The abrupt assault sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins as Lysandra was forcibly pulled away by unknown force.
She gasped, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled against the unseen assailant.
Fear clenched her stomach as panic surged within her. Her instinct screamed for her to break free, but the relentless force dragging her deeper into the dark left her feeling utterly helpless.
"Stop struggling and screaming, girl!" the assailant hissed, his voice laced with a menacing edge that sent shivers down her spine. "Are you out of your mind? Do you want us to get caught?" He tightened his grip on her arms as he dragged her further.
Quietly, she complied, allowing him to lead her further into the darkness without protest. She reasoned with relief that if this man had malicious intentions, he would have harmed her already.
Unfortunately, due to the sudden and forceful movement, Lysandra struggled to get a clear view of her assailant in the dimly lit surroundings.
Squinting in the dim light, she tried to make out his face. "Who... who are you?" She managed to gasp out, her voice trembling with fear.
"I'm Teagan," came the curt reply, his voice low and urgent.
"Oh, Mr. Hutcheson! I thought you were one of those raiders or bandits," she exclaimed with relief as she recognized him.
"No, I'm trying to keep you safe. We don't have much time for explanations, Lysandra. We need to move quickly. Follow me!" Teagan urged as he gestured for her to follow him.
He led her through the maze of winding dark hallways and walked down the hidden stairs until they reached a confined space that seemed like a bunker.
As they walked inside, Lysandra's eyes scanned the cramped space, taking in the sight of his wife, Keira Hutcheson, and their two sons, Sean and Dexter. Despite the crowded conditions, there was a sense of relief to see them as they huddled together in the bunker.
"Hey, everyone. How are you all holding up down here?" Lysandra greeted them with concern as she scanned their faces.
"We're hanging in here, dear," Keira responded with a weary smile. "It's been tough, but we're managing. How about you? What brings you here?"
"I was just running some errands and needed to pick up a few things from this ranch. I didn't expect to run into... well, this."
Taegan gave a serious nod. "Sorry for the sudden move, but it's not safe out there. We had to be cautious, just for protection and prevention."
Lysandra nodded understandingly. "I get it. Safety first, right?"
"You're lucky it was me out there. I was just outside checking around the property. If it had been someone else..." He trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. "I don't even want to think about what might have happened to you out there. This valley isn't as safe as it used to be."
"Thanks for looking out for me. Mr. Hutcheson."
"Of course, Lysandra. Anytime. Now, tell me, what brings you here? Do you need anything?"
"Actually, Mr. Hutcheson, I do need a few things. Here's a list." Lysandra handed him the paper with her necessities listed on it.
As Teagan pored over the list, his brow furrowed in thought. "Hmm, looks like you've got quite the shopping list here." Then, glancing up at her, he asked, "Are you planning to plant your own garden?"
"Yeah, we've got a few gardens going, and they're doing pretty well," she replied with a nod. "You know, having our own gardens really helps us become more self-sufficient. We've been trying to grow as much as we can to lessen our reliance on outside sources, especially with everything going on lately."
"That's a smart move! It's always good to be able to rely on yourself, especially in times like these. Let's see what we can gather for you from the supplies we have left."
"Thank you, Mr. Hutcheson. I appreciate your help."
With a nod, he excused himself to gather the items, leaving her with Keira and the boys.
Lysandra turned her head towards Keira, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, "By the way, Mr. Hutcheson, what went down here? This place looks like it's seen better days. Last time I saw it, the house was in pretty good shape."
Keira glanced around the dimly lit bunker with her gloomy expression. "It's been tough, Lysandra," she said softly. "After the nuclear explosion, things changed drastically. We had to abandon our home and seek refuge down here. The situation outside were too dangerous, and the house slowly fell into disrepair over time."
Sean, the twenty five-year-old son, chimed in bitterly, "Yeah, it's been rough." Rubbing his temples wearily, he added, "The house started falling apart after the nuclear incident, and things only got worse from there. Bandits and raiders kept trying to scavenge whatever they could, tearing the place apart. And then there was the Acheron army... They ransacked the whole area, searching for who knows what. We were lucky they didn't find our bunker."
Her brow furrowing with concern. "Do you know what were they looking for?"
"They were searching for rebels," Sean replied with unease. "We overheard them talking as we hid in the bunker. They were tearing through every house, looking for anyone who might be opposing their cruel rule."
Keira's expression grew somber as she chimed in, "It was quite a dreadful ordeal. We're lucky they didn't find us hiding down here."
"Yeah, Mom's right," Dexter chimed in. "We were holding our breath the whole time they were searching the house. It was crazy. We were so relieved when they finally left."
Keira's brows furrowed in concern as she asked, "By the way, why were you wandering about alone, dear?" Her eyes scanned Lysandra from head to toe, her expression filled with worry as she assessed her condition. "I know you disguise yourself as a boy but it's dangerous out there, especially when they find out that you're actually a woman."
Lysandra sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly under Keira's concerned gaze. "I know, Mrs. Hutcheson. But I need to get the things, and I couldn't wait any longer. I thought I'd be quick and return before anything happened."
Her gaze intensified as she looked at Lysandra with concern. "Don't you know what's happening out there recently?"
Lysandra shifted uncomfortably under her scrutinizing gaze. "I do, Mrs. Hutcheson. But sometimes, there are things you have to do, regardless of the danger."
"Nah, it's much more dangerous than what you think."
Furrowing her brows, Lysandra asked, "What's the matter?"
Keira sighed heavily, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and frustration. "It's not just the zombies, bandits and raiders anymore, dear," she explained with worry. "There are rumors of a new plague spreading, and with the army of Acheron on the move, it's become increasingly dangerous for anyone to be out alone, especially women and children."
"I know, ma'am. It's Crimson Fever. My father had told me about that."
"Yes, that's the one. It's spreading faster like wildfire than we anticipated, and it's wreaking havoc on the population. The situation out there is getting more dire by the day. We've been doing our best to stay safe here, but it's a constant battle."
Her eyes darkened with worry as she continued, "And it's not just the fever we have to worry about. I've heard rumors that the Acheron army has been mercilessly taking women away without any reason or explanation. It's a terrifying thought, especially considering the chaos that's already engulfed the city." She shook her head, her voice trembling slightly with fear. "We've been lucky so far, but who knows what could happen next."