Everyone moved cautiously, each step measured and silent, raindrops hitting their soaked clothes. The tension in the air was almost palpable. Ethan, always alert, moved a few feet ahead, scanning the road with his eyes. He stopped abruptly.
—Wait —he whispered firmly, raising a hand.
Everyone stood still. Ethan narrowed his eyes, watching the streets ahead. The shadows of the infected moved among the rubble, dozens of them blocking any possibility of a direct passage.
He quickly returned and addressed the group in a low voice:
—We can't go on like this. There are too many of us... and it's impossible to slip through undetected. —His cold, calculating eyes moved from one to another—. It would be best to split up.
There was a moment of hesitation among the group. No one wanted to admit it, but they knew he was right. Staying together would only put them all in greater danger.
Elion, who had been silent, stepped forwarde.
—I'll go ahead alone —he said calmly.
Ethan looked at him for a second before taking a small radio communicator out of his backpack. He handed it to him.
—Use channel seven. If you see a safe path, let us know.
Elion nodded without hesitation, put the radio away, and slipped into the shadows without another word. The group fell silent, waiting. Every minute seemed like an eternity.
Finally, the radio crackled with static, and Elion's voice came through, calm but clear:
—West zone clear. There's a path through there. You can move forward.
Ethan grabbed his radio and replied quickly.
—Got it, keep us posted.
Then he turned to the others.
—Let's split up into pairs. It's faster and less noticeable.
Before anyone could speak, Reize took a decisive step forward.
—I'll go with Arika —she said firmly.
But before she could get close, Ethan took her arm and pulled her toward him gently, but without giving her a choice.
—No, you're coming with me —he said, staring at her. Then he turned to Koen—. You're going with Arika.
Reize frowned, about to protest, but Ethan had already turned, leading her away without giving her time to object. Koen and Arika stood still for a few seconds, exchanging glances, somewhat bewildered by the sudden decision.
Arika let out a small, tired laugh, and Koen, seeing her, couldn't help but smile too.
—I guess we're stuck together —Koen murmured, shrugging.
—It looks that way —Arika replied with a slight sigh, but the warmth in her voice was evident.
Without further ado, they both adjusted their backpacks and began to make their way along the path Elion had indicated, staying close and alert.
After several minutes of walking through empty streets and abandoned buildings, Ethan finally let go of Reize's arm. She stopped abruptly, turning to him with a frown and her jaw clenched.
—Why did you do that? —she snapped, her voice containing more anger than a whisper—. You could have gone with Koen and I with Arika. You had no right to interfere like that.
Ethan didn't flinch. His gray eyes watched her with the same calculated calm as always.
—If I did, I would have put Arika's life at risk... and yours too.
Reize frowned even more, her hands clenched into fists.
—What are you talking about? I don't understand.
Ethan let out a slight sigh, his tone low and direct.
—You don't know how to handle a weapon with ease yet. —His words weren't cruel, just a statement of fact—. And Arika is too badly injured to defend both of you. Sending them together would have been suicide.
Reize clenched her teeth, her anger burning inside... but she said nothing. She knew he was right. She hated him for it, but she knew. Without another word, she looked away and set off with firm steps, frustration etched on her face.
Ethan said nothing. He just followed her in silence, his gaze always alert to his surroundings as they advanced toward the point Elion had indicated.
Meanwhile, Koen and Arika moved cautiously forward. Koen was a few steps ahead, his weapon firmly gripped in his hands, while Arika walked behind, her pace slow but steady, struggling not to show the pain she felt.
After a few minutes, Koen's radio emitted a faint crackle before Elion's voice came through clearly.
—Koen, do you copy? Report your position.
Koen pressed the button to respond.
—We're at the intersection of Oak and Fifth. Which streets are clearest?
Elion replied quickly, giving him a couple of safer routes they had managed to verify. Koen nodded to himself.
—Understood, thank you —he said before cutting the communication.
He turned to Arika and gestured to indicate where they should go. As they resumed walking, Arika watched him curiously, noticing how confidently he handled the weapon.
—I didn't know you knew how to use a gun too —she commented, her voice soft, almost amused.
Koen glanced over his shoulder at her, somewhat embarrassed.
—Yes... I know how to use it. I just hadn't had the chance to prove it before —he admitted, shrugging slightly.
Arika looked at him with a slight smile.
—Do you want to show me?
Koen paused for a second, visibly embarrassed. He scratched the back of his neck, not daring to look her directly in the eye.
—That's right, prove to you that I can be as good as you... so you'll let me protect you.
Arika let out a low, amused laugh.
—So that's it...
Koen looked at her silently for a moment, then softened his expression.
—If you want, we can slow down. Just say the word.
She shook her head slowly, with quiet determination.
—I'm fine. I can handle it... besides, we can't afford to do that yet.
Koen nodded, his gaze serious.
—You're right."
Without further ado, they both resumed their journey, advancing together through the deserted streets, alert to every shadow and every sound.
Both groups continued their advance, watching every corner, when suddenly a static crackle broke the silence of the radio. It was Elion, his voice trying to break through, but something abruptly cut the signal.
The two groups stopped immediately, their gazes tense, their bodies on alert.
A few minutes that seemed like an eternity passed before the radio came back on.
—Those damn infected almost got me... —Elion's voice sounded agitated, but still firm—. Listen, be careful and stay alert. I don't know where some of them went. I'll keep moving forward.
Everyone responded with a curt copy, warning him to be careful as well, and cut off communication. Without further ado, both groups resumed their march.
A few minutes later, Ethan and Reize came face to face with a group of infected. Ethan didn't hesitate.
—Get your weapon out —he ordered in a low but firm voice.
Reize quickly patted his jacket and belt, his expression changing as he realized it wasn't there.
—It's not here... I don't know what happened, I don't have it.
Ethan frowned, annoyed, but without losing his cool. Quickly, he took out a small spare gun and handed it to her.
—Take this. It's not much, but it'll do.
Without another word, they both threw themselves into combat. Reize, though determined, was a poor shot; her shots often missed or only grazed the infected. However, every now and then she managed to land a clean shot and take them down. Ethan, for his part, moved with cold precision, quickly eliminating the infected one after another.
When they finally finished them all off, they were both breathing heavily. Ethan lowered his weapon and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
—You need to improve your aim a lot —he said bluntly, reloading his weapon.
Reize just clenched his jaw and nodded silently.
Ethan looked in the direction of the path they had to take and muttered:
—If it was difficult for us, I hope the other group isn't having the same trouble... Koen and Arika.
Reize frowned, biting her lip.
—I hope Koen knows how to protect Arika well...
Ethan looked at her calmly.
—Don't worry about that. Koen isn't the type to be easily crushed. Especially not when he has something to protect.
Reize glanced at him sideways, clearly doubtful.
Ethan sighed and added:
—You don't know Koen completely yet. Trust him a little.
Meanwhile, Koen and Arika continued to advance cautiously, their steps measured, their breaths held. At one point, Arika broke the silence.
—You said you wanted to show me how to use a weapon, right?
Koen turned his head, curious.
—Yes... but why are you bringing that up now?
Arika lifted her chin and pointed forward with a slight movement.
A group of infected were turning the corner, their staggering figures beginning to approach.
—I think this would be a good time to see your skills —she said with a half-smile.
Koen swallowed, but his gaze hardened.
He nodded confidently, gripping his weapon firmly.
—All right. Stay back... I'll take care of them.