In the aftermath of sparing Abby's life, Ellie grapples with the burdens of her past while facing isolation and ostracism in the Jackson community due to her immunity to the cordyceps infection. Her world has turned upside down and complicated until...
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the weathered terrain as Ellie and Cat began their journey. With a salvaged map from the abandoned Lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior clutched tightly, they set their sights on the distant ruins of Fort Snelling.
The deeper they ventured into the wilderness, the darker and more intimidating the landscape became. The eerie cries of the infected echoed through the fading light, a constant warning of the dangers lurking just out of sight. The path ahead was uncertain, with the ruins serving as both a beacon of hope and an unforeseen threat.
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Midway through their journey, disaster struck. Out of nowhere, three figures emerged from the shadows—each wearing hooded, earth-toned coats and menacing masks, one featuring a skeletal design. The attackers' appearance was unsettling, with outfits blending seamlessly with the forest surroundings, adorned with fur and beads that added a chilling edge to their presence. Armed with bows, arrows, and firearms, they moved with silent precision. The attack on Ellie and Cat was coordinated and deadly, showcasing their experience and lethal intent.
The dense underbrush became a chaotic battlefield as the ambush unfolded. Ellie and Cat fought back fiercely, their survival instincts kicking in. While the attackers were highly skilled, Ellie and Cat's endurance and quick thinking eventually turned the tide in their favour. Arrows whizzed through the air, and gunshots echoed across the forest. Despite the intensity of the struggle, they overpowered the masked attackers. However, during the chaos, they lost their horses—essential companions for the journey ahead.
"Fuck, Cat! Did you see those guys?" Ellie panted, pulling herself up from the ground, her side throbbing from the impact. "Who the hell wears masks like that? One of them looked like a freaking skeleton!".
Cat brushed the blood from her face, her eyes showing utter astonishment. "Yeah, those guys were out of control. The fur, beads, and those strange masks gave off serious cult vibes. And on top of that, they were damn good fighters".
Ellie spat on the ground, her temper simmering just beneath the surface. "Sure, they couldn't take us down, but losing the fucking horses? That's going to make everything a real pain in the ass".
Cat sighed, frustration clear in her voice. "I know it's tough, but we're too far in to turn back. We must keep pushing forward — Fort Snelling or whatever else comes our way".
With each passing moment, their fatigue and the absence of their horses made the journey more complex, yet Ellie and Cat forged ahead. The map navigated them through dangerous terrain, drawing them deeper into the remnants of a shattered world. Every step forward brought them nearer to the ruins, nearer to finding any trace of Joyce and the supplies they desperately needed. The odds were against them, but their determination only solidified with every mile.
