Chapter 7 (Lone Stranger)

Chapter 7: Lone Stranger

Ethan Warren

May 2023

One year after outbreak

Omaha, Nebraska

Season 2

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We've planned to stay in Nebraska for about a week. We would search everywhere we could for anything. Aiden found guns under the counters of convenience stores. Edin found medical supplies in a hospital with rotting corpses laid neatly out in the parking lot, and Rudi had found a long scarf-like thing to carry Juna and be able to protect the two of them at the same time. He wrapped her around his body in the front because she was still too small to support her own body weight. But we had still barely found any food. There is barely any water, and there is no place to call home.

When all of us went into one of the abandoned buildings, we heard something coming from the floor above. We immediately clustered together. This wasn't something we had practiced or anything; it was just a natural reaction at this point. We all relied on each other. Well, at least most of us did. Lucas was still an outcast and always would be, and now Leah resents me more than anyone else in the world.

"What the hell is that?" Dallen asked. The sound grew louder and closer, causing our hearts to race. We exchanged worried glances, unsure of what awaited us upstairs.

"It could be an animal," Aaron suggested.

"If it was an animal, we'd be the luckiest people alive," Khai chimed in. I decided that we'd deal with whatever it was when we needed to, and we needed to save what little strength we had. There was nothing in this store, just like every other one. I wasn't surprised, but I was disappointed. I went back to searching around; I didn't want to give up so easily. As I rummaged through the shelves, my eyes caught a flicker of hope—a small flashlight tucked away in a corner. I grabbed it and turned it on, illuminating the dimly lit store. With renewed determination, I continued to scour every nook and cranny, refusing to let despair consume us.

Just then, we heard something walking down the stairs. At first, I thought it was one of the dead, so we got out our guns to use what little ammo we had left, but this time it wasn't. It was a person. A living person, but still, none of us lowered our weapons. Chances were something we couldn't afford to take. The person cautiously approached us, their hands raised in a gesture of surrender. Their eyes darted around the store, assessing the situation.

"Hello there," he said awkwardly.

"What do you want?" I asked, making my way in front of the group.

"I don't want anything; I'm simply looking for supplies, as I assume you are as well," he smiled.

"Drop your weapons and give us all your shit, or I'll put a bullet in your brain." I saw Rudi give me a look of disapproval, but I really couldn't care less at the moment. We're desperate. The man's smile faded, and his eyes narrowed. He slowly lowered his hands, but his body language remained tense. "There's no need for violence," he said calmly. "We can all benefit from working together in this situation. I'm unarmed; you can check if you want. I don't wish any of you harm; you can take whatever you need from me," he said, setting down his bag. The man's words seemed sincere, but I couldn't shake off my suspicion. Aiden exchanged a glance with me, silently conveying his uncertainty. We needed to make a decision quickly, weighing the risks and rewards of trusting this stranger.

"How have you survived this long without something to kill the dead with?" Khai asked, taking the bag off the ground. There were a few instant noodles and water bottles. But no baby formula—not like I was expecting there to be any, but I had hopes. As Khai rummaged through the bag, disappointment washed over me. Aiden's furrowed brow mirrored my own frustration, signaling that we needed to find a solution for Juna soon.

"Well, I was going to get to that before this kind man threatened me," he chuckled. I didn't put down my gun, and neither did anyone else. Except for Rudi, but he still held his knife firmly in his left hand. "I noticed you people have a child. I want to help you, and I believe I can." My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Juna. Khai and I exchanged glances, cautiously hopeful.

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked, slowly moving my index finger away from the trigger.

"Because that's what I do. That's what I've been doing since the beginning."

"And you think a few cups of noodles are going to help?"

"I don't trust this guy," Dallen whispered in my ear.

"What I have to offer is far better than noodles."

"No, something's wrong with this man. There ain't nothing better than noodles," Edin joked without letting a smile creep up on her face. He laughed, and it only made me want to kill him more.

"There's a community. Walls, families, food, electricity, hot water—anything you could possibly need And I know you people need it. Let me take you there, please; it's the least I could do."

"Let me get this straight. We pointed guns and knives at you, threatened to kill you, stole all your shit, and you're just going to trust us enough to let us into your home? If this "community" of yours is real, what would they think about this? We could be dangerous, and you're just going to let us sleep in the same place as your women and children?" I interrogated.

"No one's ever truly bad, sir. Plus, not many murderers and cannibals keep babies around. You can take my word for it; I've seen my fair share of those types of people. I am just trying to help. And I believe if you were truly bad, I wouldn't still be standing without a scratch on me."

"Why should we even believe you?" Leah asked.

"You can't really, but if I am lying, you can kill me. The name is Steve Peterson, by the way. After all, I probably wouldn't trust such an offer myself. You people look like you've been out here a while. It's human nature to be skeptical, " he smiled again. I hated how much he smiled. What was left out here to be so happy about? As Leah continued to stare at Steve, her skepticism never faded. "Alright, Steve," she finally said, her voice threatening. "We'll give you a chance to prove yourself. But one wrong move, and you won't be smiling anymore."

"We'll go with you, but you're not driving. You'll tell us every direction while my friend here holds a gun to your face," I added, signaling to Khai.

"Fair enough. Shall we leave now or at dawn?"

"Now, I'm not letting my family sleep under the same roof as you."