CHAPTER 17: 17: THE WORLD WAS FILLED WITH FILTH

The city felt suffocating, its silence broken only by the distant groans of something—or someone—dragging its way through the rubble. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a muted orange hue over the remnants of what once had been a bustling metropolis.

This was one of the residential areas in City B, or at least it was.

Now, it was a graveyard, the bones of crumbling buildings reaching toward the heavens like the outstretched arms of the dead. The wind howled through shattered windows, the sound eerie and hollow, like the city itself was breathing.

Zara kept her pace steady, eyeing the people around her. She had been foolish and messed up, walking right up to them. How had she not noticed them until they were that close? What happened to her foresight that it didn’t alert her of the danger?

She wasn’t sure about these survivors—the five strangers who had appeared out of nowhere and decided she had to come with them. Having strangers around wouldn’t let her rest!

They had offered food, shelter, and guidance toward what they promised would be a safe hideout. But Zara wasn’t foolish. In a world like this, kindness came with a price, and she had learned to mistrust smiles that were too wide and words that were too soft.

The group was ahead of her, walking in a loose formation. Their eyes scanned the ruined city around them, alert but deceptively relaxed. The leader, a tall man with a weathered face and a shotgun slung over his shoulder, kept glancing back at her. His eyes lingered just a fraction too long as if he were trying to gauge her, assess her worth. The others seemed friendly enough—too friendly, maybe.

It started with a light comment from the older man, who kept scanning the horizon with sharp but calculating eyes.

"You been alone long?" he asked, his tone neutral but with an undercurrent of curiosity. His gaze flicked to Leo, then back to Zara.

Zara’s response was guarded. "A while. It’s not easy finding anyone in this mess." She could feel their eyes on her, but she didn’t flinch.

They didn’t press further, but Zara could sense the shift in their behaviour. They seemed more excited.

It’s probably because they think I’m alone...

Zara was too sharp not to notice. They wanted to know what she had, what she could offer. Maybe they saw Leo as a liability or wanted something more from her.

Her mind raced as she followed them deeper into the city, her eyes flicking from face to face. None of them seemed particularly dangerous on the surface, but Zara knew better than to trust appearances. Who would believe Leo had an ability?

One of the women, a blonde with wide blue eyes, had smiled softly at Leo, cooing at him in a way that set Zara’s teeth on edge. She shared much information about the cache and things going on with Zara.

The blonde woman, who had introduced herself as Rachel, turned to Zara with a soft smile. "You know, I admire you," she said, her voice almost too sweet. "It’s not easy being out here with a little one. You’re strong."

Zara didn’t reply right away. She just nodded, keeping her eyes on the path ahead. There was something in Rachel’s gaze that didn’t sit well with her. The way she lingered on Zara’s face and her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you," Zara said flatly, trying to keep the conversation polite but distant. "I do what I have to."

Rachel looked as though she were about to say something else, but then Leo tugged at Zara’s sleeve, and she walked a few ways away from Rachel before leaning down to comfort him. "Hey, sweetheart. You okay?"

Leo’s small voice, full of innocence, reached her ears. "Mama, why are they being so nice? They want to help, right?"

Zara’s heart clenched. "Yeah, sweetheart," she said, ruffling his hair. "They want to help. But we need to be careful, okay? Not everyone out here is what they seem."

As they approached a seemingly intact building, the woman with the dark eyes caught Zara’s gaze. "We’re close now," she said, her voice low as if sharing a secret. "You’ll be safe with us. You and your little one."

The words should have been comforting, but they only made Zara’s spine stiffen. She forced a smile.

They entered the building, the door creaking ominously as it swung open. Inside, it was dim and quiet, save for the soft shuffle of feet. Zara’s eyes darted around the space, noting the makeshift beds, the crates stacked in the corners, and the flickering candlelight that barely illuminated the space.

The group settled down, making themselves comfortable as Zara and Leo found a corner to sit in.

She tried to keep the conversation light, but her instincts were buzzing. These survivors—who were they really? Were they genuinely kind, or was there something darker at play? Zara couldn’t afford to trust them, not yet.

