Chapter 26

The bunker was still in the aftermath of the fight. The sharp smell of sweat, blood, and cold air hung in the air like a thick fog. Alex wiped the sweat from his brow, his muscles tense, buzzing with the residual energy of the encounter. The bodies of the scavengers they had taken down were scattered across the floor, and the groans of the few survivors clinging to life echoed faintly in the cold, hollow space.

Jack, still catching his breath, stood and stretched his aching limbs. He nudged one of the scavengers with his boot, checking if the man was still conscious. "Barely put up a fight," Jack muttered, the adrenaline leaving his voice dry.

Eva, already back on her feet, was pacing near the wall, her eyes scanning every corner as if expecting another attack at any moment. The raw intensity in her gaze hadn't faded. "We got lucky," she said, her voice low but firm. "Next time, we might not."

Alex nodded, still trying to steady his breathing. She was right. The scavengers had been desperate, disorganized—easy to overpower once they had the upper hand. But that wouldn't always be the case. If a more experienced group came for them, or if they were outnumbered again, knives and close-quarters combat wouldn't be enough.

Frank rubbed his bruised knuckles, wincing as he inspected the fresh cuts. He glanced at the discarded weapons on the floor, a rifle among them. "We can't keep fighting like this," he muttered, his voice laced with frustration. "We should've used the guns."

Sarah, still seated against the wall, stared at the rifle in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. She had taken a life tonight. The weight of that reality was sinking in, and though her expression was tight, the fear behind her eyes was undeniable. "We were outnumbered," she whispered. "Next time, it could be worse."

The bunker fell into a heavy silence as her words settled over them, the grim reality gnawing at their nerves. Jack exhaled sharply and sat back down, wincing as his joints protested the movement. "They had guns, but they were too scared to use them. That won't happen again. We need to stop holding back."

Eva paused mid-pace and looked at the weapons the scavengers had dropped, then back at Alex. "We have enough ammo now. If anyone comes through that door again, we shoot."

Alex frowned, looking toward the bunker's entrance as if expecting trouble to barge in any minute. "We've been avoiding gunfire because it draws attention—from both the living and the dead." He glanced at Eva and then Jack. "But you're right. If it comes to it next time… we don't hesitate. We use the guns."

Jack let out a dry chuckle, his voice strained. "Damn right we do. Better to finish the fight quick than risk one of us getting stabbed or worse."

Frank crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "We've been too cautious. We can't afford that anymore."

Alex crouched down beside one of the unconscious scavengers, patting the man down for any hidden weapons or supplies. "We'll have to be smart about it," he said, his voice low, almost to himself. "We can't just start shooting at everything that moves. But… when it counts, no more hesitation."

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. They all knew what 'no hesitation' meant. It meant becoming something they never wanted to be. But survival didn't allow for who they used to be.

Sarah stood up slowly, the rifle still in her hands. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening with a new resolve. "Next time… I'll use it," she said quietly.

Eva looked over at her, her eyes softening for just a moment before she bent down to retrieve a small handgun from one of the scavenger's bodies. She checked the clip, then slid it into her belt. "We should check the perimeter. See if anyone else is out there."

Alex nodded. "Jack, Frank, help fortify the entrance. I'll check the rest of the bunker. We need to be ready for anything."

The group moved with purpose, their quiet determination louder than words. They had all been rattled by the attack, but it had also hardened them. The world outside was unforgiving, and survival meant being ruthless when necessary. Hesitation was no longer a luxury they could afford.

Eva and Alex headed for the door, peering cautiously into the night. The cold air bit at their skin, and the moon cast long shadows over the snow-covered ground. It was eerily quiet outside, but the tension hung thick in the air.

As they dragged the bodies outside, Alex stole a glance at Eva. Her face was as unreadable as ever, but there was a tightness around her eyes. "We're going to need a new plan," he muttered. "This place isn't safe anymore."

Eva's gaze didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something—fear, or maybe frustration. "Nowhere is," she replied. "But for now, it's all we've got."

The weight of the situation pressed down on Alex like the cold. They couldn't stay here forever, not with scavengers and zombies closing in on them. But the options were running thin, and each decision felt like a gamble. He could only hope they had enough time to find a better plan.

Re-entering the bunker, Alex closed the door behind him with a sigh. "We'll rest for now, but tomorrow, we scout further out. We need to know what's around us—how many more threats are out there."

Jack grunted as he helped drag a heavy piece of metal across the door to secure it further. "Maybe we'll find somewhere better to hole up. Or at least more supplies."

Frank stood by the window, keeping watch. "Let's just hope we're not drawing more attention. Those scavengers won't stay gone for long. They never do."

Sarah, now standing by the heater, tightened her grip on the rifle. Her voice was steadier now, a hint of determination shining through. "Next time, they won't get this close."

Alex nodded, feeling a twinge of pride in her newfound resolve. "That's the plan."

The bunker returned to its tense quiet, the earlier attack a harsh reminder of what was waiting for them out there. Alex lay back down on the hard floor, staring up at the ceiling. His mind refused to rest. Scavengers. Zombies. Constant danger.

And then his thoughts wandered. Where were Daz and the others?

It had been days since they had left on a scouting mission. Days with no word, no sign of them returning. His gut twisted with worry. They had said it would only take a couple of days, but now…

Alex clenched his jaw. He couldn't afford to lose more people. Not now.

As sleep slowly pulled him under, one thought kept circling in his mind: They had to be out there, alive, somewhere.