Escaping the Dead ~ H.S

Chapter Three

A/N: Hey guys! This chapter is pretty much in the same past-to-present format as the last chapter, and there still isn't much detail of the present like before. Only difference is this chapter is slightly shorter :p

**Chapter content contains sexual harassment. Read with caution.**

-Flashback-

I let out a gasp as even more distant gunshots from Lakebush echoed all around us – making me bite down on my bottom lip sheepishly before I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat as I tried so hard not to think about how many people could be dying in there.

"I feel horrible," I spoke up shakily, "we should've at least tried to help before we left..."

"There's no way Vivienne would've let us, anyway," Harry replied in a low voice, "but the only thing that matters right now is that we – the four of us – are still together."

"I still can't believe we managed to pull this off..." murmured Eric.

"We're not safe yet," Harry spoke up again – hoisting Lilly further up his shoulder and cuddling her close to him, "and we won't be safe until we're out of this forest...and far, far away from them..."

"Where are we going, daddy?" Lilly asked quietly.

"I don't know yet, princess. It doesn't matter, anyway – as long as we're as far away from here as possible," he replied softly.

"Are there people trying to follow us?"

"I hope not, Lilly," Harry sighed shakily, "I really hope not."

"Is going back to Norcrest an option?" asked Eric.

"I don't think so, Eric," I shook my head and sighed, "there's nothing left for us there. What we built back at Norcrest is long exhausted, and we'll never find the resources to try and reinforce it. Not like before, at least."

"It's way too dangerous, anyway," added Harry, "Norcrest is completely overrun. There's no way the four of us can live there just by ourselves."

"True..." Eric sighed, "but Harry...practically every town is overrun these days...h-how the hell are we gonna find another place as safe as Lakebush?"

"I don't think we'll ever find something as good as Lakebush again, sport," Harry admitted with a sigh, "but...we'll try our best."

Eric paused for a moment, but he soon responded with a silent nod. Harry nodded back, and then the four of us kept moving along.

However, just as we were about to turn a corner, I immediately had to let out a gasp, because I'd knew I'd caught a glimpse of a bunch of old cars and a man's leather jacket. I ducked back behind the forest bank right away – hoping and praying that they didn't see me.

"What?" Harry asked me, "What is it, Laura? Did you see something?"

"I..." I took a deep breath, "I...I think there's a road block up ahead..."

"What?" Eric's eyes widened, "Are...are you sure? Did you see someone or something?"

I nodded. "I...I saw old cars...and...I saw at least one person, I'm sure..."

"Hello over there!" A man's voice called from around the corner – and our breaths immediately hitched, "I spy with my little eye...the raven-haired beauty who my boss wants to himself. Come on out, Laura!"