Riley's POV.
I couldn't believe what Id been hearing on the news, infectious disease, cannibals, army running low on supplies and men. It was all that was on. Some people were using the word zombie and I couldn't wrap my brain around how it could be possible. I dropped a ravioli can that I was trying to stuff into my backpack. Jacob picked it up and held it up for me, as I took the can from his little hand I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful little face. Will daddy be home soon he asked me. It snapped me out of my trance and I kept stuffing cans into the bag. I'm not sure when daddy will be home baby. I didn't know how to tell him that we probably wouldn't see his dad again. Tyler was on a Buisness trip halfway across the country and I hadn't been able to get ahold of him for two days. Airports were shut down, the whole country was shut down. Only emergency broadcasts were playing on the news anymore, no live reports. I was starting to panic, until now I had held out hope that Tyler would walk through the door or call and tell me he had a plan to save Jacob. Either he couldn't reach us or he was gone. I had to make a plan, we had to move. Just last night I heard screams from down the street and I could see people breaking into the house. After a while the screaming stopped, I knew it wouldn't be long before our home was next.
Jacob stayed close to me throughout the day as I loaded everything I could into our Jeep. I had watched the news, listened and read the reports after he had gone to sleep. He knew something was going on but had no idea what is was. He was very intuitive and knew how stressed I was and luckily stayed very close and listened to my instructions. I was thankful for that as I was freaking out in my head. Where would we go and how would I protect my son with one pistol and some kitchen knives. I had not even shot a gun in over two years. I was happy to have found two full boxes of ammo for the pistol at least. I had dumped out anything I could fill with water, packed all the dry food and cooked the rest.
We had a old tent and some camping gear that had been in the basement for years. After everything was packed I sat and watched Jacob eat a chicken sandwich. I forced myself to eat a few bits of mine before I felt to sick to eat anymore. I'm watched him finish off his then handed him mine. While he ate I thought about where to go. I decided somewhere high up was best. I had no idea what the sick were capable of. I had only seen then from a distance on the news and on the streets. My mind raced, what did they look like, how fast were they and what were they capable of.
We drove toward a grocery store a few blocks away. I knew it had a flat roof with access to the roof in the back. I had worked at the store after graduation. I'd already decided daytime was safer. We had been in the house for almost a week waiting and watching. I heard twice as much gunfire at night and that's when the houses were being broke into. I honestly couldn't say if it was the sick or if there were looters around. The police force had been overwhelmed within the first few days before the stay at home order was issued and there was nothing being said about rescue or relief. There had been a few reports of looters and gangs before everything switched to emergency broadcasts. I didn't know what to be more scared of the sick or gangs of people. As we pulled into the grocery store lot I could see people walking in the parking lot. They didn't seem to be going anywhere just wondering around. One notices the Jeep and slowly started towards us. I had a second of curiosity, obviously it was one of the sick and I couldn't help but wonder if the Zombie accusations were true. What's he doing Jacob asked, does he need help? I didn't answer just drove towards the back of the store and parked by the ladder to the roof. I had to climb on top of a dumpster to pull the ladder down. I got Jacob out of the car he had his backpack and I put one on and carried another bag as I helped Jacob climb the ladder. It want to hard to reach the top and I could see the entire roof besides the space behind the big air conditioning system. Jake followed me as I walked to it and peeked around, nothing on the other side. I left him on the roof while I moved the Jeep away from the dumpster and brought up the last of our bags.
I was to scared to set up the tent on the roof, I thought people might be able to see it from afar. I set up a lean to from the tent and poles near the cooling system. I'd made sure to pull up the ladder and I walked the length of the roof checking to see if there was anywhere else someone could get up. It seemed impossible anywhere except the ladder. After it got dark I made us a pallet by the ladder. We shared a can of Vienna sausages before he passed out for the night. I felt I needed to stand guard and I couldn't leave Jacob by the lean to it seemed to far away. I made a hold in the sausage can and ties a a shoelace in it. Then I found a bunch of small pebbles and rocks on the roof the fill the can a little and hung it from ladder. It had creaked and had taken all my strength to pull it down before so I was hoping it would make some noise if someone else tried. I'd done all I could do for the day, I figure out a new plan tomorrow. I rested my back against the wall and watched Jacob sleep as I tried to stay awake. Not sure how long I lasted though.