Travis gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white, eyes fixed on the dimly lit road ahead. The sounds of Steve crying out in pain echoed through the cramped space of the green 2024 Honda Odyssey Sport van. The low whimper of suffering filled Travis's ears, mingling with the constant hum of the engine, making every mile feel heavier.
Eli, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back at the group. His eyes reflected fear and pain—emotions shared by everyone inside the van. Jake sat in the third-row seat, while looking down at Steve with worry etched across his face, though his fractured memory meant little now. Steve's agony was all that mattered.
In the second-row seat of the van, Paris had Steve's head resting in her lap, her fingers gently wiping the sweat and tears from his face. "It's okay, Steve. You're going to be okay," she whispered, though her own voice wavered, while still having her suitcase in tact hanging cross her body like a backpack.
Janice, positioned at Steve's feet, studied his leg, her experienced eyes recognizing the problem. "His leg's dislocated," she said grimly. "We need to pop it back in place before it gets worse."
Steve's eyes shot open wide, panic flooding his features. "No, no, no! Please, no!" he begged, shaking his head furiously as terror set in.
Janice moved closer, placing both hands on each side of Steve's face. She held his head steady and locked her eyes on his. "Steve, baby, listen to me. We've got to get that leg back in place. It's the only way you'll feel better."
Steve's breathing quickened as he shook his head, trembling uncontrollably. "No, please! Don't do it! Please!" he cried, but Janice held firm.
"Look at me," she said softly, her voice unwavering. "I got you. We all got you."
Eli turned in his seat, adding to the chorus of reassurances. "We're right here, son. You're stuck with us, and we're not going anywhere."
Paris gently stroked Steve's hair, whispering, "I'm right here, Steve. We're all here."
Even Jake, who had been quiet, spoke up, his voice low and shaky. "You're going to be alright."
Travis kept his focus on the road, but his determination was palpable. They had to survive this—he had to get them to safety.
Slowly, Steve's panic began to ease. Though his body still shook with fear, he nodded weakly. "Okay… okay… just do it."
Janice glanced around at the others, giving quick instructions. "Jake, hold him down. Eli, grab his hand." She nodded at Paris, who kissed Steve's forehead gently.
Janice positioned herself at Steve's leg. "On five," she said, locking eyes with Steve one last time. "Ready?"
Steve squeezed his eyes shut, tears leaking down his face. "Oh my God, oh my God!" he muttered under his breath.
Janice counted. "One… two…"
Steve let out a loud, strangled cry as the pain intensified, his knuckles turning white as he gripped Eli's hand.
"Three!"
Before Steve could react, Janice wrenched his leg back into place with a sickening pop. Steve screamed, his voice cracking with the raw intensity of his pain. "You fucking bitch!"
Janice didn't flinch. "You're going to be alright now, baby."
Paris rocked Steve gently, whispering soothing words, and his sobs slowly turned into quiet gasps. His body went limp, exhaustion taking over, and within moments, he was fast asleep. Janice smiled, patting his shoulder.
"You're not a bitch," Steve mumbled weakly in his sleep.
Janice chuckled softly. "I know, honey. I know."
Eli exchanged a look with Janice, one of quiet gratitude. Paris reached over and squeezed Janice's hand, her grip tight and filled with unspoken thanks.
In the back, Jake wiped away a tear, his voice cracking as he whispered, "I'm honored to be with you all." He couldn't remember his past, but in this moment, surrounded by these people, he felt like he belonged.
Travis glanced at them through the rearview mirror, meeting Janice's eyes briefly before nodding in thanks. The bond between them all had solidified without them even realizing it.
Paris looked around at the group, her heart swelling. These are my people, she thought. We are everyone's person now. She smiled faintly, her mind already planning to open up to them once they found safety. She had to tell them everything.
"Where should we go?" Travis asked, breaking the silence. "Do any of you have somewhere we can check out for loved ones?"
Janice nodded. "My family. I want to make sure they're okay. I have faith that they are."
Eli shook his head. "It's just me."
Paris quietly added, "Just me too."
Travis sighed. "Alright, let's head to Janice's first than mine. Jake?"
"I… I wish I remembered," Jake muttered.
Eli gave Jake a concerned look and said, "Sorry, son."
Jake shook his head. "It's okay."
Janice gave Travis directions to her home, and he set off on the route. The drive was quiet, the tension thick inside the van as they headed deeper into the night. Travis eyed the gas tank nervously. "We'll need to stop for gas soon."
About 30 minutes later, the road stretched before them, desolate and eerie. Travis spotted a small gas station on the side of the road, the lights flickering dimly. "That's our stop," he announced, pulling into the lot.
The station looked like a ghost town. The windows were dark, and the entire place seemed untouched for days. Trash blew in the wind, and there wasn't a soul in sight—at least not living.
"We'll make it quick," Travis said as he stepped out and grabbed a tire iron from the back of the van, with Eli following close behind. "Paris, Janice, stay with Steve. Jake, keep an eye on things." Travis gave everyone duties.
Janice nodded to them as they headed toward the gas pumps.
As Eli stepped toward the pump, a rustling noise from behind the station made them freeze. "You hear that?" Eli whispered; his voice tight with tension.
Travis nodded, getting a tight grip on the tire iron. The sound grew louder—a low growl followed by the unmistakable shuffle of feet. Two ZedHeads stumbled from behind the building, their pale, lifeless eyes locking onto the two men.
Travis swore under his breath, holding the tire iron closely. "We've got company."
Eli didn't have a weapon, but his fists clenched, and he looked ready to fight. The ZedHeads moved closer, their decayed skin hanging from their bones, teeth snapping with hunger.
"They're too close," Eli muttered. "We've got to take them down."
Travis nodded. There was no other option. They couldn't afford to let them get any closer to the van.
The first ZedHead lunged at Eli, its mouth wide open, hands reaching for his throat. Eli ducked and slammed his fist into the creature's jaw, the impact barely fazing it. Travis swung the tire iron at the second ZedHead, the metal smashing into its skull with a sickening crack. Blood and brain matter splattered across the pavement, but the creature still stumbled forward, snarling and snapping.
Eli grabbed a rock and smashed it repeatedly into the face of the ZedHead attacking him. The sound of bone breaking echoed through the night as the creature's skull caved in. Eli panted, stepping back as it collapsed at his feet, twitching violently.
Travis finally finished off the second ZedHead, driving the tire iron through its head, pinning it to the ground. The creature went limp, the moaning ceasing at last.
Both men stood over the lifeless bodies, breath heavy, the stench of decay filling the air.
"Damn," Eli whispered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was close."
Travis looked over at the van, checking to see if the others were okay. Inside, Paris stared wide-eyed at the bloody mess on the ground while Janice kept Steve calm, her face unreadable but tense.
"We better hurry," Travis said, turning back to the pump. "We're sitting ducks out here."
They quickly filled the van, the eerie quiet settling over the gas station once more. The shadows seemed to close in around them, and every creak and groan of the wind sounded like the approach of more ZedHeads.
Eli gave Travis a nod once they were done, and said, "Let's get the hell out of here son."
Without a word, they piled back into the van and sped off into the night. The road stretched on, dark and uncertain, the town fading into the distance behind them.
But in that moment, Paris felt something change within her. Despite the horror, despite the danger, she felt stronger. This group—they were hers now. Together, they could face anything.
As long as they stuck together?