"Ok. Um, we should round up some sleeping bags, right?" Tina said, looking at each of her companions in turn. "There are a bunch in the next aisle over, I think." She added, voice slightly stronger, surer, than her first utterance.

"Yeah, I'll go grab a bunch," Finn said, nodding at Sam, silently asking him to come along – more hands and whatnot. "We'll be back in a sec."

"I think I saw a hot plate down here somewhere, did anyone find anything we can scratch together into a semi-decent meal?" Quinn walked a few feet from the group towards where she thought the hot plates had been. Puck crossed the gap, carrying a basket full of various grocery items in each hand.

"Yeah, I think I got some stuff. We can make it work." Quinn smiled and took one of the baskets before pulling a camping cooker from the shelf. It continued like this for a while, people slowly working to set up some kind of make-shift camp. When Finn and Sam came back, arms full of sleeping bags in every color, they dropped them in the opening between the aisles and spread them in a tight circle with Quinn and Puck's makeshift kitchen in the middle.

"Where're you going?" Blaine asked, seeing Kurt heading off away from the group alone.

"I want to find a radio; I want an update on how things are going." Kurt didn't need to say he was worried, he didn't need to say that he wanted to hear that everything in Lima was OK, he didn't even need to say that he was terrified that they'd never make it, or that they'd be too late. He didn't need to say it, because Blaine could read it in his face; the worry lines crossing his brow, the glimmer of fear in his eyes, the way he couldn't stop fidgeting. Blaine nodded, and followed.

"We shouldn't go off alone, even in here." Kurt didn't need the explanation. In truth he was happy to have Blaine along with him.

Meanwhile, Quinn and Puck had managed to get a decent meal going, while the others straightened out the sleeping bags and then sat together, talking and laughing. The reason behind their current situation was temporarily forgotten and they relished the time together. Impromptu songs broke out now a then, a verse or two at a time before they dissolved into laughter, or discussion, or another song.

"They seem to be getting pretty close," Rachel noted, gesturing towards Blaine and Kurt. Mercedes nodded.

"Blaine makes him happy," she shrugged, "personally I think it's about time that homeboy found someone."

And with that, the conversation was dropped, as Rachel picked up the harmony to whatever song Finn was singing.

Kurt and Blaine returned a few minutes later, radio in hand, to find Artie and Brittany passing around portions of mac'n'cheese and hot dogs. Kurt smiled to himself at the image before him. Sometimes New Directions really did feel like a big, crazy, weird family. If I have to be going through this, Kurt thought, I'm glad it's with them. Blaine looked between Kurt and his friends. The subtle smile and newly-relaxed look told him everything he needed to know; Kurt missed McKinley. Despite Karofsky, and the Journey songs, and how much he loved being a Warbler, there was no denying the connection he had with the hodgepodge of characters that made up the McKinley High glee club. Blaine scratched the back of his neck absentmindedly, wondering if it had been a good idea to tag alone, wondering if he wasn't venturing into a world where he just didn't belong.

They ate together as the laughter and joking continued. An outsider would have no idea what the group had been through, or what they were heading towards. They were, for now, happy and at ease. When they'd finished dinner Kurt turned the radio on and began scanning for the news, for any update about the virus or about Lima. For anything, really.

It took a few minutes but finally he found what he was searching for. As the radio crackled out a broadcast the clamor from the group died down; they all wanted an update.

New reports are coming in that this virus is worse than originally suspected. Those infected have been reported to attack people, attempting to bite them and…and eat their flesh. The government, though denying any and all reports of these zombie-like symptoms, are urging everyone to stay in their homes, doors and windows locked, until the situation is dealt with. The infection seems to be spread by biting, as well as any blood contact. There is no sign of the rate of infection slowing down.

In an instant the mood of the group changed. The short-lived frivolity had been replaced with a tension and fear that was palpable. No one spoke as the news report switched to some other, irrelevant story. They sat there, looking at each other, trying to find the words to say, trying to process and understand the information they'd just received. There were zombies. In Ohio.

"That's gotta be bullshit," Puck finally said. "I mean, I love me a good zombie movie, but there's no way that shit is real."

"And the government is denying it," Finn added.

"That just makes it more likely to be real," Quinn sighed.

"Have you ever heard of a government encouraging zombie rumors?" Sam asked.

"Well, whatever, I still don't buy it," Puck retorted.

"We'll see how you feel when one of them is gnawing on your leg, then, Puckerman," Santana said with a sarcastic smile.

"Guys, guys, relax," Rachel said. "We're locked inside, we're together, we'll be fine. We'll be OK." It was obvious she only half believed what she was saying.

