“Did you ever figure out the math on your Kinetic Barrier?” asked Monty.

“Nope. Haven’t had a chance to sit down and game it out. The shot from Wells the other day seemed so random until he shot me again in the church. It was the same value. I think I’m missing something,” replied CJ as Rubio strode up.

“I think I might have the answer you seek. Check out the description on Wells’s Beretta,” said Rubio handing it over to CJ.

Deadshot Beretta- This weapon strikes with critical damage every time its quick drawn from a holster. Damage is doubled for the first shot.

“Holy crap. Is this his gun?” asked CJ getting up to his feet.

“Yes. His helmet was special as well. I gave it to Elena for her protection. It lets her see in the dark as long as the visor is down. Makes me wonder where they got this stuff. I checked all the other weapons while you were asleep. None of them have a slate description,” answered Rubio as he stroked his chin.

“We should ask Jennifer. Maybe she knows something about…” CJ was cut off as Rubio began shaking his head vigorously.

“He’s right. Don’t ask her about where they came from. It’s a really sore subject and she just breaks down crying when you do. That was the first thing Elena asked her after everything calmed down post-fight. She ended up comforting her for several hours. I suggest leaving well enough alone for now. She seems bubbly but I think that’s a mask she’s putting on,” added Monty.

“Gotcha. Not going to mention it. I wonder what else is out there just waiting to be found. Mana has done a real number on our world. Keep that handgun Rubio. Something tells me if someone gets in close to you, its power is better off in your hands,” commented CJ.

“Oh, I wasn’t giving it to you. You can barely hit the broadside of a barn. I have another question actually. Why didn’t cut Wells in half or make him choke like the others? Why the subterfuge and propane tank?” asked Rubio as he sat down on the other end of the bench.

“His helmet. The choking spell requires small objects of hardened mana to get caught in the throat. They actually fly into your mouth when I cast it. I don’t think anyone but me can see them. The cutting spell… It works based on will. I was struggling with killing humans. I still am If I’m being honest. If he had even the slightest amount of willpower the spell would have failed, and I’d be out another fifty mana. I guess in my mind an explosion was better than another murder. Fighting back has always been a last resort for me. I know, I know. This isn’t the old world anymore and its dog-eat-cat out here. Just let me ease into it a bit,” answered a now more dejected CJ.

“Listen, I know you’re not a soldier, but I have to know your willing to do what’s necessary out in the world when traveling with my Elena. There won’t be time for introspection when people are trying to kill you,” spoke Rubio in a stern yet fatherly voice.

“I did it in the hardware store. I can do it again. My heart just needs to catch up to my brain,” said CJ hoping that would placate the man.

“Last question. What happened to the Molotov?” asked Rubio.

“Oh that, yea well I tried something stupid there. I sort of activated my inventory power when it came in range. I could feel the heat from the explosion just before it disappeared. Kind of a hail Marry. I’m concerned about taking it back out,” explained CJ with a sheepish grin.

“Dumbass,” said Monty.

“So, you’re carrying around an ignited Molotov in your magic inventory? Please don’t take that thing out anywhere near me,” commented Rubio.

With that they all mounted their shiny knew motorcycles and headed east out of town. There were some rumblings about Rubio wanting to stay back so he could work on his van, but they all felt more comfortable having the only one of them who knew how to use a gun on the trip. The Pharmacy should only be ten minutes northeast of Leaf’s Bend in the next town over.

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There were fewer cars abandoned on the streets in these more rural areas. CJ couldn’t image what a mess the roads would be like a major metropolitan area like Manhattan. CJ was at the front of their four bike crew with Jennifer and Elena behind on either side of him. Rubio assumed the rear. He was riding the extended wheel, Harley Davidson. They road past small houses with white picket fences reminiscent of days gone by. One even had a treehouse. Most of the doors were open or smashed in one side of the street. CJ couldn’t tell if it was monsters or looters. They slowly turned left to head further north using the NJ Turnpike overpass as their guide to find the CVS.

They all parked in the lot outside of the CVS. It was wide white walled building with a red sign above the door. The sign read CVS in neon red lettering. There was no light coming off the sign at this point. The lot had several cars in it, and this gave CJ an idea that he sent over party chat.

Message from Party leader CJ: We should siphon the gas out of these cars.

Message from Psycho: That’s a great idea. Did anyone bring a hose? Please change my name back.

Message from Monty: It’s a good nickname. Very intimidating. Stop complaining.

Message from Elena: I like it.

Message from Psycho: I guess it does kind of sound tough.

Message from Rubio: Please keep the chatter to a minimum. We are no longer in a safe zone. I will find a suitable hose. You four scout the CVS.

Once the group split up CJ looked across the street. There was an old folk’s home that looked pretty boarded up. The one thing that really stuck out to him was the white smoke coming from the kitchen exhaust on the roof. It made him wonder if someone was living in there. More so, alive in there. Then he looked down at the gravel outside of the pharmacy. There were signs that a great many people had walked through here. Some of the gravel spilled out onto the pavement of the street.

New Skill learned: Tracking.

Tracking- This skill allows you to follow the course or trail of (someone or something), typically in order to find them or note their location at various points.

“Hey, I just got a Tracking skill,” said CJ.

“You learned a new skill? Just like that?” asked Monty.

“Did you get a gun’s skill earlier?” asked Jennifer.

“No,” answered CJ.

“Well, why did you get a tracking skill now?” asked Jennifer with her eyebrows furrowed.

“No idea. I don’t know how any of this works. I noticed the obvious path of something or someone, many someone’s moving through the loose gravel of the parking lot back out onto the street. Then I got a slate notification,” explained CJ looking more and more confused.

“What’s with that look on your face?” questioned a fully helmeted Elena.

“Hmm… now that I look again there are obvious footprints. All various sizes. Very strange. Where were they all going?” CJ asked himself.

“We didn’t see an army of people on our way here. I think it’s probably fine. Who knows how old this trail is? Let’s get inside,” responded Elena.

“Strange, if they were here why didn’t they scavenge the CVS. From what I can tell the doors have been unmolested. We should also check out that retirement home before we leave. Someone is in there,” said CJ before the smoke just stopped drifting off the roof.

It took CJ no time at all to pop the lock on the sliding doors that led into the pharmacy. The interior of the CVS was lined with row after row snack foods, greeting cards, various make up, and over the counter cold meds. An entire wall was covered in refrigeration cases that hadn’t been powered in months. Monty helped CJ stuff whatever snacks and food weren’t expired into his sleeve as Elena and Jennifer scouted the rest of the store. After twenty minutes Elena came back towards the front.

“We need a hand with the locks on the cage separating the actual pharmacy from the rest of the store,” said Elena, as she waived at CJ and Monty.

They all jogged toward the back where a small pile of various objects lay on the ground near the cage. This made CJ question the method by which they scavenge. There always seems to be a pile of crap he was expected to hoover up. First back at the hardware store and now here. Then a thought came to him as he noticed one of the squat baskets that were used for shopping back before the event. He was shaken from his thoughts by Elena tapping him on the shoulder.

“This is supposed to be a quick in and out, right? No spacing out,” said Elena.

“Right, right. Gimme a second,” replied CJ as he knelt down to work on the cage lock.

This lock was more heavy duty and CJ needed to pull out some more sturdy implements to get the job done. A few minutes later the latch disengaged, and the cage rolled up. Jennifer jumped over the counter and started reading labels. She was shortly followed by Elena who stood behind her collecting everything she was handed.

“Just use this,” said CJ after handing over one of the baskets.

Message from Rubio: You need to hurry up in there. I know what made that trail.