Zombie Exodus: Aftermath, scene 9

Continued from scene 8 

You take a step towards the boat. “I really don’t want to steal this, but we need to get moving. Besides, Portland needs to get off that ankle for a while.” You and Jesse help Portland get into the center of the boat. Cameron waits until you’re all ready and then pushes it off the shoreline. As it starts to move through the water, he jumps on, rocking the boat from side to side until it settles again.

Jesse raises the sail, which shoots up to its full length and catches the wind. The boat picks up speed along the stream.

“Hey, what’s this?” Portland says and picks up a backpack. “It was stuffed in this hatch here.”

Jesse takes it from her and opens the bag. “Let’s see…a few bags of nuts and berries, some kind of dried meat or jerky, a harmonica, and SWEET, a box of cigars.”

Cameron high steps through the boat and grabs the sticks of jerky out of her hand. He takes the bag of nuts and berries and tosses them to Portland. Jesse plucks out a cigar and checks her pockets. “Damn, no matches. Anybody got a way to light this?”

***

The group sails for several hours along the stream in quiet comfort. A stiff breeze keeps you moving at a constant pace. With the sewing kit, Jesse is able to create a fishing line with tackle and somehow manages to catch a small bass. She keeps it dragging through the water, so it stays fresh until you can reach shore to cook it. The small amount of food you have goes quickly, but you make considerable progress on your trip to the farming community. Even Portland’s ankle looks better since she’s been able to rest it for the afternoon.

“Do you all think we should stop and set up camp?” Cameron asks. “Right over there is a house. It looks abandoned. We can stay there overnight.”

Jesse sits up in the boat and looks at him with annoyed frown. “Why do we need to get off this boat? We can sleep here and travel all through the night.”

“Because it’s going to be incredibly uncomfortable to sleep like this all night. Plus, there’s a house right there. It’s perfect for us,” Cameron says.

Portland stands in the boat and moves towards the front of it for a better view of the stream ahead . “How about we compromise? We travel until it gets really dark and then finding somewhere to stop. We also have to be careful about sailing in the darkness. What if the waters get rough or we encounter other survivors? We won’t be able to see anything.”

“I don’t know. I just want to get to that community. Violet, what you think?”

While all three choices make sense, you also get the feeling your three companions all want you to side with them. Your decision could also affect your relationship with all three.

Continue to scene 10