Chapter 5

I was jolted awake in the morning early, just getting light, by the motor home rocking sharply. I was only startled for a moment, until I realized it would be the Mysterious Ms. Tiger returning from her morning stroll. She stuck her head down her personal roof access kitty door dangling the bleeding form of a dead kid. A goat, not a human kid. I asked her to please eat it outside, or on the roof to avoid a stinky mess, and she looked at me as if to say "I know that dummy, I was just showing you what I got!"

I felt like apologizing to her, her attitude was so clear. I think she was offering me a share as well, but while I appreciated the gesture, I had plenty of

food I could get as long as I had my trusty can openers, and it would take too long to cook anything, and she might object to me barbequeing any of her catch. I think she expected me to just eat it raw like she did. "nassty hobbitses, spoiling the nice juicy meeet!"

We were done here, and I don't think she would mind riding up top as long as I went slow. I kept it under twenty, and I think she enjoyed the breeze, keeping the scent of gas away as she enjoyed her breakfast. I didn't check, later, how much she had eaten or saved for later, I didn't think it wise to show curiosity over a tiger's prey.

Crap, I should have picked up a map, at least that way I could avoid driving into any populated areas. Formerly populated areas anyway, now they would just be heavily zombie infested areas. I saw a sign for a State Park, and pulled in. The Savage Ms. Tiger jumped down before I could get out, and put down a few zombies.

I walked into the ranger station sword in hand, and snicker-snacked two weak and scrawny looking zombies in stinky uniforms who had been trapped inside, unable to decipher the doorknob, and picked up some maps. Meanwhile, Ms. Tiger was getting a cool drink from a nearby creek. It made me think- Not only didn't I know who let the cats (and critters) out, but I didn't know if someone had let the zombies out. I meant, the brain dead.

Gotta be politically correct, dontcha know. Naw, it took a few days, there were probably lots of people wandering around for whatever reason before becoming

infected. I bet there were lots of trapped zom- er brain dead in various apartments and houses still. However, before the power went out, a lot could have exited stores and hospitals that had automatic doors.

I suppose someone running from a zombie mob might neglect to take the time to shut the doors behind them, or might open a door not realizing there were zombies on the other side. Contrary to popular fiction, zombies are quiet, no moaning or attempts

at recruitment. No infectious bites, as far as I knew, either, and they weren't dead, just brain dead. They breathe, and bleed, and eat, and shit themselves, and

probably fart and stomach rumble. They would all be dead in a few months no doubt.

Ok, I admit it, I was just trying not to get my hopes up, but there is a hidden leadership goal I had been not admitting to, hiding from myself. To find company,

specifically, female company. While you are at it, all powerful deity who just let mankind erase himself, I wouldn't mind a bit if she was nice, easy on the eyes, and got on well with the Touchy Ms. Tiger.

Ok, that was a bit unfair, but it could happen, and after all, I was Ms. Tiger's pet person, so the potential for jealousy existed. Counting my chicks

prematurely, at this point. Note to self: In the event of encountering survivors I wanted to keep, convince the Lady Tiger that she had acquired additional pets.

The Wacky Ms. Tiger has acquired another pet. We have adopted into our tribe a dog. I have to admit, he is a noble beast, reminds me of Yojimbo. Ok, now named Jimbo. I think he must have some wolf, to give him that quiet judging demeanor. Hey, maybe he could be the leader? He would make a good pack leader. He is huge, and very much dog shaped, optimal, not the varieties humans breed for.