Every individual ready to depart from Ikea for supply retrieval huddles around the large table on the first floor, which displays a map of the town. Outside, the gate is nearing completion, with only the inner fence remaining. Yesterday, we dedicated the entire day to repositioning vehicles around the Ikea store, ensuring ample space due to the discovery of several large moving trucks. Currently, five vans and three trucks are parked, primed for the teams to embark on their supply runs. We have transferred any residual gasoline from the repositioned cars into jerry cans sourced from the shipping garage.

Only twenty people are going to remain behind, primarily the ninth graders and three staff members, while the rest prepare to depart. Over the past four days, we have cleaned up the box store. All bedrooms are finished, and the infirmary has been established on the second floor in the former kitchen showrooms. It looks impressive and nearly resembles a real infirmary. The main floor is equipped with weapons and a training area for practicing self-defense and building entry techniques.

Everyone contributed ideas on how we could safely enter buildings, some practical and some crazy.

The main floor of the store is mainly used for storage in the rear, and additional rooms serve as common areas or are left vacant. We've organized everything for easy access and even created a room resembling an armoury. The extensive sorting and overall organization were conducted under Kaitlyn's vigilant supervision. If anyone was even slightly off in placing something correctly, Kaitlyn swooped in on them like a hawk.

Thanks to Liam, Jen, Kaitlyn, and the assistance of others, we have light after sunset. We have to move most of the lights to the windows each morning and evening, but at least we have illumination until Neil secures more solar panels.

I stand with my group of ten. Neil leads us as we are responsible for collecting solar panels. Jen and Liam are on food duty, while Kaitlyn assists the medical team in gathering as many supplies as the cars can carry.

Today, we're heading to Costco because it's the nearest and most suitable store for our current supply needs. It has the fences we need, as well as food, medical supplies, clothing, solar panels, and more.

After Jim and Mr. Jones review the plan for the third time, Jim joins his group, while Mr. Jones remains behind in case of any complications. 

Glancing over I spot Jen rubbing Liam's back as they head to their group, his hands shacking.

"Okay, everyone time to head out," Neil gathers our group and heads towards the doors behind Jim's team. The relentless symphony of heartbeats surges once more. Scores of people stream out of Ikea's doors into the fresh air. Without bothering to move any vehicles, we leap over the obstacles, checking both ways before dashing towards Costco.

Our group proceeds on foot to eliminate any zombies inside the store while other teams circle back with the cars. Consequently, all the athletes have been selected for the task of clearing the store.

Stopping in front of Costco's doors, we pry the first set open and whistle inside. Silence greets us, so we proceed. Before opening the second door, we knock loudly on the glass. Banging and growls resound from within. Recoiling, we abandon the entrance and circle to the rear. Fortunately, the few zombies outside haven't noticed us yet.

Our group, along with Kaitlyn's, heads to the loading dock at the back. The doors stand ajar, yet no sign of life or the undead. Approaching the back door, I knock but receive no answer. I press down on the handle, breaking the lock with a satisfying click. As I pull the door open, the others step back into the fresh air while I call out into the vastness of the store. "Hey anyone alive in there?"

Growls answer my call as shuffling moves from the front to the back. "Guess not," I open another door and step away to join the others. Zombies shuffle out, causing hearts to race and breaths to quicken. We walk backward, slowly dispersing and leading the zombies in various directions. Each person tasked with diverting the zombies was instructed to lead them a mile or two away, then trap them behind cars or fences before returning.

As I lead them around a building, four or five zombies follow me. Seeing an open fence, I dash inside. I walk backward, ensuring each zombie follows me into the enclosure before circling wide to the gate. With a click, I shut the gate behind me and head back to Costco. The other groups have already entered the store from the front, their flashlights sweeping as they check for any remaining zombies and guide them out.

I'm the first of my group to return. I head back to the rear doors to await the others. Gradually, they return, their faces pale and foreheads glistening with sweat. When Neil rejoins us, we enter the store together. With flashlights ready, we assist those already searching the store.

The people who checked the store before did a good job checking for any remaining zombies, the store is clean.

First things first solar panels.

Following behind Neil, he leads us through the store to the electronics section first. He humphs pointing his flashlight at a line of boxes of solar panels. Taking that as our cue the group of us move forward two of us grabbing a box each. Taking them to the front of the store where the cars are parked waiting.

One by one the boxes of solar panels get loaded onto the trucks filling up the backs of the large trailers attached. As the final box gets loaded Neil leads us back into the building for the solar panels on the top of the store.

Whistling at the sight of the dozens of solar panels lining the top of the building Neil sighs slowly moving to begin his work. The other nine of us stand beside the solar panel he is working on disconnecting waiting for his signal to grab the panel.

As the others down below get food, water, medical supplies, clothing, fencing, and other necessities we slowly bring down solar panel by solar panel to the trucks. We wrap the removed solar panels with blankets to help protect them as we load them into the trucks. Once the trucks are full of supplies, we only managed to bring down two solar panels from the roof.

