Title: Tech: Zombie Effect Ch. 6
Characters: Logan/Carter
Series: Tech: Zombie Effect
POV: Logan
Logan rolled over, reaching for Carter. Tangled in the blankets, he opened his eyes to find he was the only one in bed. The morning sun was blocked by the window blinds, but he knew it couldn’t be too late. Logan rolled back over and grabbed his phone. Instead of the time displayed on the screen, Emergency Broadcast alerts lit the phone. Pressing the home button, the alerts disappeared to show the time. Logan saw that it wasn’t yet seven o’clock.
Wondering why Carter was up so early, he threw off the blankets and got out of bed. Logan stumbled into the bathroom and quickly showered. He chose jeans and heavy sweatshirt. The house was warm, but outside the sky was spitting snow. Logan hoped to get some more practice with the gun this afternoon.
The house was quiet as he walked through the living room to their study. He opened the door to see Carter sitting at the computer with headphones on. Logan walked closer to see what Carter was so interested in. The image on the computer screen was of a hand cutting two-liter plastic bottles and then it switched to seeds being removed from oranges. As he leaned down to get a better look, he laid his hand on Carter’s shoulder.
The blond haired man startled, cried out, “Holy shit! You scared me!”
“Sorry,” Logan said absently. “What are you watching?”
“Gardening videos. You know, how to grow different things.”
Logan looked at him. “This early? You usually sleep in.”
“The phone kept lighting up because of the alerts. They were issuing them all night. I got up about five.” Carter pointed to the computer screen. “I watched a couple videos that had been posted, but it’s all so real, you know? Then I got to thinking, I don’t know how to grow food. So I started watching gardening videos. This one is showing how to grow fruit trees. I don’t think it’s as easy as they are saying.”
Logan groaned. “Shit. I didn’t even think about getting seeds!”
“We can't get them now. They are saying martial law has been declared. No one is supposed to leave their house. The alerts have said that anyone who becomes sick should be quarantined and to call for pick the military to come pick them up.” Carter reached out and picked up his phone. He turned it over and showed Logan. “See. They say not to call 911 because they’ve had too many calls. To call this number.”
Logan looked down at the phone. The area code and number weren’t local. “I doubt the military or anyone is in Oakfield. The Farm and Feed store is just on the edge of town. I’ll just go and get what we need.”
“They’re closed, Logan! They said everyone has to stay home.”
Logan didn’t want to alarm Carter. But, he was going to get the seeds even if he had to break in. Come spring, those seeds just might mean the difference between life and death. He tried to give a reassuring smile to Carter. “It’s a family run business. I’m sure they’ll be someone there.”
Carter looked doubtful but didn’t argue. “Let’s at least eat breakfast before we go.”
As Carter shut down the computer, Logan went to the coat closet and pulled out his hiking boots. He really didn’t know what he was going to run into and wanted to be prepared for anything. Like fighting with Carter when the other man was told he wasn’t going to go with him.
By the time he put them on and walked into the kitchen, Carter had out a couple bowls, a box of cereal, and a gallon of milk. Logan debated waiting until he was leaving to tell Carter he wasn’t going with him but decided to tell him now. He didn’t want to delay leaving for an argument. As he poured cereal into the bowl, he casually asked, “Did you go to any websites? Or did you just watch videos on gardening?”
“Yeah,” Carter mumbled around a mouthful of food. "A few."
“Print out as much as you can while I run to the Farm and Feed.”
“What! No, I’m going with you!”
Logan wiped his face as bits of chewed cereal sprayed his face. “Listen, Carter. If they’ve already declared martial law, then it’s getting bad. Fast. Who knows how long the internet is going to be up. We need all the resources we can get.”
“Have you ever watched any horror movies? Something bad always happens when people split up!”
“And someone stays behind to protect the home! Listen. I wouldn’t go out if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary. But people are going to get scared, scared about where their next meal is coming from, so I need you to stay here and make sure no one tries to break in.” Logan didn’t think people would be looting out here. At least not yet. He figured those that were going to do any looting now would be in the bigger cities, looting useless items like televisions and computers. He just didn’t know what was going on, and he’d rather have only himself to worry about. “I won’t be gone long. I’m just going to the edge of town, pick up some seeds, and come right back.”
