The End of Days

[21]

The sign into Dickinson had passed just an hour ago. Adam had been eager to arrive so they continued on until morning which was difficult with the frost icing the road but they'd made it.

They needed gas and sleep which Adam insisted they get the supplies first. Scavenging wasn't as simple as the towns they'd been in previously. Liam hadn't been in a real city in months, sure everywhere was populated but he knew things wouldn't be as simple. That fact only solidified as they entered the midday traffic.

Thousands of strandad cars lined the roadway, abandoned and forgotten about. Adam swerved through each the best he could and when they hit a section they couldn't pass through, they'd had no other choice but to take the first exit they spotted and formulate a plan from there.

Liam didn't have time to think about his worries. Or how frustrated he was getting. Adam had every right to leave, especially after he found out the man's reasons. He was just waiting for the word. Every stop they made or corner they turned, he expected to pull up at a stop sign and be escorted out or something.

"You need sleep, man."

"First gas."

"At least let me drive later, I'll get you where you need to go." It was out of the question it seemed cause Adam was already ducking out of the car, gun drawing. He sighed but followed after.

"We gotta be ca-..shit. Shit."

Liam followed instinctively where he'd ducked back behind the corner. He peeked out past Adam, eyes watching in horror at the sight of the large crowed of infected's rummaging through and inbetween the abandoned vehicles of the road, buildings crashed into and dead bodies shot brains out on the street.

"What the fuck happened..?" The words slipped past his lips but he didn't wait around for an answer. He tapped at Adam's shoulder, leading him along away from the death sentence. They made a note of where the vehicle was tucked away, casing some stores they passed although they really didn't want to linger in such a packed area.

"She's just out passed the city with her fosters, we should make it today with enough gas." He hadn't thought about what he was saying as he said it, only sorting through snacks in some store.

Liam stared, thinking as the rough man grabbed at candies, stuffing cheap little toys in his big pockets. He decided not to mention it although it did leave some questions in his head. What happened that he lost her, what he'd do if she was still being cared for, what he would do if she hadn't made it or she was no longer there.

"Here." Liam passed over one of the many pamphlets from the display case. It was a map of the city decked out in everything from restrooms to food to shopping to travel. Liam's eyes were set on the gas stations however, fingering out the nearest one based off the street they shoud've been on. Adam nodded and they were set to go.

"Would you go to the Samctuary? After, I mean?"

Adam didn't look over, eyes set solely on getting there. His jaw ticked a bit so Liam knew he heard the question. "No."

"Why? You wanna..protect her right? Doesn't it seem like the safest bet? Food, walls, all that?" Liam couldn't understand the decision.

"They took her away from me once, I'm not letting them do it again." He spoke harshly, fists clenching at his side as they walked. His eyes set on a few roamers up ahead but didn't seem the least bit concerned, pulling at his knife.

"So this is it then." Liam tugged the messer from the zombies skull, prying it off with his foot. He couldn't meet Adam's eyes although he knew he was getting a look.

"You knew the deal, kid."

"Yeah." He did.

They didn't say much else, making for their stop which was just a few blocks from the car. Liam was the first to catch sight of it, holding an arm out to Adam to pause. There were a few roamers but as long as they kept quite, they shouldn't attract too much attention. But one shot in this place and it was over. Liam dropped the hand and was already sneaking over to the pumps quick while Adam took out any of the walkers that made their way over.