Just Survive (Complete)

Chapter 33

Ashley held Jenny tight all night long, knowing the danger they were headed into. It was just after dawn when Ashley and Colby packed up the supplies and headed into the woods, following the trail that would take them to the next state. Colby walked ahead of Ashley and Jenny, his gun ready. Ashley had Jenny on her hip, and her free hand next to her weapons. If raiders weren't out there, zombies most likely were.

Ashley glanced over at Colby who was walking ahead. His face was tense; she knew he hated the fact that they were heading deeper into the forest, but he didn't seem afraid. He looked calm and confident.
She couldn't help but be nervous. This was uncharted territory.

Every noise seemed magnified, and every breath sent goosebumps racing up her spine. Every twig snap felt like someone watching them. And Colby's movements were slow, careful. She knew something was out there, waiting to attack. Something she hadn't seen yet.

"Ash! Get close! I hear something!" Colby hissed. The sound of rustling bushes caught their attention.
They stopped and watched as a pack of zombies staggered through the trees.
"How many?" Ashley whispered, her voice shaking slightly.
"I think they must be at least forty. You ready?" Colby asked quietly.
"Yeah."

"We'll weave through the trees. according to the map, there's a gully just off the trail; if we don't make too much noise we might lose them! Don't shoot unless they come after us!"
"Got it!" Ashley said, strapping Jenny to her body.
"Don't worry about anything. Just follow me." Colby said, his tone commanding.
They moved cautiously through the woods.
The sound of the leaves crunching underfoot seemed to echo off the trees. Their breath sounded harsh. The gully was deep; they'd have to move carefully. Everything was going fine until they reached the bottom and began climbing out. Ashley stumbled, falling forward, and heard Jenny cry out from the surprise.
Her hands grasped her knife instinctively.
"Careful! There's a lot of them." Colby grabbed her forearm.
"Move! Get to the other side!"
They scrambled to the other side, hearing the zombies charge. Ashley and Colby ran toward a boulder on the edge of the gully and got behind it, crouching and keeping their weapons pointed toward the creek. They could barely see the zombies running straight at them, trying to climb up the boulders. Colby aimed his pistol and fired.
"Ash! Take the baby and get up to the other bank! I'll cover you!" he shouted, covering her with his rifle.
"But, I can't leave you!"
"Just go! Take the baby with you!" he urged, firing once again. "Now!"
Ashley obeyed, scrambling up the other bank. No matter what, she wasn't leaving Colby. She used the new position to her advantage,  using the rock wall as cover. She peered over the top and fired twice at the lead zombie. She hit it right in the neck, sending its head spinning backward, and it fell onto the rocks with a thud and a squeal.
She ducked down behind the boulder, reloading her weapon. The horde had thinned out, and Colby got to the spot where Ashley was at.

"Someone's firing from down the gully! We can't risk if they're hostile or not! Let's get up the ridge and go forward from there!"
Ashley nodded. She loaded her gun and ran up the slope toward the ridge. They kept running until the gully was far behind. They slowed down, breathing heavily and staring at the ground.
"Are you hurt?" Colby asked softly. "Please say you're not. Please tell me you're okay," he begged, placing his hand on her cheek.
Ashley frowned. "No, I'm okay," she breathed, leaning against his touch. Jenny wriggled against Ashley's chest,  reaching a small chubby hand out.
"Here," Ashley smiled softly, taking Jenny from her shoulder and handing her over to Colby.
He hugged his daughter tightly for a moment, before pulling back so that he was standing. He offered a hand to Ashley to pull her up from the dirt. She took his hand and stood. They hadn't walked very far when a voice called out from the brush.
"Hold it right there!" it cried.
Ashley's heart raced. She looked over at Colby in alarm. She saw him stand still, frozen in place.
"Don't turn, don't make any sudden moves!" the voice ordered. "Put your weapons and packs on the ground and put your hands up!"
Colby and Ashley slowly complied; their guns clattered to the ground, followed by their packs.

A tall figure walked out of the brush, a gun pointed at them. There was something about his body language that suggested he was conflicted; that he didn't want to rob a young couple with a baby.
That worried Ashley even more. What did this guy want from them? How did he find them?
The stranger stopped in front of them.
"We don't want any trouble!" Colby said,  his voice strained, trying to stay calm. "All we want is to pass through the forest without any trouble."
The stranger took a step closer, his eyes glued to the dog tags on Colby's neck. Next to the tags was the wedding ring that belonged to Colby's father.

"Where'd you get those?" The stranger questioned, his voice tight.
"They were my dad's! I took them when he died!"
"Who was your father?" the stranger asked, looking straight at Colby's face.
"Gavin Matthews," Colby replied, his voice shaky.
The stranger narrowed his eyes, seeming to look deeply into Colby's soul. He didn't speak for several seconds, seemingly trying to process everything. Then, he stepped back.
"Colby? It's me...Zach."

Colby relaxed his shoulders; his expression brightening.
"Zach?!"
"Yeah, it's me...it's really me," Zach said. Colby fell forward, wrapping his arms around his brother.
Zach embraced him back.