A Light in the Dark
"Ready?" Liam adjusted the straps of his backpack and glanced at Sam, who nodded with resolve painted across his face.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Sam replied, stepping towards the entrance. "Let's move before the infected start their usual nighttime rounds."
They stepped out into the dawn's light, pale and uncertain, making their way through the derelict streets. The city felt haunted, every corner a faint memory of a life they barely recognized anymore. Cracked asphalt and damaged buildings flanked their progress, the occasional flutter of tattered posters and debris the only signs of movement.
Liam led the way, the aged map from Sergeant MacCrimmon folded in his hand. "We head east, past our old elementary school, then cut through the park."
Sam's footsteps echoed Liam's, their shared silence reverberating with thoughts unspoken and fears undisturbed.
"It's weird, isn't it? How empty everything is now." Sam's voice finally broke through, almost startled by its own presence in the stillness.
"Yeah," Liam replied, eyes fixed ahead. "It's like the city's holding its breath, waiting for something that'll never come."
The path took them past shattered storefronts and abandoned cars, each a testament to hastily abandoned lives. They reached the school, its once vibrant playground now a twisted jungle of forgotten merriment and rusty swings. Sam paused, looking over at the desolation with a distant gaze.
"Liam, do you ever think about...what it was like before all this?" Sam's voice carried a fragility, a yearning for the simplicity of their past.
"Everyday." Liam's eyes softened, his gaze turning inward for a brief moment. "But let's keep moving. We can't let our guard down."
They maneuvered through the park, a labyrinth of overgrown paths and overturned benches, nature beginning to reclaim what humanity had deserted. The silence weighed on them, each step a reminder of the life they've been thrust into. They reached a shaded grove, the trees dense enough to offer a brief respite from the city's starkness.
"Let's take a break," Sam suggested, dropping his backpack to the ground. "We've been walking for hours."
Liam nodded, joining Sam on a fallen log. He pulled out a red stainless steel water bottle they had nicked from an abandoned shop and took a sip of water before passing it over.
"We're going to make it, right?" Sam took a swig, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"We have to," Liam replied, trying to mask his uncertainty with conviction. "We have people counting on us."
They sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, the weight of the world pressing down on their shoulders. Birds chirped amid the overgrowth, their songs the only remnants of normalcy in a warped world.
Liam took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs. "Sam, there's something I need to tell you." His tone shifted, a blend of vulnerability and urgency.
Sam turned, eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity. "What is it?"
"It's just...with everything that's happening, I can't afford to keep things buried anymore." Liam's voice trembled as he looked directly at Sam. "I've been hiding something, and I need you to know."
Uncertainty flickered across Sam's face. "Are you okay? What are you talking about?"
Liam's gaze dropped to the ground, watching an ant struggle with a leaf. "It's about you. About how I feel about you."
There was a pause, the world holding its breath.
"I've been trying to ignore it," Liam continued. "But every time we're in danger, every time you crack a joke to lift our spirits, every time you...look at me. It just makes the truth clearer. I...I care about you, Sam. More than just as a friend."
Sam blinked, the initial surprise giving way to a warm glint in his eyes. "Liam..." He trailed off, struggling for words.
"I know it's crazy, with everything going on," Liam said quickly. "But I couldn't go on without telling you. I didn't want to hide it anymore. I'm sorry if this is weird for you."
Liam's voice quivered as he spoke, and Sam could see the fear of rejection swimming in his eyes. Without another thought, Sam closed the distance between them, his hand cupping Liam's face gently.
"Stop," Sam whispered, a soft command that barely left his lips. Then, without waiting for a response, he leaned in, pressing his lips against Liam's in a tentative, tender kiss.
Time seemed to stretch and then collapse around them. The park, the infection, the crumbling city—all of it faded away. For a brief moment of clarity in a world gone mad, it was just the two of them, connected by a truth they had both been too afraid to face.
Liam's heart raced, but it wasn't fear driving it now. He closed his eyes, leaning into Sam, feeling an odd mix of relief and exhilaration surge through him. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, cheeks flushed.
"That…" Liam began, a shy smile crossing his lips. "...was unexpected."
Sam smiled, his eyes reflecting both amusement and something deeper. "I've felt the same way, Liam," he confessed. "I just didn't know how to say it. I didn't want to risk ruining what we had, especially now."
Liam's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean—?"
"Yes, idiot." Sam chuckled, shaking his head. "I've been falling for you for a long time too. Guess we're both good at hiding things."
