Fragile Hearts [DANGEROUS FELLOWS]

⚠️TWENTY-FOUR: THE SAFE ZONE WAR OF CLASSROOM 1-C⚠️

Ethan was the one who noticed the people by the gate first.

He had been dozing off when suddenly he leaned towards the window, surprise and confusion on his face.

"What's wrong?" you asked him, looking out as well. You saw three figures by the gate and you felt the familiar tingle of fear. You thought about Madelyn, so close to being saved, and quickly looked away, blinking away the memories.

"Might be trouble," Ethan said, picking up his bat. Lawrence, Zion, Harry and Eugene had gone back to the shopping center to get more blankets and other supplies, so it was only you and Ethan left in 1-C.

You didn't have any weapon but you followed after Ethan anyways as he went through the hall and down the steps, into the biting cold of the outside. You rubbed your arms, not even your jacket enough to warm you up.

"Keep up and stay close," Ethan warned you, holding his bat at the ready. You nodded, moving closer to him and looking around warily.

The two of you approached the gate, but there was no sign of any people. You were filled with confusion and you moved ahead of Ethan, looking around, about to say something when your eyes landed on a piece of paper taped to the gate.

Without thinking you quickly snatched it, excitement suddenly filling you. Your eyes scanned it quickly, your heart beginning to fill with hope.

"ATTENTION ALL SURVIVORS!" read the big bold letters at the top.

"What is it?" Ethan asked, peering over.

You kept reading it. It talked about something called the "Safe Zone," where uninfected survivors were urged to go. It said they had working power, water, and warm food, as well as medical care for the injured. There was a small map at the bottom showing it's location.

"I can't believe this," you whispered in awe to yourself.

"What is it?" Ethan repeated, and you practically threw it at him. He read it too, his eyebrows rising at what it said.

"It's too good to be true," you said, taking it back and reading it over. "Do you know what this means?"

"Cheeseburgers?" he asked, obviously thinking of the food.

You shook your head. "It means we actually have hope. If we go to the Safe Zone, we won't have to worry about surviving everyday. We'll be safe."

Ethan grabbed it back from you and read it again himself. There was doubt all over his face.

"We'll see what the others have to say," he decided at last, folding it up and sticking it in his pocket casually. Then he began to stroll off, as if he didn't have to most life-changing piece of paper in his pocket at that very moment.

"How can you be so calm?" you asked, your mind racing.

"It could be nothing," he reminded you. "Don't get your hopes up."

Too late for that. You were already beginning to imagine a life without worrying about the virus. You remembered your promise to Eugene. Maybe it was coming true even sooner than you thought.

"Can I see it one more time?" you begged, pulling on Ethan's sleeve.

"We should wait until the others come back," he said flatly, going back inside the school and up the stairs.