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I paused at the van’s sliding door to knock. Dark sheets had been affixed to the windows, so I couldn’t see inside. I raised my hand to knock and something stopped the motion. It was the smell. I had become aware of a strengthening odor, sickening with an odd tinge of sweetness to it.
I became frozen in place, indecisive. Several seconds passed. Then I realized I needed some answers. I rapped on the side of the van. No response came from inside. I knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing but that God-awful smell. In a quick move, I grabbed the door handle and rolled the door open. I was staggered by the powerful stench that suddenly engulfed me.
I backed away, looking through the sliding door. What I saw looked like something out of a nightmare from hell. The little refrigerator was resting on its side, the contents spilled out on the floor and rotting. Shards of glass from broken dishes and the little TV were scattered. Excrement was smeared on the walls and a dead woman lying on the floor stared at me with sightless eyes. I turned and sprinted away from there. I ran right through the pack of cats, scattering them in all directions. I got to my truck…