We were pulled over at a rest stop because Logan, Liam, and Jack needed to use the restrooms. A drive that would normally take about an hour was now three hours, which was frustrating. But it felt nice that we could stretch after endless hours of being in the car. Things had seemingly died down a bit, the aftermath of the city being bombed was causing people to flee elsewhere. At the moment, Clark, Scarlett, Jeremiah, and I were standing around my car looking at the map. Jeremiah had offered to watch over the kids while Jamie and Penelope got time to use the bathrooms themselves. The rest stop was practically empty, hopefully, there weren't any 'Infected' inside that rest stop while we were there. Chances are there could be but we'll deal with that later, Clark had stocked up on some weapons to use against the 'Infected' which everyone was going to learn to use sooner or later. Iris and Piper were sitting in the car, it seemed that the two girls got along very well which was a good thing. A warm smile came to my face as we heard giggling from inside the car, Iris was making Piper laugh with her jokes and funny facial expressions.
"I think it's great that those two are getting along," Clark said, briefly looking up at the girls.
"Yeah, it is." Jeremiah smiled at his daughter's smiling face. The smile started to fade and I could see from the look in his eyes that he was scared for his children's safety. "I just can't shake off this feeling, guys. What if we're not doing the right thing by bringing the kids along on this journey? It's a harsh new world out there, and I fear for their safety." Jeremiah said, he looked away from his daughter and to the three of us. Clark placed a reassuring hand on Jeremiah's shoulder, "Jeremiah, we've been through way worse trying to get out of the city. We can't let fear hold us back now." Clark tried to reassure him, but I could tell it was going to take a lot more than this to calm his fears. "Jeremiah, we have a place to go. There's security, resources, and a strong community waiting for us at that refugee camp. I promise you, we will be safe there." Scarlett said, "You can't promise that, Scar. Who knows what that camp is like? We could end up in some weird kind of labor system, working for rations and things like that." I argued, making Clark sigh.
Jeremiah seemed to agree with me, "She's right. Who is to say that we won't get separated from one another in that camp? And what about the dangers along the way? What if we can't protect them from the threats we might face on the way there?"
"Jeremiah, we've got each other's backs. Nobody in this group is going to be separated from each other, we will fight if we have to. We have to have faith in each other." Clark assured.
Jeremiah sighed heavily, "I know, but it's just so hard to imagine bringing my children and Penelope into this uncertain future."
"Jeremiah, the world has changed, but that doesn't mean we can't build a future for ourselves. Those kids are strong, and Penelope is resourceful. We'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe." Clark emphasized.
Jeremiah nodded thoughtfully, "You're right. I just have to trust that we can make it through this."
Jeremiah thought for a moment and looked at his daughter, smiling to himself. "Alright then, let's focus on the journey. What do we need to do to get to this campsite safely?" Jeremiah asked, "That's the spirit, Jeremiah. First, we need to make sure we have enough supplies for the journey. Water, food, and basic medical supplies are essential." Clark seemed relieved that Jeremiah was no longer doubting everything, "We'll also need to plan our route carefully, avoiding any potential danger zones and sticking together at all times." Blake added. Clark turned our attention to the map, we had been keeping track of where we had to follow the highway. Knowing that there were roadblocks elsewhere, we needed to pick the safest route possible. "I've already scouted out a few potential safe paths for us to take. We'll stay off the main roads and stick to the wilderness where we have a better chance of avoiding any hostile groups--" Scarlett was cut off when the car door opened and out stepped Iris, who seemed very concerned about something. "What's wrong, Iris?" Clark asked, noticing her facial expression. "Why is my mom taking so long in the bathroom? She never takes this long. Did something happen to her?" Iris asked, I could see tears welling in her eyes. "No, sweetheart. No, don't think like that." Clark went over to her and bent down in front of her, "She's fine. I'm sure she is on her way out now." Clark looked back at Scarlett and I, "What if she got lost in there? It is a pretty big rest stop." Jeremiah suggested, "I'll go look."
"Be careful," Scarlett said.
