The first few days were tense. While Kate and Eric worked side-by-side with the group, they never let their guard down. They didn't mention the school or their real goals, sticking to their cover story about meeting at a hardware store and deciding to travel together. Kate kept her watchful eyes on Emma, who showed remarkable leadership skills, but she also noticed Harper's sharp instincts and Ben's quiet resourcefulness.
One night, as they sat around a small fire made from torn pages of magazines and old receipts, the group began to share snippets of their lives. Izzy revealed she had been a cook at a nearby diner, her passion for food evident even in her tired voice. Sophia, a graphic designer, talked about how she used to sketch in her free time, though now her hands trembled too much to hold a pencil.
Emma spoke last, her voice low but steady. "Before this, I was studying psychology. Funny, right? I thought I'd be helping people figure out their problems, but now it's all about surviving. Sometimes, I think surviving is the biggest mental challenge of all."
Kate listened intently, filing away every detail. These people weren't bad, but trust wasn't built overnight.
After two weeks, the group had grown more cohesive. Harper had proven herself a sharp strategist, suggesting scavenging routes that avoided the densest zombie populations. Ben took on the role of teacher again, helping the group practice basic survival skills like setting traps and using makeshift weapons. Grace, though quiet, emerged as a calming presence, tending to wounds and ensuring everyone stayed healthy.
Kate and Eric continued to observe, testing the group's loyalty and stability. One afternoon, Emma approached Kate as she sharpened her crowbar.
"You've been here two weeks," Emma said, her tone steady. "What's your plan?"
Kate looked up, meeting Emma's gaze. "We're still deciding."
Emma crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. "You're not just travelers, are you? You've got somewhere safe, and you're deciding if we're worth the risk."
Kate's grip tightened on the crowbar, but she didn't deny it. "Wouldn't you do the same in my position?"
Emma considered this before nodding. "I would. Just... don't take too long. People need hope, Kate. Even if it's just a sliver."
Kate didn't respond, but as she watched Emma walk away, she felt a flicker of something she hadn't felt in a long time: trust
The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the convenience store walls. The group sat in a loose circle, their faces illuminated by the dim orange glow. Cans of scavenged food sat half-eaten in their hands, but no one was talking. Tension hung thick in the air. Kate could feel it pressing down on her chest.
She glanced at Eric, who sat across the circle from her, sharpening his spear with slow, deliberate movements. He looked up, his eyes catching hers, questioning silently. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the crowbar resting on the ground beside her. This was the moment. There was no going back now.
Clearing her throat, Kate pushed herself to her feet. The group turned their heads toward her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She rarely spoke unless it was something serious, and the weight in her stance suggested this wasn't just another tactical discussion.
"I need to tell you all something," Kate began, her voice steady but heavy with tension. Her gaze swept across the faces of the people who, over the last two weeks, had become a sort of makeshift family. Emma, always calm and steady, watched her with sharp, calculating eyes. Harper's expression was more guarded, her knife resting in her lap. Sophia and Izzy exchanged wary glances, while Ben and Grace waited quietly, their exhaustion evident in their posture.
"We haven't been entirely honest with you," she continued, her voice quiet but firm. "Eric and I... we didn't just meet while scavenging supplies. We're part of a community—a group of survivors who've made a home."
The silence was deafening. For a moment, no one moved or spoke. Then Harper's voice broke through the stillness, sharp and accusatory. "You lied to us."
"Yes," Kate admitted without hesitation, standing straighter under the weight of their stares. "We did. And I'm sorry for that. But I need you to understand why."
Emma's voice was calm but cutting. "You didn't trust us."
Kate nodded. "I didn't. And I couldn't. Not at first. Do you blame me? The world we live in now... trust can get you killed. The people we've been protecting—they're everything to us. I couldn't take the risk of bringing someone back who might betray that."
Harper scoffed, shaking her head. "So what, we've been your little experiment? Testing us to see if we're 'worthy'?"
Eric stood up, stepping beside Kate. "It's not like that. Look, we've never know what happens when you trust the wrong people. I'm sure it's never ends well. We had to be sure. It's not personal—it's survival."
Sophia crossed her arms, her voice laced with hurt. "It feels pretty damn personal when you lie to someone's face for weeks."
Kate sighed, her eyes dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting Sophia's gaze. "I get it. I do. But you've seen the world out there. You know how dangerous people can be. If you were in my position, if you had something to protect, wouldn't you do the same?"
The group murmured among themselves, the anger and frustration slowly giving way to understanding. Emma stepped forward, her voice breaking through the noise with calm authority. "think about it. As much as it stings, I can't blame them for being cautious. If they'd trusted the wrong people, we might not be standing here."
Ben, who had been quiet up until now, nodded slowly. "I don't like being lied to, but I get it. They're looking out for their people, just like we're trying to look out for each other."
Grace added softly, "And they didn't abandon us. They're still here, still helping."
Harper sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. I get it. But next time, just tell us straight, yeah?"
Kate allowed herself a small, relieved smile. "I'll do my best. Now, here's the deal: I'm offering all of you a chance to join us. We've got food, walls, and safety. But it's not a free pass. You follow our rules. We don't give the news about our home to anyone until we're absolutely sure we can trust them. That's non-negotiable."
The group exchanged glances. Emma was the first to step forward, her eyes locking onto Kate's. "We'll come with you. All of us. We've got nothing left here, and it's clear you've got something worth fighting for."
Kate nodded, a weight lifting off her shoulders. "Good. But this isn't going to be easy. The vehicle Eric and I used to get here broke down, so we're on foot until we can find another. We also need more supplies—especially food. We've got more mouths to feed now, and we can't leave until we're prepared."
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the broken windows of the convenience store, casting long beams across the dusty floor. The group gathered around a crumpled city map that Kate had spread out on the floor. She crouched over it, tracing their route with her finger.
"This is where we are," she said, tapping the map. "We need two things: a vehicle and enough supplies to get us back home. There's a car repair shop a couple of blocks from here. We'll start there."
Eric chimed in. "And there's a grocery store a few streets over. It's risky—big places like that tend to draw the infected—but we don't have much choice."
Kate nodded. "Here's the plan: Eric and I will head to the repair shop to look for a vehicle. Emma, take Ben, Grace, and Izzy to the grocery store. Harper and Sophia, stay here and fortify the store in case we need to fall back."
Harper frowned. "Why do I always get the boring jobs?"
"Because you're good at them," Kate replied with a smirk, earning a begrudging grin from Harper.
Emma leaned over the map, her expression serious. "What's the timeline? How long do we wait if you don't come back?"
"By sunset," Kate said firmly. "If we're not back by then, assume something went wrong and stay put. Don't come looking for us."
The group nodded, their earlier tension replaced by determination. As they began to prepare, packing their meager belongings and gathering makeshift weapons, Kate pulled Emma aside.
"Thanks for backing me up last night," Kate said quietly.
Emma shrugged, her expression softening. "You were honest, eventually. That's what matters. Now let's make sure we all make it back alive."
Kate smiled faintly. "I'll hold you to that."
As the group dispersed to carry out their tasks, Kate felt a strange sense of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep going. For the first time in weeks, she felt like they might actually pull this off. The road ahead was long and dangerous, but with this group—these people—they might just have a chance.
Still, as she adjusted her pack and readied her crowbar, Kate couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of her mind, she hope everything's went well