The whole trip to Atlanta we had the radio on in case anyone else was there. We're almost there and no one has responded. That means we won't know where the camp is located. Having to go through the whole city and woods isn't ideal. Just thinking about it made me run a hand through my short, black, curly hair.
This side of the interstate was completely empty. No cars were going into the city. Can't say the same for the other side. Its packed full of cars. Some wrecked, others on the side of the road, and some just sitting there.
Everyone was trying to leave the city and go to see the military for safety when they showed up.
They never did, from what I heard.
I glance down at my feet, letting out a breath. When I look back up at the road I see something small ahead of us.
"What is that?" I ask aloud.
Noah looks up, "What is what?"
"That," I point to the spot.
Noah reaches down into the bag at his feet and pulls out binoculars.
Is it a person? Why are they walking? Is it someone on a bike? A walker?
Noah looked ahead through the binoculars at whatever was up ahead.
"Can you tell what it is?" I ask as he lowered them from his eyes.
"Yeah. It's a person. On a horse."
"Someone on a horse? Are you sure?"
"I'm definitely sure."
I push down harder on the gas, speeding us up a little.
The figure got clearer until I was able to see a woman on the back of a brown horse. She looked over her shoulder back at us.
She pulled her horse to a stop and turned back around so I can get a better look at her.
She has honey colored hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had a backpack on and had saddlebags on her horse.
I pull up beside her, park, and roll down the window on Noah's side.
"You need a ride?" I ask.
"Where are you heading?" she replies.
"Atlanta. And you?"
"Same here." She lowered herself off her horse.
"You leaving the horse?" I joke.
"Yeah. She'll be fine and I probably won't need her again."
"You can get in the back behind Noah and we will talk on the way."
The woman grabs the saddlebag and put it in the backseat along with her backpack. She turned back to the horse and patted it's back, telling it to get going.
"What's your name?" I ask as she got in.
"Adira Johanson. And you?"
"My name is Nico Abernathy. This is Noah Berkinley. What are you going to Atlanta for?"
"The cure. What about you two?"
I stopped myself from laughing at her answer. A cure? "There's a group of survivors. Both Noah and I have family and friends who went there. We're hoping to find them. My wife and son, and his mom, sister, and cousin."
"Are you two related?" asked Adira.
"No," Noah answered, "we actually met earlier today." He explained what happened to Adira.
"Sounds like quite a day then, but now we're here together. We'll find those other survivors along with your friends and family. Then the scientists can make the cure."
"Is there a reason you what the cure so bad?" I glance back at her.
"Just someone I knew. I don't want to go into detail."
"That's alright. I understand and I'm not doing to push you into telling us."
I was about to ask her another question when static and a voice spoke over the radio.
"Hello? If there are any survivors there, please respond. If you are coming into Atlanta, do not go into town. That place is full of those freaks. If anyone hears this, please respond."
I hurry to grab the radio and answer, "Copy that. We are about to enter Atlanta. There's three of us in a cop car coming from up North."
"Have you passed under the bridge right in front of the city?" the voice asked.
"Not yet, but we're about to be there."
"Do not pass it. There is a dirt road leading through the woods before you go under. Do you see it?"
"Yes."
"Turn there. Keep going until you reach a river with a gravel parking area. There will be other vehicles and we will be there and take you into our camp."
"Got it. We'll see you there. Thank you."
I drove us down the dirt road and into the woods. I look back at Adira and she said, "This is great. We know they're out here and they can help us. You're wife and son may be there, Nico. And Noah's mom and sister."
A smiled at that. The thought of seeing Thea and Wyatt again.
"Here's the river and the other cars they were talking about," I announce as I pull us into the gravel parking lot. I get out of the car, followed by Noah and Adira.
A man carrying a metal staff and with knives on his belt walked into view. He smiled and looked back saying, "They're here! The three others are here!" He has an accent, but I'm not sure what kind.
Three more people walked out and stopped by the man with the accent. Two men one woman.
"You made it," says the woman, "get your things and we will take you to our camp."