Home; I Found With You // Ryeji FF

run.

With the wooden pallets loaded securely into the back of the pickup truck, Ryujin took a seat with Ellie on the back of the truck, ready to make a journey back to the homestead.

[The 1975 - People]

As Trent and Chris shut their doors, she secured her headphones in place, allowing the familiar riffs of electric guitar and heavily throbbing drumbeats to envelop her. The wind rushed past, tousling her hair as she closed her eyes and let the music transport her.

Lost in the music, she gradually became aware that they weren't following the usual route back home. She took off her headphones and turned to Ellie with a puzzled expression.

"Where are we going? Aren't we going back to the homestead?"

The older woman leaned over to the back window and raised her voice, "Trent, where are we headed?"

Trent's voice carried through the small opening, "We're making a pit stop at the next town over."

Ryujin's frustration and desire to return to the homestead was evident in her subtle eye roll as she put on her headphones again and increased the volume. Continuing towards the next town, she began to take notice of the abundance of abandoned cars lining the road; a clear indicator that the town they were approaching had been a home to a large population.

Large populations often meant more potential threats. Either infested with the undead or with survivors that were holed up there. But, it could also signify more opportunities for resources and supplies.

As they drove to the heart of town, the truck pulled over to the curb with a loud shriek. Ellie and Ryujin hopped off the truck bed and scanned the area for any signs of danger.

"We need canned foods, clothes and some weapons," Chris said as he slammed the door shut and made his way around to the women.

"Should we split up?" Ellie asked, "That way, we can cover more ground before the sun sets."

Ryujin knew that venturing around the town carried its own set of risks, but it was a calculated risk that they were willing to take to secure the supplies they needed.

"Great, I'll go with Ellie," Chris responded.

Upon hearing his friend, Trent made his way towards the young woman. With a subtle curve appearing in the corner of his mouth, he ran his tongue on the borders of the lips. "And that leaves me with Ryujin."

With a tense look on her face, Ellie pulled the said woman close to her, "Want to come with me instead? I can tell Chris."

But Ryujin declined, putting on a reassuring smile on her face which she hoped would at least subside the older woman's concern for her. "I'll be okay, just be careful and we'll meet back here."

With that, they parted ways down the deserted street. Their footsteps echoed through the eerie silence of the town while they maintained a vigilant watch on the desolate stores they had passed. In the dystopian world they were living in, every storefront held a small chance for valuable supplies they required.

In each store they approached, they briefly peeked inside, eyes scanning for any signs of useful items. The shelves were often picked clean, but occasionally, they would find some overlooked goods that could benefit them.

Upon finding a clothing store amidst the deserted shops, they decided to venture inside. Clothing was essential– having clean and durable attire was a must for staying warm and being protected from unpredictable infections.

Browsing the racks and shelves for clothing items that could be of use, the two survivors moved cautiously through the store. With keen eyes for practicality, Ryujin chose to pick up the garments that were in the best condition (and not moth-bitten), ensuring they would have decent suitable clothing options back at the homestead.