The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of hay and livestock across Pablo's family farm. Golden sunlight stretched over the fields, soft and peaceful and almost enough to make anyone forget the world had fallen apart.
Mia stood beside the car, adjusting the strap of her bag. "It feels… too normal," she murmured, glancing at the grazing animals.
Luis closed the trunk after securing their supplies. "That's what makes it dangerous," he replied quietly. "Peace like this doesn't last anymore."
From the porch, Leah waved enthusiastically. Mia! Luis! Come back soon!"
Ian, still too young to fully understand, clung to Jean's leg, waving his tiny hand. "Ba-bye…"
Mia smiled softly and waved back. "We will. Be good, okay?"
Jean stepped forward, her expression warm but worried. "Please… stay safe out there."
Pablo, still recovering but standing firmly this time, nodded at Luis. "Next time you visit, I'll be the one helping you."
Luis smirked lightly. "I'll hold you to that."
Leon crossed his arms, his gaze serious. "The roads aren't as quiet as they look. Be careful. People are more dangerous now."
Luis gave a short nod. "We know."
Mia took one last look at the farm before getting into the passenger seat. "Let's go."
---
The engine roared to life, louder than it should have been in the still morning. Luis immediately reached for the satellite phone.
"Calling Dad first," he said.
The line connected after a few seconds.
"Luis." Federick's voice came through, steady as ever.
"We're about to leave the farm," Luis said. "Any updates?"
A brief pause. Then,
"They're gone."
Luis's brows furrowed slightly. "The two outside the bunker?"
"Yes," Federick confirmed. "No movement since yesterday. No traces left behind either."
Mia leaned closer, listening.
"That's… good," Luis said, though his tone remained cautious.
"Don't relax yet," Federick added. "People don't just disappear without reason. Stay alert on the way back."
Luis nodded. "We will."
"Call me when you're near," Federick said firmly. "And Luis.."
"Yeah?"
"If something feels wrong, trust it."
Luis glanced at Mia before answering, "I always do."
The call ended.
Mia exhaled slowly. "Gone… just like that?"
Luis started driving, eyes already scanning the road. "That's what worries me."
---
The farm slowly disappeared behind them as the gravel road stretched ahead. For a while, neither of them spoke.
The world outside returned to its usual emptiness.
Burned vehicles. Abandoned homes. Silence.
Mia adjusted the rearview mirror. "It's like the world just… stopped."
Luis kept his gaze forward. "No. It didn't stop."
"It changed," Mia said softly.
---
An hour passed.
Then another.
The road grew narrower, surrounded by dense forest. Shadows stretched across the path like reaching hands.
Luis's grip on the wheel tightened slightly.
Mia noticed. "What is it?"
"…Something feels off."
Mia immediately turned to the mirror.
At first, she saw nothing.
Then,
"There," she whispered. "Behind us."
A dark figure. Far. Moving steadily.
Not wandering.
Following.
Luis's jaw tightened. "Yeah. I see it."
"Zombie?" Mia asked.
Luis shook his head. "No. Too controlled."
"Human…"
"Most likely."
Silence fell, heavier this time.
Mia slowly reached for the handgun in the glove compartment, checking it with practiced ease.
Luis glanced at her. "Let's not jump into a fight."
"I'm not planning to," she replied. "But I'm not dying unprepared either."
Luis let out a quiet breath. "Fair point."
---
The figure remained at a distance. Never too close, never too far.
Mia's voice dropped. "They're experienced."
Luis nodded. "They know how to track without being obvious."
"Do you think they saw us leave the farm?"
"Or they've been watching longer," Luis replied grimly.
Mia frowned. "That's worse."
---
They approached a narrow bridge.
The car slowed slightly. The figure behind them slowed too. Mia cursed under her breath. "They're matching us."
Luis's mind raced. "We can't lead them straight to the bunker."
"So what's the plan?"
Luis's eyes scanned the road ahead. "We lose them."
Mia gave a small nod. "Tell me when."
---
A sharp turn appeared ahead.
"Now."
Luis swerved into a smaller gravel path, tires crunching loudly as dust and leaves scattered into the air.
Mia braced herself. "They saw that."
"Good," Luis said. "Now let's see if they can keep up."
They drove deeper into the trees.
The forest swallowed them whole.
For a moment, nothing, no shadow, no movement.
Mia looked back. "Did we.."
"Not yet," Luis cut in. "Too easy."
---
A few seconds later,
"There!" Mia pointed.
The figure reappeared at the edge of the road. Still following, still calm.
Luis muttered, "Persistent."
Mia's grip tightened on the gun. "Or desperate."
---
The tension climbed with every second.
Then a figure stepped slightly onto the road ahead. Not fully blocking, just enough to be seen.
Mia's breath caught. "Luis…"
"I see them."
"Another one?"
"Looks like it."
Mia whispered, "It's not just one person."
Luis pressed the accelerator slightly. "We don't stop."
The figure didn't move closer. Ddidn't attack, just watching, testing them. Luis drove past without slowing further.
---
Mia's voice was tight. "They're scouting us."
"Yeah," Luis replied. "Trying to see what we'll do."
"Or where we're going."
Luis's eyes hardened. "That's not happening."
---
After several more turns, the forest began to thin. The familiar clearing appeared ahead.
Mia leaned forward. "We're close."
Luis quickly grabbed the satellite phone again. "Dad, we're near the bunker."
Federick answered instantly. "Status?"
"We were followed," Luis said.
A pause.
"…Did they see the entrance?"
"Negative," Luis replied. "We diverted."
"Good," Federick said. "Area is still clear. The two from before haven't returned."
Mia whispered, "That doesn't mean they're gone…"
Luis nodded slightly. "We're moving in."
"Proceed," Federick said. "Stay sharp."
---
The bunker entrance came into view—perfectly hidden, as always.
Luis slowed the car.
Both of them scanned the surroundings, no movement, no shadows, nothing.
Mia exhaled, but her grip on the gun didn't loosen. "I don't like this."
"Me neither," Luis admitted.
---
They pulled into the hidden driveway.
Seconds later,
The reinforced doors began to open with a low mechanical hiss.
Mia whispered, "Home…"
Luis didn't respond immediately.
He checked the mirror one last time.
The road behind them was empty.
But it didn't feel safe.
---
As the doors closed behind them, the tension finally eased, just a little.
Mia leaned back in her seat, exhaling deeply. "We made it."
Luis turned off the engine. "…For now."
She looked at him. "You think they'll come back?"
Luis met her gaze. "People like that don't give up easily."
Mia glanced toward the sealed entrance. "Then we prepare."
Luis nodded. "We always do."
---
Inside the bunker, the air was warm and still.
Safe but not peaceful because both of them knew, out there, beyond the trees…
Someone was still watching.
And next time, they might not stay in the shadows.