Driving down the east coast was just awful and the stench overwhelming. I plotted a new course further inland. As I was turning around, I saw a burnt Lamborghini riddled with bullet holes and the dealership looked like a war zone. Same scenario at all the exotic car dealerships.

  “This was a bad idea, Florida sucks.” I said to Ginger and Pete who were my official co-pilots sitting on a soft carpeted platform I made for them so they can look outside from the passenger seat. It was secure and safe in case of emergency.

  The highway was boring so we took the scenic routes, stopping for supplies along the way and making upgrades to the R/V and staying at nice areas a few days and sometimes weeks at a time.

  We entered Texas in December. Ginger and Pete were getting bigger each day. I trained them to get used to gun fire. If I ever needed to use my guns in self-defense the last thing, I would need is to have them be afraid of gun fire. I started with them in the R/V with the window down a quarter way. Before I would shoot a round, I would say: “Freeze motherfucker” because this statement would be immediately followed by a gun shot and they could prepare for it. “Freeze motherfucker”! BOOM.

  All the gun stores in Texas were void of merchandise, but had plenty of pick-up trucks and bodies lying around. I would gear up in my hazmat suit and step over all the dumb asses lying on the ground. I was very careful going into these establishments for fear they were booby trapped by a wire or a dead body. I typically went through the back door since I only needed the names and addresses found in a file cabinet or on a hard drive. Ninety percent of computer user names and passwords were located on the back of keyboards and the other 10% were within arm’s reach of the workstation. The good stuff was in private homes and businesses. I would just take the computer to the R/V and do research.

  I stopped at a shopping mall on the outskirts of town for some clothes and a visit to the sporting goods store for ammo, backpacking meals and possibly a better thermal scanner. Ginger and Pete stayed close to me in a more disciplined manner every day when it was time to explore and work. This was the behavior I needed from them.

  I found some good functional clothing and cold weather gear. I also found some canine backpacks. Good design, good quality, I grabbed three sets of every size. I put the small ones on Ginger and Pete and filled them with small items. They each sniffed each other’s gear for a minute or two and went on as if nothing was different. I also found some sporting cameras; I took five and a drone. It was cheap but looked like fun. I also found a thermal scanner, a little better than the one I had.

  As we exited the mall, I was halfway outside and noticed a car that was not there when we first pulled into the parking lot. I told Ginger and Pete “Stay.” Using my thumb pointing down. They both sat next to the dolly full of gear as I walked back slowly into the mall with my AA-12 as if I forgot something. I watched the car from behind a pillar. Ginger kept turning around to look at me and wag her tail. Pete sat and looked straight ahead motionless. I ran back to the sporting goods store and grabbed some binoculars and returned to just behind the pillar.

  “Holy Shit”! I whispered as I saw small movements from the driver side of the vehicle. I ran to the opposite side of the mall and exited. I moved slowly through the parking lot and saw Ginger and Pete. Pete was still sitting and Ginger was lying on the ground sniffing her backpack. I could not see the mystery car as I approached its location from behind. Ginger spotted me and got up and wagged her tail. Pete noticed me as well. I made my way to the mystery car.

  Ginger and Pete, now acting anxious and the occupant in the car noticed as well. Female, dark hair, using binoculars scanning the area across the passenger seat. I hid so Ginger and Pete could not see me. I walked up to the driver side door as she looked through her binoculars. She was young; 19 maybe 20, thin and in need of a bath.

  “Where did you go?” I heard her whisper. Ginger and Pete gave away my position as they both stood looking in my direction.

  “Fuck Me!” she said lowering her binoculars.

  “Going shopping?” I asked quietly outside the driver side door with my gun pointed to the ground. She turned her head slowly in my direction. I smiled at her.

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  “You’re not very good at this.” I said as she looked into my eyes, then the AA-12. Her hands were shaking and face scared.

  “Hungry?” I asked. “I have plenty in the R/V.” I said as I shouldered the AA-12 and walked past the front of her car. I whistled and Ginger and Pete tore off towards me. I was a couple of yards from her car and turned to see her crying with her hands on her face. Ginger and Pete were looking for their rewards for being disciplined and patient and I told them how good they were and passed out two cookies. Ginger stopped and her nose caught the girl in the car. She started to growl followed by Pete. I knelt down and held on to both of them.

