The trio trudged through the dense underbrush, the moonlight barely piercing through the canopy of leaves above. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves. Each step felt heavier, not just from exhaustion but from the weight of the choices they had made.
“Are we almost there?” Liam panted, breaking the silence. “I can’t keep running like this forever.”
“Just a little further,” Sam replied, her voice steady despite the weariness etched on her face. “The ranger station should be close. We need to keep pushing.”
Kelly walked beside Liam, trying to encourage him. “We’ve come this far, Liam. We can’t give up now. Think about what we might find there—food, weapons, a place to rest.”
“Yeah, if we can get in,” Liam muttered, glancing around nervously. “What if it’s already occupied? Or worse, what if the zombies got there first?”
“Then we’ll figure something out,” Kelly reassured him, forcing a smile. “We’ve handled worse, right?”
Sam stopped suddenly, holding up her hand. “Shh. Did you hear that?” 
They all froze, listening intently. The night was eerily quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves. A low growl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down Kelly’s spine.
“What was that?” Liam whispered, eyes wide.
“Zombies,” Sam said, her expression grim. “We need to move—now.”
They picked up the pace, the sounds of the growls growing fainter behind them. As they continued through the woods, the shadows seemed to close in around them, making it feel like the trees were alive with threats lurking in every corner.
After a few more tense minutes, they stumbled upon a narrow dirt path, barely visible through the underbrush.
“There it is!” Sam exclaimed, pointing ahead. “That’s the trail to the ranger station!”
With renewed energy, they dashed down the path, and soon the silhouette of the ranger station came into view. It was a modest wooden structure, surrounded by trees and slightly overgrown, but it appeared intact. 
“Finally,” Liam breathed, relief washing over him. “Let’s hope it’s safe.”
“Let’s check the perimeter first,” Sam suggested, leading the way as they approached the building. 
Kelly followed closely, her heart racing as they reached the door. It creaked ominously as Sam pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit interior. The air inside was stale, carrying the faint smell of mold and neglect.
“Stay close,” Sam ordered, stepping inside. “I’ll take the lead.”
“Got it,” Kelly replied, glancing around the room. The ranger station was filled with dusty shelves and old equipment, a forgotten remnant of a time when people could roam the woods freely. 
As they entered, Liam moved toward a bulletin board covered in yellowed papers. “Look at this! Maps and stuff!” he exclaimed, excitement creeping into his voice.
“Not now,” Sam said sharply. “We need to check for any threats first.”
“Right,” Liam said, deflating slightly. “Just… trying to help.”
Kelly moved to the window, peering outside. “It looks clear, but I can’t see very far.”
“Let’s split up and search the place,” Sam suggested. “Liam, you check the kitchen area. Kelly, you search the back rooms. I’ll cover the front.”
“Okay,” Kelly agreed, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. “Just call if you need anything.”
As Kelly ventured deeper into the station, she opened doors to empty rooms, each one holding remnants of the past—old sleeping bags, dusty first-aid kits, and scattered camping gear. 
“Come on, there has to be something useful here,” she muttered to herself, rifling through a cabinet. She found a small stash of canned food and a few bottles of water, which made her heart lift. 
“Guys!” Kelly called out, her voice echoing in the silence. “I found some supplies!”
“Great!” Sam shouted from the front. “Bring it to the kitchen!”
Kelly quickly gathered the cans and water, making her way back to the main area. As she entered, she saw Liam sitting on the counter, a can of beans in his hand, looking around nervously.
“I don’t think there’s anyone here,” he said, chewing on a piece of jerky. “But it feels like a trap or something.”
“Just be careful,” Sam warned, her tone serious. “We can’t let our guard down.”
Kelly placed the cans on the counter, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “At least we have food for now. We should eat and then figure out our next move.”
“I can’t believe we found this place,” Liam said, his eyes lighting up. “It’s like a treasure trove!”
“It’s a temporary stop, not a treasure,” Sam reminded him. “We can’t stay here for long. If we attract too much attention, we’ll be in trouble.”
“Yeah, but we could set up defenses,” Kelly suggested, excitement creeping into her voice. “We could barricade the doors, keep watch…”
“Exactly,” Sam agreed, a hint of a smile breaking through her serious demeanor. “We can make this work for now, but we need to stay alert.”
They took a moment to eat, the small meal feeling like a feast after days of running. As they finished, Sam laid out a few maps she had found on the table. 
“Alright, let’s talk about our next steps,” she said, spreading the maps out. “We need to find a safer place to stay and build a stronger community if we want to survive.”
“Do you really think we can find a community?” Kelly asked, her hope wavering. “I mean, it feels like everyone’s out for themselves.”
“There are rumors,” Sam replied, her eyes focused on the map. “Some people have set up safe havens in the mountains, away from the cities. But it’ll take time to reach them, and we’ll need to gather more supplies along the way.”
“Sounds like an adventure,” Liam said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the moment.
“Or a death sentence if we’re not careful,” Sam reminded him. “We have to be smart about this. No rushing in without a plan.”
Kelly nodded, her mind racing. “What about the people we met? The couple? Do we go back for them?”
Sam frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. “We can’t risk our safety for someone we don’t know. It’s a harsh reality, but we have to look out for ourselves first.”
“I know, but…” Kelly started, her voice faltering. “What if they’re still out there, needing help?”
“Then we’ll help them later,” Sam said firmly. “Right now, our priority is making sure we’re secure. We can’t take unnecessary risks.”
“Okay,” Kelly conceded, but the guilt lingered in her heart. “What’s the plan for tonight then?”
“We’ll set up watch shifts,” Sam said, her tone professional. “We’ll sleep in shifts, and one person will keep an eye out at all times. If anything happens, we need to be ready to react quickly.”
“Agreed,” Liam said, looking relieved to have some structure. “I can take the first watch.”
“No,” Sam replied, shaking her head. “You need rest. Kelly and I will take the first shift. You can have the next one.”
“Are you sure?” Liam asked, concern creeping into his voice.
“Yes. Just trust us,” Sam insisted, her eyes meeting his. “We’ll keep watch. You need to sleep.”
“Alright, fine,” Liam said reluctantly. “I just hope it’s quiet out there.”
With the plan set, they began to settle in for the night. Kelly felt a mix of anxiety and relief as she closed her eyes, the sounds of the forest surrounding them. For the first time in days, they had a moment of calm—an opportunity to regroup and strategize.
But as sleep began to take her, Kelly couldn’t shake the feeling that danger was still lurking just beyond their temporary sanctuary. She hoped they could find a way to survive, but the reality of their world was heavy on her heart.
“Stay strong, Kelly,” she whispered to herself as she drifted into a restless sleep. “You can do this.”
As the night wore on, the darkness held its secrets close, and the trio remained vigilant in their quest for survival, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.