Uninvited Guests

Their goal was clear, to gather as many supplies and wood as they could knowing how important it was to be overprepared. Sarah and Dusty headed off this morning with one of the wagons to gather wood from the nearby forest, or at least the wooded urban area as it couldn't really be called a forest. They took turns with each of the different types of hunts to give them a little variety. One day Sarah and Dusty would gather wood, the next they would search for supplies. Most of the time Sarah and Dusty traveled together but not always. 

As William and Samantha ventured out into the city in search of much-needed supplies, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. The once bustling streets now lay eerily silent, the only sound the distant moans of the undead echoing through the empty buildings.

As they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a group of men, armed to the teeth and clad in worn, tattered clothing. The men eyed them warily, their expressions guarded and suspicious.

Samantha's heart raced as she exchanged a nervous glance with William. They knew they needed to tread carefully, lest they provoke a confrontation with these armed strangers.

"Hey, you two," one of the men called out, his voice gruff and authoritative. "Where do you think you're going?"

William took a step back, his hands held up in a gesture of surrender. "We're just passing through," he replied, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "We don't mean any harm."

The men exchanged a knowing glance before turning their attention back to William and Samantha. "You haven't seen anyone... unusual around here, have you?" another man asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. He then went on to describe a zombie that acted strangely, fitting the description of Sarah.

Samantha's heart skipped a beat as she thought about Sarah and Dusty and where they had headed this morning. Could these men be referring to her?

"No, we haven't seen anyone like that, or anyone at all for that matter, just zombies." she replied, her voice trembling slightly despite her efforts to remain calm. "We have only just recently arrived from Florenceville, we are just trying to gather more food so we can continue our journey.

The men exchanged a few more terse words before finally allowing William and Samantha to continue on their way. As they watched the strangers disappear into the distance, a sense of relief washed over them.

But their relief was short-lived as they rounded another corner and came face to face with a small group of zombies, their hungry eyes fixed on William and Samantha with unsettling intensity.

With a shared glance, William and Samantha sprang into action, their swords flashing in the dim light as they fended off the approaching horde. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they fought for their lives, their movements fueled by a desperate desire to survive.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of the zombies lay still at their feet, their undead bodies motionless in the cold embrace of death.

Breathless and shaken, William and Samantha made their way back to the safehouse, their minds reeling with the events of the day.

The arrived to see Sarah and Dusty hard at work carrying wood into their building and placing it in the back storage room. They were getting a size collection of wood gathered up. 

Once that load was emptied they to a break, the four sitting together. As they recounted their encounter with the armed men and the zombie horde, Dusty and Sarah listened intently, their expressions grave.

"We will need to be more careful from now on," Dusty remarked, his voice tinged with concern. "It seems like there are others out there who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive."

Sarah nodded in agreement, her eyes dark with worry. "We'll need to keep a close watch on our surroundings and watch out for each other," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

There was still daylight left so the four decided to take the two carts into the wooded area for another load of wood.

As the group ventured into the wooded area nearest their safehouse, their breath mingled with the crisp winter air, forming wisps of steam that hung in the cool air. Dusty led the way, his axe slung over his shoulder and saw in hand as he scanned the forest for suitable trees.

The woods were eerily quiet, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath their boots as they trudged through the underbrush. Samantha and William followed close behind, their eyes darting nervously between the trees as they kept watch for any signs of danger.

Sarah trailed behind the group, her senses heightened as she scanned the surrounding forest for any signs of movement. Despite her undead nature, she felt a sense of unease in the presence of the dense, shadowy trees that loomed overhead.

After a time, Dusty spotted a cluster of sturdy oak trees, their gnarled branches reaching toward the sky like skeletal fingers. With a nod of approval, he motioned for the group to stop, signaling that they had found their quarry.

With practiced efficiency, the group set to work, their saw biting into the thick bark of the trees as they began to fell them one by one. Once on the ground they cut them into pieces to fit their stove and then began to split each piece. The rhythmic thud of steel against wood echoed through the forest.

As quickly had a small pile of logs and began loading them into the carts, each one a testament to the group's determination and teamwork. With each swing of the axe, they grew closer to their goal, driven by the knowledge that the wood they gathered would provide much-needed warmth and comfort during the long winter months ahead.

As the sun began to set, their task was complete. With satisfied smiles, they gathered up the freshly cut logs and loaded them onto their wagons, ready to transport them back to their safehouse where they would be stacked and stored for future use.

As they trudged back through the snow-covered woods, the weight of their burden seemed to lift from their shoulders, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. With each step, they drew closer to home, their hearts filled with the warmth of camaraderie and the knowledge that they were prepared to face whatever challenges the winter might bring.

With a shared nod of determination, the group resolved to stay vigilant in the face of the ever-present dangers that lurked beyond the safety of their makeshift sanctuary. Tomorrow would be the day that they travel back to the gas station. It would be the first time Sarah gets to meet scientists who may be able to provide her with answers that she had desired.