Free The Last Blade Of Grass by Robert Brown

nothing to your credibility or job standing. My article was filled with non-vindictive truth that told people why they should prepare, and that while I am right wing, I am an Atheist and not the religious extremist that your whole piece made me out to be. It was your own article that nearly got you fired, and it is your own attitude and actions that are sending you away from here empty handed. Now, get out of here.”
    “I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to do anything to me. I’m a reporter,” Chad says desperately, with a little spittle flying from his mouth.
    I rack the slide of my gun loading a round into the chamber and point it at his head. “I’m sure you’ve seen the news, Chad. You work for the paper so you might even have more information than we have on what’s going on at the bases, that’s why you're here. I’ll just tell the sheriff that you tried to bite me. They’ll have you bagged up and cremated before the sun is down. Make your choice.”
    Chad’s face goes white with fear, and he stumbles a bit as he turns and quickly walks away. He gets into his car and drives off, giving me the bird as he goes.
    “What a worm,” I say. “Okay, let’s get you four inside. Hannah, I’m coming in and bringing four with me, you can put the gun down.” We enter the store, and I lock the door and the security gate behind us.
    “You have your daughter working security?” Jessie asks.
    “Come on guys, this is a gun store, not just survival supplies, and we are uncomfortably close to anti-gun California for my liking. I have all of my kids trained on what to do if anyone gets violent and tries to rob the store for things they can’t get where they live. If anyone made it past me outside, they wouldn’t have made it past Hannah, or any of my kids that can hold a gun.”
    “Damn,” Jessie replies.
    Hannah innocently smiles and waves at him while nodding.
    “So this is serious, isn’t it?” Matt asks.
    “That’s why you and all of those other people were here.” I tell them about what Simone heard from the hospital administrators and how she thinks it sounds like zombies.
    “I think this is it, the end game. The only people that can make it through a disaster of plague ridden violent cannibals are those who are already prepared like us. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who I’m sure wanted to be part of the prepping community, but just couldn’t put things together because of the economy.”
    “Hopefully those people still developed skills they can trade to survive with,” Matt adds.
    “I’m packing everything up and taking it to my ranch, so if any of you need a place to stay, you are welcome with your families and trusted friends. Before you go, I’ll give you all directions to my place. As for what is here in the store, your money won’t be worth anything in a few days, so just tell me what you want or need, and I’ll see if I can part with it. Billy?”
    “I’m pretty well set up on my own land. I just came here for information, and I guess I found it,” he replies.
    “Well, Billy, you know where my ranch is, so if these infected people overrun your place, you can come to mine.”
    “Matt? What about you?”
    “I’m in a different situation. My place is pretty well stocked for a regular grid down scenario, and I think I could have even defended my place for a while if the rioting made it here to Medford. However, I’m right in the heart of town, and not set up to defend against an infected zombie horde.”
    I shake my head in disbelief, and say, “I guess that is what it sounds like then, isn’t it. When Simone said it sounded like zombies on the phone from the hospital, I couldn’t believe it. I’m having a hard time dealing with the books I read coming to life.”
    Matt continues, “I was hoping you could help me out with a possible future place to stay and relocation of my supplies. My wife, Rachel, is visiting her parents in Idaho with our two kids,