Chapter 5
Driving.
Driving is a necessity if you want to get quickly from point A to B, especially if you travel through the enormous widths of the former United States.
Sadly, those drives are also very boring. Especially, if you're a 14-year-old teenage girl, who got stuck in a car with a woman you had no idea how or what to talk about.
And exactly this was what bothered Ellie. Most of the time there was silence. Seldomly, a conversation about the next toilet break or what they should have for dinner came up, but that's it. Luckily, Ellie had also roamed the safehouse in Springfield for some literature like Sarah had done and had found a compilation of sci-fi comics and books that was keeping her busy for some time.
They were now passing Pittsburgh. Sarah always tried to avoid the cities as much as possible because of - by abandoned cars and debris - blocked roads, Marauders, Hunters and, of course, armies of infected. Yet, natural obstacles proved to be a problem as well. By rock- and landslides destroyed roads, collapsed bridges over large rivers and even by vegetation overgrown streets. Over the years, finding intact paths for cars through the country had proven more and more difficult, so it was no wonder that Sarah became agitated as she learned that another bridge over the Monongahela River was gone.
They could see the wide stream in front of them, its other side sprinkled with some buildings, trees and bushes. So close, yet so far.
"Dammit!" the blonde cursed, hitting the wheel with her fist. "The last intact bridge I remember now is the Birmingham Bridge in the city. The military had used it to bring material over the river and failed to blow it up when the Cordyceps had reached Pittsburgh and instead decided to fortify it and turn it into a QZ. The old charges should still be there. This small one here was supposed to stay intact as a last resort for left behind troops. Nobody knows why it didn't get destroyed. Well, looks like rust and decay eventually did it."
"So, we now have to drive into the city? I thought you wanted to avoid the cities? So, why not search for another bridge further north or south?" Ellie asked as she put away the comic she had been reading.
Shaking her head, Sarah explained "We don't have enough fuel to make a tour around. The next Firefly depot's right on the other side of the river. I just don't understand. Two years ago, the bridge had been sturdy and maintained. It was our main route to the west…"
"Uh, maybe this guy can explain."
Following Ellie's sight and her pointer finger, Sarah saw a bearded man right in the middle of the road. He wore casual run-down clothes and had a rifle in his hands. His medium long, greasy, auburn hair was covering one of his eyes like a vail.
"Shit!" Sarah hissed as the stranger began to walk towards them. She put the car in reverse and punched the gas, trying to back up as another bunch of people appeared from every corner, quickly surrounding the vehicle, crude weapons blazing. She wanted to make a run for it, just stepping on the gas and running over everyone in their way, but the bearded man was now in front of the car again, aiming with his rifle directly at Sarah, who knew that she would be dead as soon as she tried to break through.
"A'right, you had ya fun, lads. Now stop the engine and come out, will ya!" yelled the stranger with a Scottish accent, his stern glare underlining that he meant business.
After firstly raising her hands from the wheel, Sarah complied and turned the keys in the ignition, killing the engine.
"Okay, Ellie, listen…" she then said towards the young girl. "As soon as I tell you to run, you run. Don't look back, don't stop, don't wait for me. Run and hide, you got that?"
Whiffing back a trembling "O-okay," Ellie cautiously unbuckled the seatbelt, mimicking Sarah, who was doing the same. Two of the strange people then opened their doors. Sarah used that chance for a diversion by kicking open her's, which hit the man who had unlocked it right in the crotch, sending him stumbling backwards before she jumped out of the car and punched the next guy in the face. On instinct, Ellie wanted to use this commotion without waiting for another signal and kicked open her door as well, which opened her a small corridor as some people had gotten surprised by the sudden push and stumbled like dominos.
Without waiting for a command, Ellie slipped out of the car and made a run for it. Or at least she tried, but then got grabbed by the back of the neck and pushed to the ground.
"Easy, girl!" chimed a female voice from above her, originating from a tall, muscular, Hispanic woman with buzz cut black hair.
"Lemme go, asshole!" Ellie yelled, squirming and flailing out until the woman harshly grabbed one of her arms and forced it behind the girl's back while she held her head down by pressing her knee on her neck. Realizing that any other movement would cause her more pain than use, the young red-head stopped to fight, giving in to her fate. Yet, out of nowhere, a punch hit the strong woman on top of her right in the face, forcing her off the young girl and letting her hit the ground.
"Mess with someone your own size, bitch!" Sarah hissed before she and Ellie got grabbed by the other people.
