Zombie Exodus: Aftermath, Scene 6
Added 2022-01-29 20:31:38 +0000 UTCYou open your bag and show them the canteen, first-aid kit, and a multitool.
“Good stuff,” Jesse says. “I got this revolver, a few changes of underwear, a bottle of whiskey, and a can of pork and beans.”
Cameron opens the small plastic bag he brought and looks inside with disappointment. “I only brought some clothes.”
“I didn’t have time to bring anything,” Portland says.
“What’s in that little Fanny pack of yours?” Jesse asks, pointing.
“In here? I’ve got half a tube of Chapstick and a photo of my sister. Some tissues and a piece of chalk. It’s not like I had a lot of time to pack.”
“None of us had time, girl. Don’t matter now. Let’s get going,” Jesse says and starts through the forest.
You all follow after her, and the four of you walk for several hours. A cold wind has picked up through the woods. The temperature has fallen by 15°. Cameron rubs his bare arms as he walks and now wears an extra T-shirt for warmth. Portland slips her arms out of the sleeves of her hoodie and hugs her body. Jesse seems undisturbed by the drop in temp. You find a windbreaker in your to-go pack and put it on. Your stomach growls, and your feet ache from the constant walking. You’ve shared your canteen and gone through half of it. Though you’ve passed a few creeks, you haven’t stopped to boil water, and so your canteen contains all the water you have. This is definitely not where you want to be. You always thought of Tempest Point as a home. Even though you’ve only been there for a six weeks you were getting comfortable with the people, the security, the resources. Now you’re back to square one. Actually, now you’ve got less than nothing. Out in the woods, you will suffer from the elements and be exposed to zombies and aggressive survivors. You may be the best suited in your group to this style of living, and that’s not saying much. You need to find a place to go, and you need it fast.
“Are we ever going to take a break?” Cameron asks. “I hate to be the one to ask, but we’ve been walking for a few hours. I can’t be the only one who’s exhausted.”
Jesse stops just before the peak of a mountain. “We are all tired. We’ve only got a few more hours of light, and then it’s going to get really cold. We only have a few options here, so let’s discuss them. This is a democracy after all.”
“You said something about a farming community nearby?” Portland asks. “What about that?”
Cameron sits on the ground and stretches out one of his legs. “Yeah, it’s northwest of here maybe a few days travel. I’ve heard it has lots of food, and there are really good people over there. As long as you work, you can earn. I just don’t know how they keep it safe. Maybe they’re paying off the Reds or some other group for protection.”
“West Point has a large outpost to the north.” Portland crouches on the ground and wets her lips with Chapstick.
“You want to seek shelter with those assholes?” Jesse snaps.
“They have food and shelter. Any outpost of West Point is going to be secure,” you say. “Of course, that comes at a steep price. They are militant and believe in strict order. We would be working our asses off. But will be alive. We don’t have to stay forever, just long enough to get back on our feet.”
“TradeWorld is far west of here,” Cameron says, shrugging.
Jesse puts her hands on the top of her head and grunts. “I don’t really want to go there, but it may be worth a shot. That place is chaos. No rules. Run by different gangs. It may be just a bit safer than living out here in the woods.”
“Yeah, but if you get in with a group, they will take care of you. You can work in one of the casinos and make a good living. At least that’s what I’ve heard,” Portland says. “We also don’t have to stay forever. Just like West Point, we can work until we have supplies and then we can leave and find somewhere else for the long-term.”
