text: FRIDAY
  
  "... this was a paid announcement by the Ground Zero Corporation... "
  
  "Agh! Shut the fuck up already. What the hell did GZ buy up all the goddamn stations?!" you hear Roger shout as he angrily turns the radio off, waking you up.
  
  It would seem you're in motion again and you slept through it.
  
  "What's going on?" you ask.
  "Huh? Oh you're up. Nothing's going on, just dumb ass Ground Zero commercials warning about an impending nuclear holocaust as usual. Never mind the fact we got a very real threat that I can't seem to get any information on. Anyway I didn't sleep that much so I just started driving again. Figured you could still sleep though so I didn't bother waking you" Roger says.
  "So how long have we been on the road?"
  "More than a few hours definitely. Starting to by pass all this farmland area now, we'll probably be hitting a more populated area soon. I also started to see a few more moving vehicles, though I've also been seeing a lot of abandoned vehicles as well. Oddly no military. Saw a few people even trying to hitch a ride, but I'm not playing good Samaritan right now."
  "You see any of those things?" you ask.
  "Hrm, I thought I might've seen a few while I was driving, but from the distance I could quite tell. Wasn't like I was going to check."
  
  So far it looks like the plan is still going to Fort Timons, but if you didn't think that was a dubious idea before, you're really uncertain now. He can't get any signal from the radio, for all you know the base might be overrun by those things. Which is exactly what you bring up to Roger, but he seems confident that wouldn't be the case and he's determined to head to Fort Timons. Funny thing considering he abandoned all his comrades at the carnival and said they were all assholes. Guess he's still military at heart.
  
  He senses that you still aren't comfortable with his plan though.
  
  "Suzy, you don't need to come with me you know. I mean I can drop you off at the next town we go through." Roger says.
  "And what exactly am I going to do there? I don't have anything except the clothes on my back and with the way things are going, I can imagine I'd be resorting to taking those off a lot just to survive." You say.
  
  There's a moment of silence before Roger replies.
  
  "I'm guessing that's what you were doing with me back at the carnival. It's fine, I sort of knew that's what was going on. I knew you didn't actually like me."
  "If you knew all that, why did you risk your career and possibly your life?"
  "You're kidding right? I mean I know I'm not hideous, but you're a little out of my league. When the hell am I going to get a chance to be with someone that looks like you? I mean sure I knew it was all an act, but in MY mind I could pretend you were being genuine. Though I admit when you stopped me from kissing you and didn't want to look at my face, that sort of hurt."
  "It wasn't personal. I just don't know you that well and I wasn't ready for that level of intimacy. I was going to pretend you were my ex-boyfriend. (Sigh) I can't believe I even went that far and was going to go through with it. I mean contrary to whatever you may have heard shouted at me, I don't do stuff like that like... ever."
  "Really? Because you're pretty good at the whole seduction thing, even if you are a bit obvious with it."
  "I'm obvious with it because it's only just a new skill I developed within the last few days I joined a goddamn carnival just to get out of my goddamn shitty life at home... What the hell was I even thinking?! I'm not cut out to take care of myself! I should've just stayed home and let cannibals eat me in the comfort of my basement!" you say, tearing up a bit. The stress of the week is starting to get to you.
  
  "Whoa! You don't mean that. Things aren't totally horrible. Hey if it make you feel any better, I felt a little bad knowing that I was going to take advantage of what was obviously the act of a desperate woman." Roger says.
  
  Now you stop sniffling and start to chuckle at the absurdity of that statement.
  
  "But of course that wasn't going to stop you." You say.
  "Well no of course not, but I assure you I would've felt guilty about it."
  "No you wouldn't have."
  "Okay you're right, I wouldn't have, but I would have still gotten you out of that carnival if you had asked afterwards."
  "Well at least it wouldn't have been for nothing. (Sigh) Guess it all worked out anyway. I mean we're both still alive due to our choices and I am thankful I'm not dead and that you probably saved my life back there."
  "And I'm thankful I at least got to see you naked."
  "We'll always have the trailer I suppose."
  
  You don't exactly feel good about your situation, but Roger's attempt to lighten up the mood at least has you feeling slightly better.
  
  "So... why don't you tell me about this ex-boyfriend of yours? I'm guessing he must've been some sort of handsome stud if you're still thinking about him." Roger says.
  "Heh. Not especially. He was a normal looking guy. Not too much different from you in that department. He's just the only guy I've ever been with, so, it was more comfortable to think about him instead. Anyway it was sort of complicated with him. Long story that I don't want to get into right now."
  "I understand. Well I'll just say this, he was lucky to have you as a girlfriend and was a damn fool to let you get away."
  "Hrm... actually you know what? You're exactly right. He WAS lucky to have me and a damn fool to let me get away!" you say with a bit of pride.
  
