Human Extinction Level Loss (Book 1): Nicole's Odyssey by Philip A. McClimon

they are,” Sam said. 
    Nicole looked at Sam.  “All we have to do is get to my car,” she said. 
    “Your car is covered in bugs.  There is no way you are gonna be able to get to your car without at least a few of them biting you,” Sam said. 
    Nicole looked back at the carts.  “Which is exactly why we have to let them in.”

Ten
     
    “We’ll move the pallet and carts away from the doors by the registers last, because those doors have taken the most damage,” Nicole said. 
    Sam stared at her defiantly.  “You want to let all those bugs in here!?” Sam exclaimed. 
    Nicole stared back.  “Yes, it’s the only way to get them away from the car and if we keep screwing around they are gonna be in here anyway, so let’s move!” Nicole screamed. 
    Sam threw up his hands.  “All those bugs in here mean an infestation, which does not make for a pleasant shopping experience!” Sam hollered.
    Nicole and Sam stood in front of the glass doors by the registers.  The plan was to make their way back to the Receiving area, removing the pallets from the doors as they went. 
    “We don’t have much time.  We clear the last of the doors, then race back to receiving, understand?” Nicole asked. 
    “After we set off the bug bombs,” Sam corrected. 
    “That’s right, Sam.  We get the bugs inside, we get them all,” Nicole said. 
    They both grabbed the handle on the pallet jack and pulled the load of concrete mix away from the door.  The effect was immediate.  Just as the pallet was moved, the doors began to sag inward almost to the breaking point.  The bottom of the doors gave way, sound, and smell rushed in. 
    “Alright, Sam, Let’s go!” Nicole yelled.  The two ran down to the doors by Customer Service and pulled that pallet away as well. 
    These doors were no stronger than the others were and began to buckle.  Not waiting around, Nicole and Sam hurried over to the first set of doors leading to the greenhouse area.  Here the Dead were not so thick, and upon moving the pallet away, the doors only rattled and shook.  Nicole started towards the last set of doors.  She turned when she saw Sam was not following her. 
    “Where are you going?” Nicole asked.  Sam did not look back at her. 
    “I’ve got to start setting off the bug bombs, remember.  I know this is a scary situation, but try to keep it together, okay?”  Sam said. 
    Nicole sighed and rolled her eyes.  “I’ll just get this last pallet myself, then,” she said. 
    As Sam walked away, Nicole struggled with the last pallet.  Thoughts of throwing out her back and lying on the floor unable to move filled her mind.  She imagined being a Zombie buffet while Sam scratched his head and wondered why nobody at 9-1-1 was picking up.  Nicole pulled the pallet away down a side aisle, from the door; far enough so that when they caved in the blocks would not create a bottleneck, more of the Dead that were inside meant less outside taking an interest in her.  She turned and was about to call out for Sam to hurry when the lock broke and the doors were pushed open, wide enough to let three Runners slip inside.  Others clamored in to fill the gap, but a huge walker that even in death looked to weigh four hundred pounds blocked the opening.  Nicole screamed as she saw them advance on her.  She was fast, but they were faster.  She wondered if there would be enough of her left to even become a Zombie, when she looked up and saw Sam racing down the aisle towards her on a forklift, blowing the horn, and signaling for her to get out of the way.  Nicole jumped to the side as Sam smashed into the advancing Runners.  They exploded in a spray of puss, blood, and guts as the forklift knocked them down and rolled over them.  Nicole watched in amazement as Sam cruised passed her.  On the forklift, Sam stomped the brakes and the wheels stopped but he did not.  Bodily fluids and internal organs covered the floor and clogged the tread on