After Death (Completed)

匚卄卂卩ㄒ乇尺 ５ (Trip across the Country)

Chapter 5: Trip Around The Country

Ethan Warren

April, 2023

11 months after outbreak

Minnesota

Season 2

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There were more dead out now; I don't know if it was the warmer weather or what, but it gave me bad memories.

The school.

Connor.

The apartment.

I wanted to kill every single one of them that I saw. I blamed them for everything they've done to us. I clenched my fists, feeling the anger boiling inside me. The sight of the undead triggered a flood of painful memories, reminding me of all the suffering we had endured because of them.

"Khai had a good idea yesterday," I said when I noticed everyone but Juna was awake.

"What was it?" Dallen asked.

"We're going to head to the west coast. We're going to California." The idea of going to California seemed like a fresh start, a chance to escape the haunting memories that the apartment held. The thought of being surrounded by the vast ocean and warm sun brought a glimpse of optimism amidst the darkness that had consumed us for so long.

"What's in California?" Rudi asked.

"We can find a boat and get to an island. Have a fresh start," Khai smiled to herself. She was proud of her idea, but the others seemed skeptical. They had been through so much already, and the idea of starting over on an unfamiliar island seemed daunting. However, deep down, they all knew that staying on the road was no longer an option if they wanted to truly move on and find peace.

"We need supplies; we're low on food and ammo. We have no idea what's out there," Aiden pointed out. "We can't just jump into this without a plan," Dallen added, his voice filled with concern. They all knew that venturing to an unfamiliar island would require careful preparation and consideration of potential dangers.

"Exactly. We're not going to find those things if we don't look. There's nothing left for us in Minnesota. Why stay here?" I asked, taking a glance in my rear-view mirror and glancing at the others suspicious stares. I could sense their hesitation, but I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that this journey was our only chance to actually stay alive. "Besides," I continued, trying to convince them, "we've survived worse situations before."

"What about our families? What if they're looking for us? Come on, Ethan, think about your sister," Aaron said. I really didn't want to think about her. I've already come to accept that she's dead. Aaron had a point. I knew the others didn't all see it the same way, but I've learned to assume our parents ended up like almost everyone else in the world.

"We've practically gone all over the state; if your families are alive, they're not here anyway," Leah blankly said. She hadn't spoken for quite some time, her comment caught everyone off guard.

"We're going to the coast; it's not up for debate. Besides, you all know it's a good idea; you just have your doubts because you're scared. And that's fine; it's fine to be scared, but this is our lives that we're talking about; this is Juna's life that we're talking about," I said, taking charge of the situation.

"Okay," Rudi sighed, "we'll go." Relief washed over me as Rudi finally agreed. I knew convincing everyone wouldn't be easy, but their safety was my top priority.

"But what if there are no boats?" Edin asked.

"We'll figure something out, Edin. And who knows, maybe we'll find some place on the way, a community, and then we can forget about the coast because we'll be safe there," I said abruptly. The others stayed silent. Though I could sense their doubt, I like to think I knew what was best.

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Rudolph Alinsky

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I hated Ethan's plan. Something about it just seemed off. He was being selfish. He wasn't letting any of us speak our minds. I knew that our safety was at stake, but I couldn't help but question Ethan's motives. It felt like he was prioritizing his own desires over the well-being of the group. His impulsive decision-making made me uneasy, and I wished he would consider our opinions before jumping to conclusions.

We are weak, self-taught fighters with a baby on our hands now. We needed to be more careful. The dead aren't what we should be running from; they're not what we should be afraid of. The dead are mindless creatures; the living are dangerous. I know what Lucas is; Ethan does too. But he's looking past that when he shouldn't. Ethan may not have noticed it, but I did. The whole time we were at the apartment, Lucas was nothing more than a homophobic, pedophile, and a asshole. He threatened Ethan, and while I know Ethan hates keeping him in this group, I know he thinks that people like Lucas are as bad as it gets. You don't survive in this world unless you're a murderer. Most of us aren't, but we will be; otherwise, we'll just be rotting flesh.