Liam laughed, feeling lighter than he had in days. "Guess we are," he said, then added, "Maybe from now on, no more hiding?"
"Yeah," Sam agreed, brushing a lock of blond hair from Liam's forehead. "No more hiding."
Before the conversation could deepen, a distant sound broke through their moment. The unmistakable shuffle and groans of the infected—a reminder that danger was never far behind.
"We should get moving," Sam suggested, regret tinging his voice. "No way we're safe out here for long."
Liam nodded, reluctantly pulling away, but not before pressing a brief kiss to Sam's cheek. "Let's get to that camp. Together."
"Together," Sam repeated, the word heavy with promise.
They hoisted their backpacks once more, determination steeling their steps. The city stretched out before them, a vast expanse of unpredictable peril and fleeting hope. Each block they traversed bore scars of recent chaos—burned-out cars, shattered storefronts, and the occasional graffiti tagging, all telling tales of survival and despair.
"We should keep an eye out for supplies," Liam suggested, scanning the crumbling facades of the buildings. "We don't know how long it'll take to reach the camp."
"Agreed." Sam's eyes also darted around, searching for anything useful. "Look, there's a convenience store up ahead. Might still have something left."
They approached cautiously, the shop's windows shattered, jagged glass jutting out like the teeth of some great beast. The scent of stale air and distant decay wafted out to meet them. Liam pushed open the door with the butt of his flashlight, making sure no immediate danger lurked inside.
"Stay close," he whispered, stepping inside.
The store was a labyrinth of overturned shelves and scattered goods. What had been a place of bustling commerce now stood silent and pillaged by previous desperate hands.
"Split up," Sam suggested, moving towards the aisles. "We'll cover more ground."
Liam nodded and turned down an adjacent aisle, stepping over damp cereal boxes and shattered jars. He scoured the shelves, occasionally finding intact cans of beans, a few packs of instant noodles, and bottled water. Every small victory felt like a triumph in the heart of the wasteland they now inhabited.
"Liam, over here!" Sam called softly from another aisle.
Liam crept over, finding Sam with an armful of supplies—batteries, a flashlight, even a couple of energy bars.
"This should last us a couple of days if we're careful," Sam said, packing the newfound treasures into his backpack.
"Better than nothing," Liam replied, stowing his own findings. "We should keep moving. The longer we stay, the higher the risk."
Nodding in agreement, the pair exited the shop, their senses alert to any signs of movement. They continued their journey, navigating the maze-like streets and ensuring they avoided more densely infected areas marked by fresh bloodstains and shredded clothing.
As they trekked further, a derelict pharmacy caught Liam's eye. He motioned towards it. "We might find medical supplies in there. Worth a look."
Sam agreed, and they made their way inside. This pharmacy, too, had been ransacked, but there remained enough hidden gems—bandages, antiseptics, a couple of bottles of painkillers—to make their stop worthwhile.
"Do you think it's always going to be like this?" Sam asked, closing his bag.
"What do you mean?" Liam pushed aside a layer of debris to reveal an intact box of dinosaur bandages and added them to his cache.
"Scavenging. Running. Fighting. Just...surviving one day at a time."
Liam sighed, handing Sam a roll of gauze. "I hope not. I'd like to think we'll find some semblance of normalcy again. Maybe the camp will be a start."
Spurred by the hopeful thought, they pressed on, veering towards what once was the bustling Fourth Avenue. Liam's map indicated they were getting closer, but the obstacles only grew more daunting—collapsed structures and increasingly narrow pathways forcing them to duck and squeeze their way through.
Out of breath, they reached what appeared to be an abandoned fire station. The remnants of an old slogan banner flapped in the wind, half shredded and just faintly legible: "Servants to the..."
"Good spot to rest for a bit. Maybe find some useful gear," Liam suggested, his eyes brightening with the possibility.
They slipped inside, their flashlights casting long, eerie shadows on the walls. Salvation came in the form of untouched basic firefighting gear—pocket knives, fire axes, and a box full of gloves.
"These gloves can help protect us from being bit by infected," Sam said, grabbing a pair.
Liam nodded, pulling on a pair and immediately feeling the increased protection. "Good call."
Moving deeper into the station, they discovered a small pantry stocked with a few remaining non-perishable items, including canned vegetables and a couple of bags of rice. It felt like striking gold.
"Dinner is served," Liam joked softly. "Or at least, it will be when we find a place to cook it."
They gathered the loot, placing it carefully in their bags before moving toward the back of the fire station. Most of it lay in a state of disarray, with overturned chairs and spiderwebs decorating the corners, but the area still had an aura of resilience.
