Left to survive.

Tangled Ties and the First Blow....

The next day, the group stirred early, knowing they had to make the most of daylight. The girls, lacking a proper comb, used their fingers to tame their hair as best they could, while the boys simply shrugged on their gear, their focus more on the task ahead than appearances. With no mirrors or luxuries, they made do, their faces showing the signs of exhaustion but also determination. One by one, they took turns washing their faces with the precious little water they had left in a single bottle, hoping the coolness would help keep them alert and awake for the day's challenges.

Once everyone was as ready as they could be, they gathered in the middle of the bus, sitting in a loose circle to discuss their next move. Hades, leaning back against a seat, was the first to speak up. "Let's go to the mall," he suggested, his tone casual but confident.

Another girl in the group, nodding in agreement, chimed in. "Yeah, the mall's a good idea! There'll be tons of supplies—food, water, maybe even some clothes."

Grace, however, wasn't as easily convinced. She furrowed her brow, her voice filled with caution. "But isn't that risky? The mall's likely to have other people there, and that could mean danger. We can't just walk into a crowded place without thinking it through."

The discussion began to grow tense, with voices rising as each person tried to make their point. Sensing the brewing argument, Sophia raised her hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "Alright, enough," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the chatter. "We don't have enough petrol in the bus to just go anywhere right now. First, we need to fill up the tank. Once that's done, we can head to the mall. But we need a plan. Some of us will stay on guard, some will stay with the bus, and the rest will go inside the mall. That way, we can stay safe and get what we need."

Avery nodded, appreciating the clear plan. "That's a solid idea," she said, glancing around to see the others' reactions. Arthur and Samuel quickly voiced their agreement, and after a moment of thought, the rest of the group nodded as well.

With the plan settled, Avery walked over to the driver's seat, searching for a manual that might help them figure out how to operate the bus properly. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found it tucked away in the glove compartment. After skimming through the pages, she turned to the group. "Who knows how to drive a car?" she asked, her eyes scanning the faces for a volunteer.

Kyle, a boy who had a complicated past with Grace, raised his hand. "I do," he said, his voice even.

Avery nodded, appreciating his willingness to step up. "Okay, let's talk," she said, motioning for him to join her. Despite his reluctance, Hades followed Kyle, and Sophia, always close to Avery, joined them as well. Grace, however, kept her distance, not wanting to be near Kyle.

As they gathered around the manual, Avery began explaining the differences between driving a car and a bus, her voice calm but authoritative. "Driving this bus isn't too different from a car. The main thing is that it's bigger, so you've got to be more careful. Buses are heavier, which means it takes longer to accelerate and even longer to stop. You'll also have to watch out for the turning radius—buses need more space to make turns, and you have to be extra careful with blind spots."

Hades, who had been staring out the window, occasionally glanced back at Avery, though his attention seemed elsewhere. Avery noticed but pushed on, determined to make sure Kyle understood the gravity of the task. "You'll need to start braking earlier than you would with a car, especially if you're going fast. And keep in mind, this bus is going to be a lot harder to control if we're in a tight spot. Just stay calm and focused, and you'll be fine."

After finishing her explanation, Avery noticed something out of the corner of her eye and decided to leave Kyle and Hades with the manual. She walked over to where Sophia and Grace were talking. "Did you guys notice anything off?" she asked, her tone more serious now.