Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison, scene 21

continued from scene 20 

Brody nods, his curiosity piqued. It wouldn't hurt to check out Sarah's friends, right? They might be decent folks."

Madison reluctantly agrees, aware that socializing with strangers might become a new part of their post-apocalyptic reality. She follows her brother and Sarah into the house.

The house's interior is a mix of makeshift barricades and scavenged comforts. Windows are tightly boarded up, but vibrant tapestries and worn-out blankets hang over them, offering a touch of privacy and a semblance of homeliness. Amongst the cans strung together as an improvised alarm system, a few Polaroid photos are pinned to the walls, snapshots from happier times.

A pair of bicycles stands sentry-like near the entrance. Attached to one of them is a small, hand-painted wooden sign that reads "Our Freedom Machines."

In the corner, an eclectic collection of books lines a rickety bookshelf. A well-thumbed copy of a survival guide sits next to a volume of poetry.

Weapons, both improvised and scavenged, are scattered around the living room, blending in seamlessly with everyday objects. A wooden baseball bat, wrapped in barbed wire, leans casually against the wall, ready for action. A hunting knife with a leather-wrapped hilt rests beside a stack of old board games. On a small coffee table, an antique globe sits proudly, its colors faded and borders outdated.

Sarah leads them to a burly man with a beard and a ponytail. He extends a hand to Brody, his grip firm. "I'm Daniel," he says with a smile. He's dressed in a patched-up leather jacket, worn jeans, and sturdy boots. A thick scar runs along his left cheek.

"Thanks for helping us out there," Daniel says. "Cobras have been giving us trouble lately."

As he finishes, two figures descend the stairs from the second floor. The first is a petite woman with striking green eyes and a shock of red hair. She's dressed in practical attire—jeans, a faded T-shirt, and a utility belt laden with tools and supplies.

Following her is a person with a slender frame and an air of quiet confidence. Their short-cropped hair is dyed a vibrant shade of purple. They wear a collection of mismatched clothes, patched together with inventive alterations.

Sarah introduces Brody and Madison to Sophie and Moth, and the group exchanges polite nods and greetings.

Daniels's voice cuts through the awkward silence, breaking the ice. "Hey, we were just about to whip up some lunch. We raided a stash yesterday, so we've got a pot of lentils and rice cooking, plus some canned meat." He rubs his hands together, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

As the group moves towards the kitchen, Sophie locks the front door with a deadbolt. Madison sees her movements, feeling that something is not quite right here. Why would they be locking them in?

As the group moves towards the kitchen, Madison grabs Brody from behind. "Are you sure about this? I think we should go."

Brody rolls his eyes. "Will you knock it off? They want to thank us for helping them. It's been just us for the past three months. I want to hang out with other people."

What should the twins do?

#Stay for lunch, to get to know Sarah’s friends.

#Confront Sophie, asking why she locked them in.

#Immediately leave the house and continue on their journey.