Chapter 10: Divide and Survive

Two days had passed since the pharmacy run, and things had been quiet. Too quiet.

Aiden stood on the rooftop of the apartment building again, watching the horizon. The air felt heavier, and the streets below were emptier than usual. That was never a good sign.

Jake joined him a few minutes later. "You feel it too, right?"

"Yeah," Aiden said, narrowing his eyes. "Something's changing. Could be more infected moving through. Or worse—other survivors."

Jake frowned. "Wouldn't survivors be a good thing? More people, more help?"

"Not always," Aiden replied. "The desperate ones will take what you have and leave you to die."

Jake didn't answer. He just nodded slowly.

Later that afternoon, Aiden called the group together.

"We're splitting up today," he said. "Two groups. One checks the nearby gas station for fuel and tools. The other checks the corner store for food and batteries."

There were murmurs of concern. Splitting up didn't sound smart.

Jake spoke up. "We'll cover more ground that way. And we can move faster in smaller numbers."

Aiden continued. "Jake will lead the food team. I'll take the gas station. We meet back here before sunset. If you're not back by then, we don't wait. Understood?"

The group nodded, though some looked unsure.

Aiden packed his bag with rope, a flashlight, and a machete. He took Tim and Emily with him. Jake took two others from the group: Nate, a quiet teen, and Sarah, the girl who had screamed during their first run.

Before they left, Aiden pulled Jake aside. "If anything goes wrong, get back here. Don't try to play hero."

Jake gave a quick smile. "No promises."

They went their separate ways.

Aiden led his group through the back alleys, avoiding the main roads. The gas station was only a few blocks away, but it felt like a mile. Every sound echoed, and every shadow looked like a threat.

They reached the gas station just as a light breeze picked up. Aiden motioned for them to crouch.

"Tim, check the pumps. Emily, look for a working flashlight or batteries. I'll cover you."

Tim gave a thumbs up and jogged over to the pumps. Emily slipped inside the convenience area, moving carefully.

Aiden stayed near the side wall, eyes scanning constantly. He didn't like how quiet it was.

Suddenly, a loud thump came from inside the store. Aiden moved fast, rushing through the shattered door.

Inside, Emily had knocked over a display rack. A single zombie had been hiding behind the counter. It lunged at her.

Aiden tackled it before it could grab her and drove his machete into its skull.

"You okay?" he asked, breathing hard.

Emily nodded, shaking. "Yeah. Sorry. I didn't see it."

"Stay sharp," he said, helping her up. "One mistake is all it takes."

They regrouped outside. Tim had managed to fill one container with fuel. "That's all I could get. The others are dry."

"It'll do," Aiden said. "Let's move."

Meanwhile, Jake's team was nearing the corner store. It looked empty from the outside, but the door had been broken.

Jake looked at Nate and Sarah. "Same plan. I go first. Watch my back."

They moved inside quietly. Shelves were knocked over, and most of the food was gone. But there were still cans of soup and a few boxes of cereal. Jake filled his bag as fast as he could.

Suddenly, Sarah grabbed his arm. "I heard something."

Jake froze, then motioned for them to hide.

From the back of the store, a figure stepped out. Not a zombie. It's a man, dirty, wild eyes, holding a crowbar.

Jake stood slowly. "We don't want trouble. Just taking what's left."

The man didn't respond. He looked around at the supplies in Jake's bag.

"Leave it," the man said. "All of it."

Jake tightened his grip on his weapon. "We need this."

The man stepped forward, but Nate came from the side and hit him in the arm with a pipe. The man dropped his crowbar and ran out of the store, disappearing into the alley.

Jake let out a breath. "Nice timing. Let's go. Now."

Both groups returned to the apartment just as the sun began to dip.

Jake and Aiden exchanged quick nods.

"Ran into a scavenger," Jake reported. "He didn't follow us. But he knows we're here now."

Aiden's jaw tightened. "Then we need to prepare. We're not alone anymore."

The group sat down to eat, quieter than usual.

The world was getting harder. More dangerous.

But they were still alive. Still together.

And that meant they still had a chance.