CHAPTER 63: 63: THE WORLD WAS INTENSE

Zara adjusted the straps of the carrier that held Leo snug against her chest, his small hands clutching at the fabric of her jacket. Her legs ached from the hours of walking, but she kept moving.

"We’re close," she said aloud, her voice steady. She wasn’t sure if she was reassuring herself or Leo.

Ahead, the highway disappeared into the haze. No sign of City H. No sign of anything except desolation and decay. Was that the Mist or was it caused by the weather? She shouldn’t tell.

Zara’s stomach churned with unease, but she forced herself to keep her pace even.

If I panic, he’ll panic.

She glanced down at Leo, his head resting on her chest. His curls, sticky with sweat and grime, brushed against her chin.

She couldn’t let him see her doubt.

Inwardly, her thoughts raced. What if I’ve miscalculated? What if this wasnt the right path to City H? What if we’re walking to nowhere? The idea gnawed at her, but she buried it deep. She couldn’t spiral right now.

"Mommy tired?" Leo’s small voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked down to see him peering up at her, wide-eyed.

"No baby. I’m strong, remember?" She managed a smile, shifting his weight in the carrier. Her injury from her previous fight was still hurting but she had been able to treat it.

He nodded, content for now, and Zara scanned the sides of the road for shelter. A cluster of abandoned cars caught her eye, their faded paint jobs and shattered windows would give them enough shade and privacy for a while.

"Let’s sit for a bit," she said, leading them off the road. She found a spot between two cars where the overhanging metal provided some shade.

She set Leo down gently, crouching to his level as she dug through her pack. "Let’s get you cleaned up," she murmured, pulling out a small bottle of water and a rag.

Leo wrinkled his nose. "No bath!"

"What happened to not wanting to be yucky?" Zara chuckled softly. "Not a bath, silly. Just a little wipe so you don’t stick to me like a gummy bear."

Leo giggled at that, and Zara’s heart swelled despite the grimness of their reality. She wet the rag and carefully wiped his face, cleaning away the layers of dirt and sweat. He squirmed under her touch but didn’t protest too much, chattering about the things he missed: toys, cartoons, pancakes.

Zara remembered snagging a box of pancake mix in the cache, she wondered if they’d be able to make it. She never took any oil or pans.

She might have to dump it somewhere if they ever need to make room for something more important. Though she wished she could make some for him.

"There we go. A brand-new Leo, fresh off the highway."

"Am I shiny now?" he asked, his giggles bubbling up again.

"Hmm, you’re getting there." She tapped his nose with a damp finger, eliciting more laughter.

She pulled a pair of clean shirt and shorts from her bag and helped him into it.

"My turn now," Leo announced, grabbing the rag. Zara blinked in surprise but let him continue. He dabbed clumsily at her face, his small hands careful but determined.

"You missed a spot," she teased, pointing to her forehead.

Leo frowned in concentration, attacking the spot with the rag until she laughed and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks, hero."

She took the rag from him and cleaned the spots he missed and couldn’t see. She couldn’t afford to change into clean clothes out here, not when danger could find them at any moment.

They sat there for a while, sharing a bottle of water and some food. Zara allowed herself a moment of peace, checking her shoulder wound but her gaze was drawn to the horizon where black shapes circled in the distance.

Crows.

Her stomach tightened.

They’ve changed, too.

Once scavengers, the birds had become hunters, their dark eyes unnervingly intelligent. She’d seen what they could do. A small group of them could strip a body in minutes.

Zara watched the flock carefully, calculating. Either they’ve found food... or they’re hunting for it.

"We need to go," she said, packing up quickly. Leo clung to her, brows furrowed at her tone.

So much for not panicking, she thought, keeping an eye on the creatures and trying not to make any sudden burst of movements that would get their attention.

The sky slowly churned as they moved through the wreckage, wind picking up the scent of decay and ozone. Zara frowned as the sky began to change Colour.

Fuck, was a storm coming? She looked around worriedly. The cars around didn’t have any windows.

The highway stretched on, empty and silent except for the crunch of their footsteps and the howling of the wind. Hours passed before they saw it—a gas station sitting on the side of the road.

"Let’s check it out," Zara said, veering off the highway. The structure was in shambles, its windows shattered and walls marred with graffiti, blood and bullet holes. The air was damp, carrying the metallic tang of rust and decay.

Zara tightened her grip on the metal pipe she carried, adjusting Leo in the sling against her chest. She moved cautiously, stepping over broken glass and debris.

The shelves inside were ransacked, their contents long gone. Water pooled on the floor up to above her ankles, reflecting the dim light filtering through the broken ceiling.

She absently wondered if holing up in such a place was a good idea, but the howl of the wind outside answered for her as the building shook.

She found a storage room near the back, small enough to feel secure but large enough to fit her and Leo comfortably. It had a door, though it hung crooked on its hinges and the roof was intact. Zara set their bag down and lowered herself to the floor, her back against the wall.

"Are we staying here?" Leo asked, his voice muffled by the sling.

"For a little while, sweetie," Zara replied, helping him out of the sling and onto her lap.

