CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: A JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

Morning in the Safe Zone

The smell of fried eggs and toasted bread filled the air as Mosun flipped the last batch onto a plate. Sunlight peeked through the windows, casting a golden hue over the breakfast table.

Jace leaned back in his chair, watching his wife move around the small kitchen, a rare smile on his face. "I miss this," he said softly.

Mosun chuckled, setting down a plate. "What, breakfast or watching me work?"

Jace smirked. "Both."

From the side of the room, Ayanfe sat on the floor, his sketchpad drawing small comic characters. His tongue peeked out slightly in focus as he added final touches.

Jace glanced at him, then back at Mosun. "He's getting better."

"He is," Mosun said, sitting down beside him. She reached for a slice of mango. "You should let him draw on something bigger. Maybe a real Canvas."

Jace sighed, running a hand over his face. "If we ever find one."

A knock came at the door.

Jace sets his glass of water down and goes to answer it.

Jace stood there, fully equipped, her expression serious.

"I'm leaving," she said.

Jace studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I'll go with you."

"You don't have to."

"I know." Jace replied, "But I will."

Mosun appeared behind him, arms folded. "At least eat first." She insisted.

Jace grinned. "Wouldn't dream of leaving without breakfast."

After finishing their meal and packing up the supplies, Mosun handed Jace an extra bag of food.

"You always do this," Jace said, shaking his head.

Mosun raised an eyebrow. "I don't like hungry men."

Jace kissed her forehead. "I'll be back before you know it."

Ayanfe barely looked up from his drawing. "Be safe, Dad."

"I will, buddy."

Wth that, Jace and Jane mounted their horses and rode through the gates. the morning sun shining over the land beyond the settlement.

As they trotted forward, Jace glanced at Jane. "So, tell me about your family."

Jane adjusted her reins. "My grandma raised us. She was tough but kind. My little brother was a nerd, always reading books about warriors. And my sister... she was the wild one."

Jace nodded. "Sounds like a strong family."

"They were," Jane said. "Before the world went to hell."

Silence settled between them for a moment.

"How'd you survive?" Jace finally asked.

Jane smirked. "I had two choices- cry about it or fight. I chose the latter."

Jace chuckled. "I can see that." 

Then he saw it.

A horde of walkers, moving in circles in the middle of a field.

Jace immediately pulled on his reins, and his horse came to a stop. His grip on the saddle tightened as a chill ran down his spine.

Jane followed his gaze. "What the hell are they doing?"

Jace swallowed hard. "I've seen this before."

"When?"

"At the farm. When the LIFESEEKER came."

Jane turned her gaze back toward the strange formation of the undead, her brows furrowing. "This isn't normal."

"No," Jace muttered. "It's not."

The Safehouse… But Not Safe

By the time they reached Jane's family's hideout, an uneasy feeling had settled in Jace's stomach.

Something was off.

The door to the building was ajar. The surroundings were too quiet. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Jane immediately dismounted her horse, her hand gripping the hilt of her twin-bladed spear.

Jace followed, shotgun in hand.

"You always leave the door open?" Jace asked.

Jane shook her head. "No."

They moved carefully, stepping over the dried leaves and debris littering the entrance.

Jane reached the door first. She slowly pushed it open, a loud creak echoing in the silence.

Inside, the living space was empty, but signs of struggle were evident. A chair was overturned, and there was a small smear of blood on the floor.

Jane's breath hitched. "Grandma?"

Jace scanned the area, his grip tightening on his shotgun. "We're not alone."

From the hallway, a faint shuffling sound came.

Then—a deep, guttural growl.

Jane's eyes widened. "Shit!"

A walker lunged out of the shadows.

Jace fired instantly, blasting its head against the wall.

But the gunshot was a mistake.

The sound echoed, carrying through the house and into the open air.

And outside... something heard it.

Jane rushed forward, checking the back room. Empty.

"No, no, no," she muttered. "They were here!"

Jace checked a nearby cupboard, peeking inside. "Someone left in a hurry."

Then, he noticed something etched into the wooden surface.

A single word carved deep into the wood.

"TAKEN."

Jane's face hardened with fury.

Jace exhaled sharply. "We need to move. Now."

Then—a sudden, eerie howl pierced the air outside.

Jace and Jane locked eyes.

They weren't alone anymore.

And whatever had taken Jane's family… was coming back.