Mina was crouched behind the counter, searching through little bottles and boxes. Cascading red curls fell about her face as her icy blue eyes scoured the shelves.

“Where in ruttin’ heck are ya?… Ah!” She reached into the back and retrieved a small bottle of pills. She picked up a pen and clicked the end of it against her chest. She handed the bottle across the counter to a young man as she ticked his name off in a big book.

“Okay, darlin’. Be seein’ you.”

The young man smiled and nodded a ‘thank you’ before leaving. She dusted off her short green dress, which fell about half way down her long, slender legs. Her calf-high boots scuffed as she walked around the shelves that separated the counter from where her boss done his business.

“Darryl, I’m goin’ out!” she said, swinging on her knee length brown coat. “Won’t be but a half hour.” She hopped over the counter then rushed around to the general store, also located in the Trading Station.

“Eleonora!”

“Wuh de tyen, ah!” She turned around, startled. “You scared me!” She appeared the same age as Mina, which was mid-twenties, and had long straight, brown hair. “Time for lunch already?”

“Yuh-huh!”

Eleonora buttoned up her fitted black jacket, flicking her hair out from under the collar. She called back to someone in the store as she left, “Be back ‘for you know it!”

The two linked arms and started for the main doors of the Trading Station.

“So, how’s things down your way this mornin’?” Mina asked as they reached the entrance.

“Oh, you-” she began but was interrupted by a man’s scream, one that burns your blood with fear.

“-REAVERS!?”

The town broke out into hysteria. Children were grabbed and rushed to safety. Doors were barricaded and people took up arms inside their homes-then prayed they wouldn’t have to use them. The two women turned around, only to be met with a slammed door.

Mina banged against it, “Gorram it!” She quietened a second, then grabbed Eleonora’s hand and ran to one side of the building.

“Where are we going?!” She stam