Zack and Josh stood off to the side as the group prepared to move out, their voices low as they weighed their options.
"Okay, pros and cons," Josh started, pacing in a tight circle. "Pro: we're not alone anymore. These guys seem organized, and if they're telling the truth, there's a camp of people like us."
Zack nodded, his arms crossed. "Con: they could be lying. We barely know anything about them, and we've already seen what this world can do to people."
Josh sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, but look at them. They're strong. I mean, way stronger than us right now. If we stay out here on our own, how long do you think we'll last?"
Zack glanced at the man with the dangerous aura, who was speaking to his team with calm authority. "Not long," he admitted.
"Exactly," Josh said. His voice softened as he added, "And what if Eric's at the camp? Hell, I'd even be happy to see Tara or Mia right now."
Zack's jaw tightened. He wasn't ready to trust these people, but Josh had a point. They couldn't survive alone—not for long.
"Fine," Zack said finally. "We go with them. But we stay on guard."
Josh nodded, relief washing over his face. "Agreed."
As the group set out, Zack and Josh stayed near the back, watching the others closely. It didn't take long for them to notice the strange powers the team wielded.
One of the men faded into the shadows as they passed through a particularly narrow corridor, his form vanishing like smoke before reappearing on the other side. Another lifted a massive piece of debris with a single hand, tossing it aside as if it weighed nothing.
Zack's eyes widened as the leader, the man with the deadly aura, stepped forward to deal with a lone zombie blocking their path. He raised his hand, and a spear of lightning formed in his grasp. With a swift motion, he hurled it at the creature, the crackling energy reducing it to ash on impact.
Josh whispered, "Okay, that's… new."
Zack didn't respond, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing.
The camp came into view as the sun rose higher, revealing a small cluster of makeshift tents and hastily constructed barricades. The sight of other survivors brought a flicker of hope to Josh's face, but Zack remained wary.
As they entered, a familiar figure rushed toward them.
"Mia!" Josh called, his voice breaking with relief.
Mia's face was streaked with tears as she ran to them, clutching Josh tightly before turning to Zack. "Do you know what happened to Jess?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Josh looked at Zack, his eyes silently pleading for him to explain.
Zack's expression darkened. "Jess didn't make it," he said bluntly. "She was bitten. She turned."
Mia let out a choked sob, covering her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. Josh placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she seemed inconsolable.
"What about Eric? Tara?" Josh asked softly.
Mia shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I woke up… they were already… They turned, too. I ran. I didn't know what else to do."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, silencing all three of them.
Before they could say more, a group of guards entered the camp, their voices carrying over the crowd.
"We've found everyone we could," one of them announced. "We're heading out to the nearest city."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered survivors as people began shouting questions.
"What about my brother?"
"Did you find my wife?"
"My daughter—where is she?"
The guards remained stoic, their faces unreadable. "They didn't make it," one said flatly. "We've recovered everyone who's alive. We're leaving now."
The words sent a wave of grief and anger through the crowd, but the guards didn't waver.
Zack's grip on his pole tightened as he exchanged a glance with Josh. "This place isn't safe anymore," he said quietly.
Josh nodded, his expression grim. "Let's just hope the city is better."