Chapter 10: The Scavenge

Everyone knew this was coming.

The supplies were dwindling.

Food could still last for a little while longer, but water—that was the real problem. The colony had managed to ration it for days, but there was no denying the truth. If they didn't find more soon, things would take a turn for the worse.

Maarg's father had seen it coming from the start. He had warned everyone that chaos would follow, not just from the zombies, but from people. Desperation could make even good men dangerous.

So, after much discussion, a decision was made.

They had to venture out.

The Search for Supplies

The plan was simple. A small team would leave the colony, search the nearby areas for food, water, and anything else they could find, and return before sunset.

For protection, they armed themselves with whatever they could find—motorcycle helmets, thick leather jackets, and makeshift weapons. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

Maarg's father would lead the group. He had a clear head and experience in handling stressful situations. He knew how to navigate dangerous territory, how to stay calm, how to make the right calls when it mattered most.

Five others volunteered to join him.

Some were younger men, eager to help. Others were older, more cautious but willing.

And then there was the dog owner.

His sudden willingness to help surprised everyone. Up until now, he had been selfish, unwilling to contribute to the colony's efforts. But maybe, just maybe, he realized that if the colony fell, he and his family would suffer just as much as everyone else.

Whatever his reasons, no one questioned it. They needed all the help they could get.

Left Behind

Jack and Maarg had both volunteered to go, but Maarg's father refused.

"You're staying here," he said firmly.

Jack crossed his arms. "We can help."

"I know you can. But someone has to stay behind and look after the colony."

Maarg, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. "If you don't come back?"

His father looked at him, his expression serious.

"If we don't return by sunset… consider us dead."

The weight of those words settled heavily in the air. No one spoke for a moment.

Then, without another word, Maarg's father turned and joined the others.

And just like that, they were gone.

The plan worked.

One of the men inside the colony had climbed onto a rooftop and banged metal utensils together, creating enough noise to lure the zombies away from the entrance. As expected, the creatures, driven by sound rather than sight, shifted toward the source of the commotion.

That gave Maarg's father and his group the opening they needed.

Moving swiftly and quietly, they slipped through the gate and disappeared into the abandoned streets beyond.

The gate was locked again. The heavy bench remained in place as a barricade.

And then, all that was left to do was wait.

A Day of Anxiety

The rest of the day was spent in restless anticipation.

No one said it out loud, but the tension in the air was suffocating. People tried to keep busy—fixing up their homes, rationing out supplies, keeping watch—but no matter what they did, their eyes would always wander back to the gate.

Maarg's mother was the most anxious of all. Every few minutes, she would glance toward the entrance, her hopes getting crushed as everytime she was met with the sight of the undead outside.

Sammy, who had been helping her with small tasks throughout the day, finally spoke.

"They'll be fine," she said, her voice calm. "Your husband seems like a careful man. He won't take any unnecessary risks."

Maarg's mother gave her a small, strained smile. "I know he will be alright but still I can't seem to stop worrying,"

Jack, meanwhile, tried to keep himself busy by chatting with some of the other neighbors. He even tried to joke around, but his usual sarcasm didn't land the same way. Even he couldn't ignore the feeling clawing at the back of his mind.

Maarg, however, remained silent for most of the day.

Unlike the others, he didn't pace around the colony, didn't stare at the gate every few minutes. He sat on the balcony, staring off into the distance, thinking.

He had a bad feeling about this.

And when sunset approached, and there was still no sign of the group…

That feeling only got worse.