  “It’s okay, she is just a little scared, I think.” I said to them. Ginger looked at me and I patted her head. The girl got out of the car as I stood up.

  “They are so cute! Do they bite?” she asked.

  “For sure! All dogs bite. You're the first person, besides me, they have ever seen. What's your name?” I asked.

  “Jill, Jillian” she said. Her voice was like music to my ears.

  “This is Ginger and this is Pete. My name is Greg.” I said to Jillian.

  “Hello Ginger, hello Pete.” She said looking at them smiling. Hearing their names, they started to wag their tails a little and noses on full alert. They both turned towards me getting excited to investigate this curiosity.

  “No sudden movements, let them smell you, do NOT pet them. Understand?” I said with a warning.

  “Yes.” She said with a short smile.

  “Okay.” I said to them as they both approached Jillian. Inside of seven seconds it was clear, Jillian was part of the pack. I laughed and started walking back to the R/V. I whistled and Ginger and Pete ran toward me as I pushed the dolly toward the R/V. Jillian helped by handing me the items as I put them inside. Ginger and Pete sniffing her the entire time.

  “Wow, this is nice.” Jillian said looking inside the R/V.

  “Come on in.” I said as Jillian looked around the inside as Ginger and Pete each brought her toys to play with. She picked up a photo album and started leafing through the pages. “She looks about my age.” Jillian said as two tears ran down her face.

  “Help yourself.” I said as I put things away pointing towards the refrigerator. Jillian opened the refrigerator and took two bottles of water as I started to make lunch.

  “I was visiting my grandparents in New Orleans when it started. We hid in the house until the gun shots stopped. Only one-person broke in. I was hiding in the closet, they took all the water and some food and left.” Jillian said.

  “I found these two just as their mother died. You are the first person I have come across.” I said to Jillian.

  “I only saw a man, about two weeks ago.” Jillian said.

  “Really?” I said surprised.

  “He was old, about your age.” Jillian said. I just looked at her.

  “That sounds like my daughter!” I said smiling.

  “I didn’t mean it, like that, I mean…” Jillian continued her apology.

  “I know what you mean, go on.” I said smiling.

  “I was sleeping in my car. He knocked hard on my window. I got scared. He was acting really crazy; I mean fucking nuts! I started my car and he shot out the back window yelling and screaming. That smells so good! It’s been a while since I had a hot meal and a cold drink. What month is it?” Jillian asked. Her dialog was animated and entertaining to my ears, I just enjoyed listening to her.

  “December, I think.” I said.

  “Really?” Jillian said surprised. “I was thinking about going to Minneapolis, I figured I would wait till Spring.” She said.

  “Why do you want to go to Minneapolis?” I asked.

  “That’s where I’m from, I guess I was hoping… you know.” Jillian said. I looked at her for a moment.

  “When you’re done eating, please take a shower.” I said.

  “How do I know I can trust you?” Jillian asked reluctantly hoping I would not take offense. I pulled the keys from the ignition. “We’ll get you some clothes. There is enough water for two showers, feel free to use it up.” I said.

  “That bad huh?” Jillian said smiling politely.

  I pushed the dolly back into the mall and found some appropriate women’s clothing, female toiletries and a couple of laptops and a box full of CD’s and DVDs that looked useful, two-way radios and some electronic upgrades for the R/V. I also found a skid of bottled water. I used a hand truck to move the water then returned to the R/V with the dolly.

  I unlocked the R/V and Jillian was lying on her back sleeping on the couch wearing just a towel and her legs spread wide open. The only thought that came to my mind was: I’m glad I got her some razors. I covered her up with a blanket. I refilled the water tank and needed to purge the black water.

  Jillian woke up as I started the R/V. I asked about her plans. She said she did not have any, other than getting back to Minneapolis. I asked if she would like to travel with us. She would need to contribute as a resource to benefit everyone and she agreed to medical and navigation. I drove the R/V next to her car and she collected some personal items and she said “Let’s roll!”

  Ginger and Pete were upset because Jillian now occupied their positions for travel. I made some modifications that allowed them seating between us as we drove. This was acceptable for them.