Why Continue?

They sat in front of the fire, Angelica hugging her knees while Higa sat right next to her, slightly more relaxed than she was. "What's on your mind?" he asked, trying to make conversation. Angelica sighed and looked up at the night sky, her thoughts still on the old man's story. "I was just thinking about what he said... about how anyone could turn into one of them if they're not careful. I just worry that it might be true - that it might happen to me, or one of you." Higa nodded solemnly and put a comforting arm around her. "Relax! when this all started, You and Liam were fearless! You guys were kicking zombie ass with ease" he said and laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Angelica smiled faintly but then her face turned serious again. "But that was back then… the infection wasn't as bad, and from the man's story…the zombies still seem to have a consciousness. It's like we're still killing humans. That's why it scares me. With how large the infection has spread, and the fact we- no, I might start hesitating might be the end of us." she said in a quiet voice, her eyes scanning the dark forest around them as if looking for signs of danger. Liam, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the conversation, turned his head away. Higa began to speak. "We can't give up now y'know! As long as we have each other and keep going, I'm sure we can get through this—"

"This isn't some stupid storybook plot. It's reality. Up until now the only thing we had to worry about were the zombies, but now there are all these other variants and…." Angelica trailed off and sighed heavily, reaching up to rub her forehead. "I just… I want us all to stay alive, you know?" It was a sad sentiment and one that Liam could understand. He had seen far too many of his friends perish on this journey; he didn't want to see anyone else get hurt. "How long do you want us to keep fighting…?" he asked quietly. Angelica looked up at him, her gaze softening. "Liam…" She opened her mouth to say something else but closed it again. "AT this rate, You, Angelica, and Carla will end up being ripped to shreds, that's why you're doing all of this right? To keep her safe?" Liam asked, breaking the silence. Higa scratched the back of his head with a sigh, slightly annoyed at Liam's rant. "what are you on about?" he said firmly. "It's not just about keeping Carla safe—we need to stay alive if we want to have any chance of making it out of this alive." pinched his nose. "and what's next if we stay alive? What then?" he asked, looking at Angelica and Higa. Higa looked as if he was going to say something but they all heard a shuffle in the tents and everyone froze. "I think we've got bigger problems at the moment," he said urgently in a whisper. He motioned for them to follow him silently and they all carefully made their way to the tent They all had their guard up though they likely wouldn't be able to do anything if there was danger. Luckily, it was just a half-sleepy Carla who had been woken up by Liam's yelling. Seeing them all around her, she quickly got off the cot and hurriedly got out of the tent. Her eyes were wide with anxiety as she looked back at them expectantly. "D-Did I miss anything..?"