However, the strong woman had other plans. Her piercing gaze now constantly fixed on the blond woman, she swiftly got up and ordered "Release her!"
They were now encircled by the people Sarah would say were nothing else than Hunters. Having a wry smirk on her face, the tall woman took off her jacket and threw it aside, showing her very muscular arms.
"You wanna get personal?" she teased, signaling the more lanky woman to attack her. "Then c'mon… Show me whatcha got!"
For a short moment, Sarah just scanned the other woman suspiciously, not knowing what other use this fight should have, besides being a big show. Nonetheless, she attacked swiftly, trying to at least have a bit of an element of surprise. However, the tall woman just blocked her attempts easily, letting a heavy blow follow that hit the blonde right on the cheek.
She stumbled back, her world spinning and dark spots dancing in her sight as she tried to shake off her dizziness.
Her opponent tried to place a kick to her body that would have thrown her off balance, but she avoided it barely and got into the offensive right away again as she wanted to use that opening.
With success she placed a punch right into the side of her stomach and wanted to add another one to her head. Her fist, however, got stopped before impact and she barely managed to block the fist that wanted to break through her defense right towards her stomach. But the other woman was smart enough and had anticipated that move, using this opportunity to continue the attack with her knee, which was successful, yet not that powerful. But it was enough that the tall woman could take Sarah in a tight hold, swiped one leg off the ground and brought her to fall. She was trapped and got taken into a chokehold.
The crowd was cheering as Sarah was struggling for air, without any chance to break free from that grasp. As the oxygen concentration in her blood decreased more and more, her sight got blurry. She looked at Ellie, who was gazing at her with big worry and tearful eyes, screaming her name in desperation.
She felt sorry for that poor girl, who was now in the hands of murderers and thieves, rapists and cannibals. The scum of humanity.
A loud shot echoed from close-by and the crowd went silent as the bearded man stepped into the ring.
"Alright, Carla, that's enough. Now let her go… and that wee girl, too!" he announced and his people immediately followed his orders.
Sarah fell on all fours, gasping for air, and, to her surprise, Ellie was at her side right away, embracing her tightly. A gesture she would've never awaited.
When she eventually looked up again, she saw that tall woman in front of her, giving her that wry smirk again and reached her a hand.
"Good fight, chica!"
Sarah, however, stayed suspicious and got up on her own, facing the bearded man who seemed to be their leader.
"I'm sorry for that unpleasant welcome," he said, shouldering his rifle. "Those people are good lads, and I'm truly sorry for this, but we need those supplies you have in yer trunk."
Sarah just scoffed upon this demand, replying "No can do, lad. We need this shit, too."
"This wasn't a request," threw the Latina, who went by the name Carla, in, taking a side by the bearded man. "We're low on everythin'. First people are dying because we've no medicine or enough food."
"Oh, I'm sorry for you guys, but what're we supposed to do without this stuff?" Sarah retorted, taking one step towards the taller woman. "Maybe eat some fungus?"
"You have a fuckin' car. You can loot other fuckin' places that are outta our reach!"
"Bullshit!" the blonde hissed back, stepping even closer so that they were almost face-to-face.
"Yer acting both like two stubborn oxes!" the Scottish man intervened, stepping between them. "The sun's already goin' down. Why don't we head back to our home and discuss it? I bet we can reach a common ground for everyone. My name's Seamus, by the way."
As it turned out, the hideout of those strange people, who didn't seem to be Hunters, was pretty close to the demolished bridge. It was the fortified premises of a former logistics company with an office building and a warehouse.
"This is our home," Seamus told Sarah and Ellie as the group walked through the gate that was leading through the brick wall that was surrounding the property. Dozens of eyes were gazing at them from all directions. Guards that were positioned on makeshift towers along the wall, people that were doing some work, kids that were playing on the big yard. For them, the two women were aliens from another planet. Strangers from outside their secure space. Foreign bodies in their cozy home.
"Not bad," Sarah mentioned as the reinforced iron gate closed behind them as soon as their car had gotten driven through it and she let her gaze wander around. "Secure walls, steady buildings…"
"But no food or possibilities to produce it in an adequate quantity," completed the Scottish man as he was leading them over the yard, Carla following them. "Until three years ago, we all lived in the city's quarantine zone by the bridge. Then, the food got rationed, people got hungry. A group gathered around a man named Sullivan. They snuck into the FEDRA headquarters, took hostages, killed some guards and demanded a free, by the people elected council. As soon as the last soldiers had given up and were ready to give in to the demands, they got executed. Sullivan and his men then started a reign of terror. People were forced to work hard for their share of food. Many died or got infected. Whoever complained, got punished, or worse, killed."
