147

The sky is a deep blue, though light clouds blank out some of the canvas. Seabirds call out overhead. I bet they're as hungry as we are. You and Emma start up the path to the Cathedral, side-by-side, keeping watch for any signs of zombie unlife.

"What were you doing outside the Cathedral? With a rifle?" you ask.

"Do you need to know about everything I do?" she says with an emotionless tone.

"I'm just curious. It's not a big deal."

"I was hunting. Does knowing make you feel better?"

"Let's drop it, Emma."

She picks up speed, and you keep pace.

"There are definitely more zombies around. I saw half a dozen at least over the hour I was in the woods. They were easy to avoid, but the increase in numbers was noticeable," Emma says.

"Zombie Exodus is real. We need to make decisions soon about staying at the Cathedral or leaving."

"I'm leaving," she says, her voice firm. "You should come with me, but we'll leave the rest. They will hold us back. What do you want to do?"