"Let's see if we can find a place to rest," Sam suggested, his voice steady despite the weight of their journey. "We've made good progress, but we don't know how much farther the camp is."
Liam nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows for threats. "Agreed. If we can make a secure spot for the night, we'll have a better start come morning."
They ascended a narrow flight of stairs, their footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The second floor opened into what once served as a common room, with remnants of a kitchen on one end. A couple of couches, though dusty and a bit frayed, looked serviceable.
"This looks promising," Sam remarked, tossing his bag onto one of the couches and sinking down with a sigh. "Let's barricade the door, just in case."
Liam grabbed a table from the corner, placing it against the entrance before stacking nearby chairs to create a rudimentary blockade. "That should give us some warning," he muttered, wiping his brow.
Sam rummaged through his bag, pulling out the cans and instant noodles they had collected. "How about a gourmet feast?" he said with a crooked grin.
Liam chuckled, pulling out his red water bottle. "Only the finest for us." He paused, eyes softening as he glanced at Sam. "You know, even in all this madness, you make things bearable."
Sam looked up, his smile more genuine this time. "We make it bearable for each other. That's how we survive."
They worked together, using a small portable stove to heat the noodles. The aroma, though simple, filled the room with a sense of warmth that was sorely needed. They ate in contented silence, savoring the rare moment of peace.
As the meal came to an end, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room. Liam leaned back, his thoughts heavy with the day's events and the confession still fresh on his lips. He hadn't fully processed what it meant, the newfound revelation that Sam liked him too.
Sam shifted closer, reaching out to touch Liam's hand. "You okay? You've been quiet."
Liam intertwined his fingers with Sam's, the contact calming his racing mind. "Just...thinking about everything. It's overwhelming, you know?"
"Yeah," Sam agreed, leaning his head on Liam's shoulder. "But we'll get through it. One step at a time."
Liam nodded, resting his cheek against Sam's long messy red hair. "One step at a time."
The night stretched on, filled with the distant sounds of the infected and the occasional crashing noise. Yet amidst the chaos, they found solace in each other's presence, drawing strength for the days to come.
As dawn approached, they packed up their belongings, refreshed from a night of rare tranquility. The makeshift barricade was disassembled carefully, and they stepped back out into the uncertain light of morning.
"Back to our mission," Liam said, hoisting his backpack once more. "We've got to find that camp."
"Right," Sam replied, his determination matching Liam's. "Maybe today's the day."
With renewed vigor, they resumed their journey, the ruins of the city guiding their path. The map showed a few more miles to cover, but their pace was steady, driven by hope and a burgeoning sense of purpose.
Hours passed, a blur of crumbling infrastructure and silent streets, until they started noticing signs of habitation—discarded ration packs, footprints in the dust, and eventually, the distant sound of human voices.
Liam's heart quickened. "Do you hear that?"
Sam strained his ears, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Voices. We're getting close."
They pushed forward, the sounds growing clearer, until they rounded a corner to see a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and a makeshift watchtower. Beyond it, clusters of tents and buildings came into view, the hum of activity palpable even from a distance.
"We made it," Sam whispered, awe in his voice.
The gate, manned by armed guards, loomed ahead. Liam and Sam approached cautiously, hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"Hold it right there," a guard commanded, pointing his rifle at them. "State your business."
"We're looking for shelter," Liam called out, his voice steady but loud enough to be heard. "We were directed here by a Sergeant MacCrimmon. We're not infected."
The guard eyed them warily before signaling another person inside the camp. The gate creaked open, revealing a black woman in military fatigues, her stern expression softened by a hint of curiosity.
"I'm Captain Moira Barland," she introduced herself, scrutinizing them with sharp eyes. "Sergeant MacCrimmon sent you?"
"Yes, ma'am," Liam replied, stepping forward. "He mentioned a survival camp here and gave us directions."
Captain Barland nodded, her suspicion not entirely gone but visibly easing. "You came through a lot to get here. We're cautious with newcomers, for obvious reasons. Any signs of infection? Wounds? Bites?"
"No, we've been careful," Sam interjected, showing his unblemished arms.
"Alright. We have to check everyone thoroughly. It's protocol. Follow me." She gestured for them to enter.
They walked through the gates and gazed at the bustling activity inside. People moved with purpose, some tending to vegetable patches, others reinforcing defenses or patrolling the perimeter. The sense of community and structure was a comfort to their frazzled nerves.
Captain Barland led them to a small medical tent. "Wait here. Someone will check you over."
