Chapter 8: The World Is Filled With Surprises
Zara stepped out of the store, pushing open the door with a cautious glance back at the shelves and aisles she'd just left behind. The sky was strange—an unsettling shade of red streaked with dark, swirling clouds that twisted and rolled like an angry sea.
She bit her lip, her mind returning to Leo, who was hopefully safely tucked away in the storeroom.
Even for a moment, the idea of leaving him alone had left her in knots, but she'd had no choice—she needed supplies, a plan, anything to keep them going.
She needed to learn more about this cache that those people had discussed. Zara glanced back at the door, worry prickling her mind. Leo would be fine, she told herself—she'd made sure of it—but her heart felt tugging back toward him.
Zara took a breath, steadying herself, and started forward, her steps light and cautious. Just a few blocks away, she reasoned. Just enough to check if there were any clues to a food cache left by others or a random house that hadn't been raided. If she planned on travelling inland with Leo, she needed everything.
As she passed a shadowed alley, the soft sound of shuffling caught her attention. Her heart stopped, and she flattened herself against the brick wall, glancing to the side.
A pair of zombies, their movements jerky and aimless, staggered past her hiding place. She held her breath, body tense until they vanished down the alley. Her pulse thudded in her throat as she exhaled shakily.
What am I doing? she thought, her eyes darting down the street. She wasn't even sure what she was looking for—her plan was a mess, half-baked, reckless. But it was too late to turn back empty-handed.
*****
Inside the store, Leo sat in the corner, his small frame huddled under a makeshift blanket. He'd been quiet like Mommy had asked, but he was bored. His toys were in front of him—blocks, a little car, a soft stuffed bunny. But his mind wandered as he fidgeted, wondering why he couldn't play outside like he used to.
He reached out, wanting his favourite ball with the bright red star. And then, as if by magic, it was in his hand, appearing without him even having to think about it.