Adam Marcus and Tabitha caught thier breath on the rooftop but thier respite was short lived.
"We still need to get out of the city." Marcus reminded them.
"Yeah but not today it's near dark we'll do it tomorrow for now we'll have to get some rest we have food we just need to sleep." Tabitha suggested much to Adams relief.
As night began to fall they searched for shelter in the building encountering some infected along the way but Marcus and Tabitha took care of it. After a while of searching they soon found a suitable room where they drop thier baggage and started a small fire casting flickering shadows.
Tabitha brought out a first aid kit and tended to Adams and Marcus's wounds and Marcus did the same for her.
"Thanks," Adam said his voice barely above a whisper
Sitting down beside him Tabitha smiled softly "We are in this together."
Marcus came and sat beside them his eyes fixed on the flames.
Breaking the silence Adam asked" Who was that man." his voice laced with anger.
The expression on Tabitha's face turned somber" He was a friend of mine...he would have slowed me down."
"Joe right." Marcus asked his eyes still fixed on the flames
Tabitha nodded to confirm his question.
Adam's face twisted in anguish "You could've saved him he called out to you but you only went back because of food!?"
Tabitha's voice remained calm but firm. "Adam I need you to understand he would have gotten both of us killed is that what you wanted?"
Adam shook his head refusing to accept it. "No!...no we could've done something." Reducing his volume in fear of being discovered.
This time facing Adam Marcus said, "Tabitha's right we need to prioritize our survival the shit's already hit the fan and going back to save him will be like adding vomit to the mix."
Marcus's expression remained steady and placed his hand on Adam's shoulder." I know it's hard for you Adam we all went through it, but that's the way the cookie crumbles now."
Adam shrugged his hand off and with an angry whisper he said, " You don't understand she left him to do how ca---"
Tabitha intervened. " I left him to die? Wasn't it you who shot him in the leg? You're just as responsible for leaving him as I am that means his blood is on both our hands so don't start acting fool."
Marcus intervened his gaze back on the flames. " That's enough Tabitha, I think he understands now."
Adam's eyes dropped, shame washing all over him. He knew Tabitha was right.
He had shot the man in his attempt to play hero, leaving him to fend for himself.
Tabitha stood up and walked towards the door gun in hand. " I'll take first watch."
" No!" Marcus stopped her " You're angry right now and angry makes you stupid, stupid gets you killed. So you're staying right here."
Tabitha reluctantly sat down as Marcus left back against the wall.
Fire crackled and the tension between them slowly dissipitated and the air seemed lighter.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier it was stupid." Adam broke silence.
"I don't find it new anymore, boy's are always stupid" Tabitha replied with a little anger in her tone.
'Fair enough' Adam thought.
"So what were you doing before all this." Adam asked out of curiosity.
"I was a student in university. The state university of New York at buffalo."
" Wow that's nice." Adam was genuinely shocked
"Yeah I guess."
"But why did you help me after you left that guy"
"Well I figured you could still move and you seemed alright and not having any screws loose so I thought why not... and I couldn't watch anyone die anymore."
"Ohh...uhh I'm sorry. Who did you lose."
"My little sister and my parents." Tabitha answered with wet eyes. "It happened right in front of me and I couldn't do anything. Marcus saved my life." Now she was crying softly.
Adam sensing the air decided to change the subject. "What about Adam he seems built for this I mean he was laughing back there on the roof."
" Yeah he was a marine. The toughest son of a bitch I've ever met."
"I have to agree on that." Adam still had some more questions and Tabitha could see that.
"You have three questions I have to get some rest tomorrow's gonna be a long day." Tabitha said with a yawn
"Okay what happened to the city."
"Napalm was dropped into the streets killing most of the infected."
"Is there a way to end this."
"Yeah somewhere near south Dakota."
" Why there."
"Cos' it's the geographical centre of this country, That's it three questions get some rest. Tomorrow you're gonna show us what you can do."
Adam lied down using some tarp they found as cover.
But he still had some questions lingering about what lay ahead.