.

So far Castle wasn’t being any trouble and even put on another pair of pants when Miles suggested that everyone should layer up. Torrez followed the boy’s directions to the letter and put sweatpants on, over his jeans. He also put on a leather jacket over his long sleeved shirt and for good measure he even grabbed a pair of leather gloves with a hockey mask. Julia put on baggy jeans over her ripped pants and an XXL flannel sweater. She kept her overcoat. Burrows put on two big jackets and called it a day while Dr. Manson did nothing to alter his outfit. The smug scientist believed there was no reason to encumber himself. Clint thanked Miles for his suggestions, but the geezer just fixed his eye patch and said his clothes would do. Lance didn’t humor the boy at all.

“Can we go already, Julia?” Lance asked after his third time pacing back and forth in front of the exit door. The gawky widower was flush and starting to sweat, thinking they were wasting time.

“We’re still waiting for Miles’ rifle,” Julia said, also for the third time.

“What does a kid like that even know about a rifle?” Lance’s cheeks reddened as he huffed. “Look, the captain probably got busy and won’t be coming back for a while. We should start going now. We’ve wasted enough time already.”

Julia sighed and turned to Lance so he could see the serious look on her face, “We’re going to wait for Miles’ rifle. Captain Baker should be here any minute so stop asking me can we go.”

Lance rubbed the back of his neck and muttered under his breath. Nearby, Manson let out a deep passive-aggressive sigh which signaled he was tired of waiting. Julia just stared his way and he avoided eye contact with her piercing glare. She looked at Miles and although she felt for the young boy, if Baker took any longer, they would have to leave the rifle. Burrows, Castle and Torrez would have to be enough.

Ben and his daughter came into view as they made their way around the register lines. Alana was wearing a backpack and arguing with her father, who was pink with embarrassment at trying to convince his daughter to listen. Miles was once again awestruck by the sight of Alana, who was wearing cargo shorts like her dad and a blue flannel shirt with rolled-up sleeves. Her skin was shining, and Miles could see the freckles that dusted her peach face, also covered her arms. Her hair was bouncing curls, shimmering under the fluorescent lights. Miles was happy to see her again.

“We have to go with them! We should go!” Alana was shouting at her father.

Ben winced and lowered his head, “Sweetheart we ca--” He looked up at Julia, realizing they were standing at the front of the store.

“Ben, did you change your mind?” Julia was surprised to see him. “I meant to find you this morning after Lesly finished up, but I got into it with Carver. You know how he can be.” Julia chuckled.

She welcomed the idea of Ben coming along.  In fact, she expected him to be spearheading this outing, since he was the one who fought so hard for the boys to be let inside the store. But his mood had changed since yesterday’s incident with the hive and Ryan Bates, the soldier Miles killed after he got infected. Ben seemed stiff around Miles and Julia noticed it even now when the boy made his way over to greet Alana.

“Hi! Good morning.” Miles had a goofy smile and got close to the young girl. Very close.

Alana took a step back and looked at the kid, decked out in all black with heavy-duty combat gear. “This is what we should be