We got ready to go out, now that it was over. I packed everything I’d need in my backpack, mostly water and of course, a pistol. I kept my knife close at hand on my belt. “She gonna be ok with this?” Ron asked, not really expecting an answer. Didn’t matter, we had to go no matter what. I looked down at her and said “She’ll be fine, better than us I think. It’s what we trained for…well, sort of.” I added quietly. We both laughed nervously. “Ron, it’s not the smell I worry about, she’s good to go with that. It’s all the other shit that scares me. We gotta try to take it slow and careful, but she moves so damn fast. No sense getting her hurt or killed, she’s ‘bout all I have left”. “Damn right. We’ll be ok.” Ron said, not sounding convinced. I changed my mind and gave Ron the pistol. “You take this. If we need it I’ll be busy protecting my girl and I’ll need both hands to do it. You shoot, but be careful of her.” They were waiting so we headed out.
The chief was standing with them looking way too crazy.