CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

 The Search for an Alliance

(Jace and Kunle sit by a small fire in the wilderness, their horses tied nearby. The wind howls through the trees, carrying distant sounds of the undead. Kunle sharpens his machete, his eyes flickering toward Jace, who stares into the flames.)

Kunle: (softly) "You still haven't told me, Jace... what did that bastard Magnus do to you when he dragged you off?"

Jace: (exhales) "He wanted to break me… threw me into a pit of walkers, told me to fight my way out. No weapons, just my hands and a rusted machete."

Kunle: (eyes narrowing) "And you survived."

Jace: (nods) "Barely. He made me kill… over and over, like some sick game. When I climbed out, he patted me on the back like I was his damn champion. Then he dumped me miles away from home… left me to walk back in shame."

Kunle: (gripping his machete tightly) "We'll make him pay for that."

Jace: (cold smile) "We will. But first, we need to make sure we have a fighting chance."

The Search – Days Turn to Weeks

(The group spreads out, searching for settlements. Jane and Miss Okafor return with bad news—everywhere they looked, people were already under the Stalkers' control. Jace and Kunle face their obstacles: hostile survivors, dangerous terrain, and close calls with raiders. One night, a group of hoodlums blocks their path, demanding supplies.)

Hoodlum Leader: (grinning) "Look at what we got here, boys. Travelers with a whole lotta gear. Hand it over, and we might let you walk away."

(The men chuckle, tightening their grips on crude weapons—machetes, bats, rusted pipes.)

Kunle: (smirking) "You see, I was just thinking the same thing... about your supplies."

(One of the thugs lunges forward, but Jace dodges, striking fast. Kunle swings his machete, slicing one attacker's arm. Chaos erupts—fists fly, blades clash, and the air is thick with grunts of pain. Within minutes, the hoodlums are either on the ground groaning or fleeing into the night.)

Jace: (breathing heavily) "Next time, let's try negotiating first."

Kunle (wiping blood from his knuckles): "They wouldn't have listened."

Back at Home

(It's evening in the settlement. The sky is painted with hues of orange and purple as the sun begins to set. Kunle stands outside Miss Okafor's cabin, a single wildflower in his hand. He hesitates for a moment, takes a deep breath, then knocks gently on the door.)

(After a few seconds, the door creaks open, and Miss Okafor stands there, wearing a simple dress, her hair wrapped neatly. Her eyes widen slightly at the sight of Kunle holding the flower, then a small smile tugs at her lips.)

Miss Okafor (raising an eyebrow) "Kunle, is that for me? Or did you pick it on accident?"

Kunle (grinning) "I may be a hunter, but even I know when a flower is worth keeping."

(He hands her the flower, and she takes it with a small chuckle, twirling it between her fingers before stepping aside.)

Miss Okafor: "Well, since you came bearing gifts, I suppose I should let you in."

(Kunle steps inside, the cozy warmth of the cabin welcoming him. The air smells like roasted corn, and the dim lantern casts a golden glow over the room. Bisi and Chioma, her two daughters, sit on the floor playing with small wooden dolls, their eyes lighting up when they see Kunle.)

Chioma: (excitedly) "Uncle Kunle!"

(She runs toward him, and he sweeps her up into his arms, spinning her around as she giggles. Bisi, the older one, just shakes her head with a knowing smile.)

Kunle: "Now, what mischief have you two been up to?"

Bisi: (teasing) "Chioma has been trying to convince Mama to let us eat sweet bread every day."

Chioma (defensive): "It's a good idea!"

(Kunle laughs, setting Chioma down as Miss Okafor shakes her head playfully.)

Miss Okafor: "If I let you two eat sweet bread every day, I'll have to deal with all your energy. And I don't see Kunle offering to babysit."

Kunle (grinning) "Oh, I don't mind. I think I could handle it better than you."

Miss Okafor: (crossing her arms) "Oh really?

(Kunle kneels and gives the girls a playful, serious look.)

Kunle (whispering) "Alright, girls, here's the plan. If your mom ever says no to sweet bread again, we'll team up and use our secret weapon—puppy eyes."

(Chioma gasps dramatically, and Bisi giggles.)

Chioma: "That's genius, Uncle Kunle!"

Miss Okafor: (laughing) "I heard that, and no amount of puppy eyes will change my mind."

(They all share a laugh, but then Chioma suddenly stops and looks up at Kunle with big, curious eyes.)

Chioma: "Uncle Kunle… are you going to marry Mama?"

(The room goes silent for a moment. Bisi covers her mouth, trying not to laugh, while Miss Okafor's eyes widen slightly. Kunle, caught off guard, looks at Chioma before shifting his gaze to Miss Okafor, who looks both amused and flustered.)

Kunle: (clearing his throat) "Well… that's a big question, Chioma."

Chioma (innocently) "But you like Mama, right? And she likes you. And you bring her flowers."

Bisi: (teasing) "And you stare at each other a lot."

Miss Okafor (covering her face) "Oh my God…"

(Kunle chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck before looking at Miss Okafor with a gentle smile.)

Kunle: "I do like your Mama a lot."

(Miss Okafor lowers her hands and looks at him, a soft expression in her eyes. The room suddenly feels warmer, not just from the lanterns, but from something else—something unspoken but deeply felt.)

Kunle: (playfully) "But marriage is a big step, and your Mama is the boss. So, if anything happens, it'll be when she's ready."

Chioma: (grinning) "So you're saying there's a chance?"

(Miss Okafor shakes her head, laughing.)

Miss Okafor: "Enough of your matchmaking, little one. It's bedtime."

Chioma: (pouting) "Okay… but if you do marry Mama, I get to be the flower girl."

Bisi: (smirking) "And I get to make a speech."

Kunle: (laughing) "Duly noted."

(Miss Okafor gently nudges the girls toward their beds, giving Kunle a look that's both exasperated and amused.)

Miss Okafor: (softly) "You've got them wrapped around your finger, you know."

Kunle (smiling) "I wouldn't mind being wrapped around yours, too."

(Miss Okafor pauses for a moment, her expression softening. She then shakes her head with a smile, walking him to the door.)

Miss Okafor: "Good night, Kunle."

Kunle (grinning) "Good night, Mary."

(As he steps out, the night air is cooler, but his heart feels warm. He knows one thing for sure—he's not just fighting for survival anymore. He's fighting for something… someone worth living for.)

The Discovery – The Ark

(Months of searching lead them to a place unlike any other. A fortress atop a rocky cliff by the ocean—a massive, well-guarded settlement. The walls are reinforced with stone and iron, banners wave in the sea breeze. It looks like a monastery turned into a stronghold.)

(Jace, Kunle, and Jane approach cautiously, their horses walking beside them. A bell tolls from the watchtower, signaling their arrival. Armed guards step forward, crossbows aimed.)

Guard: "State your business."

Jace: (raising his hands) "We're not here to fight. We're looking for allies."

(The guards exchange glances before a voice from above speaks.)

Mysterious Figure: (calmly) "If you come seeking refuge, you must prove your intentions."

Jane: (whispering to Jace) "Looks like we found something real."

(Jace steps forward, determination in his eyes as the massive gates of The Ark slowly creak open, revealing what could be their last hope for survival.)