Mankind

Chapter Eight

A few days passed and Cassie found herself packing her bags and heading out. She gave one last goodbye to Selena and pressed forward, leaving Chillicothe behind.

Cassie unfolded her map and studied it. All she needed to do was stay on 35 until she reached 71. If only she could find a car, her journey would be cut down by weeks.

As she walked along the desolate highway, the weight of her backpack pressing against her shoulders, she couldn't help but feel isolated. The road stretched out before her, empty and endless, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.

With each step, Cassie's thoughts turned to her mother, Joan, and the uncertain fate that awaited her in Steelton. She knew that she was taking a risk by venturing into the heart of the Federation territory, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to find answers, no matter the cost.

As she walked, Cassie kept a wary eye out for any signs of danger, her hand never straying far from the blade weapon strapped to her side. The world around her seemed to blur as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other, the rhythm of her footsteps a comforting sound in the midst of quietness.

Hours passed, the sun sinking lower in the sky as Cassie pressed onward, the landscape shifting from open fields to dense forest. Finally, as dusk began to fall, she spotted a glimmer of light in the distance, a beacon of hope against growing darkness. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in anticipation of what lay ahead.

As she drew closer, Cassie could make out the outline of a small settlement nestled at the edge of the highway, its flickering torches casting long shadows across the ground.

As Cassie approached the settlement, she was greeted by wary eyes and hushed whispers. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows across the faces of the inhabitants, revealing their gaunt and hollowed features.

"Who goes there?" a voice called out from the darkness, its tone tinged with suspicion.

Cassie hesitated for a moment, uncertain of how to respond. She had hoped to find refuge and assistance in the settlement, but the tense atmosphere made her uneasy.

"I'm just passing through," she called back, trying to keep her voice steady despite the unease gnawing at her gut.

The figure emerged from the shadows, revealing a wiry man with sunken eyes and a hungry expression. He eyed Cassie up and down, taking in her travel-worn appearance with a calculating gaze.

"We don't get many visitors around here," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Especially not ones brave enough to wander into our territory."

Cassie forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant despite the growing sense of unease in the pit of her stomach. "Well, I'm just passing through," she repeated, her words sounding hollow even to her own ears.

The man nodded, his expression unreadable. "Very well. But you should know, we're not exactly a welcoming bunch. If you're looking for food or shelter, you won't find much here."

Cassie's heart sank at the news. She had been hoping to rest and replenish her supplies before continuing on her journey, but it seemed that her plans had been thwarted once again.

"I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll just be on my way then."

As she turned to leave, she's grabbed from behind. She sinks her teeth into the arm of her kidnapper and he yelps in agony then smacks the back of his hand against her face. Knocking her unconscious.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself suspended from the ceiling, her wrists bound tightly with rough rope. The dim light of the settlement flickered around her, casting eerie shadows on the walls as she struggled to free herself. But her efforts failed, the ropes cutting into her flesh with every movement.

Just as despair threatened to consume her, a small figure emerged from the shadows. It was the young girl, her eyes filled fear as she approached Cassie's side.

"Stay still," the girl whispered, her fingers moving quickly to loosen the ropes binding Cassie's wrists. With a final tug, the knots gave way, and Cassie slumped forward, her limbs trembling with exhaustion.

"Thank you," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

The girl nodded, her expression grave as she glanced around the room. "We need to go, before they find us."

Together, they slipped through the darkness, their footsteps silent against the hard-packed earth.

As they neared the exit, Cassie grabbed her gear lying on a table nearby but they were confronted by two of the strange men, their eyes gleaming with hunger as they lunged forward to capture their prey.

Instinct took over, and Cassie reacted with ferocious determination. With a primal roar, she launched herself at the attackers, her fists flying in a flurry of blows.

The first cannibal went down with a sickening thud, his body crumpling to the ground as Cassie's blows rained down upon him. With a swift motion, she grabbed his weapon, a rusty blade stained with blood, and turned to face the second assailant.

But there was no time for hesitation. With a fierce cry, Cassie drove the blade deep into the cannibal's chest, his eyes widening in shock as he fell to the ground, lifeless.

Breathing heavily, Cassie turned to the young girl, her heart pounding with adrenaline. "We need to get out of here, now."

The young girl shook her head, "No. I have to stay."

"You need to leave this place!" Cassie grabbed the girl's hand but she pulled it away easily.

She shook her head no again. "My family...here." Sounds of stomping echoed through the complex behind them. "Go now, before they eat you."
Cassie's heart sank at the girl's words, her own survival instincts warring with the desire to help the young one. But she knew she had no choice. With a final nod of understanding, she turned and sprinted into the night, the sound of pursuit echoing in her ears.

As she raced through the darkness, Cassie couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her insides. She had escaped the clutches of the cannibals, but at what cost?

Pushing aside her doubts, she focused on putting as much distance between herself and the settlement as possible. With each step, she felt the weight of her actions pressing down upon her, a heavy burden that threatened to consume her.

But she refused to give in to despair. With every ounce of strength she possessed, Cassie forged ahead, determined to survive against all odds.

Daybreak. Cassie ran for what seemed like hours, and when her legs began to burn, she'd remind herself that she'd become a meal if she didn't move her legs. When she felt there was enough distance between them, she stopped in a wooded area and cleaned the blood from her body in a stream.

Her fingers trembled as she scrubbed the blood away under her fingernails. It wasn't coming out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. Her eyes began to fill with tears and she tossed herself back in the grass, staring up at the sky. Her journey so far has been a mess, infected, cannibals. It feels like she can't catch a break. There's been no sign of Ryan, maybe he got eaten, or maybe he went a different way.

She leans up and takes a deep breath before smoothing back her hair and tying it up. She splashes her face, watching the red slowly disappear down the stream.