Those Who Survive

Promise In The Night

Felix stands in front of the window, watching between the boards, watching as the shadows from the trees are roaming the land far enough from the house while also being too close. This is what he was afraid of, but he didn't expect them to move this quickly. It won't be safe to stay much longer, he knows it's now or never. He crosses the living room quickly and throws open the door to the room he and Jack share.

Jack sits up instantly, startled awake by the noise. In an instant, he has his knife in hand, "What's going on?!"

Felix quickly moves to him, grabbing the wrist holding the knife, "It's just me. Get up and get packed, we need to leave, now."

Jack frowns back at him, pushing the covers back as Felix releases him, "What? Why? What's happening?"

"Just do it, I have to wake the others." Felix replies before hurrying off.

Jack gets out of bed quickly and grabs his flashlight from the bedside table. He turns it on, shining the light around so he can find everything he needs as fast as possible. One by one, everyone's woken with little explanation other than they need to pack up and leave. All except for Ken, who demands answers. He grabs Felix by the shoulder before he can run off again, "Felix, slow down, tell me what's going on."

Felix turns back to him, looking distressed, "We knew the infected were in the woods, well they're in our front yard now, and a lot of them. We can't stay here, we need to get out of here before they tear this place apart."

Ken frowns, "Maybe they'll just pass by us. Stephanie's not really in good condition to be traveling and neither is Nate, not to mention how bad it is to have a baby out in the snow."

"It won't just blow over!" Felix groans, "We can't stay here, we have to go while we still have a chance! They've been coming this way for awhile, and they're spilling out of the goddamn trees, Ken!"

"Please, Ken," Felix begs, "just help me get everyone out of here safely."

Ken nods, "Calm down, I'm with you."

Felix nods, running a nervous hand through his hair. No other words are said as he turns and runs off to pack his bags as well. Ken's worried, for sure. Nate is barely getting over his infection, and Stephanie's still recovering from childbirth and almost dying. It won't be easy, but he knows they don't have a choice. Felix is known to make a big deal out of things, but their survival has never been something he's messed around with.

"You know I'm right here, right?" Nate groans, sitting up in his bed, "I can defend myself. Besides, if a herd's at our front door, leaving probably is the best option. We all remember the remains of Mary-Jane's house.."

"Yeah," Ken nods, turning to him, "Help me pack the bags. We can't delay."

After everyone gets packed, they meet back up in the living room.

"Do we have a plan of action?" Mark asks.

"Steph," Felix turns to her and she looks up. He continues, "Think you can run?"

She nods, "I'll be alright."

"She shouldn't be running," Ken states.

"We don't really have a choice," Felix replies grimly before looking to Nate, "Can you run?"

Nate frowns, "Not very well."

"Mark?" Felix finally returns to him, "Think your ankle's healed enough to run?"

"I might be a little slow, but I can do it." Mark replies, "So, what's the plan?"

"There's six of us, besides the baby," Felix explains quickly, "Stephanie and Nate are going to need the most help, and we have to be quick and quiet. And most importantly, we can't get split up here. We can't use our flashlights, so we have to stay together. Me, Jack, and Ken are the most able-bodied, so I'll help Steph, Ken can help Nate, and Jack can make sure Mark keeps up."

"What about the baby?" Ken asks.

"I have him." Stephanie says, "He's wrapped in a little sheet to keep him a little warmer."

"I'll help you with him." Felix smiles softly at her before addressing the group again, "We have to get as far away as possible. Mark and Jack, you guys are going to have to keep any Infected away from us if you can, since you're the ones with less things to do."

Jack nods, "You can count on us."

Mark agrees, and then they all head for the back door. Mark and Jack take off first, and like he knew, Mark's not able to run very fast, but he can move quickly enough. Jack stays by him, knife in hand. Mark also has his weapon drawn and he keeps an eye out, but it's hard to see well in the dark. Felix and Stephanie follow close behind them, but Stephanie's having trouble running at all. Felix keeps an arm around her shoulder to keep her steady. His other hand has his weapon, just in case. Ken follows last with Nate.

Nate can run a little, barely able to keep up as he grits his teeth and keeps his arm wrapped tightly around himself. Ken keeps an arm on him, same as Felix, pushing Nate to run just a little faster. They run towards the east, towards the road leading to the town they had found supplies in barely a week prior. Jack leads them towards the woods to try and cover the group from the herd as well as cut across to the road which he knows is just on the other side of the small clump of trees.

They keep running, and Stephanie stumbles as Oliver starts to cry. They know the Infected can hear it, as a few guttural screams ring out from the direction of the house. Felix tries to pull Stephanie along faster, "Guys, they can hear the baby, we need to get out of here, now!"

Jack and Mark stop and turn back. Jack calls out, "You guys go, we'll hold them off! We'll meet you in town, at that house off the first street!"

"No!" Felix gasps, trying to turn back, but Jack pushes him forward, "Worry about the others, we'll meet up with you!"

"Come on!" Ken swiftly lifts Nate into his arms, causing Nate to yell out from the pain. Ken takes off in a sprint and Felix attempts to do the same with Stephanie. He lags behind Ken, but he's going fast enough. Mark and Jack exchange looks, Mark's trembling. Jack takes a deep breath, his grip on his knife tightening, "As long as it's not a real big group coming at us at once, we can handle this."

"And if it is..?" Mark swallows, his hands clenched so hard his knuckles turn white.

Jack looks him straight in the eye, "Do the best we can, and then you find them. In town, to the left off the first street there's a house with green shutters. That's where they'll be, if you don't catch up to them before then."

Mark's eyes widen, "I won't just let you die."

"If the situation is too much, you have to survive," Jack states, "You are our only hope of potentially ending this thing. You have to protect yourself, Mark. No matter what."

A group of six infected come sprinting towards them, breaking into the treeline ahead. Jack stares at Mark intensely, "Promise me!"

Mark looks back at him, tears in his eyes.

"I promise."