(39) When all else is lost the future still remains

“Come on Race, we’ve got shopping to do.”

Race looked at Shan, then Addie, then Shan again. “We’re not leaving her here by herself are we?”

“Why not, I’m quite capable of taking care of myself? Vampire here, Race, an old one, and if you’re worried because I’m female, don’t be.”

“But…” One scathing look from Addie and Race shut up, turning to Shan. “They have a WalMart somewhere around here?”

Shan burst into laughter. “Not quite, but there’s a small shop we used to use in emergencies. Well stocked with local fare and a few basic necessities of life. You ready?”

A few seconds later they were standing in a narrow alley between several small stone buildings. “We’re definitely not in New Orleans any more,” Race muttered.

“Or in Kansas,” Shan replied, chuckling as he opened the wooden door in front of them.

As soon as they were inside, a portly middle-aged man greeted Shan with a wide smile, rattling off something in what Race could only presume was the native language. Shan responded in kind, accepting a hug before apparently telling the man what they needed. Then Shan handed Race a basket, picked one up himself, and with the man’s assistance they were soon full of tins, plus dried meats, fish and fruits. Shan stopped at one shelf, taking down two cases of bottled water to add to their purchases. Race saw a shelf of soaps, toothbrushes and toothpaste and added some to his basket. Satisfied they had what they needed for the time being, Shan paid the man and then started setting the bags and cases of water outside the shop in the alley. After bidding the man good-bye and closing the shop door behind them, Shan piled Race’s arms high with bags, grabbed the rest, plus the handles on the cases of water, and moments later they were back at the Compound.

Addie greeted them with a smile and led the way to one of the rooms along the hall. It was apparent when the men stepped inside that she’d been busy while they were gone. It had been cleaned up and a table with three mismatched chairs stood in the center. There were shelves along one wall that they proceeded to fill with their purchases.

Race suddenly realized that the light in the room came from candles stuck in several holders instead from Shan’s magic. “Very romantic,” he commented with a laugh. “Now all we need is a good wine to go with this.”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t find any down here. Maybe we should send Shan back for some.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Shan told her. “I’m exhausted and you two should be as well. We have a lot to do tomorrow to make this place a bit more habitable, so I suggest we get some sleep.”

“I did find some sheets and blankets in one of the storerooms, no mattresses though, but the workout pads in the practice room should do us. As for a bathroom, with no running water I guess we’ll have to suffer.”

“That’s one of the things Race and I will deal with tomorrow afternoon, when we get up. Now we eat. Addie, are you okay for the time being?”

“I’m good for another couple of days. You eat; I’ll finish with our high-class sleeping arrangements.”