CHAPTER 8: HOME IS BEHIND

Elsa sat at her desk thinking on what Kristoff reported from the attack. Mattias stood before her desk trying to process it as well. He was the first to speak up, "Elsa, if what Kristoff reported is true, then-"

"They can strategize and have a basic form of intelligence, at least the Slayers do," Elsa standing and finished for him, "You and I will do recon to observe Walker movement and numbers. We need to know what we're dealing with."

Mattias nodded.

"Where are you going? Can I come?" Anna asked, coming in.

"No, Anna. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on-" Elsa replied, but the three looked at the window when Olaf ran by yelling, "Come back, bunny! I just want to hold you!"

Mattias shook his head and concealed his smile while Anna giggled and Elsa sighed, already at the end of her rope. "Uncle Olaf needs supervision and there is no one I trust more with him."

Anna wasn't thrilled with Elsa's wishes but headed out.

Mattias had something else to report to Elsa. "About the other thing you wanted a report on."

"How is Kristoff?" Elsa asked. "As a soldier who has seen combat, is he okay to return to the field?"

"I know that coming so close to death can change a person. He's been acting a little off, but who wouldn't? I'd be concerned if nothing was wrong. I don't think you need to worry too much. He's a strong young man. Give him time to process his experience himself," Mattias gave his honest opinion.

Anna stayed in the doorway, listening in on their secret conversation. Elsa noticed her worried look and gestured with her eyes to go find Kristoff and Anna left. Kristoff was important to Anna. They were close since they were all little and they have been scavenger partners ever since Elsa took over the group.

Kristoff was fiddling with his crossbow at the top of the hill. His hands were shaking, which only angered him. His awareness was up, looking in the directions where he detected the slightest sounds, succumbing to his gradually increasing paranoia. He tensed, jumping to his feet when someone said his name, "Kristoff."

Anna was instructed to be careful around Kristoff after the attack, so Anna called him several feet away. She saw how tense he was and asked, "Are you okay?"

Kristoff forced a smile and laughed, "Yeah. I'm fine. How are you?" Anna's unconvinced stare made him feel awkward and sit back down to keep messing with his crossbow. She cautiously came over and sat on the fallen log next him before putting her hand on his shoulder. Her touch was comforting and enticed him to look her in her teal eyes. "Elsa told me what you did. You ran through the Walker herd to get to me. That was reckless and impulsive, Anna. You could've been killed…but thanks for saving my life."

Anna smiled, "I'd say you owe me one but you saved my life right after. So I guess this makes us even."

He in that moment, without realizing it at first, became charmed by her eyes, her smile, the pinkness of her lips, the freckles that dotted her creamy skin and the red hair that framed her perfectly carved face. Feelings began to pop up, making him look away and tease to shrug them off, "Maybe I'll save you again so you can owe me."

Anna smiled at him mockingly and laughed, "Ha! In your dreams! Maybe I'll be the one to save you since you're so helpless without me."

"Says the woman who can't even drive yet," Kristoff jabbed, making her gasp at his comment and hit his shoulder with her hand. He laughed and pushed her back. She retaliated by hitting him again harder with a smile. He pushed her hard enough she screamed when she fell off the log and into the leaves.

Anna smiled up at him when he laughed at her and lunged at him and they both landed in the leaves with Anna on top. Kristoff rolled with her to get on top. A moment or two passed as they stared into one another's eyes. Anna began to raise her head slowly to kiss his lips which enticed Kristoff to draw closer to her too, but the alarms inside went off and he pulled away and backed away from her nervously. "I better go see if Elsa has any errands for me today."

Anna stared at him with disbelief as he walked back to camp. She let her head drop, covering her face as she groaned loudly with frustration. Why did he back away? I thought we were getting along. Why won't he kiss me?

Kristoff headed back to camp, trying to compose himself. What was that? Whatever that was, I need to get out of camp for a while. He noticed Elsa and Mattias getting into the new truck. He stopped by the passenger window. "You two heading into town. It okay if I come with?"

"We're just doing some recon, Kristoff. I need you to remain here and patrol camp while we're gone. Anna will look after Uncle Olaf," Elsa explained before Mattias drove off.

Her answer was disappointing to Kristoff. He felt the need to distance himself from Anna and was about to head out on patrol. He headed to a cooler to grab some water before heading out and bumped into Anna. "Hi."

"Hi," Anna smiled, playing with one of her braids and looking down briefly. "Heading somewhere?"

"Elsa wouldn't let head out with her and Mattias so I'll be patrolling," Kristoff answered heading to his spot with his crossbow and water.

"I'll come with you," Anna seemed excited.

