The Last Dawn
Chapter 12: Saying Goodbyes

After a long and arduous journey through the city’s outskirts, the group finally arrived at the smaller bridge. It was a reminder what was behind them, the chaotic scene they had witnessed at the main bridge. This one was older and more modest, spanning a narrow part of the river. Most importantly, it was quiet and seemingly untouched by the chaos that had engulfed the city.

The light of the evening sun cast a serene glow over the bridge, offering a moment of peace amidst the turmoil they had faced. The river below flowed gently, a soothing sound in the otherwise silent morning.

“I don’t see anyone.” Logan said adjust his bag.

Cody, carrying a backpack filled with their scarce supplies, nodded in agreement. “Let’s not waste any time. The sooner we cross, the better.”

As they stepped onto the bridge, each plank creaked under their weight, echoing in the quiet surroundings. The group moved in unison, alert to any signs of danger but replaceing none. The simplicity of the bridge, in its neglected state, was a reminder of the chaos of the city.

“Think anyone else will make it out?” Ty asked.

“It’s a big city, lot of roads coming in and out. I’m sure they will.” Logan replied.

Daniel, who had been quiet for most of the journey, added, “Hopefully, what’s ahead is better than what we’re leaving behind.”

As they reached the midpoint of the bridge, Logan paused and looked back at the city skyline in the distance. The setting sun cast a soft light on the buildings, giving the city a deceptively calm appearance despite the smoke.

Having crossed the smaller bridge and put the city behind them, Logan’s group continued along a narrow road that wound through a peaceful landscape. The quietness of the countryside was tense and at moments seemed too loud. It was during this quiet trek that they stumbled upon a surprising replace.

Not far from the bridge the group found a car, the door was opened and it seemed someone just left it there.

“The hood is not hot.” Ty examined.

“Whoever was here left in a hurry.” Logan said.

“Do you think they will be back?” Sarah asked.

“I don’t know, but we cant wait.” Cody replied.

Sarah, peering into the backseat, found a few unopened water bottles and a map of the surrounding region. “Someone was trying to get away. They left in a hurry.” She noted realizing they might be infected.

With a collective breath held, Logan turned the key. The car sputtered for a moment before the engine reluctantly came to life, the sound breaking the silence of the morning.

The discovery of the car was a small but significant victory for the group. It not only meant a faster and more comfortable journey but also a psychological boost, a sign that their luck might be turning.

With the car offering them a newfound mobility, Logan’s group drove through the countryside, leaving the memories of the city and its horrors behind. The landscape outside was a refreshing change rolling fields, dense woodlands, and the occasional farmhouse painted a serene picture, so different from the chaos they had endured. They had even passed a few cars, seemingly like nothing has even happened.

The car moved steadily along the rural roads, which were mostly empty save for a few abandoned vehicles here and there. Occasionally, they passed small towns, eerily quiet, with signs of hurried evacuation doors left open, belongings scattered.

Cody, sitting in the backseat, kept an eye on the map. “According to this, there’s a small town a few miles ahead. We could stop for gas.”

“Yeah, Im going to have to stop in a few hours.”

As Logan’s group neared the small town, a surprising but welcome development occurred. Sarah, who had been periodically checking her phone in the hope of catching a signal, suddenly noticed the reception bars flickering to life on her screen.

“I’ve got signal!” Sarah yelled scaring everyone in the car.

The group’s spirits lifted at this news. After being cut off from the world the past several days, the possibility of reconnecting, even in a small way, was a significant morale booster.

“Try calling your mom again, see if its spread to Chicago.” Logan suggested.

Sarah quickly dialed her mother’s number, the tension in the air was thick as they all waited for the call to connect. After a few rings, her call went to voicemail. Disappointed but not deterred, she left a message updating her mother on their situation and their plans.

Encouraged by the active signal, the others took turns using Sarah’s phone to reach out to their families or friends. Cody called his wife in Florida, relief washing over his face as he heard her voice on the other end. Ty and Daniel also tried to contact their loved ones, with varying degrees of success.

“It’s a mess everywhere, but hearing her voice... it means everything.” Cody said after hanging up the phone.

The brief connections they managed to make brought them updates on the situation in other parts of the country. While some areas were in a state of emergency, others remained relatively untouched by the chaos, offering them a glimmer of hope.

“My brother said they’re heading to a safe zone. He said that the military is picking people up and moving them.” Daniel said.

