Highway Service Area

After Alex completed the refueling of the RV, the family set about collecting every last drop of the remaining gasoline and diesel they could find. With a swift motion of Emily's hand, the precious fuel was safely stored away in the space. They then climbed back into the vehicle, ready to embark on the next leg of their journey. As the RV's engine hummed to life, they set off towards an uncertain horizon, but with a renewed sense of purpose.

Once they were cruising on the highway, the tension that had been wound tight began to ease. David and Elizabeth, lulled by the steady rhythm of the road, found comfort on the sofa and soon drifted off into a light doze. Chloe and Duke, on the other hand, were absorbed in the animated antics of a cartoon, their laughter and playful bickering filling the air. Emily, ever the watchful guardian, took her place in the co-pilot's seat beside Alex, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or opportunity.

As they continued their journey, the family arrived at a highway service area that seemed like a perfect spot to rest for the night. However, when Emily utilized her ability to probe the area, she discovered the presence of other people. She leaned over to Alex and whispered urgently, "Be cautious, there are quite a few people in the service area. Let's make our exit quickly and quietly."

The service area was expansive, equipped with restrooms, a supermarket, and a restaurant. The supermarket, which had been repurposed, now resembled a makeshift hotel with tables, chairs, sofas, and a protective wall constructed from abandoned vehicles and tree stumps. The absence of zombies in the area was a clear indication that someone had taken the effort to clear it, but this tranquility did not bring relief to the siblings. Instead, it heightened their wariness.

In the apocalyptic world they now inhabited, sometimes the greatest threats came not from the undead but from the living. The unknowns of the people in the service area and their capabilities made Emily and Alex proceed with extreme caution. Driving through without knowing the lay of the land could easily paint a target on their backs.

After a quick huddle with David and Elizabeth, Emily explained the situation and suggested that they retreat with Chloe and Duke into the safety of the space for the time being. David, though initially resistant, eventually relented, and Chloe, Elizabeth, and Duke were the ones to return to the space. With the decision made, Emily resumed her position in the co-pilot's seat, and they prepared to leave the service area.

However, just as they were about to depart, an alarm pierced the silence, and before they knew it, they were surrounded by several burly men brandishing firearms.

A dozen menacing figures, armed and dangerous, emerged from a van that had blocked their path. Alex and Emily exchanged a grave look, their hearts pounding in unison as they found themselves cornered. Emily's hand stealthily wrapped around the hilt of her long knife, ready for whatever might come.

Amidst the palpable tension, a man of stark contrast stepped out from the van—a figure in a tailored suit, adorned with gold-rimmed glasses, and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle. He approached the driver's side with an air of nonchalance, smiling and rapping on the window. "I'm Berry," he introduced himself with a courteous nod. "What's your name, sir?" Alex, maintaining his composure, met the man's gaze and replied with a simple question, "What do you want?"

Berry subtly assessed Alex and Emily with a smile playing on his lips, "Please, don't be worry, friends. Our boss merely wishes to extend a greeting and offer the hand of friendship. Look, the day is waning, and the roads are treacherous after dark. The world as we know it has descended into chaos, but our boss, being a compassionate soul, is eager to lend a hand to weary travelers. Perhaps you'd consider spending the night in our service area and departing with the morning light?"

Alex exchanged glances with Emily, a silent communication passing between them before he gave a nod of agreement. At Berry's signal, the armed men holstered their weapons, and the obstructing van was promptly moved aside. Alex guided the car into the service area, where Emily, under the guise of gathering supplies, placed a few items into her backpack and secretly returned her long knife to the space. With that, they stepped out of the vehicle together. Emily, using her ability, scanned the entire service area and discovered nearly twenty zombies clustered in one section, while in another, a mix of ability users and ordinary people of varying strengths were present.

"This is the middle of nowhere. Engaging in a direct confrontation would be unwise. It's better to use our wits and adapt to the situation," Emily mused. Berry led them to the supermarket, which had been transformed into a makeshift shelter. "We've cleared all the zombies from this area. You have nothing to fear. Over there, we've set up a temporary restaurant; the provisions inside are more than adequate. Please, help yourself," Berry's demeanor remained amiable, and he made no demands, maintaining a facade of hospitality. Alex appeared relaxed, and the atmosphere seemed to be one of harmony. "Thank you and your boss for your kindness. The conditions are quite favorable at the moment," Alex replied.

"No trouble at all. Please, go and rest. I won't disturb you further. If you need anything, you can find me on the third floor of the restaurant," Berry said, before taking his leave. Alex, Emily, and the others quickly surveyed the room and its safety measures. Alex asked for Emily's thoughts, "What do you think?" Emily replied cautiously, "We should be vigilant. I'm unsure of their intentions. If they were truly benevolent, they wouldn't have insisted on our stay. And this place is odd; there's a group of twenty zombies gathered on the third floor."

After some time, Berry returned with an invitation, "Our boss would like to invite you to dinner. Please come with me." The invitation was laced with an undercurrent of compulsion, leaving no room for refusal. They followed Berry to the third floor, where a large room that once housed a small supermarket now served as a dining area. A table large enough to accommodate a dozen people was set in the middle, and on the far side of the open space, a row of sofas was arranged. Seated in the center of the sofas was a man who exuded an air of authority.

Upon seeing him, Berry announced, "Boss, I've brought our guests." Turning to Alex, Berry introduced him, "This is our boss, Heavy." Heavy rose and extended his hand for a firm handshake with Alex. "Greetings, I am Heavy," he said. Alex returned the greeting, "I am Alex."

The dinner table was a testament to Heavy's resources, laden with ten dishes that combined an assortment of meats and vegetables, complemented by a hearty soup. The generous portions spoke volumes about Heavy's capabilities and the abundance of supplies at his disposal. Emily ate in silence, attentively listening to Heavy's self-aggrandizing tales, waiting for the conversation to reach its crux. Eventually, he got down to business. "You three have显然traveled far and faced hardships. You don't strike me as ordinary folks. I'm curious, would you be interested in joining our ranks?" Alex's brow furrowed at the proposition, but before he could respond, Heavy continued, "Don't give me your answer now, brother. Take your time to discuss it among yourselves and let me know tomorrow. As a space ability user, I assure you, with me, you'll never want for the necessities of life." Alex, noncommittal, simply said, "I'll consider it."

Heavy, confident in his offer and the allure of his resources, was pleased, anticipating their eventual agreement. The dinner atmosphere remained congenial, and following the meal, he did not press them to linger, allowing them to retire for the night. Once they were back in their room, Emily recounted the evening's events to her brother and father before stealthily slipping away. Utilizing her ability, she navigated the service area unseen, making her way to a secluded warehouse. Her senses alerted her to the presence of individuals within—both ordinary people and an ability user. It seemed that, perceiving no threat from those inside, no guards were posted, presenting Emily with an opportunity.

Upon entering the warehouse, the pungent odor that assaulted her senses confirmed her suspicions. A group of people, trapped in a large iron cage, appeared to be on the brink of death, their gaunt faces and listless bodies suggesting they had been deprived of food for an extended period. Emily chose not to disturb the imprisoned individuals, instead making her way to the rear of the warehouse where she discovered five ability users, bound hand and foot, and leashed like animals. She approached with caution and, upon closer inspection, realized they were merely weakened, not gravely harmed.

Emily activated her ability, severing the ropes that held them captive. "There may be a disturbance tomorrow," she whispered to them. "It might provide you with a chance to escape."