"I think it was--" Lydia started to reply, shifting Peter to hold him properly. But then they heard the squealing of tires and she and Brandon whipped around to see...
"My car!" Brandon screamed angrily.
"All of our stuff was in there!" Lydia added with a distressed note in her voice. "Our bows, our knives. If this is a zombie apocalypse we're going to need those things."
Brandon shook his head, feeling frustrated beyond words. Finally he said, "We'll just have to hoof it to the base, see if we can't catch a ride along the way."
So they started walking with Brandon leading the way, Lydia at his side. At least Brandon still had his gun, which he put on safety and tucked in his breeches, having no holster for it at the moment. "If we're lucky whoever took the car will be going to the base too," Lydia said, trying to remain optimistic. "Then we can get our stuff back."
Brandon grunted in reply.
"Well I'll try to call my parents," Lydia went on. "See if they can come get us before they reach the base." So she pulled her cellphone out of the pouch attached to her belt and pulled out her cellphone. She dialed her parents' cell phone and got... nothing. She tried again and again and again for about five minutes. Finally she angrily hit end and sighed, "No signal. I guess we really are hoofing it."
After a bit more walking they heard a crash and Brandon and Lydia looked at each other.
"I bet that asshole wrecked my car," he spat.
"It seems like a good day for wrecks," Lydia agreed. "You three stay together. I'll go check it out and be back in a bit." Brandon was going to argue but Lydia pulled a knife out of her boot and said, "I have some protection, and I know how to defend myself. Either I'll get the car back or I'll get our stuff at least."
Brandon nodded, a bit begrudgingly. To Francis, Brandon said, "Stay on alert. You too, Lydia."
Lydia nodded then took off at a jog. She searched the passing streets until she found what she was looking for and then headed down to see Brandon's car, parked in front of a house, rammed in front by a truck. The front was completely destroyed and the truck was in bad condition too. Lydia jogged over and checked both the drivers. The guy who stole Brandon's car was dead from the impact, the truck driver... well, he hadn't been wearing his seat belt.
Going back to the driver's side of the car Lydia tried to pry the door open, but it was stuck, so she opened the back door and crawled in. Reaching up front she turned the keys, but the engine was dead. "Damn," she curse. "Oh well. Least we can get our stuff." She took the keys from the ignition, climbed out of the car, and went around to the trunk. It opened easily and she was able to retrieve all of hers and Brandon's stuff--both sets of bows and quivers full of arrows, two knives and some throwing knives, and the spare ammo Brandon kept for his handgun. With everything in hand, slung over her back, or in her pockets she head back to her little group.