  You know Roger is half saying this just in the hopes to get you into a compromising position again, but what the hell, it's an ego booster and it keeps you in a positive mindset at least.
  
  "Shit." Roger suddenly says.
  "What now?" you ask.
  "I just looked at the gas gauge, we're practically out. Goddamn it I thought Ernie gassed this thing up recently."
  "We can't make it to Timons?"
  "Well we could risk it on fumes to Fort Timons, but I'd rather not chance that during these circumstances. I don't even have a rubber hose that we could use to suck out the gas from one these abandoned vehicles we've been passing."
  "Well I guess we're stopping at the next gas station then."
  "Assuming they got any. I get the impression just popping into the next gas station isn't going to be that simple."
  
  You and Roger continue to drive for about a half hour before you see something of interest in the distance. Namely a truck stop, which apparently has been converted into a minor fortress.
  
  "Hey look at that!" you point out.
  "I see it. It's a truck stop and it looks like whoever is there is trying to block the place off by putting trucks around it. They even got people standing on top of the trucks with rifles as look outs. They probably got gas." Roger says.
  "I dunno. Whoever is there probably isn't going to be too trustful of anyone, especially someone from the military. They might just try to rob us."
  "We gotta try. I mean we need gas, and given how well this place is defended, we at least know they probably got some. Who knows if we'll get lucky some place else."
  
  You and Roger drive to the truck stop, which immediately causes the lookouts to point and raise their rifles in your direction. When you stop in front of it there are a lot of shouts for you to stay in the truck.
  
  "We don't need any government assistance here, we're doing just fine as you can see. I highly suggest that y'all just continue on your way." One of them shouts.
  "I'm not here for trouble. I just need some gas. We get that and we'll be on our way to Fort Timons." Roger shouts back.
  "Gas? Don't fucking think so soldier boy. With the way society is collapsing that shit's gonna be valuable and money is gonna be worthless."
  "Well, would you accept a trade of supplies for gas?"
  "Hrmmm, well whatta you got?"
  "Got some military rations in the back of this thing. Those things last for years you know."
  "We got tons of food, what else? Any weapons?"
  "Uh... there might be a couple... oh we got some medical supplies in here!"
  
  There is a long pause and he tells you to wait before climbing down the truck and disappearing from sight. Eventually you hear his voice again which is now coming from behind the truck barricade.
  
  "Okay, we're gonna move this truck, but one funny thing happens and you're the first one getting a bullet to the head. Alright, we're letting this one in, everyone keep extra look out for those rabid bastards!"
  
  "You still think this is a good idea?" you ask.
  "Well it's like I said, our options for gas are limited." Roger answers.
  
  As soon as the truck is moved out your way, the man who was barking orders at you waves you in and motions you over to the gas pumps. As soon as you drive in they put the truck back. Either they're really safety conscience or they don't want to risk having you get away.
  
  From this distance you see several more people in the building part of the truck stop. Looks like it's a general store/diner combo. Most of them are watching you from the windows, though a few of them come out, one of them is an older man with a cane who walks directly to the pumps.
  
  "Okay, I want the two you in that truck to exit it slowly. I don't care if you got weapons, but don't point them at me or anyone else in a threatening manner." The old man shouts.
  
  Roger takes his rifle over his shoulder and exits the truck. You do like wise, though being unarmed you exit from Roger's side just so you don't feel quite as vulnerable. Naturally rifles are pointed at the pair of you, but the old man with the cane shouts telling them to calm down.
  
  "You lot, stop pointing your guns and start unloading this truck. Sorry about that, everyone's a little on edge. Name's Henry. I own this place." He says.
  "Roger and it's understandable."
  "Well, a military man eh? Thought all the National Guard were off fighting those rabid things in the city. From what I've heard the place is completely overrun now."
  "The city? You mean Security is overrun?" you ask.
  "Yep. Heard it on the radio. Not the regular one of course. Those GZ bastards seem to be clogging those up, but on my Ham Radio. Been trying to communicate with Fort Timons, but my radio isn't exactly in the best condition... "
  "Hold on! You've been in communication with Fort Timons?!" Roger exclaims.
  "Well, somewhat. More like my old buddy I served with back in the day who still works there as an inventory clerk. Haven't heard anything from him since yesterday. All I know is the last thing he told me was the fort was on high alert and further communication was going to be limited to a need to know basis and only to those with the proper clearance. Typical military bullshit I suppose, well I don't need to tell you."
  "Uh, we were on our way to Fort Timons. Do you think it's safe?" You say.
  "Heh, well I couldn't tell you if the fort is safe, but I can tell you that those rabid fuckers have been making their way out of the city en mass and given how far the city is, they apparently don't get tired and can cover a lot of ground. We just repelled a bunch of them yesterday. Hence the make shift fortress here. Fort Timons is even closer to the city, so at best I'd wager that you're going to have to wade through a bunch of those things before getting there. Not something I'd want to do to be sure." Henry remarks.
  "Shit, those things are in the city and they were in my town! This means this can't just be a local thing! It's probably a nationwide epidemic! We can't go to Fort Timons now!" you exclaim.
  "We don't know if the place has fallen to those things." Roger replies.
  "Exactly! We don't know!" you say.
  
