" Tarid, cheers mate. You can rest for a minute then tell us what we can work with."
John greeted Tarid and allowed both Evan and Alex to arrive before he asked Tarid for his report.
" Good news, there's a bunker and it has everything we'll ever need, bad news it's pretty far and I don't think everyone would be up for it. Even the other guys had to rest in the bunker right after we got there."
Tarid spoke, certain it would be an arduous journey trip for the slower ones.
" With you directing us, it shouldn't take that long, should it? I mean you went to and fro in an hour, yeah?" Evan's scratchy voice rang out, his doubts appeared reasonable but in truth, it wasn't.
The scouts were running while the group would have to walk and accommodate everyone, even the particularly lazy ones. To their knowledge Tarid was most likely the fastest person in their group, with his trained body and high stamina his speed would be incomparable to an untrained adolescent.
Moreover, Tarid and the other scouts began their search when they had newly arrived in this tepid land of thirst and unforgiving thermal torture. The rest of the group had been under the sun for more than an hour. It would likely take about two hours to get there.
John explained the situation to Evan.
" Tarid was most likely running; we can't. That would be equivalent to abandoning the slower ones and most are already exhausted, Evan. Nothing we can do."
Evan quickly threw a sneer at the girls who were sitting together in a group, still discussing irrelevant matters.
Alex was eager to explore the bunker and acquire weapons. She wondered exactly what kind of weapons they would be handling, however, she knew asking about it now could make her future actions look more suspicious. She was certain they were somewhere in the bunker due to Tarid's previous words and that would have to do.
" I think it would be best if we depart now. The faster we arrive there the more prepared we will be for the inevitable threat."
"Alex is right. Tarid, you'll lead the way right? Sorry about the stress, bud."
" No problem man, I already miss that bunker."
30 minutes of slow-paced walking, and Alex, Evan, Tarid, and John were still leading the group with varying expressions. The four were discussing possible formations and techniques when facing a possible zombie horde. Until they heard a screech resembling a banshee's call from their group
" Ahhh!"
The high-pitched voice maintained its intensity from the back of the pack to the front, causing the four to hurriedly investigate.
To both their relief and horror, the cause of the dastardly noise was a female member of their party: she claimed to have tripped and stubbed her toe. Shamelessly insisting she must rest before moving again, she sat on the sand clutching her right boot.
Evan, Tarid, Alex, and John stood aside to discuss the next course of action.
"People like this will only drag you down unless you force them to commit. You need to inform them that no one is here to babysit them by using the girl as an example. Tell her to find a way to keep moving or she can remain here on her own."
" Alex, that's a bit harsh, yeah? I understand she's completely useless but what if the others rebel?"
" I think Evan is right, we can't be too forceful, what if the majority decide they no longer want to stay with us?"
" John, Evan, we have a bunker with all vital supplies, no one would dare give that up to suffer in this heat. They know they cannot survive without that so why allow them to drag us down? Tarid, what do you think?"
Tarid looked pensively at the three present; he realized that his opinion could be a deciding factor. Unfortunately, he did not realize that how they handled this case could direct their method of leadership for the rest of the stage.
For Alex, if they persisted with their current mindset there was no need to stay with them any longer than necessary. She would share tactics with them and try to improve their chances of survival, sadly she was not saintly enough to be a nanny for them.
°°°
" We'll have a ten-minute break before we continue moving."
John's voice reached everyone's ears allowing their expressions to ease and relaxed smiles soon broke out. Alex scoffed inwardly as she saw the mocking grins plastered on the faces of other females.
" Join us. We may not be strong, but we have-" a plump seventeen-year-old Mexican girl attempted to sweet talk.
"Not interested."
" Yo Alex, you aren't mad or sum' right?"
" No, I'm not, Evan. It was an inconsequential matter. Previously, we were talking about sword stances, were we not? Let's proceed."
Evan couldn't detect any changes in her expression and was ultimately convinced. He diligently listened to the girl he had once looked down upon.
°°°
It had been almost three hours since they began their journey. The frequent brakes coupled with their overall inadequate walking speed, had slowed them down considerably. They were going in a straight line due North from the origin portal.
The amounts of complaints and mutterings had drastically increased, despite the frequent breaks. Evan and John were beginning to understand Alex's firm stance, but decided they would deal with the issue later.
" I see it! it's over there."
Tarid did not tarry for anyone's go-ahead, rather, he dusted past the pitifully slow group. He reached a square platform of sorts before his head gradually descended until it was no longer visible.
' If there is one North maybe there is also one South East and West? Unlikely.'
Alex was thinking of how to maximize her gains and efficiency. She anticipated stealing them all, however she entirely understood that blind greed would only lead her to death's door. It was a good thing she wasn't blind though, she could be as greedy as she desired.
The platform was an entrance to an underground stairway. It parted with a single touch of the panel next to it. John took his usual place as the leader, spearheading the team's descent.