The morning was cloaked in an eerie stillness as the group stood by the van, their supplies loaded and weapons secured. The weight of the mission ahead hung heavily in the air.
Harry stood by the driver's side, giving the vehicle one last check. The van wasn't much—a military transport repurposed for survivors—but it was sturdy and reliable enough to get them started on their journey. Luke climbed into the passenger seat, eager to help navigate, while Anna, Alishia, and the others settled into the back. Captain Reynolds had given them a map and some last-minute advice before they departed, though her parting words still echoed in Harry's mind.
"The facility is a gamble, Harry. Be careful."
As the van rumbled to life, Harry stole a glance at Alishia, who was organizing her gear. She caught his gaze and smirked.
"Keep your eyes on the road, Captain," she teased.
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. Despite the tension in the air, her wit had a way of cutting through the gloom.
Hours into the drive, the countryside stretched out before them—abandoned farms, overgrown highways, and the occasional wreckage of cars that told silent stories of panic and desperation. The group stayed mostly quiet, each lost in their own thoughts.
Luke broke the silence first. "Think this place will have what we need?" he asked, his tone light but with an edge of nervousness.
"It better," Harry replied, gripping the steering wheel. "If it doesn't, we'll find another way. We always do."
The tension in the van eased slightly as the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Alishia started teasing Luke about his poor map-reading skills, and Anna joined in, her laughter soft and infectious. Harry caught himself smiling despite the weight of the journey.
Suddenly, the van jolted as they hit a pothole, and the engine sputtered. Harry cursed under his breath, pulling over to the side of the road.
"Everyone out," he said. "We need to check the damage."
They climbed out of the vehicle, stretching their legs as Harry and Luke inspected the undercarriage. Alishia wandered a few steps away, keeping watch with her rifle. Harry noticed and approached her after ensuring the van wasn't in immediate danger.
"You good?" he asked, his tone low.
She nodded but kept her eyes scanning the treeline. "Yeah. Just thinking. Roads like these? Easy ambush spots."
"Always on edge, huh?" Harry said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Comes with the territory," she replied, glancing at him with a small smile. "Someone's gotta keep us alive. You can't do it all by yourself."
Harry chuckled softly, appreciating her unwavering focus. "Good to know someone's watching my back."
Their eyes locked briefly before a shout from Luke pulled them back to the moment.
"The van's fine!" he called. "Just needs a few adjustments."
The van's issues were minor, and they were soon back on the road. But an hour later, as they navigated a winding forest road, something caught Alishia's eye.
"Stop!" she said sharply, pointing to a clearing.
Harry hit the brakes, and the group peered out the windows. There, hidden among the trees, was what appeared to be a motor home. It was old but intact, its windows dusty and its exterior streaked with dirt. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years.
"Looks like an upgrade," Luke said with a grin.
"Let's check it out," Harry said, pulling the van over.
The group approached cautiously, weapons drawn. After ensuring the area was clear of any infected, they turned their attention to the motor home. The door was unlocked, and inside, they found a surprisingly well-preserved interior. The living area had a couch, a small kitchenette, and even a functioning bathroom. It was cramped but livable—a significant improvement over the van.
"There's a generator," Alishia noted, inspecting the corner of the motor home. "It looks old, but it might still work."
Harry tested the ignition. The engine sputtered but didn't start. "Battery's dead. We'll need to jump-start it."
While Luke and Anna worked on connecting the van's battery to the motor home, Alishia and Harry examined the generator. They found some spare parts and tools in a nearby storage compartment, and as they worked side by side, their conversation turned personal.
"You're good at this," Alishia said, handing him a wrench.
"Years of tinkering with my dad's old car," Harry replied, glancing at her. "You're not so bad yourself."
She smirked. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."
Harry laughed, but it faded as he glanced at her again. There was something different about this moment. In the past, Alishia had always been sharp-tongued and guarded, but here, she seemed… softer. He hesitated before speaking again.
"You're a lot more than just surprises, you know," he said, his tone more serious.
Alishia raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment coming from the Harry?"
"Don't get used to it," he shot back, grinning. "But yeah. It's a compliment."
She laughed, a genuine sound that made Harry's chest feel lighter. Before either of them could say more, the motor home's engine roared to life, breaking the moment. Luke and Anna cheered from outside, and the group quickly transferred their supplies from the van to the motor home.
With the motor home fully operational, the group continued their journey. The new vehicle offered a sense of comfort they hadn't felt in weeks. They took turns driving, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they had a hot meal cooked on the small stove.
As night fell, Harry found himself sitting by the window, gazing out at the darkened landscape. Alishia joined him, carrying a steaming mug of instant coffee.
"Figured you could use this," she said, handing him the mug.
"Thanks," he said, taking it. "Couldn't sleep?"
She shook her head, sitting down beside him. "Too much on my mind."
"Like what?" he asked, glancing at her.
She hesitated before answering. "All of this. The mission. The lab. The fact that we're one bad decision away from everything falling apart."
Harry nodded, understanding her unspoken fears. "That's why we keep moving. Because stopping isn't an option."
"Sometimes I wonder how you do it," Alishia said, her voice softer. "Keep going, I mean. Like nothing phases you."
He looked at her, surprised by her words. "You think I'm not phased? Every step of this journey scares the hell out of me. But if I fall apart, what happens to the rest of you?"
Alishia studied him, her usual sharpness giving way to something warmer. "You don't have to do it alone, you know. You've got me."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Harry's heart thudded in his chest as he searched her eyes. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and took her hand in his.
"I know," he said quietly. "And I'm grateful for that. More than you know."
They sat in silence for a while, the hum of the motor home's generator their only companion. Outside, the world remained a dangerous and uncertain place, but in that moment, there was a spark of something else—something that made the journey ahead feel a little less daunting.