Since the tensions had eased around the group, it had been a few days. Not much had come to pass. No Lurkers, nor Reapers, had come sprawling out the surrounding shrubbery either. It was all rather too mundane considering all that had gone on before.
More than anything physical, it was the grief that had hit all of them the hardest, and for Vivian and the others, it was that of the loss of Nathaniel. All of them had been impacted, some more notably than others, more because they were better at hiding it, and working around it. Channeling their grief in different ways. For Leesa, she did all her jobs, offered to be useful, and more than was necessary, anything to take her mind off of what was persistently at the front of it. Yet she did it all these tasks in a quieter manner than usual. And as for Vivian, her temper had been obviously shortened. Becoming frustrated and irritated at the most miniscule of disruptions. Deliberately keeping to herself and her words far and few between and sharp and biting when they came.
They had fetched Jace's truck the day after their arrival, and found it exactly as it was left to their relief. And along with it, were a small group of stragglers from Serenity that had recognised the truck and waited, hoping it hadn't been abandoned, and that the group weren't dead. There was only four of them. Four that had managed to slip through the night just as well as they had, if not better, considering their lack of vehicle. But it was four more than half of them had expected to appear at all.
This had re-ignited what had been a dwindling flame of hope and faith among the growing group. Hope that now existed like a candle in a breeze, a flame fighting to stay alight. A sign for them to not quite give up, there could still easily be those out there who had fled, still alive and well.
However, as it had been nearly a week without encountering anyone further, rather than give up, they saw it as an opportunity to move. Find somewhere more comfortable, find more resources, and if they were lucky more people too. After all, there was only so long Aanya believed they could stay in this small section of the woods before people began to give up.
"We should go south," Theo suggested, as they all sat around discussing what to do next, "Its the opposite direction to Serenity, not only is it further away from those Reapers, but anyone whos still around will likely have tried to get as far away as possible."
No one around appeared to disagree with this, as far as logic went, it was the most anyone had spoken for a while.
With nothing else waiting for them here, and nothing else to do, they pakced the items they had into the backs of the cars and trucks they had. It was obvious to them that not everyone would be able to fit in, even if they cramped in, so those most able walked along beside them. While it meant the vehicles had to go slow, it did also mean there was some more eyes around to look for anywhere along the roads and dirt paths that might be useful - or rather a danger.
. . .
The walk was gruelling, though not because of the conditions. There were a few Lurkers meandering along the side of the roads, but nothing they couldn't handle. It was relatively cold of course, and the sun was obscured by thick clouds, but they had prepared and been mentally braced for worse given the last few days. Instead it was the sheer unknowing of where they were headed or what they would find - if anything. Unknowing what paths might lead them to their deaths, or sanctuary.
"This is useless," Vivian scoffed as they continued, her frustration showing again "We aren't gonna find anything that hasn't already been ransacked. Either by us or them."
"You never know," Jade spoke, the optimism in her words returning slowly over time, though the tone betrayed her thoughts, "At least we might get four walls and a roof. Not muddy puddles and logs for pillows."
