With the introductions out of the way, Marcus turned his attention back to Kate and Chris. "Now that you know who we are, let's talk about what you can do for us. Like I said, you need to prove your worth if you want to stick around."
Morrison stepped forward, holding up his clipboard. "We've been planning a run to a small shopping mall a few blocks from here. It's been quiet in that area, so there's a chance it still has supplies. But we need to know what we're walking into."
Marcus looked thoughtful, drumming his fingers on the table. He turned his gaze back to Kate and Chris. "That sound like something you can handle?"
Kate exchanged a quick glance with Chris before nodding. "We can do that. What are we looking for specifically?"
"Food and medical supplies are priorities," Morrison said, stepping closer. "If you find any tools or ammo, that's a bonus. But the main thing is intel. We need to know what kind of threat we're dealing with if we decide to go in ourselves—walkers, other survivors, traps, anything like that."
Daniels stepped closer, handing Chris a small handheld radio. "Channel three," she said. "Keep it on. If things go south, call for backup—but don't expect us to come running unless it's worth the risk."
Kate took the map Morrison handed her, studying the marked route to the mall. "Anything we should know about the area?"
"Stay on the main roads," Morrison advised. "The side streets are a maze, and they're more likely to have walkers or other hazards. And watch your backs—quiet doesn't always mean safe."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp. "You do this right, and we'll talk about next steps. Screw it up, and this door closes to you for good. Understood?"
Kate met his gaze evenly. "Understood."
As Kate and Chris made their way toward the station's exit, the weight of the task ahead settled heavily on their shoulders. The rest of the group watched them go, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Chris glanced at Kate as they stepped outside. "You think they're for real? Marcus seems like the no-nonsense type, but I'm not sure I trust Morrison or Daniels."
Kate sighed, tucking the map into her jacket. "I don't trust any of them yet. But they've got a good setup here, and if we want any chance at working with them, we need to play ball."
Chris nodded, adjusting the strap of his rifle. "Alright. Let's do this. But keep your guard up. We don't know what we're walking into."
Kate gave a small smile. "Always."
Kate and Chris stepped cautiously out of the police station, their breaths visible in the chill of the morning air. The streets stretched out before them, a mix of emptiness and quiet menace. The soft moan of a distant walker echoed faintly, its figure barely discernible as it stumbled aimlessly through the ruins several blocks away. The faded red brick of the station loomed behind them, and as they moved further into the open, the weight of their mission began to press down harder.
Chris glanced back at the station and then toward Kate, his voice a low murmur. "Marcus runs a tight ship, I'll give him that. But I'm not sure about the rest of them. Morrison especially—he seems like the type who'd throw us under the bus if it benefited him."
Kate tightened her grip on the crowbar she carried. "He's meticulous, but you're right—he's not someone I'd trust to have my back in a pinch. Daniels, though… she's sharp. I wouldn't underestimate her."
Chris snorted softly, the sound tinged with disbelief. "You mean the same Daniels who practically told us to screw off if things went sideways? Yeah, she's sharp all right—sharp enough to slice us loose if we mess this up."
Kate nodded grimly, her eyes scanning the street ahead. "Exactly Which is why we don't mess this up. If Marcus is serious about letting us stay, this mission could seal the deal. But if anything feels off…" She paused, her expression hardening. "We leave. No second chances."
Chris slowed his steps, looking at her carefully. "And what happens if we find something good? Do we bring it back to them, or do we hold onto it for ourselves?"
Kate hesitated, her brow furrowing. "If it's something valuable, we bring it back. At least for now. We need to show we're team players. But trust me, Chris, I'm not giving them everything, If it's the difference between survival and appeasing Morrison, we choose survival."
Chris smirked, his grip tightening on his rifle. "Glad we're on the same page. I'm not about to give up our ace to a guy who looks at us like numbers on a clipboard without knowing their true colors."
The walk to the shopping mall was fraught with tension, though uneventful at first. The main roads, as Morrison had suggested, were relatively clear—save for the occasional cluster of abandoned cars and scattered debris. Still, the eerie quiet of the city was unnerving. Every sound, from the crunch of gravel beneath their boots to the distant creak of a swinging sign, seemed amplified.
Chris broke the silence first. "That Amelia woman back there—she seems sharp. Think she's in charge of scavenging?"
"Probably," Kate replied, her voice hushed. "But did you notice how protective she was of Henry and Victor? It's like they're a package deal. If we're going to work with them, we'll need to figure out their dynamics. People like her don't just trust outsiders."
Chris nodded. he kicked a loose pebble, watching it skitter down the road. "Marcus might be in charge, but groups like this always have undercurrents. Morrison's running logistics, Daniels is the enforcer, but Amelia? She's the backbone. If things ever go south between Marcus and the others, we'll need to know where people stand."
Kate stopped suddenly, holding out her arm to halt Chris. She pointed ahead, where the outline of the small shopping mall came into view. It was a modest building, the parking lot in front littered with overturned carts, abandoned vehicles, and the skeletal remains of a few walkers.
"Looks clear so far," Chris muttered, raising his binoculars for a better look. After a moment, he lowered them and added, "No movement. But that doesn't mean it's safe."
Kate frowned, pulling out the map Marcus had given her. She traced their route with her finger, then looked up at the mall again. "Let's circle around first. Get a full view of the place before we go in."
Chris nodded, tightening his grip on his rifle. "Works for me. Better safe than sorry."
The pair moved cautiously around the building's perimeter, sticking close to the crumbling walls and keeping low to avoid being spotted. The smell of decay grew stronger as they approached the side of the building, a sickly-sweet odor that clung to the cold air.
As they rounded the building's corner, Chris motioned for Kate to stop. "Hold up," he whispered, pointing toward a side entrance. The door was ajar,its hinges creaking softly in the breeze.
Kate's eyes narrowed as she studied the scene. "That wasn't on the map. Morrison didn't say anything about a side entrance."
"Could be a good thing," Chris murmured. "Or a really bad thing."
They crouched low, inching closer to the door, their weapons at the ready. Kate peered inside, her breath catching as she took in the dimly lit hallway beyond. Fluorescent lights flickered sporadically, casting long, jittery shadows across the trash-strewn floor. Drag marks, faint but unmistakable, led deeper into the building.
"This feels wrong," Chris muttered. "It's too quiet."
Kate nodded, her jaw tightening. "We go in slow. No sudden moves. And if we see anything we don't like, we're out. Okay?"
Chris gave a single nod, his grip tightening on his rifle. "okay."