"No," Kristoff quickly said and explained, "Elsa mentioned you were in charge of Olaf. It would be better to keep him in camp where he can be safe and out of trouble."

Anna looked at Kristoff with a pouty look as he walked away with Sven. He's avoiding me now? She began to tear up when a nagging feeling that he didn't like her surfaced, but she quickly wiped her tears away before heading to her Uncle Olaf.

A good distance from town, Mattias and Elsa laid on the ground and looked through binoculars. Both had their guns ready in case they ran into trouble. What Elsa saw through the binoculars was unsettling. The numbers of Walkers were far greater than last month. No doubt because of their scavaging in this area. If the numbers were growing than it was only a matter of time until their camp was invaded by a herd too great to defend against. Their camp was a very vulnerable place to settle. "We have no choice, Elsa," Mattias said.

Elsa agreed, "We have to leave camp. We should head back and inform the others. The sooner we head out the better."

"Agreed," Mattias nodded before they headed back.

On the ride back, Elsa wondered about what she would say to the group. They lived in their spot since they lost their parents. Mattias glanced at her and immediately knew what was going through her head. "They'll understand, Elsa. We have both been telling them to not get too comfortable."

"But that's what we do as humans, we seek comfort anywhere we can. We are wired to settle and live in peace, not wander the earth aimlessly," Elsa replied.

"We'll find a new place to call home," Mattias assured her. This was the first time she would have to give the order to abandon camp.

Everyone saw Elsa's face as she got out of the truck and they followed her to the log cabin. She walked to her desk and everyone entered and stood behind her. She turned to face everyone. Mattias. Anna. Uncle Olaf. Kristoff. Sven. Kai. Gerda. Tuva. Sorenson. "We can't stay here anymore everyone. Mattias and I just returned from recon and learned that the numbers of Walkers in this area have increased drastically. For the safety of everyone here, we need to abandon camp and find a more secure location. Pack your things. Bare necessities only. Clothing. Food. Water. Medicine. Weapons. Everything else stays behind. Whatever we need, we'll scavenge elsewhere. You all have two hours."

Everyone nodded, taking Elsa's news and instruction seriously, before leaving the small log cabin. Elsa grabbed her bag and filled them with her things. When she exited, she saw everyone taking one last look at their home. Sure, it may not look like much but they spent a few years in this location and made roots there. Kai spoke up, "I realize our departer is bitter sweet, but home is not a place. Home is where all of us are together."

His reminder comforted everyone and made a few smile. His wife, Gerda nuzzled close to him affectionately as he guided her to the truck. They were the first in the back of the truck, followed by Sorenson, Tuva, Uncle Olaf, Kristoff and Sven. Mattias got in the driver's seat, Elsa in the passenger's seat with a map of the state and Anna sat behind Elsa. Elsa looked behind her to see if everyone was in the truck and noticed Anna looking at Kristoff through the back window and then looking away sadly.

"Where too, Elsa?" Mattias questioned.

"Since big cities were hit first by the pandemic, we should stay clear of those and closer to smaller towns," Elsa thought out loud.

"Hey Elsa," Kristoff said through the back window. "We should head to Living Rock. It's a small town north of Aren. That's where I was raised. When I went there a few years ago, I reunited with old friends there. They can help us get settled."

"Sound perfect, Kristoff," Elsa replied, "Onward to Living Rock, Mattias."

Everyone sitting in the back of the truck watched their camp get smaller and smaller as Mattias drove them away. They became fearful when Walkers suddenly started swarming their camp that they just left. They looked at one another and held each other for comfort.

As they drove on, Mattias could feel the heaviness in the atmosphere and began to whistle a cheerful tune. Elsa, Anna and Kristoff immediately recognized the tune since it was something Agnarr used to casually whistle from time to time after the fall of Fort Michael. Anna cheered up and began to whistle alongside Mattias then Kristoff smiled and joined in. Elsa looked away when all three eyed her to join them. She looked back when someone started poking her head. It was both Mattias and Anna. She smiled and caved in and started whistling too. Pretty soon, the others in the bac started whistling too.

Hours passed before they stopped outside a small town in the mountains north of Aren. The sign read, "WELCOME TO LIVING ROCK."

They all dismounted from the truck. Kristoff and Sven were the first to walk past the sign happily. "GUYS! I'M BACK!" His yell startled the others and caused sniper fire to strike the dirt by his feet. The others hid behind the truck for cover but Kristoff remained where he was as he yelled, "HEY! THAT'S NOT NICE! I THOUGHT WE WERE FAMILY! CEASE FIRE! IT'S KRISTOFF!"

The others came out from behind the truck when the firing ceased. In the distance, a woman's excited voice cheered, "Kristoff's home!"