What if?

Chapter 10

The morning dawned with a crispness in the air, the remnants of the previous night's chill still lingering as a reminder of the desert's temperamental climate. Newt and Teresa rose early, their bodies stiff from sleeping on the hard ground, but their spirits buoyed by the progress they had made.

As they packed up their campsite by the riverbank, the sun began its ascent, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. They took a moment to savor the beauty of the sunrise, a brief respite from their relentless journey.

"Ready to go?" Newt asked, shouldering his pack and adjusting the straps.

Teresa nodded, securing her belongings.

As they walked, they kept a lookout for any signs of life—a trail, footprints, or even smoke on the horizon. The vast expanse of the desert stretched out around them, the landscape dotted with occasional ruins of what had once been settlements or outposts.

Teresa consulted the map, trying to orient themselves based on the landmarks they had passed.

"If we keep heading east, we should reach a series of small towns that used to be along the highway," she said, pointing in the direction they needed to go.

Newt scanned the horizon, his eyes squinting against the glare of the sun. "Let's hope we find something there—a vehicle, supplies, anything that can help us."

They walked for several more hours, the landscape gradually giving way to low hills and scattered vegetation. The journey was grueling, the sun beating down relentlessly and their water supply dwindling. Yet they pressed on, driven by the hope of finding Safe Haven and reuniting with their friends.

By mid-afternoon, they reached the outskirts of the first town. The buildings were dilapidated, their walls crumbling and windows shattered. Nature had begun to reclaim the land, with vines and wildflowers growing amidst the ruins.

As they explored the town, they found signs of previous habitation—empty cans, discarded clothing, and makeshift shelters. It was clear that others had passed through here, though whether they were friendly or hostile remained to be seen.

They searched for supplies, checking abandoned stores and vehicles for anything useful. Most of what they found was either picked clean or unusable, but they managed to gather a few essentials—a couple of cans of food, some medical supplies, and a handful of batteries for their flashlights.

As they prepared to leave the town, Teresa paused beside a crumbling wall, her gaze fixed on something in the distance. "Look," she whispered, pointing towards a cluster of buildings further east. "Smoke."

Newt followed her gaze, his heart racing with hope. "Someone's there."

They exchanged a glance filled with determination and silently agreed to investigate. Moving cautiously yet swiftly, they made their way towards the source of the smoke, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

As they drew closer, the buildings became more intact, suggesting that this area had been more recently inhabited. They approached cautiously, Newt leading the way with Teresa close behind.

They rounded a corner and came upon a small encampment nestled in the shadow of a larger building. Several tents were pitched haphazardly, and a small fire burned in the center, its smoke rising lazily into the sky. Figures moved about, tending to tasks or gathering around the fire.

Newt and Teresa hesitated, unsure of how they would be received. They were weary travelers, strangers in a world that had become harsh and unpredictable. But they knew they had to take the risk, for the chance of finding allies in this unforgiving landscape.

Taking a deep breath, Newt stepped forward, raising a hand in a gesture of peace. "Hello," he called out, his voice steady yet tentative. "Is anyone there?"

The figures around the campfire froze at Newt's voice, their movements halting as they turned towards the newcomers. For a tense moment, no one spoke, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the distant rustle of wind through the abandoned buildings.

A man emerged from the group, cautiously approaching Newt and Teresa with a wary expression. He was tall and wiry, with weather-beaten features that spoke of a life lived hard in the desert. His eyes assessed them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"What are you doing here?" the man asked, his voice rough with caution.

"We're travelers," Newt replied, keeping his tone neutral. "We're looking for Safe Haven. We heard there might be survivors there."

The man studied them for a moment longer, then nodded slowly.

Teresa stepped forward, her eyes earnest. "We're trying to find our friends. They might be there. Can you help us?"

The man's gaze softened slightly at Teresa's words, a hint of sympathy flickering in his eyes. "I can't promise anything. But you're welcome to stay here for now. We have food and water."

Relief washed over Newt and Teresa as they were welcomed into the camp. The other members, a mix of men and women of varying ages, eyed them with cautious curiosity but offered no hostility. They were grateful for the provisions—a simple meal of beans and bread shared around the fire—but their minds were focused on their next steps.

After eating, Newt and Teresa sat with the group, sharing stories of their journey and learning about the harsh realities of life outside the city walls. The group consisted of survivors who had banded together for safety and companionship, navigating the desert in search of sustenance and refuge.

"We've been on the move for months," one of the women explained, her voice tinged with weariness. "It's not easy out here. Every day is a struggle to find food and avoid trouble."

Newt listened intently, his respect for their resilience growing with each word. He glanced at Teresa, silently communicating their shared determination to continue their search for Safe Haven, no matter the challenges ahead.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the camp, Newt and Teresa settled in for the night. They were offered a corner of a tent to share, a gesture of hospitality that touched them deeply. The desert night was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the city they had left behind.

Lying side by side, Newt and Teresa found comfort in each other's presence, their thoughts drifting to their friends and the uncertain future that lay ahead. They held onto hope—a fragile ember in the darkness—that they would find Safe Haven and reunite with their loved ones.

And as they drifted into a restless sleep, surrounded by the quiet strength of their newfound allies, they clung to the belief that together, they would navigate the challenges of the desert and find their way to Safe Haven.

Well i thought it would be nice if they found survivors so here it is :) Hope you enjoyed!

See you on the next chapter!

L'🥀