Through The Ashes

44

Jorn and Mara stepped back into the main office room, the adoration from their private moment still lingering in the air between them but dissipating as they rejoined the group.

Brady stood by the cracked window, keeping a watchful eye on the outside, while Becca, her arm bandaged and resting, leaned her head against the wall, eyes half-closed in exhaustion.

Jorn's expression shifted back into its usual composed mask as she approached the others. "We need to move soon," she said, though the consequences of the day still hung over them all. "It's only going to get worse the longer we stay."

Brady turned, his eyes heavy with fatigue but alert. "I've been thinking the same thing," he muttered, stepping away from the window. "We can't afford to hang around here, not with the Rot circling the area. If we're lucky, we can avoid them on our way back, but we need to be smart about the route."

Jorn nodded, moving toward a map they had found earlier, spread across the old desk. She leaned over it, tracing a line with her finger. "We'll take the northern road back, past the old rail yard," she said, speaking quickly but with precision. "It's less direct, but it'll take us around most of the trouble spots we passed on the way in."

Mara stood beside her, her eyes flicking between the map and the window. "That route's less exposed, too," she added. "More places to take cover if we need it."

Becca groaned softly from where she sat. "You really think we can avoid them? There were so many out there... I barely made it out without getting torn apart." She glanced down at her injured arm, grimacing.

Jorn's eyes softened for a moment. "We'll avoid them," she said firmly. "I'm not letting anyone else get hurt."

Brady sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired face. "Let's hope so. But if we run into trouble, we need to be ready to fight. I'm low on ammo, but I've got enough to cover our retreat if things get dicey."

Jorn straightened, her expression hardening with perseverance. "We'll keep it quiet, stay out of sight as much as we can. I still have some ammo, and so does Mara. We should have more than enough to get us back home."

Mara gave a small nod, the silent trust between them understood. She glanced over at Becca, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "We'll make it back," she said softly. "All of us."

Jorn looked at the group, her mind running through the plan, considering every possible scenario. The guilt of their earlier failure still nagged at her, but she pushed it aside. Right now, survival was the only thing that mattered. The supplies could wait.

"The second we're out there, we don't stop unless it's absolutely necessary. No detours, no risks. We head straight back to camp," Jorn said.

Becca struggled to her feet, wincing slightly as she adjusted her injured arm. "Fine by me. The sooner we get out of Millbrook, the better."

Brady slung his rifle over his shoulder, nodding toward the door. "Ready when you are."

Jorn gave one last glance at Mara, a silent exchange passing between them.

"Alright," Jorn said, her tone resolute. "Let's go."

With that, they gathered their gear, each of them steeling themselves for the journey ahead. Jorn opened the door to the outside world, the cool air of the late afternoon brushing against her face. The Rot still loitered in the distance, their growls vague but present.

But they would make it out. Jorn had to believe that.

One step at a time, she told herself.

One step at a time.