After The Fall

Escape Together

Ken follows Alisha and Addy to a big house near the center of town, just a few blocks beyond the super market. Addy runs inside first and Alisha turns to Ken, "Wait here for a moment while I let the others know what's going on. You know how people can be."

He actually didn't, but he was starting to get an idea. He just nods, glancing around the eerily quiet town. Ever aware of the knife latched on his hip, should things take a turn for the worse. And he suspected it most likely will. So he waits for Alisha to return.

It didn't take long before Alisha leaves the house again. She smiles warmly as she welcomes Ken inside. The house inside is normal as ever. There are two teenaged girls sitting on the couch in the living room, staring at Ken. Alisha gives him the tour, a few more women hanging around, watching.

Ken gets a bad feeling from the looks they're giving him. Alisha finally stood at a closed door, "Last stop is the basement."

Ken is almost completely sure going down there is a trap. But what choice does he have? If Tyler is down there, he can't just leave him to whatever fate may befall him. Ken's eyes narrow at the woman before him, "Is my friend down there?"

Ken isn't going to play her game, he won't let himself get trapped, but he still can't leave Tyler behind if there's a chance to save him. Alisha tilts her head, chuckling, "Don't trust me?"

"Not at all," Ken replies, "But you know how people are. So just tell me where my friend is, and I'll be on my way."

"The stranger isn't here. Sarah sent him to the market." Alisha replies.

"I'm getting him out." Ken states.

Alisha chuckles, "Feel free to try. Not many people get back out once they get inside."

"I will." Ken quickly leaves the house and Alisha follows, "I'll need your supply bag."

Ken glares at her and she smiles, "You know, in case you don't come back out."

"I'm keeping my supplies, because I'm getting back out." Ken retorts.

Alisha pulls a gun, "Give me your supplies if you actually want a chance."

Ken grunts. This is not a good situation, but he has no choice. If he's shot, he won't be able to escape safely. So he begrudgingly takes off his backpack, handing it over to Alisha. She takes it with a smile, "Good luck."

Ken runs over to the super market, looking back as he slides his way into the stuck doors. Alisha walks back towards her house and Ken carefully looks around, quietly heading towards the nearest isle. He knows the place is full of infected, so he doesn't want to call out for Tyler, but he still wants to find him as soon as possible.

So he quietly stalks down the isle, peeking around the corner at the end. Instantly, he's filled with relief as he sees Tyler, blood stains along the right sleeve of his jacket, sitting on the floor in front of the shelf. Ken moves and crouches in front of him, whispering, "Are you okay? What happened?"

Tyler looks at him with an almost blank stare. Ken looks at him with concern, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Tyler? Are you hurt?"

Tyler shivers, hugging a familiar backpack to his chest. It's Felix's. Ken's eyes widen, "You got the bag Felix left here.. Good job, but we need to go now."

"They took my stuff.." Tyler says softly, finally looking at Ken, "Looks like they took yours, too.. We can't leave just yet then.."

Ken frowns, "What else do we need?"

"Marzia's bag.." he says softly, "I've been waiting for them to move away from her.. They're almost on the other isle from her now.. We need to get it soon, before they realize we're here."

"O-okay," Ken nods. He glances at Tyler's bloody jacket arm again, but doesn't say anything for now. It's something they can deal with once they're safe. Tyler slowly gets up and puts the back backpack on. Ken stands as well and they both move to the next isle. Finding it clear, they move on to the next.

Ken peeks around the next corner, and there's a large group of infected in the isle. Ken leans back, looking at Tyler. He makes a hand gesture telling him the isle is full of the infected. Tyler frowns, leaning close to Ken to whisper quietly, "She's on the other side."

Ken nods slowly, peeking back around the corner. The infected aren't looking their direction, so Ken runs to the other shelf and Tyler follows. Undetected by the infected, they make their way around to the isle where Marzia died. Her body still lies there, dried blood on the floor around her.

Her hair is caked in the dried blood and the blood covers her entire body, having a bunch of missing pieces out of her body. Ken feels sick as he kneels by her. Tyler kneels as well, leaning over her and grabbing her arm. He carefully gets the backpack strap off her then he starts turning her over.

Ken quickly helps him then gets the last strap off. They stand and Ken puts on Marzia's backpack. He feels bad for disturbing her, but it had to be done. They need the supplies. They move slowly and quietly towards the front doors. Tyler takes his backpack off and slips through the door. He pulls the backpack through, "Hand me your bag."

Ken quickly passes his bag and starts trying to squeeze himself through the opening. The rattling of the doors catches the attention of the infected. Thankfully, Ken gets through the door before the infected get to him. He takes the bag from Tyler, running towards the nearest house, hoping to confuse anyone who might be watching. Tyler follows after him, and they get back to the shop without incidence. They don't know how long that would last, though. Ken knocks on the door gently, "Guys, it's us. Open the door."

A moment later the door opens and Mark smiles, "Good to see you guys made it back."

Ken sighs, "Is Nate able to travel? We need to go, right now."

Mark frowns, "Nate's unconscious."

"What's wrong with Nate?" Tyler frowns.

Ken groans, "We'll have to carry him. We can't stay here any longer. I'll carry him, have Felix or Jack help Stephanie. Let's go."

He nods and they prepare to leave as the sun finally disappears as darkness blankets the too quiet town.