As Uncle patched up my leg to the best of his abilities, I looked over at Dad, who was now sitting in the grass, staring into space. "Tommie, will you help me to Dad?" I asked quietly. Tommie nodded, getting up from the truck before picking me up and walking over to Dad. "Just sit me next to him," I said, and Tommie obliged, setting me down beside Dad, who still hadn't said a word. "Could you give us space?" I requested. Tommie walked away toward Quin, who was finding a clean shirt for him to put on.

"Dad..." I started.

"Ash," Dad cut me off, his voice on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to act that way seeing you reminded me of your mother. I froze I didn't know what to do. I failed you, Ashta."

I smiled and leaned into Dad. "Dad, do you remember when I was little, I think six?"

I saw Dad searching with his eyes before a smile formed. "Yeah, you were a little terror at that age."

I giggled but winced in pain from my leg. "Dad, when I was six, you took me to a skate park because Jake wanted to learn how to skate. Seeing Jake have so much fun, I wanted to try, so when Jake took a break, I grabbed his skateboard and went down the ramp, thinking it couldn't be that hard. I fell immediately, grazing my elbow and breaking my ankle."

Dad snickered. "You screamed like a banshee that day."

I let out a laugh. "I did, didn't I? But when it happened, you dropped everything to rush to my side. You had no idea what you were doing you aren't a doctor, you're a dad with little medical knowledge but you were there."

He looked at me, his expression softening. "And today, Dad, just because you froze doesn't mean you failed me. You were there, and that's all I need from you."

Dad wept. "How is it that you're the one injured, yet you're still so strong?"

"Well, with a brother like Jake, someone has to be the strong one in the family," I replied as we both glanced over at Jake, who was scratching his armpit.

"Dad, I'm sorry I got shot, but I'm still here. I'm right next to you, alive. It won't be like Mum."

Dad nodded, his eyes filled with emotion. "I needed that. Thank you, Ashta."

Uncle walked over to us, his expression grim. "We're going to need to get you some antibiotics so your body can fight off the infection in your leg." Dad stood up, his shoulders tense. "We're close to the town; there's a pharmacy there. We can get what we need."

Uncle nodded firmly. "Right, let's get back in the cars and head to the town. I want to get there before sundown."

"Is it safe in the town?" Riley asked, her voice laced with apprehension. "We've already had someone attack us; who's to say there aren't more people in town who would do the same?"

I hadn't considered that risk, but Quin quickly chimed in, "We have to go. Ash needs medicine."

"There could be someone who can help us too," I added, wiping the sweat off my forehead, feeling the heat rising. Uncle glanced around at all of us, assessing our faces for any signs of hesitation.

"We won't know until we get there," he replied decisively, climbing into the truck. Dad helped me up and into the back seat of the car with Tommie, his grip gentle but protective.

"Do you need me?" Dad asked, concern etched into his features.

"No, I think I'm okay. I'm just going to sleep," I said, hoping to ease his worries.

Tommie settled into the driver's seat, glancing back at me with a hint of concern. "Are you sure you're okay back there?" he asked, his voice steady.

I nodded, and soon we were all piled into the cars, the engines rumbling to life as we hit the road. I eventually fell asleep, the motion of the car lulling me despite the discomfort.

When I awoke, the car was still moving, Tommie focused on the road, the fading sunlight casting a warm glow through the windows. I sat up slowly, feeling a wave of heat wash over me. "Tommie," I said softly, "I know we need to be careful with fuel, but could you turn on the air-conditioning for a little?"

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, concern deepening in his eyes. "Hey, how'd you sleep? I've had the air-conditioning on for a while now. Are you feeling hot?"

"I slept okay, but yeah, it's really hot back here."

Tommie leaned over to adjust the controls, the cool air rushing out as he turned it up. "You do look flushed. Let me know if this helps. How's your leg feeling?"

Now that he mentioned it, I realized I hadn't felt much pain. I looked down at my leg; it seemed fine at first glance, but as I inspected it more closely, a knot of worry formed in my stomach. "I think it's okay?" I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Tommie raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Okay?"

I nodded, though uncertainty crept in. "It's not hurting."

Tommie's expression shifted, a serious look replacing his earlier concern. "Ashta, take off the bandages and show me."

