THE ONES WHO LIVED

Texas

Kai, Lila, and the Northbounders had been on the road for three weeks since the events of the last chapter. They had crossed several states, facing many dangers and difficulties. They had encountered spore zones and bandits, storms and fires, hunger and thirst. They had lost some of their supplies and some of their members. They had suffered a lot of losses and a lot of pain.

They had also made some progress and some discoveries. They had found some more survivors and some more resources. They had learned some more information and some more secrets. They had gained some more allies and some more hope.

They had reached Texas, the second largest state in the former United States. They had heard that Texas was a land of opportunity and diversity, a land of freedom and independence, a land of cowboys and oil. They had also heard that Texas was a land of danger and chaos, a land of conflict and violence, a land of rebels and warlords.

They had to be careful and smart, to avoid the traps and the enemies, to find the friends and the allies, to reach the north and the Eden.

They had set up their camp near a gas station, where they had found some fuel and some food. They had also found some maps and some radios, which they had used to communicate with other groups and to plan their route. They had decided to take the highway that led to the north, hoping to find a safe passage and a fast way.

They had also taken care of their wounded and their sick, especially Haley and the others. Haley had survived the bullet wound, but she had developed a fever and an infection. She had been in and out of consciousness, delirious and weak. She had needed constant attention and care, which Kai had provided. He had stayed by her side, giving her medicine and water, talking to her and comforting her. He had felt a bond and a connection with her, which he had not felt with anyone else.

The woman and the child had also survived the stab wounds, but they had been traumatized and silent. They had not spoken a word since they had left the bunker, not even their names. They had only clung to each other, scared and sad. They had needed healing and support, which Lila had provided. She had stayed with them, giving them food and clothes, playing with them and hugging them. She had felt a sympathy and a compassion for them, which she had not felt with anyone else.

Kai and Lila had also grown closer and closer, sharing their stories and their feelings, their fears and their hopes, their dreams and their nightmares. They had become friends and partners, confidants and protectors. They had become more than survivors. They had become lovers.

They had also become leaders and heroes, respected and admired by the Northbounders and the others. They had shown courage and skill, intelligence and creativity, kindness and generosity. They had helped and saved many people, fought and killed many enemies, solved and created many problems. They had done many things, good and bad, right and wrong, necessary and regrettable.

They had changed and evolved, adapted and survived, grown and matured. They had become different and the same, better and worse, stronger and weaker.

They had become human.