Hannah, a twelve-year-old girl navigates through the outbreak between nightmarish flashbacks and reality, while trying to stay alive. Throughout her journey, she meets many people who soon become family, but the lingering fear of losing it all... ag...
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John looked out at the desolate streets, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. It had been weeks since the group had fallen to just three, and nearly two months since the outbreak itself had begun, leaving behind a wasteland of limited resources and survivors fighting to obtain them.
John had found the van they'd been living in for the past few weeks, back on the highway, its keys still in the ignition, but its owner nowhere in sight. His head peaked out from the sliding door, eyeing the area before turning back to the girls. With a heavy sigh, John turned to Riley and Hannah, who were huddled in the back of the van searching through some suitcases they'd found earlier.
"Alright, you two," he said firmly, "I'm going to check out that gas station over there. Stay put and keep an eye out. I'll be back soon... do. not. leave. this. van." He ordered, his voice stern as he looked over at Riley, making sure she understood him.
Riley and Hannah nodded, their focus remaining on the suitcases as they searched for anything useful inside. Hannah understood how important it was to stay put, not that she wanted to step foot out there and risk getting caught in a situation she knew she wouldn't be able to handle. Riley, however, was less enthusiastic about the idea. For weeks she'd been arguing with her father about letting them go out and gather supplies on their own, but John was adamant on how bad of an idea that was.
They just weren't ready...
This time, however, Riley remained quiet, simply nodding in agreement at John before turning back to the suitcase. But the temptation to explore the unknown tugged at her curiosity like an irresistible force.
Not even a second after John had disappeared into the gas station, Riley was on her feet, her eyes fixated on the abandoned mall across the street. Its windows were shattered, and the once-bustling halls looked eerily empty. Something inside her sparked a flame of adventure, and before she could reason with herself, an idea formed in her mind.
She turned to Hannah; her voice filled with excitement. "Come on, Hannah. Let's go check out that mall. It's just across the street, and it looks like a ghost town. We'll be back before my dad even realizes we're gone!" excitedly she urged the girl to follow her demands.
Hannah's eyes widened with apprehension; her voice laced with caution. "But John told us to stay put, Riley. He's just checking out the gas station. What if something happens? We could get hurt or lost. We shouldn't take any unnecessary risks. We don't know what's in there and last time I checked I'm pretty shit at using a gun and you might be a good shot but not if we end up surrounded." She argued, trying to reason with the girl. John was right, they weren't ready for supply runs; if things got bad, they'd be screwed.
Riley contemplated Hannah's words for a moment, her gaze fixed on the mall's dilapidated entrance. She understood her friend's concerns, but the allure of the unknown proved too strong. "But think about it. We've been surviving out here for weeks, and we've faced far worse situations. Would you rather stay inside this van like a prisoner?" she asked, her expression pleading with the girl.