Without hesitation, I began unwrapping the bandages, my heart racing. As I peeled them away, the sight of my leg made my stomach drop. It was red, swollen, and oozing pus, a stark contrast to the bandages that had once been clean. Tommie's eyes widened in shock, his jaw tightening. "Ashta, how is your leg already infected?"

"What do you mean? That's too quick," I replied, panic rising in my chest. "Are you sure it's infected?"

Tommie nodded, his worry escalating. "Ash, your leg looks like a balloon. You need proper medical attention right now."

Without waiting another moment, Tommie slammed his foot down on the gas, the engine roaring to life as he sped past Jake's car, adrenaline surging through him. He pulled alongside Dad and Uncle, urgency radiating from him. Motioning for them to roll down their windows, he shouted, "Ashta needs antibiotics or a doctor now; her leg's gotten worse!"

With a determined grip on the steering wheel, Tommie accelerated even more, driving toward the town as fast as he could, the others quickly following in our wake. The fading sun cast long shadows across the road, heightening the urgency of our mission. My heart raced, each beat echoing the fear of what lay ahead.

As we approached the town, I felt the tension thickening in the air. The once-familiar streets now seemed ominous, shadows lurking in the corners of my vision. "What if there's still danger?" I whispered, half to myself.

Tommie glanced at me, his grip on the wheel tightening. "We'll be careful, Ash. Just hang in there."

The town loomed ahead, its buildings dark and silent against the backdrop of the twilight sky. As we entered, the unsettling quiet wrapped around us like a thick fog. I could sense everyone's anxiety Riley fidgeting in her seat, Dad's eyes darting around, scanning for threats.

Tommie slowed down, scanning the streets as he drove. "Look for a pharmacy or a clinic," he said, determination fueling his words. "We need to act fast."

In that moment, I knew I had to trust him and all of us because our survival depended on it.

As we drove deeper into the town, the air grew thick with dread, the remnants of civilization shrouded in darkness. The streets, once filled with life, now felt like a graveyard, the silhouettes of abandoned buildings looming like specters against the dimming sky. Shadows flickered in the corners of my vision, twisting and writhing as if they had a life of their own.

Tommie's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his eyes scanning the desolate landscape. "Stay alert," he murmured, the tension in his voice palpable. The oppressive silence was broken only by the distant rustle of leaves and the soft thud of our heartbeat in our ears.

Suddenly, we spotted a crumbling structure a pharmacy, its windows shattered and darkened. The front door hung ajar, creaking ominously in the evening breeze. My heart raced, knowing we had no choice but to venture inside.

"Let's move," Tommie said, a note of urgency creeping into his tone. Dad helped me out of the car, and I leaned heavily on him as we approached the entrance, each step echoing like a countdown to our doom.

Inside, the air was stale and musty, filled with the scent of decay. The shelves loomed over us, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out, eager to ensnare us. Dust motes floated in the air, illuminated by the last dying light filtering through the broken windows.

"Grab what you can," Uncle said, his voice low and urgent. I shuffled forward, but a faint sound stopped me a soft, shuffling noise coming from the back of the store.

I exchanged a worried glance with Tommie. "Did you hear that?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

He nodded, eyes wide. "We should hurry."

Just then, a low, guttural growl echoed through the darkened aisles, sending a chill down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced toward the source of the sound. The shadows shifted, and a figure staggered into view a gaunt, disheveled man, his clothes torn and matted with what looked like blood.

"Help! Please!" he rasped, his eyes wide with terror, but there was something off about him a strange, vacant hunger lurking beneath the surface.

Dad stepped forward cautiously. "What happened?" he asked, trying to calm the man.

"They're coming!" the man cried, panic lacing his voice. "You have to get out! They're not human anymore!"

A horrible realization gripped me. The growls outside were growing louder, joined by more shuffling footsteps. My instincts screamed at me to run, but fear rooted me to the spot.

Uncle grabbed my arm. "We need to get the antibiotics and go. Now."

I rushed toward the shelves, grabbing whatever supplies I could find bandages, antiseptic. The air felt electric with dread as the sounds grew closer, the shadows seeming to pulse around us.

Suddenly, the front door crashed open, and the first of the figures staggered inside a gaunt creature with hollow eyes and a mouth twisted in a grotesque snarl.

"Go! Go!" Uncle yelled, shoving me toward the exit.

Tommie was right behind me, his face pale as we rushed out into the night, the cool air hitting us like a slap. We piled into the car, the terror of what we'd just seen washing over us.

"Drive!" I shouted, panic rising in my throat.