They had now reached the office building and just now Sarah realized that Ellie wasn't with them anymore, but had stopped midway and was watching some other kids, playing soccer with an old, shabby ball. Becoming aware that the young teenager was probably eager to interact with some people of her own age instead of a grumpy grown up woman and that those people didn't pose any threat, the blonde walked over to her and touched her softly by the shoulder, whispering "If you wanna, you can go down there and talk to them. I'll be right here. Just keep a low profile with…y'know…"
Giving Sarah a nod of appreciation and a big smile on her face, Ellie headed towards the other kids while the others entered the building, walking up the staircase.
"Then why didn't you kick his ass again? You're quite a lotta people," mentioned Sarah right before they stepped into a small office with a table in its center. Probably some sort of conference room.
"Those are good people, but no fighters," replied the Scotsman, Carla supporting his answer.
"Yeah, good, hard working people, but no soldiers. Most of 'em don't even know how to use a gun. Besides that Sullivan has full control over the armory. He had the element of surprise against FEDRA, we didn't. It would've been a massacre."
Silence settled in for a moment. A moment in which Sarah pondered, staring out of the window right into the yard, where she saw Ellie playing with the other kids.
"How many are you…? 50, 60 people…give or take?" the lanky woman asked right after turning around again, gazing deeply at the other two with crossed arms. "How long, you think, will that bit of food in my trunk last? A week, tops?"
"What's the alternative?" Carla returned, crossing her arms as well and holding Sarah's glare. "Sullivan's men blew up the bridge a few weeks ago to limit our options. He knows that we're starvin' and first people consider giving up and going back. We're desperate."
Sarah just scoffed, shaking her head as she walked up and down the room.
"You want my honest opinion?" she then said, her gaze directly onto the other two persons. "You're fucked. Even if you take my stuff, the problem won't solve itself. You either fight or you starve to death. You can try to run, settle somewhere else, but not without enough supplies."
Agitated, Carla stepped closer to her, yelling "And what shall we do, huh? Just accept that we're gonna die? Return to Sullivan? He'll kill us all for betraying him."
"Carla…" Seamus then intervened, stepping between the furious and the, from the rage, unimpressed woman. "I think you made yer point, but yellin' at each other won't help. But yer're right, we need a solution."
"Is there another way over the river?" the lanky blonde then asked, which got answered by the Latina.
"Yeah, an old fairy-system, a mile up the river. FEDRA repaired and maintained it as a backup. Worked there myself a few times. But what's the use? There's no difference if we die here or there."
For another minute, Sarah was caught in deep thoughts, pondering about her next words.
"On the other side of the river, there's a Firefly depot. Food, fuel, medicine, trucks, whatnot… All nicked from FEDRA over the years and worth feeding y'all for a few months. All I need from this stash is some gas and supplies for me and the kid, the rest is yours."
Hearing this, Carla and Seamus shared a short glimpse with wide open eyes, clearly surprised by this news.
"Pft, Fireflies…" the taller woman eventually scoffed, shaking her head. "We asked 'em for help as things were about to go outta control. But they just bailed and left us to die. Probably weren't interested in messing with the rebels."
"No, they simply didn't have the resources to fight an open war against another party or playin' Sheriff. Even worse, they made a deal with Sullivan for free passage over the bridge in exchange for food."
"And how would you know that, chica? Besides that this explains a lot why this son of a bitch never had such problems like we have."
"Because I made the deal."
Two pairs of eyes were now resting on her with bewilderment. Seamus and Carla had expected a lot, but not that this strange woman in front of them was not only a Firefly, but was also the one who had struck a deal with Sullivan and his minions. Sarah realized quickly that especially Carla wanted to jump at her again, so she tried to defuse the situation as fast as possible.
"Back in the day, we were just glad that FEDRA had lost control over the bridge. Took a lotta pressure off of us, y'know. In our euphoria, we didn't realize the consequences. Great food shortages for the east coast, especially Boston, 'cause supplies had to go a big detour, and then, of course, you people."
Once again Sarah walked up and down. She regretted a lot of things she had done in the past, now this one got added to the list.
