Dead in the Water

Billie-Faye sends the craft down-river once more, careful to favor one side of the pontoon over the other, so as not to exacerbate the damage to the thing. The thing squeals, as a piece of metal has to be dragged before it finally twists itself free of your haven and falls into the water.

You’re away, and passing under the bridge. Looking back at the momentary crash site, you see seven or eight walkers finally shuffle into view, into the river, and quickly get swept off their feet. Their slow, mindless pursuit would continue along the water; if that’s what you could call their helpless thrashing down the river.

You pass by the Thumbs Up Diner on your right, as you move on. A testament to how well stocked this group is, that you weren’t willing to take the risk and give the place a once over out of sheer hungry desperation.

Billie-Faye guides you down further and further, and the hammering of your heart slows as you settle back in to another long stretch of water. The group hot on your heels would certainly have to go off road to follow your course now, and it eases your mind a little. Still, you knew the road would have to swing back around by the time you reach the hunting supplies store.

Hours later, and the big heat of the day is beginning to taper off. Bellies start to protest their emptiness, and it’s then that you see it. Eva, almost fully dry, calls the place out!

"Thats it alright!" Martin adds, overseeing the woman’s pointing! He beckons someone for the binoculars.

"Alive… Inside." he reads, squinting down the lenses. The man reads letters painted over the store’s original big white sign! Alive Inside.

"Safe Zone!" he continues.

Slelena’s eyes light up, and a smile beams across her face. "It’s safe! We’re here!!" she says, trying to inspire some hope in the rest of you! "It’s safe!!" she says, already slinging her pack up on to her shoulder!

Billie-Faye creeps her way up the river; inching closer and closer to what would end up being the rear of the building. As she rounds the final bend in the river, she does see a small pier built up on to the shore; presumably for quick access by boat for any fishermen that might want to stop in on-route!

Owen climbs up on one of the railings that runs around the pontoon, trying to get a better vantage point to spy on the hunting supplies store. Richard watches on as the young man wobbles on the slick, wet rail while he looks through the binoculars.

Seeing that Shayna is busying herself with securing the gear, Martin scoots over and tries to take something out of her hands and help. He sets it down with a heavy thud, perhaps in a spot that Shayna herself wouldn’t have picked, and then sighs.

The woman can tell he wants to say something.

Long day…

The building looks sturdy and strong; made of brick rather than the expected and possibly more aesthetically-pleasing wood. It’s dark, but maybe that’s just because the day is beginning to wane, and those inside don’t want to give their presence away. Maybe they’ve spotted you on the water, and even now are watching you from one spot or many. You see a fortified position on top of the building, though it is currently unmanned.

How quickly could that be occupied and made operational?…

Of walkers, you see no sign, and it seems like whoever is or was hiding out here had made an effort to barricade the front access to the building with a ring of abandoned cars. That would keep the walkers at least a few meters away from the front in case of an attack.

All is quiet from what you can see here on the water…