Tommie slammed the door shut as the first creature lurched toward us, its growls echoing in the darkness. The engine roared to life, and he sped down the street, the shadows chasing after us, hunger and desperation writ large on their twisted faces.

As we tore away from the nightmare behind us, the sense of foreboding didn't lift. The darkness pressed in around us, the haunting sounds of the town fading but never truly disappearing, lurking just beyond the edges of our consciousness. We were alive, but at what cost? The night had only just begun, and the true horror was still waiting in the shadows.

As Tommie sped away from the pharmacy, closely trailing Dad's truck and Jake's car, the adrenaline that had kept me going began to drain from my body. The sharp, throbbing pain in my leg, which had been masked by the rush, suddenly erupted, searing through my nerves like fire. I couldn't hold it in anymore I screamed, clutching my leg, feeling the blood-soaked bandage slip slightly as the wound throbbed beneath it.

Tommie shot a glance over his shoulder, his brow furrowed in panic as his eyes locked on me in the backseat. His voice was loud, strained.

"Ash, are you okay?" he yelled, trying to be heard over my sobs. But there was no hiding the fear in his voice, no disguising the worry that crept into his expression.

"No, it hurts... it hurts so much more!" I cried, each word tumbling out through ragged breaths. The sharp, agonizing pain surged with every jolt of the car, and I could feel the warmth of fresh blood leaking through my fingers as I pressed down on the wound.

For just a moment, Tommie's attention slipped. He turned back toward me, his eyes flashing with concern but that second, that brief flicker, was all it took.

The headlights of Dad's truck and Jake's car vanished. We were alone.

"Shit!" Tommie cursed under his breath, whipping his head back to the road in front of us. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles pale from the grip.

"What?" I asked, my voice shaky, tears now spilling over as a fresh wave of pain and fear gripped me. I could barely breathe, the panic rising in my throat.

"I've lost them!" His voice broke, frustration blending with fear. "I looked away for one second... just a goddamn second, and I've lost them!" He scanned the empty road ahead, his eyes darting back and forth as though willing the cars to reappear, but there was nothing only the dark, lonely road stretching into the distance.

Panic seized me. The thought of being separated from them, of being stranded in this nightmare with no one but Tommie and my bleeding leg, overwhelmed me. "What will we do? You have to find them, Tommie! *Please*, we can't lose them!" My words rushed out in a desperate flurry, the urgency of the situation clawing at my chest. "We're going to be left out here alone! It's dangerous! You have to turn around! We need to find them before it's too late!"

Tommie's jaw clenched, and he didn't look at me. The frustration radiated off him in waves, his breathing growing more ragged by the second. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "Will you just shut up!?" he shouted, his voice cracking with fury. "If you hadn't gotten shot in the first place, none of this would've happened! We wouldn't even be in this mess!"

His words cut through me, sharp and cold. "Useless!" The word echoed in my mind, reverberating like a slap across the face. My heart sank as the weight of his anger settled over me, pushing me deeper into the seat. I froze, my breath caught in my throat, too stunned to respond.

The pain in my leg seemed to fade in that moment, overshadowed by the ache in my chest. I stared at him, blinking through the tears that blurred my vision, unable to speak, unable to move. The car rattled down the road, the sound of the tires against the asphalt the only thing breaking the suffocating silence between us.

I sank back into the seat, curling into myself, the sharp sting of his words lingering long after they were spoken. The fear of losing Dad and Jake was now mixed with the crushing realization that we were truly alone and that, for the first time, I couldn't rely on Tommie to make things better.

Tommie continued to drive, his knuckles still gripping the steering wheel as if he could control the entire world with that one motion. The weight of his outburst hung heavy between us, an uncomfortable silence settling in as night took over. The road stretched on endlessly, lit only by the weak glow of the car's headlights. Tommie's eyes flickered to every shadow, desperately searching for any sign of Dad, Jake, or the others.

Meanwhile, I could feel my leg burning up, the fiery heat spreading across the wound. The redness had overtaken my leg, and despite my best efforts to keep pressure on the bandages, the pain throbbed relentlessly. I had managed to stop the bleeding—at least for now—but it felt useless. I only had a few supplies, and the rest of what I needed was with Uncle, miles away, maybe even farther. A million thoughts raced through my mind, one crashing into another, making it hard to think straight.

