The group prepared to leave the farmhouse. Glenn’s sudden appearance had offered them a fleeting sense of safety, but with the growing threat of zombies and the looming uncertainty of their path forward, their fleeting peace didn’t last long.
 “Do you think it’s safe to go out now?” Adrian asked, his voice laced with doubt. He was standing by the door, watching the horizon through a crack in the window.
 Rafael didn’t hesitate in answering. “We’ve been here too long. If we stay much longer, we’re just inviting trouble. We need to keep moving.”
 The decision was made quickly, though the reluctance was clear in everyone’s eyes. It had only been a day since they had settled in the farmhouse, and now they were leaving it behind, yet again.
 “I’ll take the lead,” Rafael said, picking up his pack and slinging it over his shoulder. He looked at each of them, his eyes steady. “We’ve got to stay quiet and move fast. The longer we stay exposed, the more vulnerable we become.”
 Glenn nodded, tightening his grip on his weapon. “Got it. But we need to be careful. I spotted some infected on the way here. They’re lurking around the outskirts of the town, so we should take the back roads.”
 With that, they set out, their footsteps heavy as they moved through the overgrown fields behind the farmhouse. Lena kept close, her eyes darting around, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The world seemed unnervingly silent, the kind of silence that felt like it was waiting for something to break it.
 As they walked, Lena couldn’t help but think about what they had lost. What they were running from. The memories of a life before the outbreak—before everything had fallen apart—felt so distant, like they belonged to someone else.
 “I used to love mornings,” Kai said suddenly, breaking the silence. She was walking beside Lena, her voice soft but carrying the weight of grief. “Now, it’s just another day to survive.”
 Lena gave her a look of understanding. “I know what you mean. I used to look forward to so many little things… and now, everything is just survival.”
 Kai sighed. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this. Running. Hiding. Every day is the same. Every day is a fight.”
 Rafael heard their conversation and turned back, his gaze sharp. “We don’t have time to dwell on what’s behind us. We keep moving forward, no matter how hard it gets. That’s the only way we survive.”
 There was an edge to his voice that made Lena stop and consider his words. Rafael was their rock, their leader, the one who kept them going even when the world seemed lost. But even he couldn’t hide the exhaustion in his eyes. Lena knew it wasn’t just the physical toll that was wearing him down. It was everything—the constant fear, the loss, the uncertainty of each step they took.
 They walked in silence for a while, the weight of their situation pressing down on them like a constant, unshakable fog. The world around them had changed so much, and sometimes Lena found herself wondering if they could ever go back.
 Eventually, they reached a narrow dirt road that led through a dense thicket of trees. The road was quiet—too quiet—and Rafael held up a hand, signaling for everyone to stop.
 “We need to be cautious here,” he said in a hushed tone. “This is the path I took last time I was in the area. We need to move quickly but quietly. The infected tend to hang around these parts, and they’re fast.”
 Glenn stepped forward, taking a position on the edge of the group. “I’ll keep an eye on the rear.”
 Lena glanced back at the others, her heart racing. She felt exposed in the open space of the road, and every crackling leaf or distant noise felt like it could be a threat. It had become second nature for her to jump at every sound. The world had turned into a place where danger lurked around every corner.
 The group moved forward, their footsteps muffled by the dense brush underfoot. Rafael led the way, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, while the rest of them followed closely, trying to maintain the quietest steps possible.
 As they pushed through the trees, the path ahead began to narrow, and the thick undergrowth began to close in on them. Lena felt the weight of the moment—the eerie stillness, the feeling that at any moment, something could go wrong.
 Then, as they reached a clearing, they heard it.
 A low growl.
 It was faint at first, but it was unmistakable. It was the sound of something undead—something dangerous—moving through the trees.
 Rafael held up his hand, and the group froze. Lena’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in fear.
 “Stay still,” Rafael whispered, his voice steady. He reached for his knife, his movements slow and deliberate. The growl grew louder, and suddenly, a figure staggered into view. It was an infected—its face pale, its clothes torn, and its eyes vacant and wild. It wasn’t alone.
 Behind it, more figures began to emerge from the trees.
 “We need to go,” Glenn said urgently, his voice low. “We can’t fight them all.”
 Rafael nodded. “Get ready to run.”
 Without warning, Rafael lunged forward, taking out the first infected with a swift blow. But the others were quick, and within moments, they were surrounded. Lena’s pulse thundered in her ears as she grabbed her weapon—a crowbar—and swung it at the nearest zombie, feeling a sickening thud as it made contact.
 “Run!” Rafael yelled, and the group bolted, darting through the clearing and back onto the road.
 They ran with everything they had, pushing their bodies past their limits as the sound of chasing footsteps grew louder behind them. Lena’s breath came in ragged gasps, her legs aching, but she couldn’t stop. They couldn’t stop.
 Through the trees, they saw the distant outline of a building ahead—a gas station, perhaps, or a store. It didn’t matter. It was shelter, and it was their only chance.
 They reached the building and scrambled inside, slamming the door shut behind them. The group stood there for a moment, panting and gasping for breath, eyes wide with fear and adrenaline.
 “We made it,” Rafael said, his voice steady, though his hands were trembling. “But we can’t stay here long. It’s too dangerous.”
 Lena’s heart still raced, but she forced herself to calm down. They had escaped. For now, they were safe.
 But in her gut, a gnawing feeling told her that the danger was far from over.