Alpha-10

The group sprang into action.  Robert and Andrew ran to the side door of the safehouse and out into the parking lot hidden from view to the outside world.  James, Sarah, Norma and Mark all began grabbing items from the lockers.  Guns, food and toiletries were their priority.  Sarah grabbed two large utility bags from the shelf and began to fill them with random guns from their small "armory" including whatever ammunition she could find.  She was shaking so bad from adrenaline that she had trouble focusing on what she was doing.  It was pure survival instinct that she was running on, without knowing the plan she was forced to have faith in Andrew's decision.  He had never let them down before, and Sarah had to remind herself that he wasn't in the business of breaking that streak.

James piled all of their food supply into a bag as fast as he could.  He tried his best to take the lightest food items he could find, avoiding larger cans that would only slow them down.  Norma and Mark made their way to Mark's area and grabbed some of his things.  Old toys that the team had collected in their reconnaisance and some activity books that would keep Mark's mind off of things.  Mark felt like he was old enough to be a part of the family and hold his own.  It was an admirable trait but one that Andrew didn't want to rely on.  Andrew would occasionally include Mark in on their activities but for his own safety and Sarah's sanity Mark was usually left behind or to himself as the team would do what they needed to do.

Andrew and Robert entered the parking lot and quickly uncovered their mode of transportation.  It was an old 1999 Chevy Suburban that could comfortably seat all six of the group and tote their supplies in the back.  The truck was in great working condition thanks to Robert and his skill set and the fact that it ran on diesel fuel made for longer treks without refueling.  Robert pulled the rest of the tarp off of the truck as Andrew climbed into the driver's seat and started up the engine.  It let out a loud roar and kicked out a good amount of old exhaust from the tail pipes.  Sarah and the inside crew came running out of the safehouse and quickly threw their bags into the back of the truck.  Andrew grabbed two pistols from the weapons bag and placed them into the center console of the Suburban making them easily accessible.  The family filed into the truck, Robert at the passenger side seat and the rest in back.  Andrew put the truck into drive and they drove straight through the homemade fence built directly afront the parking spot. 

Out on the street Andrew took an immediate right and drove passed several parked cars and walkers.  As he drove with highbeams on, the shadow of several walkers could be seen from the side windows of the vehicle.  There were more walkers out and around the perimeter of the safehouse than the group even anticipated and as he dodged obstacles and potholes he slammed right into one who have been shambling in the middle of the street.  The Suburban met the slack body with a sickening thud and Sarah let out an embarrased yelp.  The walkers body was completely crushed as it dragged underneath the truck and finally detached and rolled under the rear tires.  Mark stared out of the back window and watched as the walker continued to twitch and shake as if trying to stand up but was unable to due to the fact that it's chest and arms were completely flattened by the weight of the truck.

"Where do you want to go?" asked Robert.  Andrew paused for a few seconds trying to compose his thoughts.  "I'm not sure.  I know you all are going to think I'm crazy for saying this, I don't even believe it myself but we need to make it to Washington.  Something there is pulling at me, call it whatever you want but I think that's where we need to go".  No one commented, not a word was said by anyone.  As Andrew looked into the rear view mirror at the group that sat behind him, watching the safehouse fade away into the night nothing but violent intensity shrouded thier faces.  He knew that this call was his to bare.  If something happened to any of them, it was because of his decision.  The startling realization of what lay on his shoulders finally set in as he kept both hands on the stearing wheel of thier traveling home.  Tears began to well in his eyes as he blinked them away.  He had no idea what he was doing, and they all thought he did.