"In the morning we can re-assess the situation," Blaine added. "I think we should get some sleep. We want to get as early a start as possible tomorrow." Kurt piped up in agreement and they all decided that it was for the best. Kurt grabbed a flashlight from the collected supplies and walked off towards the front of the store, Blaine once more following after.

"I'm gonna turn off the lights, don't want to let anyone know that we're here. Just in case." Blaine nodded and they walked off towards the entrance of the store in silence. As they walked they began hearing the soft pattering of rain on the roof of the store. The sound grew louder as they reached the front and the big display windows. It was pitch black out by now and the glass acted like a mirror, reflecting Kurt and Blaine back at the boys. The rain splashed against the glass breaking the picture here and there and Kurt turned from the windows towards the door where a row of light switches sat. Blaine reached over and took the flashlight from Kurt, flicking it on as Kurt switched off the lights.

The store was instantly plunged in darkness, save a soft glow coming from somewhere off in the back, where the New Directions had set up their lanterns and camplights.

"Everything's going to be alright, Kurt," Blaine said, taking his hand and gently leading him through the dark towards their friends. "I'm sure everything will be fine. You'll see." He was glad it was dark because the confidence in his voice was not reflected in his face. Kurt, of course, didn't need to see his face to know he was just placating, that he, too, was terrified. But he said nothing, opting instead to let Blaine lead him.

When they returned to the others most of them were in their sleeping bags, attempting to get some rest, but Puck and Mike were collecting the supplies into a few easy-to-grab bags "just in case." They said nothing as Blaine and Kurt approached, hand in hand, though each duo nodded their acknowledgement of the other.

It was nearly midnight before they were all asleep, the rain sounding loudly on the roof of the store now, it's sound magnified by the empty space below. The small camping lantern in the middle of the circle of sleeping backs was the only light anywhere around. No one slept particularly well, though they felt safe enough in the center of the store. It looked as though, for now, everything would be alright.

But looks can be deceiving.

At 4:30 Mercedes was awoken by the sound of breaking glass off in the distance. She quickly roused the others as she heard more glass breaking – a lot of it.

"Guys! Guys get up!" Another crash in the direction of the front door and they were all fully awake.

"What is it?" Tina asked

"I think –" Finn started

"It can't be," Puck added.

"It is," Blaine said, looking past them in to the darkness. There was a flash of lightening outside and the store was momentarily illuminated.

"What do we do?" Rachel asked, panicking slightly.

Another flash. In the brief moment of light Kurt was sure he saw the distinct outline of people. People who were walking straight towards them.

"We need to get out of here," he said, reaching for the pre-packed supply bags and grabbing one, slipping it on his shoulder. He headed towards the back of the store, walking slowly, trying to be as quiet as possible so as to avoid detection. The others followed suit, Mike and Puck helping Artie into his wheelchair, as they began hearing sounds coming from the darkness around them. Another flash of lightening and they realized just how close the Infected had gotten. Someone accidentally knocked into a display in the darkness, sending it crashing to the ground. That's when the Infected started to close in on them.

"RUN!" Quinn yelled, taking off down the aisle towards the exit sign in the distance. They started running, with Artie rolling his wheelchair as fast as he could, and the Infected started chasing. Finn looked back, seeing Artie falling behind. He looked further and saw the Infected getting closer. He turned back.

"C'mon, man, you're never going to be able to out run them ," and with that Finn picked Artie up out of his wheelchair and got Artie on his back, running after the rest of the group.

"Thanks," Artie said quietly, relief emanating from his very being.

Brittany was the first to reach the door and she pushed it open, running into the storm and stopping short – she had no idea where to go.

"Just….just….keep going, that way," Mercedes said, pointing in the general direction they'd been heading before. Kurt grabbed a shopping cart that had been abandoned in the parking lot and threw his pack in.

"Finn!" he called, "let's get Artie in the cart – sorry Artie – it'll be easier than trying to carry him all the way," Finn and Artie agreed and the three boys quickly worked to get Artie into the carriage before catching up with the others.

"Good idea," Artie said, "I'm so sorry Finn, thank you." Finn shrugged him off, letting him know it was no big deal, as they continued down the dark country road.

The sun wasn't up yet and there were very few lights around. The rain was still pounding down and in minutes everyone was soaked to the bone. The flashlights they each held cast very little light around them, with Artie holding the lantern at the front of the shopping cart.

"We should get indoors until the sun comes up, or at least into some sort of shelter," Santana said, looking around desperately trying to find anything in the blackness.

It was going to be a very long day.