That night, as they settled into their makeshift camp inside what had once been a luxury apartment building, Zara’s suspicion only deepened.

Zara’s thoughts kept drifting back to the group. Rachel’s too-perfect smile. The way one of the men, Mark, had looked at her bag with an unreadable expression when she’d set it down. The small glances exchanged between the survivors when they thought Zara wasn’t looking.

There was something off. Something she couldn’t put her finger on, but she knew it was there.

Leo stirred in his sleep, and Zara turned her head to check on him. He was fine, his small chest rising and falling with each breath. He was safe for now, and that was all that mattered.

Morning came too soon. Zara didn’t sleep well, not with her thoughts running wild. The survivors were up early, offering more food and water, but Zara couldn’t help but notice how they watched her and waited for her to make the first move as if testing her.

She hadn’t eaten their gifts but swapped them out with her rations. Who knows what they put in it?

Unaware of the tension in the air, Leo played quietly with a small toy in the corner, his little hands pressing it into the cracked floor. Zara watched him, her heart aching at the sight. He didn’t deserve this world. He deserved a chance to grow up where he didn’t have to worry about zombies, betrayal, or survival.

"You know, we could help you," Rachel said, her voice laced with something Zara couldn’t quite identify. "If you ever need anything. You and Leo can stay with us. We could be a family."

Zara’s gaze flickered to Rachel, what the fuck was she talking about? Did people just suddenly become family? Did they think she was that desperate?

She had protected her child well for the past eight months and would continue to do so with or without help.

"I appreciate the offer," Zara said slowly, "but I’m not looking for a family."

Rachel’s smile faltered, her eyes darkening for a while before she smiled again. This time it was forced. "I understand love. It takes time to trust people, and luckily, we have all the time in the world." she waved her arms in the air.

Zara said nothing, and Rachel left to speak to Mark. She pretended to check her bag as she watched them under her lashes. They kept waving their hands as they spoke, voices raising slightly as their eyes slid over to her direction.

They were too far away to hear what was being said, though.

Later, when Leo was napping, Zara took a moment to consider her next move. She knew she couldn’t stay here long. Too many things were wrong.

She spent the next few hours watching the survivors, carefully noting their behaviour and their interactions with each other. She noticed the way they subtly guarded certain areas of the building,

As she lay in bed, she heard shuffling in the dark.

"Is she asleep?" someone whispered.

"Yeah, I think so; you gave her the food, right?"

"Yes," Rachel hissed back, her tone clipped. "I saw both of them eat it."

So it had begun? Zara thought, brows furrowing in silent rage. This was their plan, huh? Drug and steal from her?

Zara’s fist clenched; of course, they would do this to her; humans were always looking to take advantage of each other, no matter the circumstances.

It’s a good thing she still had Leo strapped to her chest. She would have to find a way to get out of this.

But one of them had a gun. She bit her lip. Curse this foresight for always coming in late. She held still as they rummaged through her bags, hoping Leo wouldn’t wake up.

"Hey, go tie them up, just in case," she heard someone whisper.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Who would they send?

She tensed as the footsteps approached. She would have to act, whether now or never.

She opened an eye just enough to see the wiry teen creeping closer with a length of rope in hand. Ok, she could overpower him.

The moment he crouched, she exploded into motion, slamming her shoulder into him with all her weight.

The teen yelped, toppling backwards and crashing into a crate. The sound shattered the silence, and Zara heard the others curse as they scrambled to their feet.

Leo shifted from the sudden motion but thankfully didn’t wake up.

Zara stood, one hand on the bat, one hand cradling Leo’s head as she stared them down.

The people by the bags stared at her, wide-eyed in surprise at being caught red-handed.

"I knew there was something wrong with you guys," she hissed, taking a step back.

Would she be able to get her bag from them? Should she risk it?

"Miss, lower your weapon; we mean no harm," Rachel said, raising her hand placatingly.

"Are you not ashamed to say that after trying to drug me and my child?!" Zara felt hysteria creep into her voice.

"It’s not what you think," Rachel took a step forward.