Quickly we lock up all the doors. Closing the metal doors of the loading dock tightly and locking the front. Someone spray paints on the doors zombies inside in bright red spray paint. We are hoping that with our smell now freshly placed all over the store the zombies we lead away might come back and stay around the store like guard dogs.

The groups on foot return on foot to the front of our box store Ikea. Everyone goes to the loading docs at the back to meet the trucks coming in with our supplies. In lines, the supplies quickly get moved into carts to be taken to the proper room in the store. The solar panels are loaded onto small trailers for transport.

A dozen more people join our group to move and connect the solar panels to the roof. The stressful morning now past us the rest of the day slowly passes in a flurry. Food gets added to the kitchen as the stoves get switched out for standing fire pits to save power. The solar panels all connect smoothly on the roof and Neil changes the line of power to take the power given by the solar panels completely.

Everyone stands on the main floor holding our breaths as Neil prepares to turn the power on. Jen holds Kaitlyn's hands bouncing on the balls of her feet her eyes closed. Taking deep breaths we wait, one minute, two minutes, ten minutes, as the time ticks by anxiety rises. Neil comes out of the room he was working in grinning; he raises his hand flicking a switch on the wall that we can't see and the power turns on.

The lights flicker weakly after being awakened from sleep for days on end. Quickly we run around the store turning on and off the lights that are not needed hoping to save as much power as we can. At night the store's lights will be turned off to save power so we have to rely on candlelight, flashlights, and the small solar-powered lights like before.

The fridge and freezers in the kitchen will have power saved for them but as we don't have anything that needs to be kept cold at the moment those two are turned off. Small fans are kept everywhere to keep the store cool since it is summer, and the air conditioning is set to turn on twice a day for ten minutes as it takes up large amounts of power.

Cheers ricochet around the store as tear-filled cries and hugs are shared, we succeeded in our first raid. 

After our successful raid 2 days ago a smaller group is set to raid Cabelas for weapons today. I was assigned to that group well everyone else gets the metal fence set up.

Following the same setup as 2 days ago I lead four or five zombies away locking them in the same fence I did before. This time I get to join in on the fun of grabbing supplies. Taking a cart, I push it through the store grabbing all the sleeping bags, and tents I see. Standing on the back of the cart as it rolls down the aisle boxes of easy-hanging hammocks catches my eye.

Pushing the cart to that corner I look at the hammocks hung up on display. If we ever need to leave the store and run a hammock might be the safest way to rest out of zombies' reach if hung high enough in a tree. With that thought in mind, I take all the hammocks filling the last spaces in the cart.

Taking the full cart to the front I let the people there load the trucks taking a new cart and going to the weapons section. Guns would be stupid loud and ammo is easily waisted with a limited supply. Skipping over the small gun and bebe gun section I go to the bow and arrow section. Pulling all the bows and arrows as well as crossbows and arrows off the shelf into my cart. Looking at my cart once more I frown "Already full again, damn." Sighing I return to the front once again.

Repeating this action of loading a cart and taking a new one to the trucks filled with all sorts of weapons and camping equipment, some books and manuals got thrown in as an extra thought. I feel like we almost cleared the main store with how packed the trucks are with the small boxes and bags. Looks like next time we are going to have to raid the back storage room.

We lock up and spray paint the doors once more before making our way back to Ikea.

By the time we get back the last half of the fencing is all that needs to be put up. Quickly we empty the trucks moving everything to the weapons and outdoor supplies rooms. Dusting off my pant legs I sigh going to the cafeteria for a late lunch.

Liam, Jen, and Kaitlyn are already there chatting. Today we have soup and chips for lunch. Sighing at the poor selection of food I join my friends at their table. We are going to have to raid people's gardens soon to get fresh food and, even better start our own garden to grow food.

"Hey, guys long time no see," I grin pulling up a chair around the small table.

"Kain, how did things go on the raid today?" Jen asks. None of them were on any of the teams to do the raid today all three working on the fence.

I shrug "It was okay I think we almost got all of the main store clean so next time we should start going into the storage areas."

"That should be good, right? Means we have lots of supplies and shouldn't run out quickly," Liam says his plate already clean.

I nod eating some of my food "How was putting up the fence? Easy, or not?"

Kaitlyn shrugs "It was putting up a fence. Most people were tense with only cars as a barrier to block the zombies but all was good."

"As expected, what is the plan for the gate? We can't have cars in front of the gate area or we would have to move them every time we want to leave." I ask.

I finish my meal just as Kaitlyn also pushes her empty plate away. "Well getting wood or tarps to reinforce the outer part of the fence, also so that zombies can't grab at the fence. The gates are going to be reinforced with wood and metal, if possible, that's what Mr. Jones and Jim said."