  At this point Henry interjects.
  
  "If I may, the both of you can stay here. We've got the room and your truck full of supplies as far as I'm concerned buys your way in. And I'm sure as a military man, you'd pull your weight here to defend this place if need be. So you and your girlfriend can stay here if you wish." Henry says and then walks over to oversee his people unloading the truck.
  
  It's an incredibly tempting offer and one you'd jump at the chance for, but Roger still seems sure that Fort Timons will better in the long run. You wonder if he feels a little obligated to go back to Fort Timons because deep down he feels like he abandoned his post even if hasn't admitted it.
  
  The only downside is if Roger doesn't stick around and you do, you'll be left in the company of a bunch of strangers again and that didn't go so well last time. You can only imagine all the leers, grope attempts and possibly worse from a bunch of horny trucker types.
  > continue to Fort Timons
  While you probably could talk Roger into staying if you turned on the charm again, you've done enough of that for quite some time and honestly he might be right as far as safety is concerned.
  
  Despite the best efforts of the people here, this truck stop is still open enough that those things could get in. (Crawl under the trucks for one thing) Also while the owner seems cool, you don't know everyone else and the last time you encountered a cool owner was the carnival and you know how that turned out. You also imagine that a military base might indeed survive an extended siege a lot better than this place.
  
  "Suzy, I still think going to Timons is a better idea than staying here. I'm going, so if you want to stay... " Roger says before you interrupt him.
  "No, I'll go with you."
  "But I thought you thought it was a bad idea."
  "Well, I still sort of do, but I guess if this is a major crisis and the end of civilization, I'd rather be with you. So if you believe we'll be safe there, then I believe we'll be safe there."
  
  Roger smiles at that remark. He immediately goes to hug you, which you weren't quite expecting, but you hug back. You suppose you are getting attached to him. Just a sucker for men who save your life you guess.
  
  After this happy experience Roger goes over to gas up the truck and you wait nearby. You don't even notice Henry come up to you.
  
  "So you two decide on what to do yet?"
  "Huh? Oh, yeah we're going to try to make it to Timons."
  "Hm. Well I wish you luck on that. Too bad you're not staying though, could use a few more people to guard this place and help out around here."
  "Yeah, well I wish we were staying too, but well he wants to go to Fort Timons so that means we're both going."
  "Heh, well love for another always has a way of making you act out of character."
  "Y... eah something like that I guess." You say reluctantly. Henry still hasn't caught on that you aren't really "with" Roger, but you don't bother correcting him.
  "Don't worry, you got this big truck, so you should be safe as long as you don't get out of the thing or stop for a long period of time to let those things swarm you. And despite my doom and gloom earlier, don't take that as truth. I mean what do I know. I'm stuck here with a Ham Radio that I can barely get to work right at the best of times. Things might not be as bad as they seem. Who knows? Maybe this will all be over in a day or two."
  "Heh, one can only hope." You say.
  "Remember though, if Timons doesn't work out, you're welcome to come back here."
  "Thanks Henry that's very generous of you."
  
  After your short talk with Henry, Roger is ready to get going again and you've got the fuel to get to your destination.
  
  "We left you those MREs and the water. No need to leave you without the basics. Anyway, like I told your pretty girlfriend here, I wish you luck and if it doesn't work out, you're welcome to come back here." Henry tells Roger
  "Thank you and we'll keep that in mind." Roger replies and drives off towards the "truck gate" which is now opening up.
  
  And with that you're on the road again.
  
  "Hey I just want you to know, I'm really glad you're coming with me. I mean I know you didn't want to and... look I think you know I really like you and it's not just because you flirted with me and I saw you naked and all that. I really enjoy your company. Probably not the best time to be addressing all this shit, but I think its better I just tell you where I stand right now. Especially with everything that's going on. Anyway that's all I want to say and I'll drop the subject." Roger says.
  
