“What took you so long to find us? I thought if you made it back you would be here not less than a day after us.” Alex asked. Her face clearly held the guilt she felt. Easton and Candace looked at each other.
“That’s a story we’ll have to tell you. But we should probably handle that mess first,” Easton said, motioning to the infected that were collecting at the gate.
Alex nodded hesitantly. Easton could see her weighing options in her mind. He took the choice out of her hands by pulling his bat and twisting his wrist a few times, warming up. She watched him and smiled, nodding again. They had their routine of taking down the infected and they could handle this.
Candace stepped back and Alex gave her the code to the gate so she could open and close it for them. Alex slipped through the gate first, firing her 9 mm into the first infected’s head. Easton followed quickly, swinging his bat in a familiar motion, his body knowing exactly how much force he needed to exert behind each blow. And Marcus joined them at the rear, cleaning up the few that were still approaching with his own handgun.
Closing the gate, Candace watching the scene raptly. Alex was the perfect leader for Easton. In this world he needed someone that would teach him strength and courage. Candace said a small prayer and thank you to her own deceased mother, who had made the decision to entrust Alex Duncan with their lives.
Candace watched Alex pull her bowie knife and begin to stab infected in the heads. She moved with grace and practice, and Candace felt a little pride well up in her. This was her family. Her surrogate mother, her brother, fighting to protect what was theirs. Glancing at Marcus, who was always doing his own thing, Candace thought maybe someday she would consider him part of their family too.
That day wasn’t tonight though. When the trio came back to the gate, Candace opened it for them to squeeze through. They were all out of breath from their raged battle. She turned to watch them. Alex reached over and squeezed Easton’s shoulder, giving him a look of praise, her eyes filled with pride in her pupil.
Joining Alex, they walked up the hill that lead to the RV and house. Alex swung her arm over Candace’s shoulders, pulling her into a side hug as they walked. Easton joined them, putting his arm around them both. The kids were no longer lost, no longer alone. They were finally home.
Sundown Series (Novella): Alone Page 8