"Dont come any closer," Zara hissed, pointing the bat at her. The rest of the men had stood up now. She was not getting the bag back without fighting them, nor was she fighting men with Leo in her arms. She would have to get out of here now.

The men lunged forward, and before she could react, one of them knocked the bat out of her hands. She stumbled backwards, Leo in her arms, her mind racing as she looked for a way out.

"Don’t make this harder than it has to be," one of the men said, his voice low and threatening.

Zara’s chest heaved as her back hit the wall, her arms tightening instinctively around Leo. The toddler stirred against her chest, his small face scrunching in confusion as he whimpered. She felt his little hands grasp her shirt, seeking comfort.

"Get her hands and the kid!" barked the leader, his tone cold and commanding.

Before she could raise her hands, rough hands grabbed her arms. Two men pinned her against the wall, prying Leo from her grasp. Zara struggled wildly, her nails raking down one man’s face. He cursed, twisting her arm painfully.

Leo’s startled cries pierced the air, his small voice crying out for his mother. "Mama! Mama!"

"Let him go!" Zara screamed, thrashing harder. Her voice was hoarse with desperation, but the men’s grip didn’t loosen.

A blonde woman—Rachel—scooped Leo into her arms, rocking him with a mockingly soothing smile. "Shh, little one. Mommy will join us soon."

"Don’t you dare touch him!" Zara snarled, her voice laced with fury. But Rachel only smirked as she tightened her hold on Leo.

"Calm down, sweetheart," the leader said smoothly, stepping closer. He tilted his head, his eyes raking over her appraisingly.

"We don’t want to hurt you or the boy. Not if you cooperate."

Zara snarled, her eyes blazing with fury. "Let my son go! Right now!"

The man holding her chuckled, his breath hot against her ear. "You’re a fiery one, aren’t you? That’ll come in handy."

"Get away from me!" she spat, struggling harder, though she knew it was futile.

The leader, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair, stepped forward, his eyes cold. "Here’s the deal. We lure people in, take what we need, and decide whether they’re worth keeping. Supplies, bodies—doesn’t matter. You’re lucky. You’re young, beautiful. And that kid of yours? We’ll take care of him. Could even raise him right, in exchange for... you being cooperative."

Zara froze, her breath catching in her throat. The implications of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. Rage flared white-hot in her chest.

"I’d rather die," she hissed through clenched teeth.

The leader smirked. "That’s the spirit we’re looking for."

While they talked, Rachel cooed at Leo, who was crying inconsolably in her arms. Zara’s heart broke at the sound, but her fury surged, fueling her next move.

"I won’t fight," Zara said through gritted teeth, her body going limp in the men’s grasp. They relaxed slightly, taking her submission for compliance.

The leader chuckled, clearly pleased. "Smart girl. Now, let’s talk about—"

Zara didn’t let him finish. With lightning speed, she snapped her head back, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone as her skull collided with the nose of the man behind her. He let out a pained roar, his grip slackening enough for her to twist free.

She spun toward the other man, slamming her knee into his groin with all her strength. He doubled over with a strangled groan, collapsing to the floor.

Chaos erupted. Rachel screamed as Zara lunged at her, clawing at the woman’s arms until she pried Leo free. The boy clung to her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder.

"Hold her!" one of the men bellowed, but Zara was already moving. She bolted for the nearest window, her heart hammering in her chest. Without hesitation, she launched herself through the shattered frame, clutching Leo protectively.

The world spun as they fell, glass slicing her arms and legs. She braced for the impact, her body curling around Leo to shield him. They landed in a pile of trash bags with a sickening thud. The air knocked from her lungs. Pain exploded in her side, but she pushed it aside, checking Leo frantically.

He was crying but unharmed, his small hands clutching her shirt. Relief flooded her as she kissed his forehead. "It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you."

Above her, voices shouted angrily, and footsteps approached the window. Zara forced herself to her feet, her legs trembling. Pain radiated from her ankle, but she ignored it, limping away as fast as possible. The cold night air stung her wounds, but she didn’t stop.

She couldn’t risk it. The city swallowed her up, the shadows becoming her cover.

The world was full of filth.