Running Rats

Today's the day, today is the day where they'll leave their comfort behind. Everything is settled, their foods, clothes, medical supplies and even their weapons. It's only a matter of time until they traverse through the hunting grounds. The backdoor opened, and they both came out as quietly as possible. Jonathan whispered to Catherine to watch the sky. The main road infront of the house might've been a faster way but they will be too exposed to both the people and the UFBO's. The backyards of each houses looked as a safer alternative, with the cover of both houses left and right, they atleast have a way to hide themselves. They both only wish that there are no dogs left at the backyards, but they are both positive that there aren't any since thoughts like these wouldn't help in their journey. Up, left, right and down are where their heads look constantly, while walking slouched to the ground so they can walk quietly and undetected.

Eventually the houses ran out and the backyards has led them to a main road. Jonathan signaled Catherine to stop while he looks at all the direction before they can once again move and cross to another block of lined up houses. Jonathan carefully peeked from left to right trying to see if the coast is clear. All the sides and above are empty and they wasted no time to move. They went through several backyards and blocks before they eventually made it out of the suburbs. Their way out was both nerve wrecking and scary, but it was also....eerie. The entire place looked abandoned, far from what it actually is or what it was. There is no sound, no ambience, no anything just the faint footsteps and breathing that they made. A relief washed over them, they are relieved that they made it out safely without encountering anyone or anything. They quickly jumped in the forest near the entrance of the suburbs so they'd atleast have cover from the creatures above.

"Let's take it slow for a while, I think there's an abandoned shed just a few miles from here, maybe we can stay there for the night.", Jonathan whispered as he looked around him. "Did they reply, did they tell you where they are?"

"Dad replied, he told me that they'll be waiting for us at the house, Joseph didn't reply yet. How long do you think before we arrive?", Catherine asked in a quiet and hushed voice.

"I don't know maybe three days? We can get there fast but we have to stay in the woods or any where else with cover. It will be our only shot at making it out alive". Jonathan replied.

Usually when Catherine uses a car she can arrive at her parents house in just hours, but there are too many open areas in the place and they have to find ways to cover themselves and that is the reason it's going to take them days. They didn't need to slouch to the ground anymore, but they still need to be alert. Jonathan is holding a 2x4 in his hands while Catherine's hand is holding her gun in the holster. They are atleast relaxed in the forest that they are traversing but it's the same with the suburbs it's too quiet. Catherine doesn't really like the lack of noise around her so she struck up a conversation with Jonathan, asking him if he thinks the town looks like a ghost town now. Jonathan also found it eerie that there wasn't any noise in the suburbs but for him it has to be since there's no one around to help them and that despite the Guns they own and if the EAS is right, there is really only so much they can do but to stay quiet.

The woods, although giving them safety, is still creeping them both out they don't know what might appear as they go through it, wild animals, people or worse, the UFBO's. The danger the outside poses is now starting to get to them. They are still pretty much exposed to the many dangers outside. The more they traverse the more they think that something is in the corner waiting for them. The branches, leaves and sudden sounds they hear heightens up the Paranoia that they are feeling. They both try to calm themselves down, only telling themselves that they eventually make it through and arrive at the house.

The night is coming and the shack is still nowhere to be seen, Catherine is scared and Jonathan is worried. Jonathan knows that it's still around there somewhere as he always sees it when he explores the woods from time to time. But he is still worried on what will happen if they don't, they don't have tents to make a shelter and the only thing providing them heat is the Coat that they are wearing in which the coat Jonathan is wearing is tight. The situation is starting to get dire for them. The sun is almost about to set and they are still outside with no shelter. Jonathan urged Catherine to look closely on all sides. Since he knows that they are near the shed. Catherine looked anywhere she could, their time is running out and they both need to look fast. Catherine's eyes scanned the entire area, trying her best to finally spot that dreaded shed, but she still couldn't see anything. A panic in both of them is starting to emerge, what if they don't find it, where will they stay? and if they don't find it, can they make it through the night. Jonathan is now quietly cussing through the air, blaming himself now for assuring that they can find a place to stay. The situation is not in their favor, the sun is almost out and they can see it slowly hide under the horizon. There is nothing around them, but the trees, branches and dried leaves already inhabiting the forest.

But just when they finally gave up, Catherine saw a door in between two trees, she called Jonathan and he saw it as well. Jonathan cursed through the air once more, annoyed by how well hidden the shed is. They both quickly made their way to the shed and thankfully it is open. They both checked the shed just in case there might be someone or something inside of it, but thank God there isn't. They both made their way inside, relieved and thankful that they made it.

They sat down on the cold and dirty floor of the shed, relieved and laughing about how they almost lost their hope because of a shed. Jonathan asked him if she wants some water and Catherine obliged. After sharing a drink, Jonathan said that he would never thought that 6pm onwards would be too late for him. Catherine laughed and said that is her reality since this began. Jonathan smiled telling Catherine how funny and scary all this is, one day you're outside having fun late at night, then one day 6pm is too late and dangerous for you. Catherine smiled as well, relating to the volatility of time. She too never thought that something like these would really happen, but that's life for you. They opened a can of tuna which is their dinner for the night. After they finished, Jonathan volunteered once again to be on watch for the night. Catherine asked him if he isn't tired, Jonathan said that he is but he'll still keep a look out just to be safe. Catherine told him not to stay up too late and try to get some rest later on. Jonathan nodded and she lied down on the floor to finally get some rest.

The day was truly different for both of them, who knew going outside the suburbs would be this intense? But the nevertheless, she is glad that they made it. She is happy that she has someone with her, especially since she originally planned to go out herself. Although she is relieved and Happy that they made it, that where she's also concerned. They were just running away from the night, what will happen if they finally encounter them?