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Her eyes zeroed in on it as she swallowed.
This was her chance. And if the bunker wasn’t there anymore, or if it didn’t have the medication she’d eventually need, then the duffel bag would be essential.
“It’s a far way to go,” she said, keeping her tone as casual as possible. “You’ll need to move fast to catch up with them.” She cleared her throat, moving her gaze back out onto the street below them. “I can keep the bag with me if you want, so it doesn’t weigh you down.”
Right as the words left her mouth, she cringed. They were too direct—too helpful. Too unlike her.
And Mike would see through it.
He grunted, then looked down at her, studying her face as he pulled the rifle off his shoulder.
Yes, he would definitely know.
A slight movement from the street below caught both their attention, and Saff dropped her head down to the scope of her rifle once more.
Two more zombies trudged down the street.
“Mine,” he muttered, pulling his rifle up.
He stared through the scope for a moment, then fired two quick shots, dropping both the bodies. She waited as he lowered the rifle, having to adjust the heavy duffel bag on his shoulder again.
“Fine,” he finally grunted, pulling the strap off and letting the bag drop to the gravel with a crunch.
Saff pressed her lips into a hard line, keeping her expression neutral as he turned and strode to the first metal rung of the ladder that led off the side of the roof to the ground.
“Don’t fuck around,” he called back to her as he stepped over the side. “Drop whatever zombies are left. Get in. Get out.”
She pulled her eyes away from the duffel bag, listening to the heavy steps as they rang against each metal rung of the ladder.Then finally, a light thud floated up from the alleyway below as he dropped to the concrete.
She leaned over the edge of the roof, spotting him on the sidewalk below. He hurried down the street, then turned the corner, disappearing from view.
Saff released a deep breath, her eyes flicking to the duffel bag, then down to the watch on her wrist.
She had to wait long enough to ensure he wasn’t anywhere nearby, but also leave soon enough that she’d have plenty of time to get out of the city and far away from them. Once they realized she’d gone AWOL with their stash of medical supplies, they’d try to hunt her down. Which meant she had to make it near impossible for them to catch up with her.
Saff looked through the scope of her rifle again, scanning the street below as well as the surrounding buildings.
More zombies had come through that morning than expected, which was never a good sign. And it would also make a quick escape much more challenging.
She checked her watch compulsively, watching as ten minutes passed by without another sighting.
Okay, this is it.
Carefully, she released her grip on the gun and pressed her palms flat against the rough gravel surface of the roof. Casting one last glance around, she pushed herself up and popped onto her feet in one swift motion.
She grabbed her backpack, then rifle, and slung them both over her shoulders before pulling her hood down over her forehead to block the heat of the newly risen sun. Then she knelt down, grabbing the straps of the duffel bag and lifting it up onto her other shoulder, the weight of it instantly dragging her body to the side.
She hoisted it up farther until it felt slightly more secure on her body.
And then she was off.
She paced to the side of the roof where the top of the rusted ladder protruded up from the edge, then swung her leg over the side, every muscle tensing under the immense weight of the equipment.
The first ladder rung screeched as she stepped down, and she cringed, shooting a glance down below. The descent was slow, but necessary in order to keep the bag balanced on her shoulder.
When she finally reached the bottom rung, she hopped off onto the pavement of the alleyway below, throwing a glance each way.
Still no zombies in sight.