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She took Saff’s arm, and they continued moving in silence as Maddie listened to the sounds of the surrounding nature. It was quieter now, as if they’d already left the forest far behind.
After another mile or so, Maddie felt the ground change beneath her feet into smooth pavement, and before she could ask, Saff announced they were there on the edge of the city.
Maddie adjusted the shotgun on her arm, resting her hand against the warm metal handle.
“There’s skyscrapers in the center,” Saff said quietly. “We need to move along the edge of the city until we get past them, closer to the end, where it meets the coastline and harbor.”
Maddie nodded, but didn’t say anything, afraid of making any more noise than absolutely necessary.
She tapped her cane against the smooth path as they continued in silence. Then, a few minutes later, she heard the familiar crack of gunfire somewhere off in the distance.
Saff slowed slightly, but didn’t stop.
“Wasn’t close to us,” she muttered, pulling them along with a renewed urgency.
Maddie swallowed down the fear that bubbled up into her throat.
A moment later, Saff muttered, “Zombies.” She pulled her hand away. “Stay here.”
Maddie waited, listening to her footsteps as they padded away.
She lifted both hands to the shotgun, ready for anything.
Then a moment later, Saff was back by her side, instantly urging her forward.
“Everything okay?” she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
“Yeah,” Saff answered. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
When it felt like they’d been moving for a while without any more stops, Saff finally spoke again.
“We’re almost past the tallest buildings,” she whispered. “But there’s some ahead of us now, and I don’t see an easy way around.”
Maddie swallowed.
“We need to go a little further into the center, then I’ll try the radio.”
Maddie nodded, her grip tightening on Saff’s arm. Then she felt the ground change as Saff muttered, “Sidewalk.”
She felt it with her cane, easily stepping up and over it. They continued like that a few more times before Saff finally slowed to a stop.
“Where are we?” Maddie whispered.
Saff directed her a few more steps to the side. “We’re in an alley between two buildings,” she answered, her voice low and careful. “They’re not tall, though, so there shouldn’t be anything blocking the signal.”
Maddie heard a light thud, then a clink of metal beside her.
“Stay right here,” Saff said. “The building is a foot behind you, and there’s a wall sticking out that’s covering your other side.”
Maddie placed one hand behind her, then trailed it across, feeling the cold brick corner beneath her fingers.
“I’m gonna step out and try the radio,” Saff said, her voice so low it was barely a whisper.
Maddie leaned her cane against her shoulder, placing both hands firmly on her shotgun as she listened to Saff’s light footsteps.
She waited a few seconds, listening to each and every noise as she set up the radio.
A light breeze whistled through the alleyway.