Wither With Me

CHAPTER 15 - KEY

Claire tried to keep her eyes peeled, looking out for any signs of movement in her surroundings. However, walking around the streets was certainly more unsettling than she had imagined. It felt surreal, just how much the world had changed in a matter of months. Even when completely empty, the streets didn't feel safe.

Ironically, she has having second thoughts, despite being the one who suggested and insisted on the idea. She wasn't sure why did William agree in the first place, she didn't really expect him to.

With the exception of that one horde they stumbled upon a while earlier, the surrounding streets were devoid of shamblers. That didn't mean they were safe, but William seemed to use that as justification to do something that would otherwise be outrageous for him.

[At the slightest sign of danger, we call this off and go back up, you hear?]

Those had been his words before climbing down. But what was a "sign of danger" anyway?

The surrounding buildings had a much more sinister feel from the street than they did from the rooftops. Windows. Gateways. Doors. All of them black pits of uncertainty, all of them potentially hiding the next threat they'd have to face. Claire shook her head and tried to focus on what they needed to do: finding Nora and Lilian.

From the moment they hit the ground, William had taken the lead. Claire followed him slowly but steadily down the street, as they did their best to keep a low profile and merge with the shadows cast by the buildings. Her head kept turning from side to side. Every store, every alley, every corner, they offered a new chance to spot Nora or Lilian. All indoor spaces were brimming with darkness, but still, sunlight managed to reach inside far enough to allow them to get a decent glimpse of the interior.

That area was almost exclusively a shopping district. Most of it was torn to pieces, either destroyed or salvaged so many times it was left in pretty much unrecognizable shape. It would take them an unrealistic amount of time to find anyone in such a place, unless they were standing in plain view.

'Nora... Lilian... Where have you gone...?'

Something interrupted her thoughts. Out of nowhere, William grabbed her arm, roughly pulled her behind a nearby car, and put a hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming in response.

"Quiet...!" he whispered.

What was going on? Shamblers? He had clearly spotted something, but Claire didn't see what it was, and she didn't dare raise her voice to ask. She nodded at him, and he let go of her. She noticed how he immediately grabbed his pistol from its holster.

'You don't use guns against shamblers... Right...?'

Her suspicions were confirmed when she heard several footsteps approaching their position. Coordinate, rhythmical footsteps, not the characteristic stumbling and dragging of the shamblers. It was people.

She gulped, and stared at William. He wasn't paying attention to her, he was completely focused on the incoming danger, and most likely ready to pull the trigger if necessary.

They were talking. The distant murmur became gradually clearer as they came closer, at a surprisingly rapid pace.

"—still don't think this is a good idea, man. What the hell is Marcus thinking!?"

"Shut it, we don't get to make the decisions, do we? Besides, we only need to take a look. We shouldn't get into trouble as long as we don't stick our noses where they don't belong."

"Bah, whatever..."

They sounded like they were almost at the other side of the vehicle.

'Please, keep going, keep going...'