The Sitting Alive - Season 3

Episode 5 - Hitting The Road

The next day dawned with a palpable sense of anticipation. Fluff and Audrey were preparing to set off to Pinewood, but as everyone gathered in the hall to see them off, Chloe and Sam approached.
"Guys, wait a minute," Chloe called out, stepping forward with Sam by her side. Everyone turned to look, curiosity and concern etched on their faces. "We've been thinking," Chloe began, glancing at Sam for support. "We wanna join you."
Sam nodded, his expression serious, "We think we can help. Besides, the more of us there are, the safer we'll be. And we might need all the hands we can get if we run into trouble."
Audrey exchanged a look with Fluff, weighing the pros and cons. Fluff then spoke up, addressing the group. "Are you sure about this? It's going to be dangerous. We don't know what we'll find there," he cautioned.
Chloe nodded resolutely, "We know the risks, but we also know what's at stake. We want to do our part." Dan stepped forward, placing a hand on Fluff's shoulder. "They're right. The more of you there are, the better your chances. And we'll be here, keeping things safe and ready for your return. Hopefully we'd have dealt with the Marauders by the time you're back."
Fluff took a deep breath, then nodded. "Alright. If you’re both sure"
Sam smiled, relieved. "We're sure. Let's do this."
With the decision made, the group began final preparations. They gathered supplies, checked their weapons, and made sure everyone knew the plan. The rest of the group would stay and prepare for any potential happenings involving the Marauders. Rubin then approached Fluff, "Stay safe out there man," He smiled.
Fluff smiled back and nodded, "Of course". And he patted him on the shoulder.
"Maybe, just maybe, we'll find a way to end this," Chloe spoke, her hand gripping Sam’s tightly.
As the group was about to depart, Taylor ran up to Chloe and Sam, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Wait!" she called out, her voice trembling slightly. Chloe and Sam turned to see Taylor hurrying toward them. She enveloped them both in a tight hug, her emotions spilling over. "You two better come back safely," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You're my best friends. I can't lose you both too."
Chloe hugged Taylor back just as fiercely. "We’ll be careful, Taylor. I promise."
Taylor stepped back, wiping her eyes. "Just... take care of each other, okay?"
Audrey and Fluff watched the exchange, the weight of their mission heavy on their minds. Dan, standing a little way off, nodded in approval, appreciating the bond and support within the group.
"We will," Chloe assured her. "You stay safe too, okay? Get those damn Marauders."
Taylor nodded, managing a small smile. "We will." As Charlie put his hand on her shoulder. With that final exchange, Fluff, Audrey, Chloe, and Sam exited Glynne and took their first steps towards Pinewood, the morning sun behind them. The rest of the group watched until they were out of sight, then turned back to fortify their home, each carrying the hope that their friends would return with the answers they all desperately needed.

"Damn. This is gonna take us a while," Fluff muttered, his eyes scanning the road ahead. Determination laced his voice despite the daunting task before them.
Audrey nodded, adjusting the straps on her backpack. "Yeah, but it's gonna be worth it... I hope."
Sam, walking beside them, chimed in. "This trip has to count for something."
Chloe, ever the optimist, added, "And who knows? Maybe we'll find some survivors along the way who can help us. Or at least give us more information."
The group trekked onward, their footsteps crunching on the ground. The sun was rising higher, burning off the morning mist and illuminating the way ahead. Birds chirped cautiously in the trees, a rare moment of serenity in their chaotic world.
"Who knows who else is involved in this," Fluff spoke, his voice tinged with frustration and curiosity. "All we know is that Director K appears to be the head of it all, while Quane and this Dr. Henderson worked for him."
Audrey nodded thoughtfully. "It's like peeling back layers of an onion. Every time we think we've reached the core, there's another layer."
Chloe, scanning the path ahead, chimed in, "And who knows what else we'll find once we get to Pinewood. This could just be the tip of the iceberg."
"We gotta stay focused. Every piece of information we uncover brings us closer to understanding this mess." Added Sam.
"Okay, we should be reaching Wordsley soon. Hopefully theres some extra supplies we can haul" Spoke Fluff looking at the map
Audrey nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Let's just hope it hasn't been picked clean by the Marauders or overrun by zombies."
Chloe sighed, "Seems like everywhere we go, there's always some new threat waiting for us."
They shortly reached the outskirts of the town Wordsley. The streets were eerily quiet, the buildings showing signs of abandonment and decay. The group moved cautiously, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger.
"Stay close," Fluff instructed, "We don't know what we're walking into."
As they moved deeper into the town, they noticed several buildings that looked like they had been recently occupied. Broken windows, overturned furniture, and scattered belongings told a story of haste and fear.
"Looks like someone left in a hurry," Sam observed, pointing to a half-eaten meal left on a table inside a small diner.
Audrey peered through the window, "Or they were forced to leave."
Fluff's eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for any clues. "Let's split up and search the buildings for anything useful. Keep your walkies on."
Chloe and Sam headed toward a small grocery store, while Fluff and Audrey took the nearby hardware store. They moved quietly, searching for supplies and any signs of recent activity. Inside the grocery store, Chloe and Sam found some canned goods and bottled water that had been overlooked. Chloe's eyes landed on a dusty old radio on one of the shelves. "Hey, do you think this still works?" Chloe asked, holding it up for Sam to see. Sam shrugged, "God knows, let's take it with us. We could use it to contact everyone back home."