I nod good plan good plan.

Kaitlyn leans over whispering in my ear "How are you doing on food?"

Food? Food food food, oh blood, I haven't had blood in days, right? When was the last time I ate proper food again? Wednesday, Tuesday, or was it Sunday? I can't recall, what day is it today?

I look at Kaitlyn and she frowns eyeing me "Kaindra, you haven't eaten," she says slowly.

I sink slowly into my seat as if I were a child being reprimanded by their parents. "Umm maybe," I mumble. How could I have thought to go out hunting we are in a zombie apocalypse I won't die but they can, missing one meal is not the end of the world.

Jen glares at me "Kaaaiiinnn," I shrink more under the double pair of parenting eyes.

Liam sighs shaking his head "Aaahh Kaindra why does this sound a lot like you."

I gasp "You are supposed to be the nice one at the moment Liam, traitor."

He shrugs "You got to eat Kaindra you don't have an excuse to miss a meal."

Grumbling I cross my arms with a frown "It's not like I haven't gone months without feeding so one or two times is no big deal." Slouched in my chair, I mumble. There hasn't been an itch or scratch in my throat or on my arms, so I'm fine. I can go longer without eating if it means I can keep watch over them.

"Tonight, you are going to find food," I open my mouth, but Kaitlyn raises her hand, silencing me." No you are, no questions asked. I will stay up all night to make sure you go if I have to."

I'm certain she'll be up all night, and Jen will join her; as for Liam, I'm not sure, but it's possible. With a sigh, I lower my head. "Fine you win," Kaitlyn grins silently finishing her drink.

With all plates cleared of food, we rise to join others outside to complete the fence. We stash our paper plates in a bag for later burning and exit the cafeteria.

As we depart, some folks wiping sweat from their brows notice us. "Coming to help?" one asks. We nod and approach those clutching the fencing. Gradually, as lunchtime passes, more people arrive to assist.

With Jaron's construction expertise, we managed to install the poles in the ground with ease. I secured the metal fencing around the pole, tying it firmly at my end. Pushing against the fence gently, I smiled; with cars serving as a protective barrier in front of it, we should face little trouble from zombies, except perhaps at the gate. I wonder what solutions Jim and Mr. Jones have come up with for that issue, but I shrug it off—it's not my concern.

After finishing my section, I hop over to where Liam is completing his. I drape my arm over his shoulders, looking up at him with a tilt of my head due to his height. "Hey Liam, could you possibly distract Kaitlyn for me tonight? There are some tasks I need to handle here, and I can't have her around, you know?" I raise my eyebrows suggestively, grinning at him.

He frowns shaking my arm off "Sorry Kaindra, but you need to eat some proper food, I agree with Kaitlyn on this."

Grumbling, I stumble forward, seizing his arm and gazing into his eyes with a pleading look. "Please Liam what am I supposed to do if something happens well I am not here. The fence is not even fully complete, and what happens if a witch or something comes they can hide their magic for a small amount of time before I can sense it, what then?"

He sighs peeling my fingers off his arm "Kaindra we will be fine, as long as you are still walking on this earth we all know nothing bad will happen to us. Go you need to eat," he pats my hand gently "Plus how can you protect us if you are not at full strength right."

Grumbling I lean into the now-finished fence "Fine I'll go."

He sighs patting my shoulder "Goo-"

"But only because I need to stay at full strength," I say.

He chuckles "Good good as long as you get something to eat we'll all be happy."

Kaitlyn pushes me forcefully toward the door, but to no avail; my feet remain rooted to the ground. "Kaindra you said you would go tonight so you better get your butt out that door right this second," Kaitlyn hisses quietly.

"But what if something happens and I am not here," I hiss back.

She continues to try and push me out the door with Jen's assistance "No more buts you need to eat to stay healthy and strong," Jen says as she slides on the wooden floor well my feet stay glued in place.

Liam sighs already laying in his bed hand over his eyes ready for sleep as the two others try to force me out the door at this late hour.

Kaitlyn tries to reason with me as she puts all her weight into pushing me in a last-ditch effort to get me out. Finally exhausted after a long day off work and trying to push me she slides to the floor in a heap. "Kaindra if you go out tonight you could check the perimeter for any dangers well-getting food, maybe even bring in some supplies, or set up a barrier if you can do that." She says tiredly.

My eyes widen, set up a barrier, check the perimeter, and bring back some supplies, why haven't I thought of that? Moving my feet which seemed unmovable I go to the door. Smiling at Kaitlyn as I open the door I whisper loud enough for them to hear "Sure I'll check the perimeter."

Gently closing the door I hear Jen and Kaitlyn sigh as Kaitlyn mumbles "Finally," before the covers shuffle and the three of them finally settle into their beds, I quickly and quietly exit the Ikea. Jumping over the fence, I land softly on my feet on the other side. Now, it's time to check the perimeter.

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