Chapter 46 : The Secret

The early rays of dawn filtered through the cracked blinds of Marcus's temporary office, painting jagged patterns across the battered desk in front of him. The room was eerily silent except for the soft rustle of paper as Marcus traced his fingers over the map he'd been studying for hours. His dark eyes were sunken with exhaustion, and his posture was tense. He wasn't sure if the weight pressing down on him was the responsibility of leadership, the aftermath of Morrison's betrayal, or something more personal.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence.

"Come in," Marcus called, his voice hoarse from a sleepless night.

The door creaked open, and Kate stepped inside, her figure outlined by the dim hallway light. Chris followed close behind her, his tall frame casting a long shadow into the room. They looked ready—packs slung over their shoulders, weapons strapped to their sides, and a shared determination in their eyes.

"We're heading out," Kate said simply, her voice steady but quiet. "We're sticking to the plan we made before the ruffians... complicated everything. It's time."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. He nodded, but the weariness in his expression deepened. "Alright," he replied, his voice heavy. "Be careful out there."

Kate studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes catching something unspoken in his tone. She tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing. "You look like you've got something on your mind. What is it?"

For a moment, Marcus hesitated. His gaze flickered toward Chris, then back to Kate. Finally, he shook his head. "Just tired," he lied. "Long few days. I need to focus on... Morrison's execution later. That's all."

Kate's expression didn't waver, but there was a flicker of disappointment—or maybe understanding—in her eyes. She nodded slowly. "I don't want to see that," she said bluntly. "Chris and I will head out as soon as we're ready."

Marcus gave a slight nod in return, his jaw tightening. "Understood. Just... make it back in one piece."

"Always do," Kate said, Kate gave him a curt nod, and she and Chris turned to leave. Marcus watched them leave, his gaze lingering on Kate's retreating form. As the door clicked shut behind them, he leaned back in his chair and let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Staring at the closed door, he murmured in a voice so low it was almost inaudible, "What are you hiding, Kate? Whatever it is... I hope it's for the good of all of us."

Kate and Chris walked down the hallway in silence, their boots echoing faintly on the concrete floor. Chris cast a sidelong glance at her, his mouth opening as if to say something, but before he could speak, Kate cut him off.

"Later," she said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. She didn't look at him, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

Chris frowned but held his tongue. He already knew what she meant. Last night, they'd gone over everything—their plan, the risks, the people they'd leave behind—and there was no room for doubt now. They couldn't afford to blow their cover, not yet.

When they reached the supply room, Carla was waiting for them. She stood with a small notepad in her hand, her face pale and tired but determined. "Morning," she greeted them, her voice subdued but steady.

"Got the list?" Kate asked, getting straight to the point.

Carla nodded and handed over the notepad. "It's mostly essentials. Food, meds, tools we're running low on and things we can't scavenge easily around here. And a few requests from the others. Lily mentioned something about seeds and gardening tools."

She took the notepad and glanced over the list. "We'll do what we can," she said, her tone firm but kind. She handed the notepad to Chris, who tucked it into his pack without a word.

Carla hesitated for a moment, then added, "Just... be careful out there, alright? Things have been crazy lately. We can't afford to lose anyone else."

Kate placed a reassuring hand on Carla's shoulder. "We'll be fine," she promised. "Just keep things steady here while we're gone."

Carla nodded, though her worried expression didn't fade.

The truck roared to life as Kate turned the ignition, its engine rumbling in the still morning air. The vehicle had been one of the few useful things left behind by the ruffians, and it was already loaded with basic supplies—just in case something went wrong.

Kate took the wheel while Chris climbed into the passenger seat, settling in with a wary glance out the window. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting the world in muted gold and gray tones. Kate checked the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of the building as they pulled away. For a moment, her gaze lingered, but then she turned her attention back to the road.

Neither of them spoke for the first few miles. The road was eerily quiet, the usual background noise of the world long replaced by the distant groans of walkers and the occasional rustle of wind through abandoned buildings.

Chris finally broke the silence. "You think Marcus knows?"

Kate's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, but her expression remained unreadable. "Maybe," she admitted. "But he didn't say anything, so we stick to the plan."

Chris nodded, leaning back in his seat. "And what if he finds out before we're ready?"

Kate glanced at him briefly, her jaw tightening. "He won't. Not yet. We don't have time to second-guess this, Chris. Just... trust me."

"I do," Chris said softly. "I just hope you're right."

Kate didn't respond. Instead, she focused on the road ahead, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't voice—not yet.

By the time they reached the sprawling market, the sun was fully up, casting long shadows across the abandoned parking lot. The place was massive, a maze of shattered windows, overturned shelves, and long-forgotten goods. Kate pulled the truck to a stop near the entrance, scanning the area carefully.

"Looks clear," Chris said, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

"Doesn't mean it is," Kate replied. Her voice was calm, but her tone carried an edge of caution. "Stay close. We're in and out as fast as we can."

They exited the truck, moving toward the broken entrance with weapons drawn. Inside, the air was thick and stale, the oppressive silence broken only by the crunch of glass under their boots. Long-forgotten goods were strewn across the aisles, their packaging faded and torn.

"The garden section should be this way," Kate said, gesturing to a faded sign hanging crookedly from the ceiling.

Chris nodded, following her lead. They moved quickly but carefully, their eyes constantly scanning for movement. Every corner was a potential ambush, every shadow a threat.

When they reached the garden section, Kate let out a small breath of relief. "This is it," she said, moving toward a row of shelves lined with dusty seed packets and rusting gardening tools.

Chris began grabbing items and stuffing them into his pack. "Think Lisa will like these?" he asked, holding up a packet of sunflower seeds.

Kate allowed herself a small smile. "She'll love them."

But the moment of levity was shattered by a faint sound—a soft shuffle, almost imperceptible. Both of them froze, their hands instinctively going to their weapons.

"Did you hear that?" Chris whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kate nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the shadows. "We're not alone."

The tension in the air was electric as they braced for whatever—or whoever—was lurking in the dark.