The bus rumbled down the empty road, and everyone's eyes were glued to the signs flashing past, each one a possible lifeline. They'd been driving in silence, the weight of their situation hanging heavy over the group, when finally, a worn sign appeared by the roadside:Gas Station - 5 kmJean let out a small sigh of relief, pointing at the sign. "Alright, almost there. Let's hope it's not picked clean."Tyler snorted from the back. "If there's anything left, I'll be shocked. But hey, we're lucky, right?"The bus creaked as Ms. Heather steered it down the winding road, trees closing in on both sides as they approached the small gas station tucked just out of sight from the main highway. The building was run-down, its windows partially boarded, and not a single person was around.They pulled into the station slowly, the bus engine going silent as Ms. Heather turned it off. Everyone peered out the windows, but there wasn't a soul in sight—not a single car, not a single person. Just the quiet hum of insects in the tall grass around them."Looks dead," Lucas muttered, glancing at Jean. "Kinda creepy, not gonna lie."Jean nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings, uneasy. "Alright, let's keep it simple. We're here for fuel, not sightseeing."He turned to Ms. Heather, who was sitting tensely in the driver's seat. "We'll check inside first, see if there's any fuel left. Girls, stay on the bus. If we run into any trouble, don't wait. Just go."Chloe rolled her eyes, flipping her ponytail. "As if I'm getting off this thing. I'll be right here in case you... brave knights need me to rescue you."Evan glanced at her, smiling awkwardly. "Don't worry, Chloe. We'll handle it."Brittney, sitting by the window and already scrolling through her dead phone out of habit, sighed. "Yeah, just hurry it up. I'm not trying to sit here all day, y'know?"Akira shot Jean a worried look, her voice soft. "Be careful, okay? I'll be watching... just in case."Jean gave her a nod. "Yeah, I'll be fine. We're just grabbing fuel. Nothing we haven't handled before, right?"Brad cracked his knuckles, a smirk on his face. "Let's get in there and grab what we need. I'm not looking to make this a field trip."The guys began filing off the bus, and Jean gave the girls one last look. "Lock the doors behind us and keep quiet. We'll be back as soon as we've got something."Ms. Heather nodded, her face calm but tense. "Alright, but be safe. We don't know what's out here."With one last glance, the guys shut the bus door and stepped out onto the cracked pavement, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. The sun was high, casting long shadows across the lot, as they moved toward the station building, the silence of the empty gas station making every step feel heavier. They didn't know what they'd find, but they all shared the same thought: they hoped there'd be something left to find.Q: What do you think will happen next?