Two Alive, стр. 89
“We would never.” Dr. Manson put on terrible theatrics that just made Julia roll her eyes and leave.
Into the trees about five or six feet, Miles picked through some leaves and found an old box. He lifted the box and silver cans started falling to the ground. “Sweet!” he exclaimed, then turned around when he heard leaves crunching.
“What you find mijo?” Torrez asked as he approached.
“I found, one… two… three… fo--four… I found all these cans of beans!” Miles turned the box to Torrez to show off the words BAKED BEANS. The boy was ecstatic about his find.
“Wow. Where did those come from?” Torrez helped pick up the cans and started putting them in his backpack.
“We can have a feast for lunch! Everybody might be able to get their own can!”
“Miles. What’d you find this time?” Julia was stamping through the brush and making her way to the boy.
“Ms. Julia, I found some cans of beans! I found us some cans of beans! They the good kind too!”
“Miles… what about our people? Did you and Antonio find our people over here? Because if not, we have to go. We can’t keep making stops like this.”
“These beans are a good find though Ms. Julia.” Torrez paused, then stood up and cleared his throat. “And he found that duffle bag with all those blankets.”
“That’s all stuff we have in the store Torrez.” Julia replied.
“But, I’m the map. I gotta keep my eyes open for any supplies we might need.” Miles held out two cans for her.
“But we don’t need food Miles. We don’t need blankets. We need to find our people and get back before it gets dark. Like you said, right? We can’t keep stopping every time.”
Miles’ face turned into a frown and he dropped the cans. “Ok.” He sulked away and started back for the van.
“It’s ok Miles. You’re still the map.” She sighed and put her hands on her hips.
“Should I just drop these cans then?” Torrez asked.
“Pick ‘em up! Pick ‘em all up!” Julia said and left the soldier to gather the remaining cans of beans. “You know what Miles, those cans might’ve came from some of the people who left the store a long time ago. Not everyone wanted to stay locked up in a Costco. I can’t stand Eric Carver either.”
Miles was standing on the side of the road, tight and on high alert.
“Miles… are you…” Julia looked up and heard the van come to life and the engine rev. Castle was behind the wheel and Manson was in the passenger seat. “Manson! What the hell are you doing?!”
“Julia. Well, the major gave me a spare key to the van in case there were any issues along our journey.” Manson waved them over, “Come along now. Castle has offered to drive so that there are no more sudden stops.”
“You sonofva--”
“Everybody be quiet!” Miles shouted, then he pointed at the van, “Turn off the car!”
Manson was hesitant but Julia ran to the window, “Do it Castle!”
The lunkhead shook his head and turned off the engine. Miles closed his eyes and listened intently as everyone just watched him confused.
“You can’t be--” Manson started but Julia shushed him.
“Two of you come with me!” Miles took off running into the trees.
Torrez saw him go and threw on his backpack as he raced after him. Julia looked inside the van and saw no one moving. “Hurry up! One of you go with them! He said he needed two of you!” Julia was livid.
Burrows reluctantly got out of the van and went after Torrez and Miles. They ran through the trees and deeper into the woods as a faint cry for help could be heard. Burrows raised his gun and Miles pulled his knife free. Torrez crossed himself and took a knife from under his sweatshirt. The three of them came up on a group of shambling lurker type infected, crowding around a tree and reaching up for someone stuck higher up. The cries for help were louder and more desperate as they got closer and Miles started veering off to the right side.
“I’ll lead them away, y’all go help. Go help!” Miles started waving his arms over his head and calling out to the monsters around the tree. “Hey, hey! Come get me ugly! Come get me!”
The infected creeps slowly turned their attention to Miles and half the group started moaning after him. Two creatures stayed behind and continued their dull attempts at trying to climb the tree. Torrez sprinted to the tree and kicked one of the monsters aside and shoved the other away. Burrows kept his distance and aimed his gun at the infected.
“Don’t shoot!” Torrez shouted at his comrade.
“What the fuck man?!” Burrows shook his head and lowered his weapon.
Torrez turned and jammed his knife into the eye of the snarling bastard with a beat up face. The slow moving creature didn’t go down right away however and Torrez kicked it away before it finally dropped. Burrows, still keeping a safe distance, watched the other infected man drag his feet through the fallen leaves with its mouth hanging open. Burrows had to cover his mouth to keep from throwing up as the lurker bared its broken and green teeth. The army man raised his weapon and fired a spray into the freak’s abdomen.
“No!” Miles shouted from where he was.
Then the infected goons chasing after him, turned to go after the noise from the gun. Their intensity increased and they ran towards Burrows in a mad dash. Miles managed to jump on one of the snapping maniacs and brought his knife down hard into its skull. The boy moved quickly to chase after the next one and