Chapter 21: The Supply Run

Chapter 21: The Supply Run

The next morning came too quickly for Ethan. The sun was barely over the horizon when the compound began to stir. People moved in purposeful silence, going about their morning routines—checking the perimeter, preparing weapons, and securing food. The air was thick with the lingering tension of what was to come.

Ethan didn't need anyone to tell him the importance of today's supply run. If they didn't bring back enough resources, it wouldn't be long before the group began to fall apart. They were already running low on food, weapons, and tools. Every day they survived was a gamble, but today's gamble was riskier than most.

Clara had already gathered a small team. Will, a few others from the defense team, and a couple of the more experienced survivors, all armed and ready. Jess, as usual, was standing off to the side, her eyes darting from one person to the next, sizing them up.

"Ready?" Clara asked, approaching Ethan and Jess. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a sense of determination in her posture.

Ethan nodded. "We're ready."

Clara surveyed them for a moment longer, then motioned for the group to move out. "Stay close, stay quiet. We don't want to attract attention."

The group filed out of the compound, crossing over the decaying streets toward the city. The buildings loomed like ghosts, their windows dark and shattered. The wind carried the smell of rot, the stench of both death and decay that seemed to cling to the very air. Ethan's stomach twisted at the familiar scent, but he pushed it aside. There was no room for hesitation, not now.

They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows as much as possible, always on alert. Every corner could hold danger, and every noise could be a warning. Ethan's hand hovered near the hilt of his makeshift knife, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. Jess walked beside him, her eyes scanning their surroundings. The tension between them was palpable, but there was no time to address it. Survival was all that mattered now.

As they neared the edge of the city, the quiet was broken by the distant groans of the infected. They were still far off, but the sound was enough to make the group tighten their formation. Clara signaled for everyone to stop, and they all crouched low behind a row of abandoned cars.

Ethan's breath quickened as he stared ahead. The area before them was open, the buildings spaced far enough apart to expose anyone who crossed the street to potential danger. But there was no choice. They had to cross it to get to the supply store on the other side.

"We move fast, stay quiet," Clara instructed, her voice barely a whisper. "Ethan, Jess, take the front. Will, you and the others cover us."

Ethan and Jess nodded in unison. The group split into their assigned positions, and they began the perilous journey across the street. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest, and every step seemed like an eternity. They made it halfway across when the low growls of infected began to grow louder. Ethan's grip tightened on his knife, ready for whatever might emerge from the shadows.

Without warning, a group of infected stumbled into view, their disfigured faces contorted in hunger. The air was thick with the stench of decay as they moved toward the group, their eyes empty and vacant.

"Stay calm," Clara ordered, her voice low but firm. "We're almost there."

The group tightened their formation, and Ethan could feel the sweat beading on his brow. He glanced at Jess, who was already in position, her bowstring taut and ready to release. Her eyes locked with his, and for a moment, everything seemed to slow down. It was just the two of them, facing the horror that had defined this new world.

Without another word, Jess released the arrow, and it flew through the air, sinking deep into the skull of one of the infected. The rest of the group fell into action. Will and the others began firing their weapons, taking out the infected as they closed in. The sound of gunshots echoed through the empty street, but they were drowned out by the desperate moans of the undead.

Ethan sprinted forward, his knife drawn, his body moving on instinct. He dove into the fray, slashing at the infected with brutal efficiency. His first few kills were messy, but they were necessary. The blood sprayed across his face, but it barely registered. In this moment, all that mattered was survival.

Jess followed close behind, picking off stragglers with deadly precision. Her bow never missed its mark, each shot finding its target with a sickening thud. Ethan couldn't help but admire the calmness with which she moved. It was something he didn't have. She was a machine in this chaos.

The group continued to fight, but they were getting close to the supply store. Clara's voice rang out, cutting through the madness. "We push forward! We get in and get out, quickly!"

Ethan spared a quick glance at her. He could see the resolve in her eyes, the same determination that had carried them this far. She wasn't afraid to do what needed to be done, even if it meant facing death head-on.

And that's what they did. They fought their way forward, taking down the last few infected with a mix of gunfire, knives, and sheer force of will. When they finally reached the door of the supply store, Ethan's heart was racing, his breath coming in short gasps. They had made it.

But there was no time to celebrate. They needed to move quickly. Clara kicked open the door, and the group rushed inside. The store had been ransacked long ago, but there were still a few supplies left—cans of food, medical supplies, and, most importantly, weapons.

Ethan quickly scanned the shelves, grabbing what he could. He tossed cans of food into his bag, then reached for a few bottles of water. He wasn't sure how much longer they could survive on what they had, but it would have to be enough for now.

The others worked quickly, gathering what they could. But as they were preparing to leave, the unmistakable sound of shuffling feet reached their ears.

The door to the store burst open, and more infected flooded in, drawn by the noise.

"Go! Go! Go!" Clara shouted.

Panic set in. The group had to move fast. Ethan grabbed Jess's arm, pulling her toward the exit, his heart hammering in his chest. The infected were closing in, their growls growing louder by the second.

They were trapped