The van hummed steadily as it rolled along the desolate highway, its occupants taking turns driving and keeping watch. The cramped but functional interior was a far cry from luxury, but it provided mobility and shelter. Spirits were high despite the circumstances, as the team grew more accustomed to their newfound camaraderie.
Harry sat in the passenger seat, scanning the map Captain Reynolds had provided. Alishia was behind the wheel, her hands steady and her focus unwavering as she navigated the cracked asphalt. The others were in the back, sorting through supplies or resting.
"How much farther?" Alishia asked, her voice steady but tinged with weariness.
"About 50 miles," Harry replied, tracing a route with his finger. "We'll need to find a place to stop soon. Driving through the night isn't worth the risk."
Alishia nodded. "Let's hope we can find somewhere defensible before nightfall."
The group's luck ran out as they approached a small town, its crumbling buildings casting eerie shadows under the setting sun. Harry and Alishia agreed it was worth the risk to search for supplies, so they parked the van in a secluded alley and ventured out in pairs.
The streets were eerily silent, but the aftermath of chaos was evident—shattered windows, bullet casings, and bloodstains marking a grim history.
"This place gives me the creeps," Luke muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Stay sharp," Harry said, his hand resting on the katana at his hip. "We don't know who—or what—might still be here."
They moved cautiously, splitting up to cover more ground. Harry and Alishia entered what appeared to be an old hardware store, the shelves mostly bare but still holding a few useful items.
"Flashlights, duct tape… not bad," Alishia said, stuffing items into her pack.
Harry's attention was drawn to a rack of tools, where he found a sturdy crowbar. "Better than nothing," he said, testing its weight.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the store. Both of them froze, weapons at the ready. From the shadows emerged an infected, its gaunt frame illuminated by the dim light filtering through the broken windows.
Harry acted swiftly, slicing through the creature with his katana. The infected collapsed with a guttural screech, but the noise drew more attention.
"We've got company," Alishia said, her voice steady despite the tension.
"Let's move," Harry replied, grabbing her arm.
They sprinted out of the store, reuniting with the others as a small horde of infected began to converge on their position.
"Back to the van!" Harry shouted, leading the group through the maze of alleys. The infected were fast, their snarls growing louder with each passing second.
Luke and Anna covered the rear, firing their pistols to slow the horde's advance. Alishia stayed close to Harry, her rifle slung over her shoulder as she focused on keeping the group together.
When they reached the van, Harry threw open the sliding door and ushered everyone inside. "Go, go, go!"
Alishia jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine. The van roared to life just as the first infected reached them, clawing at the sides. Harry and Luke fired through the windows, buying them enough time to speed away.
The van swerved onto the main road, leaving the horde behind in a cloud of dust.
Hours later, the group had put significant distance between themselves and the town. The van was parked in a secluded clearing, its occupants shaken but unharmed.
"That was too close," Anna said, leaning against the side as she cleaned her pistol.
"We can't keep doing this," Luke added. "We need to find a safer route—or a better plan."
Alishia leaned back against the van, her breathing even but her expression troubled. "We're running out of time and resources. If we're this vulnerable now, how are we supposed to make it all the way to the lab?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed in thought. "We stick together and keep moving. This isn't just about survival—it's about finding answers, a solution."
Alishia glanced at him, her eyes softening. "You really believe we'll find a cure there, don't you?"
"I have to," Harry said quietly. "Otherwise, what's all this for?"
Their eyes met for a moment longer than usual, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Alishia's lips parted as if to say something, but Luke's voice interrupted the moment.
"We should rest," he said. "We'll need our strength for whatever's next."
The group agreed and settled in for the night, rotating watches to ensure their safety. Harry took the first shift, his katana resting across his lap as he kept a vigilant eye on the shadows beyond the van.
In the quiet stillness, Alishia joined him, wrapping herself in a blanket. She sat beside him, her presence comforting in the dark.
"Couldn't sleep?" Harry asked, his voice low.
"Too much on my mind," she admitted. "I keep wondering what's waiting for us at the lab. What if it's just another dead end?"
Harry turned to her, his gaze steady. "Then we'll keep looking. We've come too far to give up now."
Alishia smiled faintly. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
"I try," he replied, his tone lighter. "But honestly, I don't have all the answers. I just know we can't lose hope."
Her hand brushed against his, a fleeting touch that lingered just long enough to send a spark through both of them. Neither of them spoke, the silence speaking volumes.
The night passed uneventfully, and by dawn, the group was ready to move again. The van rumbled back to life, carrying them farther into the unknown, their hope and determination stronger than ever.