Brian glanced right then left. There were dozens of infected stumbling toward the gate from the right so Brian pointed to the left.
“Left!” Brian ordered. “Take a right at the next intersection and go south. We need to get out of the area.
Juan guided the van around stalled cars in front of the massive church, then up across the medium in an effort to avoid a cluster of infected in the street. Slowly, they moved further and further from the massive stone structure in the distance. After three turns they entered an industrial area with massive buildings behind parking lots littered with cars and trucks. Some of the vehicles were still parked neatly between the lines. Most had attempting to escape the mayhem but ended up stuck behind clusters of vehicles locked together blocking the gated entrance. Many of the doors were flung open, while other contained the remnants of the occupants.
“I don’t know about this.” Juan announced.
“Keep going!” Brian ordered. “We have to get through here to get to the blacktop heading out of town.”
Juan steered the van through the labyrinth of vehicles abandoned in the streets. Dozens of infected meandered between the abandoned vehicles until they heard the van, then began moving toward it.
“Get moving, man. The natives are getting restless.” Leon advised.
Juan scowled. “I can’t go any faster!”
Brian leaned over the seat and pointed to an alley between buildings. “That way, go down the alley.”
Juan stepped on the gas and dodged the last sedan, taking off the door. He made a quick right and accelerated. At the end of the alley, he followed the asphalt to the right between two rows of small warehouse buildings. The unit included rolling overhead doors and side doors. At the end of the building, the alley opened onto a narrow street with a grassy median on the far side.
“Jefe?”
“Ease out. Let’s see what we can see.” When Juan complied, Brian looked to the right and could see a cluster of infected coming their way. “Well, that’s settled. Left.”
Juan complied. When he realized the road was fairly open he accelerated and everyone settled back a little more comfortably.
“Keep watch,” Brian ordered. He pulled a map from his pocket and scanned the spider web of lines. “That’s it!” He announced. “Head south on Pleasanton Road. When we get there we can head west.”
“Sí señor.” Juan leaned back in the seat and accelerated. “I hope it’s not far. We only got a quarter tank of gas.”
“As soon as we get out of the city we can stop,” Brian answered.
Charlotte Hoaks. . . .(C. A. Hoaks) 