“I don’t like it.”
Logan heard the acceptance in Carter’s voice. He quickly finished eating, took his bowl to the sink and rinsed it out. “I don’t know if we’ll have cell service for long or if it’s just going to be for emergency alerts, but I’ll take mine and I’ll let you know when I’m on my way home.”
After giving Carter a kiss and putting on his heavy jacket, Logan went out the door. As he drove the new truck down the county highway, he didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. There wasn’t any traffic, but that wasn’t unusual for late morning in the countryside.
The first sign that things were changing was when he pulled into the empty parking lot of the feed store. Typically the store would have a few farmers who were looking more for local gossip than to buy anything. Today the store was dark and not one car was in the lot.
Logan drove around the building but didn’t see anyone. Stopping at the back loading dock, he debated on what to do. Should he turn around and go home? Or should he break in and get the things that he knew they’d need.
He almost jumped out of his skin when a hand slapped against the window. Robert, the man who owned the gun shop was standing right outside the truck. Logan rolled down the window just enough that they could talk.
“Um. Hey, Robert. What are you doing?”
The older man quirked an eyebrow. “I was headed to your place when I saw you pull in. My jeep is right over there.”
Logan didn’t look where Robert was pointing. He was more concerned with why he was coming to his house. “Yeah? Why were you coming to my house?”
“You knew something was happening. I didn’t think anything about some geek coming in to buy a couple guns until the shit started hitting the fan. I remembered you had a shit load of stuff in your truck and I put two and two together.”
“Um. I don’t know what you are talking about. I just wanted to get some things for the house. But it looks like the place is closed. I wonder where everyone is at?”
Logan tried to act casual, but the older man wasn’t buying it. “Bullshit. You know something. Listen, kid, I don’t want to hurt you, I think we could help each other. The news has been as elusive as hell and shits going on that no one’s ever seen before.”
Robert had told him before that he had been in the military, Logan remembered. It might be a good idea to talk with him. Let him know what he knew. Cautiously, he asked, “Where is everyone? Why is the store closed?”
“Everyone is at the high school. They’re trying to figure out what is going on and how to protect the town. The shit on the TV and radio is fucking scary. Look, it’s cold out here. Let’s go to your house and we can talk.”
“I want to get some seeds first. That’s why I’m here.”
Robert eyed him and then sighed. “You’re going to have to break in. I’ve a feeling you’ve been a Boy Scout. Do you even have any tools with you?”
Logan wanted to bang his head on the steering wheel. He hadn’t brought anything with him. No tools, not even a gun. He was going to have start thinking differently.
Robert knew the answer by the look on Logan’s face. “Pull up a little closer to the loading dock.” The older man took the few steps to the concrete slab and pulled himself up.
Logan pulled up and rolled his window down a bit more. “Is this good?”
“Yeah. Turn off the truck and come on.”
Turning off the engine, and pocketing the keys, Logan opened the truck door and stepped onto the raised dock. Robert was already at the smaller door, using a small multi-tool to break the lock. It only took a couple of minutes and then they were inside.
“I doubt with that piece of shit lock that they have an alarm system, but we need to hurry anyway. Let’s get what you came for and get the hell out of here.”
“I want some seeds to grow some vegetables this spring. I think I got everything else we might need.”
“I doubt it, but we can talk about it later.” Robert led the way to the seed display which was thankfully at the back of the store.
They each grabbed a tote bag from a rack and grabbed as many packets as they could. Logan figured they could sort them out later. He just wanted to get them and get out. He could imagine the panic attack Carter would have if he got arrested.
Robert must have read his mind. “Come on, kid. You got enough. Let’s get out of here.”
Logan was surprised when Robert got into the truck with him. “What about your car? Didn’t you say it was parked somewhere?”
“Yeah. But I don’t trust you to try and ditch me. I have your address, but I figured we could talk as you drove. The jeep is hidden. I’ll come back for it later.”
“What about your gun store? Aren’t you worried someone will break in?”
“No. I took care of things before I left. Now, let’s get the hell out of here.”
Logan started the truck and headed back down the country highway. He told Robert all that he knew as they drove home.
Go on to read chapter 7