Day 53: A New Plan
The first light of dawn seeped through the cracks in the museum's boarded-up windows, casting long shadows across the atrium. The group, now a blend of old and new faces, gathered in a loose circle. The museum, their refuge, had been fortified, but they all knew security alone wouldn't be enough to keep them alive. Supplies were dwindling, and with Eli gone, the weight of their situation felt heavier than ever.
Luke stood at the center of the group, his bow slung over his shoulder, a silent reminder of the world outside. The anger he felt toward Eli for leaving still simmered beneath the surface, but he knew they couldn't afford to dwell on that now. They needed a plan to ensure their survival beyond the museum's walls.
Cass was the first to speak, her voice calm but urgent. "We've done a lot to secure this place, but we all know that safety isn't enough. We need to keep our supplies up—food, water, medicine. If we're going to survive here long-term, we have to plan ahead."
Sarah, who had been quietly cleaning her spear, looked up and nodded. "We can't all go out scavenging, though. We need people here to keep watch, especially after what happened with the looters."
Derek, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, added, "We'll have to split up. Some stay here to protect the base, and the rest go out to scavenge. But we need to be smart about it. The looters might still be out there, and the creatures… we all know what they're capable of."
Lila, who had joined the group with James, was quick to offer her input. "We should plan our scavenging routes carefully. If we go out, we need to know where we're headed and what we're looking for. No wandering around aimlessly—we can't afford to waste time or take unnecessary risks."
James, who had brought his own group to join the others after the rain, nodded in agreement. "We also need to think about transportation. Carrying everything back on foot is slow and dangerous. If we could find a vehicle, it would make things a lot easier—and safer."
Luke listened as everyone offered their thoughts, piecing together a plan in his mind. They were right—this wasn't just about finding supplies; it was about doing so in a way that minimized risk and ensured they could continue to defend their home. The museum was their stronghold, but without the essentials, it wouldn't be enough to keep them alive.
"We'll need to create a rotation," Luke said, stepping forward to address the group. "We can't send everyone out at once, but we also can't leave the base undefended. We'll split into two teams—one stays here to guard the museum, the other goes out to scavenge. We rotate daily, so no one gets too worn out."
Cass nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. We should also decide on specific locations to search. We've already scavenged a lot of the nearby areas, so we might need to push further out. But we need to be careful—traveling further means more risk."
Luke turned to James, who had been quietly considering their options. "James, you know the city better than most of us. Any ideas on where we could find what we need?"
James scratched his chin, his eyes narrowing as he thought. "There's a pharmacy about a mile from here that might still have some supplies. And there's a small grocery store nearby, though I'm not sure how picked over it'll be by now. We should check both, but we'll need to be quick."
Lisa, who had joined the group with Lila and had proven to be resourceful, spoke up. "We should also think about what we'll do if something goes wrong. We need escape routes, fallback positions. We can't afford to get trapped out there."
Raya, who had been sharpening her knife in the corner, added, "The hidden passages in the museum are secure now, but we need to be ready to use them if something happens while we're out. We can't afford to get caught off guard."
Luke nodded, appreciating their input. This was what he needed—a plan that took everyone's strengths and concerns into account. "We'll map out the scavenging routes, decide who's going out and who's staying, and make sure we're ready for anything. We can't afford to let our guard down—not now, not ever."
Cass spoke up again, addressing Ben, who was sitting quietly beside her. "Ben, you're going to stay here with the rest of us today, alright? Keep an eye out for anything unusual, and if you see something, let us know right away."
Ben nodded solemnly, understanding the responsibility he was being given. Despite his young age, he had grown in the short time he'd been with the group, learning to contribute in whatever ways he could.
"James, Lila, Lisa," Luke continued, "You'll be in charge of checking the surrounding areas for anything we can use—materials, tools, anything that can help reinforce our defenses. And if you see any potential threats, don't engage unless absolutely necessary. We can't afford to lose anyone."
Sarah, always focused on the practical aspects, added, "We need to make sure our communications are solid. If something goes wrong out there, we need to know immediately. If anyone's not back by sundown, we head out to find them."
Derek nodded, his expression serious. "We'll be quick, but we won't take unnecessary risks. The priority is getting what we need and getting back here safely."
As the group began to discuss the finer details of the plan, Luke felt a small sense of relief. They were coming together, working as a unit despite the challenges they faced. He still couldn't shake the anger he felt toward Eli for leaving, but he knew he had to focus on what was in front of him—the people who were still here, who were depending on him.
"We're all in this together," Luke said, his voice steady as he addressed the group. "We'll be back by sundown tomorrow. If something goes wrong, you know what to do—fortify the base, stay safe, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
The group nodded in agreement, the atmosphere tense but filled with a quiet determination. They knew the risks, but they also knew that they had each other, and that was what mattered most.
As the day wore on, they solidified their plan. Cass and Derek took the lead on mapping out potential scavenging routes, using a tattered map they had found in the museum's archives. Lila and Sarah focused on securing the base, checking the barricades and reinforcing any weak points. James and Lisa prepared for the scavenging run, discussing what they needed and how they would transport it back.
By midday, everything was in place. The first scavenging team—Luke, Cass, and Derek—would head out the next morning, aiming to hit the pharmacy and grocery store. James, Lila, Raya, Sarah and Lisa would remain at the museum to maintain its defenses and prepare for the next rotation.
As the group gathered one last time to review their plan, Luke felt a renewed sense of purpose. The anger that had been clouding his thoughts was still there, but it had been tempered by the need to lead, to protect those who were still with him.
"We're ready," Cass said, her voice strong and reassuring. "We've planned for this, and we're going to make it work. But remember, if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to pull back. Your lives are more important than any supplies."
With their plan set, the group settled in for the night, the tension easing slightly as they prepared for the challenges ahead. Luke lay awake for a long time, his thoughts drifting to the day's preparations and to Eli. He didn't know where Eli was or what he was facing, but he hoped that wherever he was, he was safe.
Tomorrow would bring new dangers and new uncertainties, but Luke knew they were as ready as they could be. They had to be—because in this world, there was no room for anything less.
And with that thought, Luke finally allowed himself to close his eyes, resting for the battles to come.