  You're having a déjà vu moment like when Klepto admitted all his feelings for you, though with Roger it feels a little different. You get a little more sincerity with him. Klepto was always a little too sycophantic as far you were concerned.
  
  Hell, maybe you didn't just decide to go off with Roger out of survival. Here or even back at the carnival. Maybe somewhere you did have an attraction to him and you just denied it for some reason. It's that damn "good girl" trait you never shook off from your mother drilling it into your head when you were growing up.
  
  "I... I like and feel close to you too Roger." You say and smile back at Roger.
  
  With this acknowledgement of your feelings for each other, a good period of your drive is in silence, but not an awkward silence, a comfortable one.
  
  The silence isn't just going on in the truck, it's also going on outside or least relatively speaking. Despite what Henry said, so far you haven't encountered any hordes of those rabid things and you're driving through suburbs by this point. You also haven't seen many people walking about, but you assume most people are taking shelter somewhere.
  
  Happily the streets aren't clogged with abandoned vehicles. That was one thing that Roger was more worried about. A line of vehicles is a little harder to drive over even with a big truck.
  
  Night comes and the rabid are a little bit more active though nothing that can't be handled. Most of the time Roger just drives past them and they give chase for a while, but sometimes he runs them over.
  
  "Sheesh, they are getting thicker. Glad we don't actually have to go INTO Security. Pftt, Security. Now that's an ironic name for the city. Anyway we should actually get to Fort Timons around two or three in the morning." Roger says.
  "Glad to hear it. I'm getting tired, but I'm too on edge to sleep." You say.
  "Eh, go ahead and close your eyes at least. I'll try to keep the zombie smashing to a minimum."
  "They aren't zombies, I think we established that they're living right?"
  'Yeah, pretty sure they're all alive, just rabid. Or whatever is wrong with them. Dunno if they infect anyone though, don't want to ever find that out."
  "I agree." You reply and then try to take Roger's advice by closing your eyes.
  
  You don't really sleep so much as you rest and sort of drift in and out. You aren't fully awake again until Roger calls your attention to your destination which isn't far now.
  
  "Ha ha! Suzy wake up! We're here! We made it and look they even got the towers lit up! The fort still stands!" he exclaims in joy.
  "Huh, yeah. That's really... " before you can finish your groggy words Roger has stopped the truck, grabbed you and kisses you full on the lips. You're too tired to resist, though you wouldn't have bother anyway.
  
  "Well was it everything you expected?" you ask after he's done.
  "Even better!" Roger says and then tries to kiss you again.
  "Whoa, hold on there, let's save the victory kissing until AFTER we get in this place. I mean how do we even know they'll let us in?"
  "Oh we'll get in, I know we will." Roger says and starts up the truck again.
  
  You get within range and suddenly spotlights move in your direction and a loud speaker calls out for you slow your speed to a crawl and to stop at the gates and to prepare to be inspected. Roger complies and soon you're sitting before the gates of Fort Timons.
  
  You can imagine snipers from the towers are pointing their weapons on you and when the gates open a whole damn squad of soldiers comes out. A young man with glasses comes up to the driver's side.
  
  "Riley? Is that you? Holy shit, we thought your squad was dead."
  "It's me Keller and I'm the only survivor. You'll never believe what the hell happened."
  
  "Riley?" you think, but then you realize that must be his last name. In fact it's right on his shirt. Funny how you never noticed before. Never noticed he was a corporal either.
  
  "Well there's been a lot going on here too, so probably won't be too surprised. Anyway Captain Higgins will want to see you. Uh, he's in charge now." Keller says.
  "Shit, I guess a lot has changed."
  "Yeah, who's this in your passenger side?"
  "This is Suzy. She actually saved my life out there. Don't worry she's not bit or infected or anything."
  "Guess you never had to suffer it first hand, but if you're referring to those rabid, they don't infect you if they bite. One good thing about all this I suppose. Saved your life eh? How'd that happen?"
  "Oh I got something surprised when I first encountered one of those things and it was on top of me snarling and growling. Suzy here got a knife and stabbed it in the face. Just enough for me to put it down permanently with a few rounds to its head and body."
  "I'm also his girlfriend!" you add, hoping that by having a closer tie to Roger that they'll let you in.
  "Girlfriend? Hrm. I guess stressful situations really do cause close bonds. Well under normal circumstances we wouldn't let a civvie in that isn't blood related or your spouse, but I guess we can make an exception. All right come on in. Don't want to risk having this gate open any longer than it needs to be."
  
