Still Breathing

Chapter 8

Crossroads

Morning came too soon, wan sunlight filtering through the boarded-over windows and painting the huddled forms in the living room a sickly gray. Rose stirred awake slowly, wincing at the crick in her neck from a night spent curled on lumpy cushions. Around her, the others were beginning to rouse, yawning and stretching, rubbing grit from their eyes.

She sat up gingerly, gaze automatically seeking out Sebastian. He was still at the window, shoulders a tense line beneath his rumpled henley, fingers curled loosely around the stock of his rifle. As if sensing her regard, he turned, their eyes meeting across the room in a moment of silent communion.

In the light of day, the memory of their frantic coupling felt hazy, dreamlike, a fevered fantasy conjured by her own desperate longing. But then Sebastian's lips quirked in a small, private smile and heat bloomed in Rose's cheeks, an answering flutter low in her belly. Not a dream, then. They had crossed that invisible line, blurred the boundaries between teacher and student, leader and teammate.

And God help her, even with the world gone to hell outside their fragile sanctuary...she couldn't bring herself to regret it.

Tearing her gaze away, Rose busied herself with folding the blankets, ignoring Nina's knowing smirk from across the room. They had bigger concerns right now than her ill-advised crush. Namely, figuring out their next move.

As if on cue, Max spoke up, voice still gravelly with sleep. "So, what's the plan, chief? We can't stay here forever."

Sebastian sighed, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. "No, we can't. Sooner or later, we're going to run out of food, water, medical supplies. We need to find somewhere more sustainable long-term."

"But where?" Margot asked, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. "It's not like we can just Google 'zombie-proof bunkers near me.'"

"We head north," Sebastian said grimly. "Away from the major population centers. Find a place to hole up in the wilderness, ride this thing out."

"You want us to pull a Grizzly Adams?" Tobias asked incredulously. "Hate to break it to you, Prof, but I'm not exactly Bear Grylls. I can barely start a fire without singeing my eyebrows."

"We'll learn," Sebastian said firmly. "We'll adapt. It's our only shot at staying ahead of the horde long-term."

Rose chewed her lip, considering. It made a certain kind of sense, putting as much distance as possible between them and the shambling masses. But the thought of striking out into the unknown, leaving even the meager security of the suburbs behind...it made her gut clench with fear.

As if sensing her trepidation, Sebastian caught her gaze again, something fierce and reassuring in the depths of his dark eyes. "We can do this," he said quietly, and she knew he was speaking directly to her. "We'll keep each other safe. Keep each other strong."

Rose swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat, giving him a tiny, determined nod. He was right. They had no other choice. And if there was anyone she trusted to lead them through this nightmare...it was him.

"Alright," she said aloud, squaring her shoulders. "Then we stock up on whatever supplies we can scrounge and we get the hell out of Dodge. Tobias, you're on weapons duty. Raid the garage, the tool shed, anywhere that might have something we can use to defend ourselves. Nina, Margot, you're in charge of food and water. Grab anything non-perishable, anything we can easily carry. Chris, James, medical supplies. There's got to be a first aid kit around here somewhere. Max and I will work on fortifying whatever vehicle we're taking. We've got to be able to move fast and punch through roadblocks if necessary."