Slowly the days began to blend together each day the same routine as the last, the long walk with hardly any respite, choices mounting up do you stay close to the populated areas for food and risk stumbling into the infected or stay off the beaten track and hope that by luck you will find food elsewhere. After many days Joel and Sarah walked through country roads bordered each side by long winding fences that stretched off into the horizon their backpacks still had enough food for a few days but water was becoming scarce and they had nearly ran out but this would be a problem that would have to dealt with later as nothing could be done now.

Deprived of water and as much as Sarah enjoyed hiking her enthusiasm seemed lower than even Joel's who had not managed to smile since Tommy left no matter how many bad jokes Sarah hurled at him.

"We've been walking for days when are we going to find water" she asked

"I do not know we will find it when we find it" replied Joel in a somber tone

Joel felt powerless to do anything but march on he wanted Sarah to have the best in life but right now he couldn't even provide her with water, he thought to himself at least there was a cool breeze today as the sun beat down upon them.

Whilst walking Sarah stumbled across a leaflet that was snagged in the wire of a fence and grabbed it if only as a distraction.

It was a simple message hastily written as if a letter meant for a loved one it read;

Janet

Some of the others are telling people that they are still running the trains which are still open to the people but one of the last of which leaves in a couple days they are supposedly meant to continue to the end of the line you can get off wherever but not back on from what I've heard anyway it leaves in a couple days all you need is one of those FEDRA cards, please I beg of you come with me and we will be safe.

Ed

"Dad look at this" Sarah said as she passed Joel the note

"It says there are trains running we could use these to get to Boston right" she said her enthusiasm beginning to reignite

"So it does and the note doesn't look that old maybe they haven't left yet" replied Joel his spirits lifted for the first time since Tommy left

Now with renewed hope they had not encountered a train station yet it must be further along and so they continued.

But all the enthusiasm in the word is no match for limitations a weary body can bestow for so long without water Joel and Sarah were not in the best condition as the heat increased as it usurped the cool breeze they became groggy and soon after Sarah collapsed but Joel being the fighter he always was carried Sarah on his back determined not to give in. Walking slower and slower until he was only able to drag his feat something wet hit his ear a hallucination it must have been but then again it happened and Joel took no notice his mind was playing tricks. Sarah was exhausted half awake on Joel's back but then she too felt something cod and wet hit her cheek and lifting her hand to wipe it off examined it and then outstretched her arm as another blade of rain hit her hand.

"Dad it it's raining" she said

Joel paused for a moment and looked up as a shadow was cast upon him rain drops began to fall and a smile began to appear on his face as it began to rain heavier Joel put Sarah down and then suddenly both erupted out in laughter as rain thundered down drenching them holding out a cupped hand a moment later it had filled with rain water their prayers had been answered. After several minutes of happiness they were able to continue as if with renewed energy they may just make it to the station but looking at one another it was hard to believe that not long ago they were as dry as the desert and now drenched as if god himself tried to drown them. The ground was now soaked and each step was met with the sound of a slap as shoe hit water.

Soon a makeshift station appeared most likely built out here to avoid the infected in the city soldiers patrolled around with floodlights towering above blinding you with light a soldier stopped Joel and Sarah as they approached

"Stop why are you here" yelled the soldier as he glared at them

"Were heading north" replied Joel

"Do you have ID on you" then man snapped back

Joel handed over his and Sarah's ID which they got a long time ago after inspecting them for a few moments the soldier administered an infection test and let them through.

The rain still poured down creating streams that crossed the landscape and it could be heard bouncing from the carriage roofs, the station was merely a chunk of flat ground each carriage had to be accessed by a ladder, the train stretched far back about 10 carriages upon entering the train they were greeted by the sight of people from all areas filling the train almost to capacity. Luckily Joel and Sarah found a seat near the back of one of the carriages with a window out into the world sitting down Joel pulled a towel from his bag handing it to Sarah to dry herself. The whole train was quiet each person minding their own business each one with their own story of hardship.

"Just think in a day or so we will be there" said Joel

"that's good I think I've done enough walking for one lifetime" Sarah Joked

The train slowly began to move off the scenery changing as it moved past the window, the train was quiet with only a few voices talking most people onboard were just trying to escape but from what everyone would have a different answer. The first couple hours were dull and lifeless Joel stared out the window but just as easily could have been looking at his reflection meanwhile Sarah listened to some music with what little power it had left whilst fiddling with a straw to keep herself occupied. The train only seemed to come alive when rations were handed out to each person it was enough but left you wanting more soon the train returned to its eerie calm rain continued outside but it didn't bother anyone it rolled down the windows as condensation built up. Joel relaxed against his chair taking some well deserved rest but before doing so glanced over seeing Sarah with a blanket pulled halfway over her head as she drew on the window after a quick smirk Joel lay down his head closing his eyes for what would possibly be his best night sleep in weeks...