Chapter 38: Hello Kitty

Faced with Gavin’s invitation, Winnie hesitated for a moment.

"Boss, are you sure I won't be a burden? There are zombies over there." As she spoke, Winnie pointed toward the small town behind the gas station.

In the two yards closest to them, three or four half-naked zombies could be seen wandering aimlessly. Although it was only a few, zombies were like cockroaches; when you see three or four, you can be sure there is a whole swarm you haven't seen yet. Winnie didn't know this rule explicitly, but her instincts were screaming that the place was dangerous.

Seeing Winnie’s nervous expression, Gavin ruffled her hair and asked softly, "What’s wrong? Are you scared?"

"No, of course not. I just..." Winnie began to explain cautiously. "I’m just worried that my mom and I will be a burden."

"Relax. It’s not that troublesome. As long as you two don't scream, don't trip, and don't knock over shelves or freezers, there won't be any danger." Gavin patted the girl on the head and pushed her back gently to get her out of the vehicle.

They both looked toward Doris. She had already shed her nightgown, changing into a practical, light blue tracksuit and white flat shoes. Meeting Gavin’s gaze, she gripped the small pistol in her jacket pocket and nodded nervously.

"I can do it!" she said, trying to sound determined, and reached for the door with her hand still in her pocket.

Noticing her movement, Gavin glanced at her pocket and stopped her. Doris flinched as she was blocked. Gavin gestured toward her pocket with his chin and smiled. "Mind showing me what you've got in there?"

"Oh? Right, okay, Boss!" Doris grew instantly tense. Biting her lip, she pulled out the small handgun, clutching it tightly in her sweaty palm.

Seeing the pistol, Gavin couldn't help but chuckle. "A light pink Ruger LCP. Wow, and it even has Hello Kitty decals. A classic lady's pistol, though I’d recommend a Sig Sauer P320 instead."

Gavin tapped the small pink gun and said in a low voice, "You’re qualified for knowing how to use a gun to protect yourself, but as long as the environment remains under control, Doris, we should avoid firing at all costs."

"Even if you're being chased by zombies, your legs are more reliable than a pistol. Remember my words: guns are for dealing with people. I don't want to hear a single gunshot in this gas station!" Gavin locked eyes with her, forcing her gaze to flicker away.

"I... I understand," Doris replied nervously.

Gavin nodded in satisfaction and helped her engage the safety on the pistol. Patting the frame, he laughed, "All right, don't be nervous. Put the gun away and go into the convenience store to find what you and Winnie need. Grab some extra seasonings, too; your cooking is amazing."

"It’s a pity now isn’t a good time for target practice, but once we reach my farm, I’ll find time to teach you and Winnie how to shoot."

With that, Gavin turned toward the convenience store, with Doris and Winnie following cautiously behind him. In America, for a middle-class family like Doris's, a pistol was a household staple. However, a pink Ruger LCP was clearly intended for young girls, as the decal suggested.

Meanwhile, William dragged a corpse out of the convenience store. As she passed William, Winnie couldn't help but look at the zombie. She caught a glimpse of the face Gavin had smashed in. Seeing Winnie freeze, Doris grabbed her daughter’s hand and whispered, "Don't look at that, honey."

"No, I should look. I believe that sooner or later, I’ll be able to handle zombies too!" Winnie’s face was pale, but her tone remained resolute.

Nearby, Eugene heard her and gave a thumbs-up from a distance. "That's the spirit, kid. Be like a warrior! It might not guarantee you live longer, but it will definitely make you stronger."

Eugene walked back to Gavin and asked, "Tsk, tsk, big shot, what else do you need me to do? Keep watch, or move supplies like the others?"

"By the way, what kind of guns do you have at your farm? Do you have any sniper rifles? If you do, I could hold off at least two squads of invaders all by myself."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Eugene. But my collection is quite comprehensive; I enjoy collecting those little beauties." Gavin patted Eugene on the shoulder and pointed at the store. "Go move the cargo. Try to fill the RV’s storage."

"Shit, you really do give orders like an officer, don't you? Fine, let this spotter be reduced to a grunt digging trenches." Eugene began "looting" with a grumble, starting with the shelf of backup medicine—he didn't even leave the motion sickness pills behind.

Madison and William began packing various snacks. Doris quietly cleared out the store's feminine hygiene products, handing the bags to Winnie to take back to the RV as she went. Although everyone was still tense, they didn't behave like characters in a movie, constantly knocking things over while trying to be stealthy.

Outside, Gavin saw that everyone was orderly and quiet. He nodded silently, lit a cigarette, and continued to observe the surroundings. After the cigarette burned down, the zombies in town still hadn't noticed them.

Gavin flicked the butt away and went inside to help move the last of the cargo. After another ten minutes, the RV’s storage was nearly full. Only then did a more relaxed Doris approach Gavin.

"B-Boss, I didn't stock much fresh produce or meat in the RV, and this convenience store doesn't have any either," she whispered. "I'm afraid after at most three meals, we'll have to rely on bread, canned goods, oatmeal, instant noodles, and macaroni."

"Is that so?" Gavin smiled. "The fact that we can have a feast like this morning's for three more meals is actually great news."

"As for later, there won't be a shortage of food at the farm. Don't worry, Doris." He patted her shoulder reassuringly and called the group over.

Once they gathered around, Gavin pointed to the bed of the pickup truck. "There’s more worth taking, but this is all the space we have. Let's leave some room for emergencies. It’s time to go."

"Ha, finally, no more being a mover. Are we heading straight to Coscanas now?" Eugene asked casually.

Gavin nodded calmly. "Correct. We have a perfect backup camp location now—the wasteland near the feed sales center."

"We have plenty of water and food; it should last us at least half a month. Now, let’s hurry to Coscanas without stopping. Once we assess the situation there, if we’re lucky, we can reach the farm before noon!"

Gavin signaled for everyone to return to their vehicles. He started the Raptor, cast one last look at the zombies wandering in the distance, and stepped on the gas.

Coscanas was less than 25 kilometers away. After passing a residential area and two smaller towns, Gavin could see the city in the distance. But at the very first glance, his brows knit together.

The city, more than three kilometers away, was emitting plumes of black smoke, and he could faintly hear the occasional sound of explosions. This sight made everyone in the RV uneasy. Doris couldn't help but clasp her hands to her chest and begin to pray silently.

Gavin drove another 600 meters toward the smoke-filled city and stopped on an overpass. He got out, took his binoculars, and stood by the roadside to observe. The others followed him out, looking toward the city and then at Gavin’s back with concern.

Feeling the team’s growing anxiety, Gavin suppressed his own unease, turned back, and smiled.

"Folks, the explosions are concentrated at the intersection of the Coscanas railway lines, on the east side of the city."

"Even at three in the morning, there are trains running. As long as there are trains moving on the tracks, they’re bound to have problems if left unmanned."

"In a city like Coscanas, where the railway lines are complex and the station planning isn't great, accidents are bound to happen."

"Don't worry. I’ve already anticipated this. Let me observe for a while, and we’ll find a way."