I wanted to talk to Tommie, to break the suffocating tension, but I couldn't find the words after his outburst. He was stressed, I knew that. Scared too. We all were. But there was nothing I could say to ease the weight he was carrying. It felt like one wrong word could tip him over the edge.

The car rattled on, the sound of the tires on the cracked pavement the only noise for miles, until a strange sputtering broke through the silence. The car jolted slightly, and Tommie glanced down at the dashboard, his expression darkening.

"Shit," he muttered quietly, almost to himself. "We need to refuel."

His words pierced the silence, and for the first time since his outburst, I felt a sliver of hope. I took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to speak, knowing the risk. "Maybe... we can stay somewhere for the night?" I suggested softly, my voice wavering. "We could look for everyone when it's light out?"

Tommie's jaw clenched, and for a second, I thought he might ignore me, but then he snapped, his voice sharper than the cool night air. "And what good would that do? You can barely walk, we have no fuel, and the fuel we do have is on the back of your dad's truck. We have no weapons, no plan, no nothing." His voice rose with each word, frustration bubbling to the surface. "How are we supposed to survive the night like this?"

"Tommie, I-" I started, trying to say something anything that might help. But before I could continue, he cut me off, his tone weary and strained.

"No, Ashta. Please don't speak," he said, his voice almost pleading this time, a crack of vulnerability slipping through. "I really need to focus."

His words silenced me, and I sank back against the seat, feeling even smaller than before. The weight of helplessness pressed down on me. Tommie's frustration mirrored my own, but I didn't know how to reach him. Instead, I stared out the window into the endless darkness, wondering how much longer we could keep this up wondering how much longer *I* could keep this up.

Tommie pulled the car over by a small, run-down unit home, the headlights barely illuminating the cracked driveway. "Stay in the car and just be quiet," he demanded, his voice sharp and firm. I nodded silently, my heart pounding as I watched him get out. He paused, surveying the dark surroundings, his posture tense.

I could see the nervousness in his every move, the way he cautiously approached the front door of the unit, as if expecting something to jump out at him. His hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment, hesitating, before he twisted it. The door creaked open with eerie ease, the sound slicing through the still night air. A shiver ran down my spine, and I watched as Tommie disappeared inside.

Inside the house, Tommie was immediately met with thick, suffocating silence. The darkness swallowed everything, the air heavy with a strange stillness. Sweat trickled down his forehead, partly from the oppressive heat and partly from the fear gripping his chest. Every creak of the floorboards beneath his feet seemed to echo, each step louder than the last.

The unit was small, with only three doors a bathroom and two bedrooms. Tommie approached the first room cautiously, nudging the door open with his foot. It was empty from what he could see, though the darkness made it difficult to be sure. His heart raced as he quietly closed the door, moving to the next room. Again, nothing. He closed that door too.

Taking a deep breath, Tommie did a quick sweep of the small kitchen and living area. The house was completely abandoned, no signs of life anywhere. He let out a shaky exhale, feeling a slight sense of relief as he walked back toward the front door.

Just as he stepped outside, something hit him hard from the left, knocking him to the ground. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" a gruff voice growled from above him. I jolted upright in the car, my heart leaping into my throat as I saw Tommie on the ground, someone towering over him.

Tommie struggled, trying to push the man off, but the stranger had a strong grip, pinning him down with ease. "Get off of me!" Tommie yelled, his voice filled with panic. The noise echoed through the silent night, and I felt dread wash over me.

"You brat, now you've done it," the man sneered, raising his fist before slamming it into Tommie's face. I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat.

"Tommie!" I shouted, throwing the car door open and ignoring the pain in my leg as I darted toward him. Using every ounce of strength I had left, I pushed the man off Tommie. "Tommie, let's go!" I urged, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him up. But before we could make it back to the car, I heard it—a low, guttural growl coming from the shadows around us.

Panic surged through me as the growls multiplied, closing in. Tommie and I scrambled to get to the car, but as I took a step forward, my leg gave out beneath me, and I collapsed to the ground.

"Ashta!?" Tommie yelled, turning to see me lying on the asphalt.

"My leg... I can't feel it," I gasped, my body trembling as the pain and exhaustion overwhelmed me. Sweat poured down my face, and the world around me started to blur. The sounds grew fainter, distant, as my vision darkened.

"Ashta!" I heard Tommie's voice calling out to me, frantic and desperate, but it was fading fast. I saw him rushing toward me just before everything went black.