Free From Within by Brian Delaney Page B

view outside through the main entrance from where they stood so they couldn’t look to see without leaving the line and neither wanted to part from each other with how hectic is was in the store. The consistent noise from shouting and rushing of people made it hard to tell if it was a gunshot that they heard. However, Will was pretty sure that it had been. Though, he didn’t think it was a shotgun.
    As they finally made it to the cashier, Will pointed to the cigarettes that encompassed the display, “Can I also get a bunch of cartons. Camels or Marlboros, I don’t really care.”
    The chaotic sounds continued outside and Will thought he heard another shot. It could’ve been anything he considered with all the noise.
    “I didn’t know you smoked, Will,” the cashier said.
    Will was surprised that the cashier called him by name. He hadn’t looked at the lady yet because he was still thinking about the shot and also that he wanted to remember to buy cigarettes. It was Mary, his mother’s friend.
    “Oh, I don’t. They are for a friend. Listen, Mary, if you already haven’t done so, you should probably make sure you get some of this stuff too.” Will swept his hand pointing from one end of the store to the other. “Who knows how long all this rioting and stuff will go on.”
    “I think we’ll be okay.” She leaned in and lowered her voice, “The manager let us set aside some things for ourselves. Plus, he said that new government corporation is going to be coming into town sometime really soon. He said they are going to be rationing out food. He wanted us to get everything we needed before they came in and took everything. He said that technically he was supposed to close the store and wait until they got here to handle everything in the store. Are you all going to be fine?”
    “Yes, thank you,” Will answered. “I think we’ll be set for now. And thanks for the information. We’ll make sure to get set up with rations too when that group comes into town.” Will paid and helped reload the cart.
    As they walked towards the exit Lea whispered to Will, “Why didn’t you tell her we had a bunch of food at your house?”
    “I don’t want too many people knowing about it. The more people that know the greater potential people will want to have some if things get worse,” Will whispered back.
    “Good point. So, I understand the alcohol but you are going to have to explain the cigarettes.”
    “Well,” Will began and paused for a moment, “it’s a luxury item. If they start rationing, which Mary just confirmed that they are, I’m sure cigarettes won’t be a priority to be shipped around the country. People are addicted to these things and their value will skyrocket. We could use them to buy something we need.”
    “How on Earth do you even think of these things?”
    Will laughed, “It’s stuff that has happened during wars or other big disasters. I read about this kind of thing on the prepping and survival blogs I read. People theorize what could happen on a much larger scale. On one hand, I hope that buying them is worth it. On the other, I hope I wasted my money and things don’t get that bad.”
    They exited the store and turned to the right towards where they had parked. They both stopped abruptly. All they could see was Will’s Jeep. Alejandro and Juana’s car was gone.
    “Will?” Lea said with an anxious tone in her voice.
    “I don’t know,” was all he could say back to her.
    Will had Lea push the cart as they approached his Jeep. He had his hand ready on his pistol. There was a deep crimson pool on the ground to the side of where the car had been. Once Will had seen it, he turned to Lea who noticed a moment after him. She put her hand to her mouth as tears began to flow down her cheeks and she began screaming.
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    Kenneth stood at the head of the large conference table with his hands up on his sides. He was scanning the group as people shuffled into the room