“Nothing has hit Canada yet.” Ty said. “After I meet up with my family we are heading there.”

With renewed hope and updated information about the situation beyond their immediate surroundings, the group felt more equipped to make informed decisions about their next steps.

Emboldened by Sarah’s successful connection, the members of Logan’s group eagerly took turns using her phone, each eager for a chance to reach out to their loved ones. The car became a hub of mixed emotions, anxiety, hope, and the fear of bad news.

“Do you need to call anyone?” Sarah asked Logan.

Logan shook his head, “No, my family passed away long before this.”

Cody, having already spoken to his wife, used his turn to check in with other relatives. The brief conversations were a mix of updates and reassurances, each call reinforcing their determination to survive and reunite with their families.

“Sorry Sarah, your phone just died.” Cody said handing it back to Sarah.

“Oh that’s okay, I’ll get one in just a bit.”

As they continued their drive through the countryside, Logan decided it was time for a short break. He steered the car into the parking lot of a small, abandoned store they came across along the road. The store, with its boarded-up windows and chains on the doors showed a hasty departure from evacuating the city.

The group welcomed the stop, eager to stretch their legs and take a brief respite from the confines of the car. They cautiously stepped out, scanning the area for any signs of danger. The stillness of the surroundings offered a strange sense of calm.

In the parking lot were a few abandoned cars. “Looks like they evacuated pretty fast.” Sarah said.

“At least they had a chance to evacuate.” Logan noted.

“Let’s meet back here in fifteen minutes.” Logan demanded.

As they regrouped, sharing anything useful they had found, the short break provided them with a moment to reflect on their journey and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Back on the road, the group’s conversation turned to their individual plans and destinations. It was during this discussion that a significant decision was made the group would part ways to reach their respective families and places of refuge.

As they approached a crossroads, Cody spoke up, his voice tinged with resolve. “I need to head south towards Florida. My wife’s waiting for me there, and I promised I’d get to her.”

Logan, understanding the weight of Cody’s decision, nodded. “We all have people we need to get back to. It makes sense to split up based on where we need to go.”

Sarah added, “Logan and I are heading towards Chicago. It’s going to be a long drive, but my mom’s there. I need to know she’s safe.”

The mood in the car grew somber as they approached the reality of saying goodbye. They had become a makeshift family, bonded by shared adversity and the struggle for survival. The thought of parting ways was difficult, but each knew it was necessary.

“If any of us get in trouble, we make our way up north to Canada.” Logan suggested.

The car pulled over, and they took a moment to gather their belongings, exchange contact information, and say their farewells. There were handshakes, hugs, and a few words of encouragement. The bonds they had formed would not be easily forgotten.

“Take care brother.” Cody said embracing Logan.

With a final wave, Cody, Daniel, and Ty set off in different directions, leaving Logan and Sarah to continue their journey to Chicago.

Their luck turned when they stumbled upon an abandoned gas station a few miles down the road. Among the few deserted vehicles in the parking area, they found an old SUV. Its doors were unlocked, and to their relief, the keys were in the glove compartment.

“Looks like we found our ride.” Cody said looking over at Ty and Daniel.

The engine roared to life on the first try, a small victory that lifted their spirits. The SUV had enough fuel to get them a good distance, and the back was spacious enough to accommodate them and their supplies.

With their new mode of transportation secured, the trio quickly planned their route. Cody would head south towards Florida, dropping Ty and Daniel off along the way to their respective destinations.

As they set off, the mood in the SUV was a mix of apprehension and hope. The open road before them symbolized not just their physical journey, but also the emotional journey each of them was undertaking – away from the shared experience of survival and towards the uncertainty of their individual futures.

“I hope my mom is okay.” Sarah said with worry in her voice.

“I’m sure she is.” Logan said reaching for her hand.

The decision to head to Chicago brought a sense of purpose to their journey. While the city might present new challenges, the prospect of reuniting with Sarah’s mother and ensuring her safety gave them a clear goal. Sarah was really thankful Logan decided to go with her.

“Once we get there, if you want we can all go up to my dads old lake house.” Logan suggested.

Sarah smiled, “That sounds like a plan.”

As the miles passed, Logan and Sarah shared stories of their lives before the outbreak, reflecting on memories of normalcy and moments they had taken for granted. It was a way to pass the time, but also a reminder of what they were fighting to get back to.