A map, a key, a flashlight, and more.

Your father's trunk opens with a thud. With your brain now trying to remember the survival lessons he passed on to you, certain items jump out at you: Two high quality utility knives, one folding and the other in a small sheath - definitely needed. A taser, good for one use only but certainly may be handy, and some handcuffs that might be necessary as a follow-up. A solid, bright flashlight, including some extra batteries - thank you, Dad, for always being prepared.

Unfortunately all of the clothing - gloves, vest, belt and so on - is far too big for you or for Todd. You might be able to fit the pistol holster onto the waiststrap of your own camping rucksack, for easy access. And you should probably retain that weapon and give Todd the shotgun, considering how poor his aim is likely to be. There's some useful first aid gear, including a couple of quick application tourniquets that your brother insisted you learn how to use when he returned from Afghanistan, having seen many lives saved in roadside attacks with these simple items. You ponder how useful it will be in an environment where no medical aid will be forthcoming, but reason that it can't hurt to have them at least.

In a waterproof pouch, a couple of maps. One large scale showing the county and its neighbours, the other a very detailed trail map for the area around the sheriffs' lodge. A large bunch of keys, which you guess you'll need to bring all of.

Finally, and very importantly. Two boxes of rounds for the revolver, one short about a dozen, and a variety of around 30 shells for the shotgun - roughly half and half birdshot and buck. Not going to last forever, but a decent supply for the time being. Following your modifications, the shotgun would be almost useless for hunting, but greatly improved as a close range or ambush weapon. You hoped that the lodge would indeed have some other gear, as hunting for survival with the tools at hand would be a real challenge.

Thinking about the weapons available, your eyes light upon the keys, and a thought strikes you.

The sheriffs station... Hopefully left secure, and you probably have the key. However many other people will have had the same idea. If you could just obtain a rifle, and maybe some protective gear more suited to your sizes...

But it's a huge risk. Even if nobody has been able to get in, it's in a busier part of town with lots of stores that would tempt looters. Mind working over the dilemma, you gather up the gear and wander over to your room to pack it all into a rucksack.

Prioritising cold and wet weather clothing, and selecting your most sturdy boots, you pack a few other essentials and heft the bag. Not impossible, but there's a lot of other supplies needing carried.

Then you think about Todd. You wonder if your brother's gear would fit him? Jim had been taller, and was much more muscular, having served and continued to work with the reserves up until the virus hit. But their shoe size would be quite similar and a loose fit with proper gear is better than a perfect fit with jeans. Deciding, for the first time, to snoop in your brother's room, you trek down the hall with the pack on your back, and quietly head inside.