She reached into her pack and pulled out a small packet of dried fruit and crackers. "Time for a snack," she announced.

Leo perked up, reaching for them eagerly. "Can I have two?"

"Two? You’re getting spoiled," she teased, handing him the crackers.

As they ate, Leo’s chatter filled the room, a soothing difference to the howling wind outside. "When can I play with other kids, Mama?"

Zara hesitated. "Soon, baby. When we get to the city, you’ll meet lots of kids to play with."

"Will they have toys?"

"I’m sure they will." She smoothed his hair, her chest tightening.

"I can share if they don’t," he smiled at her.

"Such a kind darling," she cooed, "I’m sure they’d love that."

Leo fell into a small chatter on how he would play with the other kids and what sort of things they’d do while Zara listened sadly, nodding at the right beats.

After their small meal, Leo climbed into her lap, curling against her like a kitten. "Story?" he mumbled sleepily.

Zara arched an eyebrow, was it a good thing that Leo was trying to fall into his previous patterns before the apocalypse had begun?

"Of course baby," she pulled him close. "What do you want to hear?"

"Anything," he yawned.

"Once upon a time," Zara began, her voice soft, "there was a brave little prince and his mama. They walked through forests and deserts, facing all kinds of dangers. But no matter what, the prince always stayed brave..."

Her voice trailed off as Leo’s breathing evened out, his small body going limp in her arms. She kissed his forehead, her own eyes growing heavy.

It seemed the meal had made them a little too comfortable.

*****

The loud bang jolted Zara awake.

Her heart raced as she froze, straining to hear. Voices echoed through the gas station, rough and frustrated.

"Nothing here, just like the last place!" one man snarled.

"Birds almost killed us for this crap," another muttered. "And now the weather’s turning bad. Great."

"Shut up, both of you," a third voice growled. "The birds nearly took a chunk out of my arm, and now you want to argue? Get the hell out of my face."

Zara’s breath caught. She cursed herself silently for letting her guard down enough to sleep.

I should’ve stayed awake. Stupid, stupid. She glanced down at Leo, still asleep, his face peaceful. She carefully shifted him into the crook of her arm, her other hand tightening around her pipe.

The voices grew louder, closer.

"Think we can siphon some gas at least?"

"Doubt it. Everything’s been bone dry for months."

Her grip on the pipe tightened as she listened, praying they wouldn’t come near the storage room. Their voices sounded close, like they were making their way past. Zara’s breath hitched when she heard one of them pause near her door.

"Hey, you smell that?"

"What?"

"Food. Or something close to it. Someone’s been here recently."

The doorknob rattled. Zara’s heart hammered in her chest as she gripped the pipe tighter, bracing herself for what was coming.

"Locked."

"Could be someone inside. Maybe a rat. Let’s break it open and see."

Before she could think of another plan, the door flung outwards, the flimsy lock giving way under heavy force.

Zara lunged forward on instinct, swinging the pipe with all her strength. It connected with the first man’s face, sending him stumbling back with a startled howl of pain.

"Shit! They’re armed!"

"Stay back!" Zara snarled, positioning one hand on Leo as she tried to move to the entrance. She held the pipe steady, her hands trembling but her eyes fierce.

The man she’d struck recovered quickly, spitting blood as he glared at her. "You’re gonna pay for that, bitch."

He rushed her, and Zara swung again, the pipe colliding with his shoulder. He grunted but managed to grab hold of it, yanking it from her grip.

Zara staggered back, clutching Leo tightly as he began to stir, his small whimpers turning into frightened cries.

Another man lunged at her from the side, tackling her to the ground. The impact sent water splashing up around them, and Leo’s cries grew louder. Zara fought wildly, kicking and scratching as the man tried to pin her down.

"Get the kid!" someone yelled.

"No!" Zara screamed, struggling harder as a second pair of hands pried Leo from her grasp. The boy shrieked, his arms flailing as he tried to cling to his mother.

"Mommy!" Leo sobbed, his tiny fists pounding against the man holding him.

"Let him go!" Zara shouted, her voice raw with desperation. She managed to free one arm and clawed at the face of the man on top of her, drawing blood.

"Little hellcat," he growled, slamming her arm back down into the water.

Zara’s mind raced as she struggled, her thoughts flashing to a similar encounter months ago. That time, she and Leo had barely escaped with their lives, leaving everything behind. She could still feel the sting of her sprained ankle as she jumped out of the window, the fear that had gripped her as they ran into the night.

"Not again," she whispered, tears mixing with the cold water beneath her. "Not again."

The man above her grinned, his teeth yellowed and jagged. He leaned down, his breath hot against her face. "You’re a fighter. I like that."

Zara bucked against him, screaming as his hands tore at her shirt, exposing her to the cold air.

"Mommy!" Leo wailed, his voice hoarse from crying.

How did a few minutes of resting come to this? Why?!

The man’s laughter echoed in her ears, cruel and mocking.

Then, a gunshot rang out.

The man on top of her froze, his head snapping up as one of his companions crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him.

"Get the fuck off her."