Left to survive.

Split Paths, Shared Goals...

After ten minutes, Kyle was ready to drive, and the entire group had prepared themselves for the journey ahead. Everyone gripped the chairs in front of them tightly, and no one dared to sit at the back, fearing they might be thrown off balance. Outside, the terrifying sounds of zombies grew louder, and the group exchanged worried glances. The horde was advancing rapidly toward the bus.

Avery's voice cut through the rising panic. "Kyle, start the bus! We won't be able to move if they get too close!" Her urgency spurred Kyle into action. Without hesitation, he turned the key, and the engine roared to life. This time, instead of the bus moving backward, it lurched forward.

As Kyle navigated the bus, he took a sharp turn, narrowly avoiding a collision with a tree. The school, situated on a hill, presented a steep descent, and the bus was moving cautiously down the incline. The zombies continued their relentless pursuit, some of them stumbling and rolling down the hill as they struggled to keep up.

Inside the bus, Grace clung to Sophia and Avery's hands with a grip that spoke of her fear. She had little faith in their safety, her anxiety evident in her trembling fingers. Sophia, however, remained a pillar of calm, offering reassuring words to Grace in an attempt to soothe her nerves. Avery, on the other hand, kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead, occasionally glancing back to assess the distance between them and the zombies.

The bus took another sharp turn, which led them down a path that ended in a sudden crash with an abandoned van. The jarring impact caused everyone to jolt, but Kyle quickly reversed the bus and continued driving as though nothing had happened. Grace's eyes widened in disbelief at the reckless maneuver, her mouth agape in shock.

Sophia and Avery exchanged amused glances, unable to contain their laughter at Grace's astonished reaction. Despite the dire circumstances, the moment of levity brought a brief respite from the tension.

Eventually, the bus emerged onto an empty road, and the tension in the air began to lift as the group saw a gas station just a few meters ahead. Relief washed over them at the sight of the gas station, a beacon of hope in their otherwise chaotic day. Kyle maneuvered the bus to a stop right at the gas station.

Kyle turned to the group with a note of caution in his voice. "We all can't go inside. It might be dangerous out there."

The others nodded in agreement, understanding the necessity of caution. Sophia quickly took charge of the situation. "Here's the plan: Avery, Grace, Arthur, Hades, and Pierce will go inside to get food. Meanwhile, Kyle, Samuel, Dorian, Amelia, and I will handle the gas and check if it's safe. The rest of you can use the bathroom while we're working."

Grace added, "That sounds good. While Kyle, Samuel, and Dorian are filling up the gas, you guys can check the bathrooms to make sure everything is safe and usable."

Avery, her eyes reflecting a mix of worry and resolve, nodded firmly. "Alright, let's get moving. Remember, stay alert and stick to the plan. We'll be back as quickly as we can."

With a final glance around, Avery and her team prepared to head into the gas station, their steps quick and purposeful despite the unease lingering in the back of their minds. The group split up, each team moving with a sense of urgency and determination to complete their tasks and ensure their continued safety.

The group that had ventured into the gas station for food was soon dubbed the "Eagles." They had been tasked with scouring the shelves for supplies, their mission clear: find as much food as possible. Meanwhile, the team assigned to handle the gas, named the "Ostriches," focused on refueling the bus, knowing that this would ensure they wouldn't need to stop for fuel again for quite some time. Sophia and Amelia, who were tasked with keeping an eye out for any potential threats, were dubbed the "Wolves," symbolizing their role in protecting the others.