The underground station stretched out in eerie silence, the air thick with dampness and decay. Aiden and Jax sat near the edge of the platform, their eyes scanning the shadowed tunnels. Callum's group was scattered around the station, each of them immersed in their own quiet preparations. Callum Harris stood at the far end, leaning over a crumbling map of the area that Sophie Carter held steady, her face tense but focused.
Callum: "Tracks lead north," Callum muttered, tapping a spot on the map. "But we'll need to clear out the walkers near the exit first."
Sophie: "We can't risk going up there yet," Sophie said in a low voice, glancing over at Aiden. "Not until the swarm thins out."
Jamie Sutton sat on the floor nearby, sharpening a small knife with careful precision. His younger sister, Emily, sat beside him, her knees pulled to her chest. Her wide eyes darted around the darkened station, and she clung to a frayed stuffed animal—a rare relic of her lost childhood. Lena Petal was perched on the remains of a ticket counter, her sharp gaze flicking between the group and the shadowed entrance to the tunnel, a machete resting casually across her lap. Jax, shifting uneasily beside Aiden, broke the silence.
Aiden: "This place is too quiet," he muttered. "Feels like we're sitting ducks down here."
Lena: "We are," Lena said bluntly, not looking up from the entrance. "But it's better than being shredded up there."
(Aiden stood abruptly, his boots scuffing against the platform)
Aiden: "We've been sitting long enough. Walkers won't thin out on their own." His voice was steady but edged with impatience.
(Callum looked up from the map, his expression unreadable)
Callum: "Charging out there isn't bravery; it's suicide."
(Aiden's jaw tightened)
Aiden: "I've got people waiting on me. People who'll die if we don't get back with supplies."
Sophie: "You think you're the only one with people depending on you?" Sophie snapped, standing up and crossing her arms. "We're all in this hellhole together. Losing your head isn't helping anyone."
Aiden: "Then what's your plan?" Aiden asked sharply. "Because sitting here and hoping the dead wander off isn't working."
Callum: "Patience," Callum interjected, his tone calm but firm. "You can't brute-force your way through this world. The streets are crawling. Lena's been tracking their movements. We wait until they shift and clear the exit. Then we move."
Jax: "And if they don't shift?" Jax asked, glancing nervously toward the dark tunnel.
Callum: "Then we make a plan that doesn't involve walking into a death trap," Callum replied.
(Emily's soft voice broke the tension)
Emily: "We should stay together," she said, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. "Splitting up makes things worse."
(Jamie placed a protective hand on her shoulder)
Jamie: "She's right. We've survived this long by sticking close."
Aiden exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. He hated wasting time, but the truth was, the streets above were teeming with walkers, and rushing out blindly would only make things worse. Finally, he nodded, his eyes locking on Callum.
Aiden: "Fine. We wait," he said reluctantly. "But only for a little while. Once there's an opening, we're moving."
(Callum nodded in agreement)
Callum: "Fair enough. Rest up while you can. It's going to be a long haul back."
The group settled into a fragile truce. Aiden and Jax kept their distance, still wary of their new companions. Lena stayed perched on the counter, her eyes scanning the tunnels for movement, while Sophie and Callum returned to the map. Jamie tried to reassure Emily, though her small frame trembled with exhaustion and fear. The underground was quiet for now, but the distant echoes of groaning walkers above reminded them all that the world was still waiting to devour them at the first misstep.
The soft glow of early morning filtered through the cracked stained glass windows of the church. Maya Delgado stood by the door, her body tense, her sharp eyes scanning the treeline. She hadn't slept; none of them had. The horde they'd spotted the night before was still lingering in the distance, slow and aimless, but their numbers were unsettling. Eli Price emerged from the pews, his footsteps echoing in the hollow space. He adjusted the straps of his makeshift Armor—a cobbled-together assortment of leather and metal scavenged over the years.
Eli: "Still out there?" he asked, his voice gruff from fatigue.
(Maya nodded, her jaw tight)
Maya: "They're not moving. If anything, I think more might have joined them overnight."
Leila Matthews sat on the steps leading up to the altar, a small map of the surrounding area spread out in front of her. She tapped her pen absently on its surface, muttering calculations under her breath.
Leila: "If we leave at first light, we'll need to head south," she said, glancing up at Maya. "The woods are thicker in that direction. More cover, less chance of running into walkers—hopefully."
Ruben sat nearby, perched on a low bench, his knees pulled to his chest. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed from a restless night. He held Aiden's knife in his hands, turning it over and over, as if trying to draw strength from it.
Ruben: "We can't leave without Aiden and Jax," he said softly, his voice cracking.
(Maya knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder)
Maya: "Ruben, we don't have a choice. If they're not back by dawn, we have to assume…" She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
Ruben: "They're not dead!" Ruben snapped, his voice louder than he intended. He looked at her, his eyes filled with desperation. "They're not dead. Aiden promised me."
(Eli sighed, leaning against the wall)
Eli: "Kid, I get it. But promises don't mean much when you're out there surrounded by the dead."
Leila: "Eli," Leila said sharply, shooting him a warning glare.
