Chapter 19: A New Path

Chapter 19: A New Path

The man's presence in the doorway was both a threat and an opportunity. Ethan's mind whirred with possibilities, the familiar pull of caution and curiosity warring within him. Jess sat still, her eyes narrowing as she sized up the stranger, her hand subtly resting near the knife at her side.

The man, sensing the tension, shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. "Look," he said, his voice softer now, "I'm not looking for a fight. I'm just trying to survive, same as you."

Ethan took a deep breath, weighing his options. Trusting people wasn't something he did easily anymore, but the situation was growing more dire with each passing day. The infected were becoming more aggressive, and scavenging had become increasingly dangerous. Having more people could mean more supplies, more safety. Or it could mean more mouths to feed, more risks.

He exchanged a glance with Jess. There was no hesitation in her eyes—she was calculating. She was thinking about the worst possible outcome, and so was he.

"What's your group like?" Ethan asked, his voice steady. He wasn't going to let himself get caught up in this without knowing the stakes.

The man shifted uncomfortably again but answered, "We've got a small group—about six people. Mostly women and children. We've got a few weapons, some food, but we're running out. The infected are pushing us out of the safe zone. We need help. You know this city better than anyone, I'm sure."

Ethan paused. Six people. Women, children. His heart tightened at the thought. He'd seen what this world could do to the vulnerable—how quickly hope could turn to violence. But it wasn't the first time someone had come knocking, looking for help. It wasn't the first time someone had told him they needed assistance in exchange for something he didn't know.

Jess spoke first, her voice calm but firm. "What makes you think we can trust you?"

The man's face hardened, the hint of frustration creeping in. "I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for help. You can say no, walk away... but that'll be on you when the next wave of infected comes knocking."

Ethan remained silent for a moment, his gaze flicking to the window. The sounds of the city—distant echoes, the occasional groan of an infected wandering too close—filled the air. The world was collapsing, and every choice had consequences.

"Let him in," Jess finally said, her voice calm but determined. "We can't keep turning people away. Not if they're desperate enough to come here."

Ethan didn't argue. Jess was right. They couldn't keep playing it safe, hiding away in a crumbling building forever. This man wasn't the first person to come asking for help, and he wouldn't be the last.

"Fine," Ethan said, stepping aside. "But if you're lying, we'll deal with you."

The man gave a small nod, his eyes flickering with relief, but there was something else there too—an edge of desperation. Ethan watched him carefully as he stepped inside.

Once the door was shut behind him, the man visibly relaxed. He dropped his pack on the floor, as though shedding the weight of the world. Jess stood up, watching him closely.

"So, what now?" she asked, her tone still wary.

The man took a deep breath. "I'm not the leader of the group—there's a woman in charge. Her name's Clara. She's... she's tough. But she's got kids, and that makes things complicated. If you come with me, we'll figure it out together. We've got a place set up, but it won't last forever."

Ethan didn't respond immediately. He was trying to digest the situation. The man was right about one thing—the infected were becoming more aggressive. It wasn't going to be long before the group would need more than a small safe house to survive.

"I need to know one thing," Ethan said, looking the man square in the eye. "What are you really offering us? Why should we trust you?"

The man hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Then, quietly, he spoke. "We've got a way out. A real way out. We know a place... safe. Far from the infected. But we need more people to make it work. That's why I'm here. I'm not asking for charity—I'm asking for help to get there."

A safe place. Ethan's heart skipped a beat at the thought. Could it be real? A place away from all the chaos, the fighting, the endless struggle to survive?

"I can't promise anything," Ethan said, his voice steady. "But I'll come with you. For now."

Jess gave a small nod, clearly calculating. "We're not going to follow blindly. If it turns out this is some kind of trap, we won't hesitate to leave."

The man looked at her, nodding in agreement. "Fair enough. I'm not here to trick you."

For the first time, the man seemed to relax, the tension leaving his shoulders. "We should go soon. The longer we wait, the more chance the infected will find us. We have to keep moving."

Ethan grabbed his pack, checking it quickly to make sure he had everything. He glanced at Jess, who nodded silently, her expression unreadable.

They didn't have much time to think. Every moment in this world was a gamble, and the longer they stayed in one place, the more vulnerable they became.

The group made their way through the city's streets, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. Ethan kept his senses sharp, alert to every noise, every creak of the crumbling buildings. They took side streets, avoiding the main roads where the infected were most likely to roam.

The man, whose name was Will, led them toward the outskirts of the city. As they walked, Ethan couldn't help but notice the desolate emptiness around them—the world was completely different now. What had once been a thriving metropolis was now just a shell of its former self.

Will didn't speak much, but there was a tension in his silence. He kept looking over his shoulder, his movements quick and purposeful. Ethan understood. They were all running from something. Something bigger than just the infected.

After an hour of walking, Will led them to a small, fenced-off compound. The fence was old but still standing, and there were several makeshift structures inside. It wasn't much, but it was better than the streets.

"This is it," Will said, as he pushed open a gate with a creak.

The inside was quiet, too quiet. Ethan's eyes scanned the area, taking in the sight of the small group huddled together. There were a few men, but mostly women and children. They looked worn, tired, but there was a sense of hope in their eyes that didn't belong in a world like this.

Will led them inside, and the group immediately turned their attention to Ethan and Jess. One of the women, a tall, strong-looking figure with a scar across her cheek, stepped forward. Her eyes locked onto Will before shifting to Ethan.

"You found them?" she asked, her voice steady and commanding.

"They're with me," Will said quickly. "They can help us. They're survivors."

The woman studied Ethan for a moment before nodding. "You've got skills?" she asked, her voice softer now, but still serious.

Ethan gave a small nod. "I know how to survive."

The woman looked at Jess, who met her gaze without flinching. After a moment, the woman nodded again. "Alright. We'll take what help we can get. But remember—this place doesn't belong to any one person. We all work together here."

Ethan nodded, feeling the weight of the decision settle in his chest. He wasn't sure where this new path would take him, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he had a chance to be part of something bigger.

He wasn't alone anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way out of this mess together.