Chapter 2- Soulless Faces...

                                    

                                          
I drove watching as the scenery started to blur together. The more I drove the more desolate my surroundings became. I drove with the hope of safety that the one single radio broadcast has promised. I know the idea was farfetched, but the longer that I was alone the more I craved for companionship. It seemed as though the closer that I got to the promised area of safety the more my hope dwindles. I was in the middle of Kansas and all around me were brown cornfields. They stood tall even though they were brittle from the lack of water. Every so often I spotted a face of death wondering mindlessly through the rows and rows of drained life.
                          
I thought of how the desolate fields used to look before the virus hit. I imagined the families that owned these fields. I bet they were so proud of how green and full of corn the stocks were. Each ear of corn worth a pretty dollar. The families most likely rich in love and wealth. How funny things can change. Now these fields were meaningless, filled with decay and homes to the soulless faces.
                          
My heart sank as I realized I was surrounded by death. The once beauty that surrounds me was now the perfect picture of what the world has become. In the distance I saw a farm house. A big wooden building stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the endless rows of corn. I saw the road that lead to the house a few feet away. I slowly stopped the car in front of the turn.
                          
I put my head against the steering wheel and weighed my options. If I go to the house I can stock up on some much needed supplies. I only had two bottles of water left and one single can of beans. But what if the house didn't have any supplies? I would have wasted my precious gas. If the house was riddled with the dead I may not make it out. I only had a machete to protect me. If there were only a few I could handle myself just fine. But if there was a whole horde, I wouldn't stand a chance. I desperately needed more supplies. I guess if I just looked around it wouldn't hurt anything, and at the first signs that the house was overwhelmed I would leave.
                          
I turned right and headed down the small dirt road that lead to the large farm house. A few minutes drive and I was at the front door. It seemed run down. The windows were boarded up and the front door was missing. I glanced around, not daring to leave the safety of my vehicle until I knew it was safe. I saw an old truck parked a few feet away from me. I smiled in hope that there was some gas left in it's tank. Hopefully the truck was not diesel. I grabbed my duffel bag, machete, short garden hose and a five gallon water jug and got out of my car. I quickly went to the old truck and checked my surroundings again. I heard nothing but silence and still saw nothing but corn fields around me. I opened the hatch to the gas tank and twisted off the cover. I smelt the pungent gasoline instead of diesel. I stuck in my hose and began to siphon in attempt to get all the gas I could. 
                          
As soon as the bitter gas hit my tongue I put the hose to the jug and watched as the amber liquid poured into it. I felt a wave of relief. After a few moments, I looked back at my jug and saw that it was almost half full when it stopped moving up. Happy with what the old truck gave me I loaded the jug into the back of my car. I had a little over three fourths of a tank still left so I'll save the jug for later. 
                          
I carefully walked up to the front of the house. Noticing the scratch and bite marks on the frame of the door as I went in. I knew the dead have been in here. I saw a flight of stairs leading to the second floor to my right. I'll get to that after I look around some more. To my left I saw an arch way, I slowly peaked in and a medium sized room that had a long dinning room table in the middle. All the chairs were knocked to the ground and the table had about an inch of dust on it. I made my way silently to a door on the opposite side of the room. 
                          
I slowly opened the door and was blinded by all the sun light in the room. Once my eyes focused I saw I was in the kitchen. The once boarded up windows were now smashed through, leaving only a few boards to block the sun. I began opening and closing drawers and cabinets in hope of finding anything of use. I only found a few canned good and tucked them safely into my duffel bag. I heard a loud bang from my right and quickly turned to see what is was. There wasn't anything in the kitchen with me. I listened close, trying to ignore the sound of my blood pounding in my ears. I heard a faint scratching coming from behind from what I could guess a pantry door. I pulled out my machete and slowly started walking toward the door.