It was time to make a decision, should they move on or should they stay put and see what happens. They knew that with winter coming it was better to either move now or plan to wait until spring, being caught on the road someplace during winter just didn't make good sense. They four sat in a circle discussing options.
"If we stay, we will be no closer to the answers you guys are looking for," William said, looking at Sarah and Dusty, "You won't find them here."
"True, but if we leave we need to go soon, once we get there we will need to set up a new place to stay and gather supplies to help us through the winter." Dusty, wanted to move on but didn't want to put his friends at risk.
Sarah looked at the and spoke softly, "It is not my place to try to convince you. I will respect your decision either way. I want to stay with the three of you, you are my family now."
It was Samantha who spoke up and pushed them forward, "Ok, I think the right thing to do is to pack up now and move to Saint Joseph." The City to the east of where they were today. Sam continued, "If we go now we can find a good spot and have lots of time to gather wood, food and other supplies before the cold set in. I know you all want to go, lets just do it now."
Hearing Samantha speak with such authority surprised Dusty and William but the quickly nodded in agreement. Sarah smiled and gave Sam a big hug. She whispered quietly in her ear, "Thank you."
Dusty, William, Samantha, and finally Sarah had spent months surviving in the little jewelry store that had become their safehouse, but the time had come for them to venture beyond its walls. They yearned for answers about the cause of the zombie apocalypse, and they believed that a nearby city held the key to unraveling the mystery. Before they encountered Sarah they had an interest in finding the truth, with her arrival, and an understanding of what she was, that interest in the truth became a desire. With desire and determination in their hearts, they prepared to embark on what they knew would be a perilous journey.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the desolate streets as the four of them stood outside their safehouse, ready to face the unknown. Dusty, a resourceful and observant survivor, had scouted the area and identified a few nearby buildings that might hold the supplies they needed for their expedition. They had made a list so they wouldn't run into trouble along the way.
They would take all of the food and supplies they already had, along with guns and ammo, just in case. In addition, they would bring the bag of jewelry, just in case. the needed camping supplies, tent, sleeping bags, etc. That they would search for.
They also wanted to find at least two wagons they could haul with them. It was their plan to walk but two wagons would let them bring all of the things they needed for the journey and for getting settled on the other end.
Their first destination was an abandoned warehouse, its windows shattered and its walls covered in graffiti. They cautiously entered, their senses heightened, and began searching for wagons and camping gear. Dusty's keen eye spotted two sturdy wagons tucked away in a corner, covered in a thick layer of dust but still functional. They were a good size, with rubber tires, they would roll, easily along the paths and roads they would travel. Samantha and William rummaged through crates and boxes, unearthing camping gear, some food rations, and water bottles.
With the wagons loaded and their supplies secured, they stood outside the warehouse, they headed back to the jewelry store to load the rest of the things they needed. They were pleased with the find, the wagons had a spear tire on each and they found and tools they may require. Pulling it seemed like it would be a fairly easy chore. Samantha tried it and although it was a little difficult for her, once she got going it moved quickly. Each of them gathered additional things for their backpacks including their weapons and extra water for the trip. The packed extra weapons in the wagons just incase. They wanted to protect themselves against the dangers that awaited them on their ten-day journey.
Sarah stood among them, her presence a constant reminder of the world they now inhabited. Her enhanced senses and strength had proven invaluable in their previous encounters, and they relied on her to keep them safe. They were doing this partly for her, she knew it was not something she would easily repay.
As they set off towards the nearby city, the road ahead was a haunting reminder of the devastation that had befallen their world. Abandoned vehicles and debris littered the streets, and the once vibrant city now lay in ruins.
As they got started their journey was not without its challenges. They encountered pockets of zombies along the way, their moans and shuffling footsteps a constant threat. The moved forward, fighting when they had to and avoiding zombies when they could.
Each day brought new obstacles to overcome. They navigated through collapsed buildings, crossed treacherous bridges, and traversed overgrown forests. But their determination never wavered. They were driven by a thirst for knowledge, a need to understand what had caused the world to descend into chaos.
During moments of respite, they shared stories and memories of the world that once was. They spoke of their hopes and dreams, of the loved ones they had lost to the relentless horde. And in those moments, they found solace in each other's company, knowing that they were not alone in this fight for survival.
As they continued their journey they occasionally thought back to the safety of their little jewelry store and wondered if they had made the right decision. But as the moved forward, the thoughts of the city ahead and the potential answers it might hold renewed them with determination. The road ahead would be filled with danger and uncertainty, but they were prepared. Dusty, William, Samantha, and Sarah stood united, their spirits unyielding, as they ventured into the unknown, determined to find the truth and reclaim their world from the clutches of the undead.