The morning sunlight filtered through the cracked windows of the school, illuminating the group gathered around a table in the dining room. Kate stood at the head of the table, her fingers tracing the lines on a map spread before them. Chris and Evan sat on either side, both sipping from mugs of coffee as they listened intently. The faint murmur of voices from other rooms added a sense of quiet normalcy, but the weight of their mission pressed heavily on all three of them.
Kate tapped her finger on a marked point on the map. "Alright, here's the plan for today. First, we head to the police station. We need weapons and, more importantly, police radios. If we can get those, it'll make communication around the school a lot easier."
Chris nodded, leaning forward to study the map. "Makes sense. Police stations usually have a decent armory too, right? Could restock on ammo if we're lucky."
Kate continued, moving her finger down the map. "After that, we'll head to the car rental place a couple of blocks from the station. If we're going to scout this mountain camp, we need something reliable that can handle long distances."
Evan frowned, tapping his chin. "And what if the vehicles there are trashed or stripped for parts? It's been months since everything went to hell—there's no guarantee we'll find anything usable."
Kate nodded, expecting the concern. "True. But it's the closest place we know of, and we have Eric to help if something needs fixing. If it's a complete bust, we'll regroup and figure out another option."
Chris grinned, his usual sense of humor creeping in. "So Eric's our designated mechanic-slash-savior, huh? That guy's going to love hearing about this when we tell him."
Kate smirked, shaking her head. "You can break the news to him."
Evan raised a brow, gesturing to the map. "What's next after the car rental?"
Kate moved her finger to another point. "There's a pharmacy and a convenience store a block over. We'll check those for medical supplies, food, and anything else we can scavenge. Once we're done, we'll head back to the school and plan for tomorrow."
Chris leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Sounds like a full day. How do you want to handle the police station? We don't know if it's empty."
Kate's expression hardened. "That's why we're going in carefully. We'll approach quietly, scout the area first. If it's occupied but the people seem reasonable, we'll try talking to them. But if it looks hostile…" She paused, her gaze meeting Chris's. "We do what we have to do."
Evan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Last thing we need is firefight."
Kate folded the map and tucked it into her jacket. "We move fast, stay focused, and don't take unnecessary risks. Stick to the plan, and we'll be back by sundown."The trio headed to the supply room to gear up. Chris slung his rifle over his shoulder, testing the weight of the weapon. "Man, I miss the days when the biggest decision I had to make in the morning was what cereal to eat."
Evan chuckled, slipping a hunting knife into a sheath on his belt. "I'd settle for a decent cup of coffee."
Kate grabbed her crowbar and slid a pistol into her holster. "You two ready, or do you need a few more minutes to reminisce about the good old days?"
Chris grinned. "Ready when you are, boss."
Kate stood near the truck, carefully inspecting the map in her hands.Chris approached her "So, boss, you ready to lead us into another day of fun and excitement?"
Kate smirked faintly, folding the map and tucking it into her jacket. "If by fun, you mean scavenging in possibly hostile territory, then yes. Let's call it a thrilling adventure."
Evan emerged from the supply room, adjusting the strap on his backpack. "I hope this thrilling adventure doesn't end with us running for our lives. Again."
"Let's not jinx it," Kate replied dryly, her eyes scanning the horizon. "We've got a plan, and if we stick to it, we'll be fine."
Just as they were about to load into the truck, Eric jogged up, carrying a toolkit in one hand and his wrench in the other. "Hey, wait a second."
Kate turned, arching an eyebrow. "Eric, what are you doing here? I thought you were staying back."
Eric stopped in front of her, setting the toolkit down with a thud. "You're heading out to look for a vehicle, right? What if it's not in working condition? What if something breaks down? You're going to need me."
Chris leaned against the side of the truck, smirking. "Told you he'd volunteer."
Kate sighed, crossing her arms. "Eric, this isn't a regular supply run. It's dangerous out there."
Eric met her gaze steadily. "And you'll be in even more danger if your truck stalls in the middle of nowhere or you find a vehicle you can't fix. Look, I get it—it's risky. But I'm not going to let you head out unprepared when I can help."
Evan shrugged. "He's got a point. Having a mechanic might not be the worst idea."
Kate studied Eric for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright, fine. But you follow my lead, stay with the group, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Eric grinned, picking up his toolkit. "You won't regret it."
Chris chuckled as he climbed into the driver's seat. "This is shaping up to be a real dream team."
The truck rumbled to life as Chris took the wheel, with Kate in the passenger seat, her eyes scanning the empty streets for any signs of trouble. Eric and Evan sat in the back, their gear piled between them. The school gate creaked open, and the truck rolled onto the cracked pavement, heading toward the police station.
As the truck bounced over uneven roads, Chris glanced at Kate. "Think we'll find anything useful at the station?"
Kate shrugged. "It depends. If it hasn't been looted or overrun, we might get lucky. If it's occupied, we'll have to play it by ear."
Eric leaned forward, resting his arms on the back of the seat. "And if the people there aren't exactly friendly?"
Kate's jaw tightened. "Then we deal with it. But let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Evan chimed in from the back. "What if the car rental's a bust? Any backup plans?"
Kate glanced at the map in her lap. "There's a repair shop a few miles out. If the rental's no good, we'll check there. But let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Chris smirked. "Positive thinking, Kate. That's what I like about you."
Kate shot him a dry look. "Funny. I thought you liked my crowbar."
The group laughed, the tension easing slightly as they approached the outskirts of the city. But as the police station came into view, the mood shifted. The building stood like a relic of the old world, its windows shattered and its walls marked with graffiti.
Kate raised a hand, signaling Chris to slow down. "Alright, this is it. Everyone stay sharp."