"Take this and this." Clark handed me a knife and flashlight, "Thanks."
I quickly walked into the building which seemed so desolate and quiet. It freaked me out on a new level, there was no way this place could be abandoned. I couldn't shake the feeling that something lurked just beyond my line of sight. The absence of human presence intensified my fear, for it defied reason that such a place could be deserted. At the very least, I thought people would be hiding here, or at least that this place would be raided. Instead, the place looked somewhat trashed, as if people had left here in a hurry after getting word about what started in the city. Goosebumps prickled my skin as I pressed on, driven by a mix of curiosity and trepidation. I shook away my fear, took a deep breath, and headed over to the bathroom. I walked past a trashed Burger King area on my way there, stopping at the entrance where I overheard Penelope and Jamie talking. I let out a quiet sigh of relief as they were safe, they were just talking with one another. "Jamie, I just can't shake this feeling of fear and panic. Everything seems so uncertain and dangerous. I'm terrified for the safety of our children and even for those teens when I hardly know them. These kids already seem like they have been through enough." Penelope said, "I understand, Penelope. It's a scary time, but we have to trust that we'll get through this. We've made it this far, haven't we?" Jamie tried to reassure her, it was just like Jeremiah. "Yes, we have but this feels different. The world has changed so much, and I don't know if I can keep my family safe. I don't have the skills or the strength to kill another person or even an 'Infected' if they were to come threaten us." Penelope argued, "We'll find a way. We're a team now, and we'll do whatever it takes to protect our team." Jamie said.
"But what if something happens? What if we can't keep them safe?"
"We'll take each day as it comes and do our best. We can't control everything, but we can control how we respond. We'll stick together and be there for each other. We'll find a way to keep our family safe."
"I hope you're right. I'm just so scared."
"I know, I'm scared too. But we'll face this together. We're stronger than we think, and we'll get through this, no matter what. I promise."
"Thanks, Jamie."
"It's no problem." At that moment, my smile faded as I thought of my mom and family. I hoped they were safe. I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear Jamie and Penelope coming out of the stalls. "Blake, is something wrong?" Jamie asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "No, Iris was getting worried 'cause you were taking a while in here. I came to make sure that you two were alright." I answered. "Oh Iris," Jamie sighed, "Come on, let's go back to the car." I escorted Jamie and Penelope out of the bathroom but as we were walking toward the exit, I got this eerie feeling that we were being watched. Something tells me that we're going to have to watch our backs while out on the road.
"Mom!" Iris ran over to Jamie as soon as we got to the car. By the time we got back, Logan, Liam, and Jack were all back at the cars. I hadn't seen them inside so it was a relief to see them safe. "Hi, Iris." Jamie greeted as Penelope went over to her husband, he pulled her into a hug and kissed her temple. "Mom, I was worried. What took you so long?" Iris asked, hugging her mom tightly. Jamie consoled her daughter as I turned my attention back to the map. "We still have a while to go, the next town we pass is Clinton Township," I said, "Then let's get going." Clark said, he grabbed the map and headed over to his car with Jamie and Iris in tow. "Wait, is there anything in that rest stop that could be useful to us?" Jeremiah asked, "Not that I could see. Everything is mostly trashed, people must have panicked after seeing the news and then hearing about the bombing." I started, opening the driver's side. "That explains that huge pile-up not too far up the road from here," Logan stated, "Alright."
"Hey, you guys have both been driving for a while. Let me drive." Logan offered, "You have a license?" Scarlett asked, looking skeptical. "Yes, I got my driver's license earlier this year," Logan said, "Don't worry, he's a good driver. We haven't been in one accident since he got his license." Liam vouched for his brother, Scarlett and I looked at one another for a while silently communicating with one another.
"Are you sure about this?"
"He won't kill us. I trust him enough."
"Alright then,"
I turned to Logan and smiled at him, "You just got lucky. Don't crash the car." I got in the passenger's seat while Scarlett got in the back with Liam, once Logan was in and we were all buckled up, he started the car and drove out of the parking lot at a good speed, Clark and Jeremiah following us in their cars.