Mankind

Chapter Thirteen

As they walked through the desolate streets of Steelton, Ryan and Cassie couldn't shake the heaviness in their hearts. Leaving Joan behind weighed on them like an anchor, tugging at their spirits with each step they took.

"I can't stop thinking about her," Cassie confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Leaving mom behind feels like betraying her."

Ryan squeezed her hand gently, his own expression mirroring her anguish. "I know, Cass. But Joan made her choice. She's determined to find that immune boy, and we have to help her."

"But what if she's walking into danger?" Cassie's voice quivered with fear. "What if she never comes back?"

Ryan drew her close, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting embrace. "We have to have faith in her, Cass. Your mom's a survivor. She'll do whatever it takes to make it through."

Cassie buried her face in Ryan's chest, the weight of their uncertain future pressing down on her. But in Ryan's arms, she found solace and strength, knowing that together they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Ryan and Cassie unfolded the worn piece of paper, the scrawled directions revealed a rough sketch of the city streets, annotated with cryptic markings indicating potential hiding spots. Cassie traced her finger over the map, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to decipher the clues.

"Looks like we're headed east," Ryan remarked, studying the map intently. "There's an old warehouse district in that direction. Might be a good place to start."

Cassie nodded in agreement, tucking the map into her pocket as they set off on their journey. The streets of Steelton stretched out before them like a labyrinth, the once bustling city now a haunting shell of its former self. They navigated through the rubble-strewn roads, their footsteps echoing against the decaying buildings that loomed overhead.

As they ventured deeper into the heart of the city, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of debris or distant groans of the infected. Cassie's senses were on high alert, every shadow and sound stirring a primal instinct within her.

They reached the outskirts of the warehouse district, the towering structures casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. Ryan scanned the area, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he searched for any sign of movement.

"There," Cassie whispered, pointing towards a dilapidated building at the far end of the street. "I think I saw something move."

Ryan nodded, his grip tightening on his rifle as they cautiously approached the building. As they drew closer, the sound of shuffling footsteps echoed from within, sending a shiver down Cassie's spine.

With bated breath, they entered the building, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust that coated the floor. The air was heavy with the musty scent of decay, the darkness enveloping them like a suffocating blanket.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, startling them both. Cassie's heart pounded in her chest as she raised her weapon, her fingers trembling with adrenaline.

But as the figure came into view, Cassie pulled out the paper once more. On the back, a rough picture of the immune boy. She hands it over to Ryan and he studies it.

"Looks like him..."

Cassie nods. "It does."

"We're here to help, we're not with the Federation."

"I don't believe you." His voice calls out, trembling.

"My mom," Cassie starts in. "Was taken by the Federation and forced to work for them. We're here to rescue her but she told us about you. She wants to get you to safety."