"Listen, I made a lotta mistakes, including making that deal with a bastard like Sullivan, and I think, delivering you that depot is some way to make it up to you guys."
But Carla stayed unimpressed. "And what 'bout your Firefly-friends? Aren't they gonna be pissed, if we take their stuff?"
"The Fireflies are history. Dead. Gone. They don't need that stuff anymore. Listen, tomorrow, I'm gonna scout the area. See if the depot's still intact and will come back with a shitload of stuff. To get the rest, will be up to you guys."
Again, silence settled in as everyone was overthinking this proposal. Yet, before any decisions could be made, some commotion could be heard from outside. Already having a bad feeling, Sarah took a swift step towards the window and took a look. She saw how Ellie was encircled by multiple people who were yelling at and threatening her with different weapons while the girl herself had a knife in her hand, waving it around in a circle to keep everyone away.
"Fuck!" the blonde hissed and immediately sprinted down the stairs and straight towards the now even bigger crowd. She tried to fight a way through the masses, yelling curses and insults. In all that noise she caught words like infected, get her, kill her, plus Ellie who screamed "Lemme go!"
Knowing that those people were about to kill Ellie, she needed to intervene as fast as possible. So, she grabbed one of the kids that was closest to her, took the boy in a chokehold and yelled "Let her go or I'm gonna kill him!" which spread through the mass like a wave.
Yes, those people weren't soldiers or fighters, just headless chicken, who were now backing away from her as well, enlarging the circle. Still, their gazes were resting on her in anger and fear. An explosive situation that was unpredictable. They could overwhelm her easily, only uncertainty and fear holding them back.
The man who had Ellie in a tight grip was just frozen as he tried to assess the new situation.
Seamus and Carla, obviously the leaders of this bunch, now joined in as well.
"For cryin' out loud, what's this all about?" asked the Scotsman and entered the circle and looked around.
"She's infected!" answered one woman, signing at Ellie. "She has a bite wound on her right forearm. My son saw it."
Now locking his sight on Sarah, Seamus asked "Is it true?" and the blonde knew that it was time to play with open cards. Especially as she saw that Carla was aiming at her with a rifle. And, for sure, she was experienced with handling a gun.
"Yeah, she got bitten, but didn't turn. That was weeks ago. Maybe she's immune."
A constant murmuring went through the crowd. Of course most of them looked suspiciously at them, not believing those words, but others, like Seamus, just opened their eyes wide and gazed in awe like they were seeing a wonder.
"You satisfied? Now, fuck off and let her go or I'll kill this lil' tweep here!"
"I think that's not necessary," Seamus replied, signing his people to lower their weapons. The man who had the young red-head in his grasp also loosened his grip, giving her the chance to wriggle out of his hold and to give him a hard push.
"Fuck you, asshole!"
"Let that wee boy go and just leave. You can take what you can carry, the rest is ours. Our deal's off, 'cause we don't need anything from a person who takes wee kids as hostages." She saw the sadness and fading hope in his eyes. The disappointment as he walked away with lowered shoulders.
After she let go of the boy, the crowd dissipated and the whole situation slowly calmed down. In the end, Carla was the only one standing in her spot, rifle lowered but still ready.
"C'mon, I guide you out," she said and led the way, Sarah and Ellie following her to their now former car.
"You okay, kid?" the blonde asked the girl, who, however, just shrugged with her shoulders, her demeanor a mixture of sadness and anger.
A minute later they arrived at the old car, where Carla stopped in front of it, saying "Okay, just grab what you can."
Not having another choice, the two women did what they're told to for the moment. The whole time, Sarah tried to find a chance to just jump into the car and drive off with everything, but that would just end in a disaster.
Their backpacks filled to the brim - what still wasn't that much - they then made their way to the gate, which had already been opened. Another rooky-mistake. If it hadn't been for Carla and the rifle in her hands, they would've had the chance to betray them tenfold. Yet, the strong woman was probably experienced enough to not make this mistake.
However, the moment they were past the wall she surprisingly stopped Sarah by holding her arm.
"Listen, chica, I'm sorry how things were playin' out," she said quietly, then bobbing her head towards some random point on the horizon. "Down that road, you'll find a yellow house. It's clean. Seek shelter there, 'cause you don't wanna get caught in the open during the night. Loads of infected roamin' the place."
"Thanks!" Sarah returned plainly, already having the feeling that this wasn't the last time they had seen the Hispanic woman.