  As you drive in you at last feel safer than you have been in a long while. Roger and you both exit the vehicle and Roger tells you that some people will probably take you to the barracks or some place with a bed. He says he'll meet up with you later as he has to go report in.
  
  "Okay, I'll see you then." You say and you move in to kiss him goodbye.
  
  Well if you weren't his girlfriend before, you certainly cemented it now.
  
  You are escorted to a barracks area just as Roger said you would be, but it's mostly empty. The two soldiers that escort you mention that most of people stationed here never came back after being sent to the city, so there's a lot of room now. They don't say much else and soon leave you to your own devices.
  
  And for the first time in a long time during this hellish week, you're alone. It's almost a bit scary, but in a way you've missed it. You're too tired though to really appreciate it and you collapse on one of the beds and start to drift off... 
  > The next day... 
  SATURDAY
  
  You wake up to a body grinding up against you, an arm holding you tightly around your mid-section and warm breath blowing in your ear in between the kissing.
  
  Not exactly what you expected, but it beats those Ground Zero advertisements.
  
  "Wha the... Roger that better be you." You say.
  "Of course its me. Who else would it be? Bobby?" Roger answers.
  "Well I couldn't tell, your erection pressing into me feels to be about the same size."
  "Wow...  way to make a guy feel special." Roger says.
  "Oh don't be sensitive, I could've said it was smaller. Anyway, isn't there some sort of protocol against this in the barracks?" you say turning you head.
  "Pfft, protocol isn't what it used to be. If you haven't noticed there isn't even anyone using this one, except you and barring an assault on this place, the captain was good enough to give me a day to rest up before going back on duty full time. Higgins always was cool about things, glad he's in charge now."
  "Hmm, so what's going on?" you ask.
  "Nothing important, just holding out until we re-establish contact with the government I guess. Higgins might be cool about certain things, but he said he really couldn't give out any more information other than the infected humans are not going to be a threat to us as long as we stay in the base. All the units that were sent out into the city were long since asked to pull back here though obviously not a lot made it back and there has been no contact with any of the units sent to your town."
  "Shit." You say.
  "Yeah, guess we both got really lucky. I spoke with some of the guys and a lot are still shaken up about stuff that went down in the city. It's times like this that make you really glad to be alive."
  "Yeah, I guess we are survivors." You say and for a moment you lie with Roger finally feeling totally safe from the horrors that are occurring outside right now. You haven't felt this way since you left your basement.
  
  Your moment is then broken by Roger resuming his groping and kissing on you.
  
  "Mmm, you smell so good right now... " Roger says.
  "Smell good? I haven't had a proper shower in days! Nevermind the fact I've been running and sweating in the same clothes. I'm disgusting, I'd ask how you're even getting turned on by me right now, but I probably do smell like roses compared to you." You say.
  "Well, come on let's go use the shower together."
  "... NOW? I mean those things are open, what if someone walks in on us?"
  "Nobody will. I told you, there isn't even anyone here in this area. Besides we can make it quick."
  "Quick. Just what every girl wants to hear... (snort) don't you think this is all a little presumptuous of you anyway? I said I liked and felt close to you, when did I say I was going to fuck you?"
  "When I helped you escape." Roger says continuing to kiss on you.
  "Oh, that's low... " you chuckle. "So is this more about me owing you something? Is that the way you want it?"
  "Hey, I'll take it."
  "Fuck it, I was tired of playing hard to get anyway. It's been several days since I've even managed to pleasure myself so I'm about due. Come on let's go hit the showers." You say and get off the bed.
  
  You and Roger go to the nearby shower room. The pair of you are stripping your clothes off on your way there. By the time you've turned on the water, the both of you are naked.
  
  You enjoy both the force of the cleansing water hitting the front of your body as well as the force of Roger hitting your girl parts from the back. One of his hands starts to grope your breasts while his other remains gripped at your side.
  
  Every thrust feels like a great release from the stress you've endured this week. You scream out in ecstasy for more and you don't give a shit how loud you are and who might hear you. You just hope Roger's got that military stamina to go the distance.
  
  You don't know how much time passes because you're enjoying yourself so much and then you feel it.
  
  "Oh my God! I'm almost there! Keep doing that! Harder! Faster! Oh yessss... " you exclaim and then the explosion.
  
  Namely the nuclear bomb that explodes over the base.
  
  Whether this seemingly insignificant military base was a legitimate target or a misalignment from hitting the city of Security (Which probably still got hit too) is irrelevant.
  
  Who launched the nuke is irrelevant.
  
  Why it was launched is irrelevant.
  
  What is relevant is that you, Roger and many others with the large radius of this blast are instantly vaporized.
  
  At least you went out with a bang.