Liam and Sam watched as she disappeared further into the camp. Nearby, a familiar voice shouted in a mix of relief and excitement.
"Liam! Sam!"
They turned, disbelief and joy lighting their faces as Paisley ran towards them, her eyes bright despite the obvious strain.
"Paisley!" Liam exclaimed, opening his arms as she rushed into them, embracing him tightly. "What are you doing here!"
"And you're okay!" Sam added, pulling her into a second hug. "We thought—well you know—we thought you would be at the university."
Paisley laughed, tears of relief slipping down her cheeks. "I'm okay, thanks to Elsie and some of the others. But what about you? What took you so long to find your way here?"
Liam and Sam exchanged a glance before diving into their tale. "We got held up," Liam started, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Ended up in a bad spot with some survivors who weren't too friendly."
Sam nodded in agreement. "Captured, forced to work. We barely escaped."
Paisley's eyes widened, her grip on Liam's arm tightening. "That sounds terrifying. I'm glad you both made it."
Liam exhaled, the weight of their journey evident in his weary sigh. "It was. But we couldn't stop thinking about you guys and finding this camp. Speaking of which, why aren't you at the university? And where are Colin and Elsie?"
Paisley took a deep breath, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "Colin and Elsie are fine. They're back at the university. We called the survival camp from there and found out that you two hadn't arrived. So we decided to split up—Elsie stayed behind to help with medical stuff, while I came looking for you."
Liam's eyes widened. "You came out here by yourself? That's incredibly brave."
Paisley shrugged with a small smile. "Well, it's what family does, right?" She rubbed her eyes, the fatigue evident. "I couldn't just sit around, not knowing if you were okay."
Liam gripped her shoulder, a mix of pride and gratitude sweeping over him. "Thank you, Paisley. We wouldn't have made it this far without each other, but knowing someone was out looking for us... it means more than you know."
As the three stood close, soaking in the relief of their reunion, a warm yet firm voice cut through the conversation.
"Excuse me, but I need to get Liam and Sam checked over."
They turned to see a woman in her late thirties with curly dark hair, tied back in a no-nonsense bun, wearing a nurse's uniform. Her kind yet authoritative demeanor immediately set them at ease.
"Liam, Sam, I'm Nurse Kevia," she introduced herself, her gaze compassionate but alert. "I need to check you both for any signs of infection. Standard procedure."
Liam and Sam nodded, moving into the medical tent. As Nurse Kevia conducted her examination, Paisley filled them in on the camp's setup. The process was swift but thorough, leaving no room for doubt about their health status.
"You're both clear," Nurse Kevia announced, relief evident in her voice. "Welcome to the camp. Captain Barland will be pleased to know you're in good shape."
Liam nodded, flexing his arms as if to confirm her examination. "Thanks, Nurse Kevia. It's good to finally feel safe for a moment."
Sam smirked, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Safe as we can be, anyway."
Nurse Kevia packed away her medical supplies and tilted her head toward the camp's main area. "Captain Barland will probably want to debrief you both. Follow me."Liam and Sam exchanged a quick nod before following Nurse Kevia through the camp. Paisley walked beside them, her relief at their reunion evident in her constant glances and small smiles. The camp thrummed with life and activity; people of all ages worked together, creating a semblance of order.
Captain Barland awaited them near a large tent that served as a command center. Her eyes appraised them carefully as they approached. "Glad to see you made it through the checkup," she said, with a nod of approval. "We run a tight ship here, and everyone needs to be in top shape. How are you holding up, really?"
Sam took a step forward, squaring his shoulders. "Better now that we're here, Captain. We've traveled a long way and seen some things... things that are hard to forget."
Liam nodded in agreement. "But we're ready to do whatever it takes to help. We just want to make sure our loved ones are safe and contribute to ending this nightmare."
Captain Barland's gaze softened at their sincerity. "Good. We can use every pair of hands we can get, but remember, this camp is about survival and safety first." Barland gave a curt nod, then gestured towards a cluster of tents pitched tidily along the edge of the camp. "For now, go get some rest. We'll discuss everything more thoroughly in the morning."
Liam exhaled—a long, tired breath that seemed to carry the weight of their entire journey. "Thank you, Captain. We appreciate it."
"Paisley can show you the way," Barland added, her tone softer now that they had been given the all-clear. With a final nod, Captain Barland turned back to her duties, leaving Liam, Sam, and Paisley standing amidst the still bustling activity of the camp. It felt surreal—just hours ago, they were running for their lives, and now they were surrounded by people working together in tenuous harmony.