Zombie Exodus: Aftermath, scene 7

Continued from scene 6 

“Let’s hit the farming community. It sounds like it’s out-of-the-way and offers the best chance for all of us to thrive for a while,” you say.

“I don’t hate that decision, “Jesse says and starts hiking northwest.

Your a group follows after her, and it’s flat forest for the first hour until the woods grow denser. Terrain becomes uneven, causing you all to struggle to find footing. Portland groans as she twists an ankle, but you tie it in a strip of clothing you find on your path. None of your group complains. They’ve all lived according to one rule for so long. Expect no comfort, enjoy it while you can.

At the end of the second hour, you find a road leading due northwest. Without a map, you are only guided by Cameron’s memory.

“We just need to stay in this direction for another 30 or so miles. If we take the road, it’s going to go easier on us. It’s paved and we can scavenge cars along the way.” He starts along the shoulder, looking back to see if you’re following.

“Will you wait? Who said we’re taking the road. Ya didn’t give us a chance to discuss how we’re getting there. Democracy, dude,” Jesse says.

Portland swipes her lips with Chapstick and places it in her Fanny pack. “The road is too dangerous. The Reds patrol this zone. We should continue through the woods.”

“Got to agree with limpy. Even with a bum ankle she’s willing to walk,” Jesse says.

Camron sits on the ground and picks at the dirt in the tread of his shoe with a twig. “It’s not just about comfort. We also have to factor speed and wear and tear on our bodies. We haven’t been walking long and Portland hurt her ankle. We all have nicks and bruises. Hiking three days through the woods is not going to go easy on us.”

“Isn’t there a stream that way?” you ask. You remember a map of this area and saw the stream roughly following a northwest path. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and find a canoe or something we can ride. We can fish along the way, and it will be much safer than the road.“

“Yeah, and maybe supplies will rain down from the sky and a pack of unicorns will fly us to our destination,” Jesse says.

“It’s not a bad idea. Even walking along the stream will be easier than the thickest part of the woods. And we can still fish, and there’s always stuff to scavenge. People are always throwing junk in the stream.” Cameron says.

“We need to find food. We have barely eaten all day. My stomach is growling like a Terrie.” Portland lifts the front of her hoodie and squeezes her belly.

“We still have to worry about patrols on the stream. Not as bad as the road, but the Reds travel there all the time,” Jesse says.

Continue to scene 8