Eli: "What?" Eli shrugged. "I'm just saying. If we wait around too long, we'll be joining them."
(Ruben tightened his grip on the knife, his gaze dropping to the floor)
Maya: "We're not abandoning them," Maya said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "But we can't stay here. The longer we wait, the more danger we're in. If they're alive, they'll find us. Aiden always finds a way."
(Leila stood, folding the map and tucking it into her jacket)
Leila: "We need to start packing. Whether we leave at dawn or sooner, we need to be ready to move."
The group fell into a tense silence as they began preparing their gear. Maya kept glancing toward the treeline, her grip tightening on the bat in her hand. Eli checked his weapons, muttering under his breath about their dwindling supplies. Ruben remained on the bench, his shoulders hunched, clutching Aiden's knife like a lifeline. As the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, the faint sound of groaning drifted closer. The horde wasn't moving away—they were coming. Maya stood at the door, her heart sinking as she counted their numbers.
Maya: "They're heading straight for us," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "We don't have much time."
(Eli moved to her side, peering out at the approaching walkers)
Eli: "We need a way out. Now."
(Leila grabbed her pack, slinging it over her shoulder)
Leila: "South. Through the woods," she said quickly. "It's our best shot."
(Ruben hesitated, looking back toward the road Aiden and Jax had taken)
Ruben: "What if they come back and we're not here?"
(Maya knelt in front of him again, her expression soft but determined)
Maya: "If they're coming back, they'll follow our trail. But if we stay here, none of us will make it. You trust Aiden, right?"
(Ruben nodded reluctantly, his lip trembling)
Maya: "Then trust that he'll find us," she said, squeezing his shoulder.
The group moved quickly, gathering their remaining supplies and slipping out the back of the church. The groans of the horde grew louder as they disappeared into the woods, leaving behind the sanctuary that had sheltered them through the night.
The train station was still, save for the faint echoes of water dripping somewhere in the dark tunnels. Aiden stood near the platform edge, his arms crossed, watching as Callum and Sophie packed their gear with quiet efficiency. The air was tense; everyone knew the longer they stayed, the greater the risk of walkers—or worse—finding them.
Callum: "We leave in five," Callum announced, tightening the straps of his pack. His voice carried a calm authority that even Sophie, with her sharp tongue, didn't challenge.
Jax: "Finally," Jax muttered under his breath, slinging his own bag over his shoulder. "Felt like we've been sitting ducks down here forever."
Lena: "We were waiting for the herd to clear," Lena said, stepping up from the shadows of the tunnel. She adjusted the grip on her machete, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Unless you fancy cutting through a hundred walkers with that fancy knife of yours."
(Jax raised his hands in mock surrender)
Jax: "Fair point."
(Jamie Sutton stood close to his sister, Emily, who clung tightly to his arm. Her wide eyes darted nervously between the adults)
Emily: "How far do we have to go?" she asked, her voice small.
Callum: "As far as we need to," Callum replied, his tone softening slightly as he glanced at the girl. "But the streets should be manageable if we stick to the plan."
(Aiden finally spoke, his voice low but firm)
Aiden: "We head south, keep to the side streets. Anything goes wrong, we regroup at the alley behind the hardware store we passed."
(Sophie arched an eyebrow)
Sophie: "What makes you think we'll even get that far?"
Aiden: "Because we don't have another option," Aiden replied, meeting her gaze evenly.
(Callum stepped in before the tension could escalate)
Callum: "Enough. We move as a group, stay quiet, and keep moving. Everyone knows the drill."
Emily tugged on Jamie's sleeve, and he knelt beside her, whispering words of reassurance as he adjusted the straps on her small pack. Lena took her usual place at the rear of the group, her machete glinting faintly in the dim light.
Callum: "Let's go," Callum said, motioning toward the exit.
The group filed out of the station, the stale air of the underground replaced by the crisp, muted sounds of the city above. The streets were eerily quiet, save for the occasional moan of a lone walker echoing down the alleys. Aiden took the lead with Callum close behind, both scanning the area with practiced precision. Jax walked slightly behind them, his hand resting uneasily on the hilt of his knife. Jamie kept Emily close, whispering instructions to her every few steps, while Sophie and Lena brought up the rear, their weapons ready for anything. The group moved quickly but cautiously, ducking into alleys and weaving through debris-strewn streets. Every shadow felt like a potential threat, every distant sound a possible ambush.
Callum: "This way," Callum whispered, motioning toward a narrow alley between two crumbling buildings.
(Aiden hesitated for a split second, his instincts on edge)
Aiden: "Hold up."
The group froze, their breaths quieting as Aiden scanned the street ahead. In the distance, the faint groan of walkers drifted closer.
Lena: "Movement," Lena murmured from the back, her voice low but alert.
Callum: "Keep moving," Callum urged. "Slow and steady."
The group pressed on, their footsteps careful, their nerves taut. Aiden's mind was already racing, calculating the safest routes and contingency plans. They couldn't afford mistakes—not with so many lives depending on them. As they rounded a corner, a small herd of walkers came into view, their decaying forms staggering aimlessly through the rubble. Aiden raised his hand, signalling the group to stop.
