After The Fall

Nowhere To Go But Down

Walking along the road once again, no one in the group was happy about it. Mark keeps a lookout as he keeps to the rear of the group next to Jack and Stephanie. The dull pain in his ankle was only a reminder of their need to find a place to stay. They agreed the night before to find a house to hold up in for the duration of the coming winter. Ken declared they'd figure out what to do after.

"We can only plan so far ahead now," Ken had said, "We have to take this one day at a time."

Mark had been the unnamed leader of the group until Ken joined and took the job for himself. He at least seemed to know what he was doing, which Mark was glad for. He never wanted to be leader anyway, so he's glad their group is now in more capable hands.

Ken was headstrong, and fast on his feet. A quick thinker, and he's always dispelling potential fights within the group. They couldn't ask for a better leader. Of course, when it comes to leading, Ken's in the same boat as Mark was. Ken doesn't want to be responsible for everyone, but he can tell their friends need someone they can collectively depend on.

A huge weight on Ken's shoulders, but he won't complain. He cares about his friends, and he'll do whatever he has to in order to protect every one of them. They're a family now, that's just how it is. They all slowed, looking around at each other as a car comes down the road towards them. Ken frowns, "Everyone, off the road, now."

They all rushed into the trees and the car passes by with no indication they had been seen. Ken sighs and gestures for his friends that it was safe to keep going. And keep going they did. They continued to follow the road with no threat to their lives so far, but it wasn't long until it started getting dark, and colder.

Felix groans, "Can someone else carry Nate for awhile? I'm getting really tired.."

Ken turns back and walks over, smiling softly as he takes Nate from Felix's arms. Felix smiles back, stretching his arms over his head as Ken turns and continues walking ahead, carrying the still unconscious man. They continue along the road for a few more hours, and then spend another night camped in the woods.

Sitting around the campfire, Felix sighs, "Do we even know where we are anymore?"

"No idea.." Jack chuckles softly, though he looks sad.

Stephanie smiles lightly, sitting next to Nate, who has yet to wake up. Ken and Mary-Jane are sitting together as well, the little girl leaning on him, barely staying awake. Mark sighs, "We're probably still in California, somewhere.."

"Possibly," Tyler replies quietly, "Just because we never saw any state or city signs doesn't mean we haven't crossed a border."

"So," Ken chuckles, "We have no idea where we are."

"Does it really matter though?" Stephanie sighs, "We have no real destination in mind, so.. Does it matter if we know where we are? It's okay to be lost, as long as we stay safe."

"She's right," Mark nods, "As long as we stay safe, where we are, without a real destination to get to, doesn't matter."

They all agree, then get ready to sleep for the night, with Tyler keeping watch.

...

Signe sits at the kitchen table, staring at her dead phone, looking at her reflection on the blank screen. She sighs softly, wiping tears from her eyes. She didn't know Phil that long, but losing him still hurt. Now, more than ever, she wishes Jack was right beside her. She missed him a lot, sure, and she thought about him all the time, but this felt different.

She suddenly felt so lost and afraid. He always had a way of making her feel better with just a smile. She tries picturing his smile now, but it did little to help her this time. Just imagining him here with her isn't enough anymore. It's been months, and she hasn't heard a word from him. The last thing she has from him is a text he sent her: Just got off the plane, Mark's coming to pick me up now. Miss you already, wish you could be here.

She never replied, she knew she didn't have to, and he did, too. But now she wished she had. Every passing day, more so than she already was, she mentally kicks herself for not going with him. At the very least, if this is happening everywhere, they could be together. She sighs, closing her eyes. I just have to face facts. I'm never going to see him again.

"Hey, you okay?"

Signe opens her eyes and looks up at the sound of Entoan's soft voice. He smiles slightly, sitting across from her at the table. The house is dark, only a few candles giving them light. The rest of the group was silently scattered through the house, each really doing nothing but avoiding friendly conversation as the sounds of the dead pounding at the walls outside fills the house.

It was time they all faced facts, the world they lived in was truly gone. And they had to adjust, or they'd all end up dead. Signe bites her bottom lip and nods. Entoan sighs softly and reaches out, gently taking her hand. She looks at him and she smiles softly back. She may not have Jack anymore, but at least she has someone to look out for her.

Minx sits in a chair in the living room, listening to the infected that want to take the lives of her and her friends. She twists the rings on her necklace, staring at the ground in thought. Where were they even going? They didn't even have a plan for the long run. If things were getting better, they'd get worse first. Winter's almost here, and they have no real plans of survival.

She closes her hand around the rings, closing her eyes. It's survival of the fittest now, and those who don't step up won't make it. I have to make sure my friends and I won't be the ones that don't make it.