[Off Path] | Oath of Lies ~ Newt²

[0.5] Danger

[Two Months Later]

"Be safe, protect each other, I want all five of you to come back unharmed." Jorge looked at the group before they left out to get more supplies, the warehouse had run low on everything. It took a couple days for them to reach buildings they hadn't already explored but they found as much as they could before moving on.

"Quiet, I'm serious, be quiet." Isa stopped dead in her tracks, a low growl coming from ahead. The group slowly started to back up so as to not alert the crank of their presence but it was already too late. "Run." The group took off in the opposite direction of the sound, more cranks, they were everywhere.

"We have to get outside, now!" Casey shouted over the noise of the cranks. They all followed him towards a light they hoped to be sunlight, it wasn't.

"Shit. Ok this way, quick." The cranks were catching up quickly, they were highly outnumbered. Sunlight, I can see it. Right in front of them, it was so close. From behind her, Isa heard a familiar scream. Penny. She turned back to see one of the cranks grab a hold on her foot, Casey fell back immediately to try and rip his grip. Quickly, Isa ran over and pulled out a knife from her belt, stabbing it into the arm of the crank causing him to let go of Penny's foot. "Run, go." They ran like hell trying to reach Maya and Natalie, who stood behind a large door ready to close it as soon as their friends crossed. The cranks were right on their tail. Isa made it first followed by Casey, Penny was slower than the rest, younger and smaller. Barely, Penny sprinted to her brother jumping into his arms as Natalie and Maya rushed to close the doors. One of the cranks managed to stick it's arm through before Maya could close it, making Isa run to help.

"Someone stab the bitch!" Isa yelled for the others while her and Maya pushed on the door making sure it didn't reopen. Natalie ran over and cut the arm causing it to retreat, the door slammed with a loud bang, the five of them breathing heavily.

"Maybe we should call it, head back." Casey suggested, clearly worried about his sister, Penny had a mark on her ankle from how hard the crank had gripped her but no scratches or bite, she was still in a lot of pain though.

"We can't, it's pointless to go back there with barely anything Cas." Isa bent over placing her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath.

"Penny can't run on this ankle Is, that crank pulled pretty hard, it looks sprained." Natalie spoke while examining Penny's ankle.

"Then we go back. We have to grab anything we find on the way there though, and be prepared for a second trip out here." Isa stood straight up now, finally being able to breathe. "The sun's gonna set soon, we should find a safe place to camp out for the night."
"The abandoned mall near the compound seemed pretty quiet, we can camp there." Maya suggested.

"Perfect, let's head out, keep your heads low once we get closer to the compound." The group started their walk to the mall, sun setting in the distance. They set up blankets in a secluded area, all close together not wanting to be separated. Casey stayed close to Penny, Natalie separated herself, not wanting to be too close, Maya and Isa laid side by side.

"Goodnight." She couldn't quite tell who said it but that was the last thing she heard before she closed her eyes.

Lights, that's what woke her up. Helicopters could be heard above. "Guys, guys get up we have to hide, quick." The group woke up groggily rubbing their eyes, once realizing what was happening they were wide awake. Natalie and Maya helped Penny up on her feet to get to a more hidden area but Casey was nowhere to be seen.

"My brother, where's my brother?" Penny started to panic, causing the others to panic too.

"I'll find him, I will find him alright. Go, I'll find Casey and meet you guys in the morning ok." She turned and ran in the opposite direction, looking for Casey. She tried her best to stay quiet and hidden as well.

"Casey where the hell are you?" She whispered to no one but herself since she was alone, or at least she thought she was. Footsteps and voices came from behind her forcing her to run and hide until they passed. Those voices, they're so familiar.

"Thomas, all those kids that were left behind back there, I don't wanna end up like that."