Callum: "We can go around," Callum suggested, his eyes scanning the adjacent alley.
Sophie: "No time," Sophie muttered. "They'll hear us if we go too wide."
(Aiden gripped his machete, his muscles tensing)
Aiden: "We take them out. Quick and quiet."
Before anyone could argue, Aiden stepped forward, motioning for Jax to follow. Callum nodded, giving the others a silent signal to prepare. As Aiden moved in, his blade flashed in the faint light, slicing through the first walker's skull with practiced ease. Jax followed suit, his movements less fluid but effective. One by one, the walkers fell, their groans replaced by the wet thud of bodies hitting the ground. Within moments, the street was silent again, save for the group's heavy breathing.
Callum: "Nice work," Callum said, clapping Jax on the shoulder as the younger man wiped his blade on his jacket.
(Aiden turned back to the group, his expression grim)
Aiden: "Let's keep moving."
The group slipped through the streets, the weight of the city pressing down on them. The further they went, the more Aiden's mind lingered on the others back at the church. He could only hope they were safe—and that he and Jax would make it back to them before it was too late.
The church loomed ahead, dark and silent against the dusky sky. Aiden slowed his pace, the others following closely. The group exchanged uneasy glances as the eerie stillness pressed down on them.
Callum: "This doesn't feel right," Callum muttered, his shotgun poised as he scanned the area.
Jax: "It's too quiet," Jax agreed, his voice tight, gripping his knife like a lifeline.
Aiden stepped up to the heavy wooden door and placed a hand against it. The hinges creaked loudly as he pushed it open, the sound echoing through the empty church. The dim light inside revealed a space untouched but unnervingly lifeless.
Sophie: "Where are they?" Sophie whispered, her voice trembling as she held Emily's hand tightly. The young girl stayed close to her brother Jamie, her wide eyes darting nervously around the room.
Aiden's jaw tightened as he scanned the area. The makeshift barricade they'd left was still in place, and the supplies stacked in the corner were partially untouched. He walked forward, his boots thudding softly on the stone floor. Near the altar, his sharp eyes caught the edge of a piece of paper pinned under a can of food.
Aiden: "They left this," he said, snatching the note and unfolding it. His brow furrowed as he read aloud, "'Aiden, Jax—We couldn't wait. Herd closing in. Heading east to the treeline. Will leave markers. —M.'"
Jax: "Damn it," Jax hissed, running a hand through his hair. "Why would they split like this?"
Aiden: "They had no choice," Aiden said tersely, folding the note and shoving it into his pocket. He turned toward the others. "The herd must've gotten too close. They did what they had to do to survive."
(Callum nodded grimly)
Callum: "Makes sense, but why didn't they leave someone behind to watch for you?"
(Aiden's gaze hardened)
Aiden: "Maya wouldn't risk leaving someone behind to get cornered. She's smart. She did what she thought was best."
(Jamie glanced at his sister, then back at the group)
Jamie: "So what now? Are we going after them?"
(Aiden didn't hesitate)
Aiden: "We follow. They're heading east. If they're leaving markers, we'll find them."
Lena: "But it's getting dark," Lena interjected, her tone cautious but firm. "We might not be able to spot the markers in this light."
Aiden: "Then we'll move fast," Aiden said, his tone brooking no argument. "We can't wait here for morning. If we don't catch up, they'll be too far ahead."
(Sophie looked nervously at Callum)
Sophie: "You think it's safe to go now? What if the herd's still around?"
Callum: "Safe or not, we don't have another option," Callum said, adjusting his shotgun. "I trust Aiden knows what he's doing."
(Aiden turned to Emily, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze)
Aiden: "We'll keep you safe, alright? Stay close to Sophie and Jamie."
(Emily nodded silently, her small hand gripping her brother's tightly, Jax stepped beside Aiden, his expression steely)
Jax: "Let's get moving before we lose any more light."
Aiden took a final glance around the empty church. The overturned chair near the altar, the faint streak of blood on the stone—it all felt like an ominous whisper of the dangers they'd faced. With a deep breath, he turned back to the group.
Aiden: "Stay close. Stay quiet. We'll find them."
And with that, they stepped back into the encroaching darkness, the shadows of the forest swallowing them as they pressed on, uncertainty gnawing at the edges of their resolve. The forest grew darker with each passing moment, the fading light swallowed by the thick canopy above. Aiden led the way, his machete ready, his focus unyielding as Callum's group followed close behind. Sophie walked beside Lena, whispering reassurances, while Jamie kept a protective arm around Emily. Callum stayed near Aiden, his shotgun in hand, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Jax brought up the rear, his steps quiet but purposeful. The note in Aiden's pocket felt like a lead weight, its hurried words echoing in his mind. As they followed the faint trail markers left by Maya's group, every crunch of leaves and snap of a branch felt amplified in the suffocating quiet. The tension was palpable, the unspoken fear shared between them all: what if they were too late? But Aiden's resolve burned fiercely. No matter the danger ahead, he would find Ruben and the others, even if it meant dragging them from the jaws of death itself. Failure wasn't an option—not for his brother, not for the family they were building together.
End of Chapter 4
