Just Surviving

Chapter 4

"How'd you manage this?" Lindsey asks as she waits with Elyza and Marie at the meeting point they agreed on with the others.

Elyza shrugs. "Told them about the crazies and said I didn't feel comfortable coming back knowing there's people walking around with a giant horde at their disposal. To be honest Alicia didn't leave me much of a choice. She's refusing to go to base."

"Can you blame her? That's the stupidest part of your plan." Marie says, scanning the field ahead with binoculars.

"It is, but it makes our job a hell of a lot harder if we don't."

Lindsey clicks her tongue. "I don't see how." she lets out a sigh kicking her toes into the ground. "We either fight to hide her there or fight for supplies to do what we need to do out here. There's always supplies to find. A lot fewer places to hide."

Elyza nods. "They'll never stop looking for us if we follow her plan."

"They'll never stop trying to kill us if we don't" Marie counters as she pulls the binoculars from her eyes and starts to make her way towards the on coming group.

As soon as they're close enough Marie takes off at a sprint. Jumping into Ricky's arms. "Hey baby" he coos running his hand down her back as he holds her up with the other. "So good to see you."

Marie pulls back to deliver a soft kiss to his lips before she jumps down to greet the others, pulling their doctor Sanchin into a hug before moving on to Chris, Chelsey, and Lusia, giving Richard a nod as Elyza and Lindsey catch up.

"Been awhile since we got to do undercover work." Richard says as he leans his weight against Lusia. "What's the real reason? You wouldn't actually bring us out here to take care of a few crazies for some locals would ya?"

"Always great seeing you, Dick." Lindsey says as she pushes him away from Lusia and pulls her into a hug. "That's exactly why we're here. Those crazies have a horde of thousands they're controlling and the locals are getting pretty desperate. Let's get you guys back to camp before we start planning though. There's something else you gotta see."

The walk back to their camp didn't take long. Especially with Lindsey and Marie exchanging stories of the last week with the others doing their best to leave out anything that would give away Alicia's existence before the time was right.

The three stop at the door before turning to face the others. "We didn't just call you out to help with the horde." Elyza starts at their questioning looks. "We found someone in Texas. Her name is Alicia and she was bit, months ago, and she's been kicking the infection's ass since we found her. That's why we need you. We're going to help her fight it off for good. Then she's gonna help us find out how to cure everyone."

"She's feisty too." Lindsey adds shooting a pointed look at Richard. "So don't do anything that'll make her want to kick your ass. We won't try to stop her."

"How do you know it's months old?" asks Sanchin.

"Besides the fact that she told us." Marie answers as she pulls the door open. "She's wearing the evidence as a weapon."

"And it's so bad ass, so please be nice, she could definitely kill at least some of you." Lindsey adds stepping inside waiting for the others to follow.

"Chris, Sanchin, with me. The rest of you find a room and get comfortable. We'll meet back in the comms room to debrief in a bit." Elyza says as she moves tem deeper into one of the CRM's hidden bunkers. Walking Chris and Sanchin into the room they're using as Alicia's infirmary. Only to find her out of bed and checking her weapons.

"We're wasting time." Alicia says without turning around, double checking her freshly reloaded pistol before sliding it into her belt. "We need to make contact as soon as possible to gain their trust before a war breaks out and we get caught in the crossfire."