Ellie’s POV

  "GET OUT OF THE CAR, HANDS UP!"

  Two guards stood just outside the towering fence, gripping rifles that looked way too big for comfort. Their eyes were sharp, scanning us for any sudden movements.

  Tucker and I exchanged a glance before cautiously stepping out of the car, keeping our hands where they could see them. My pulse pounded in my ears, but when I looked over at Tucker, he had the biggest grin on his face.

  Of course, he did.

  He had been right all along. There was a safe zone, and this was it.

  "State your name," one of the guards ordered, nodding at Tucker first.

  "Tucker Harding," he said, that stupid grin still plastered on his face.

  The guard turned to me. "And you?"

  "Eleanor Martin," I replied.

  At that, the guards finally cracked a smile. "Well, Tucker and Eleanor—"

  "Ellie," I corrected quickly.

  The guard chuckled. "Ellie, then. Welcome to Wimberly."

  As if on cue, the heavy gate behind them creaked open. They must have pressed some kind of button when I wasn’t looking. Great. I was already letting my guard down.

  "Someone will meet you inside," the guard added.

  The second we stepped through the gate, a short, perky blonde practically bounced toward us. Before I could react, she threw her arms around me in an excited hug.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "I'm Beth!" she announced, thrusting out her hand toward Tucker, who shook it, still amused.

  We introduced ourselves again, but this time, at least, it wasn’t at gunpoint.

  Beth’s energy was something else. She was talking a mile a minute as she led us deeper into the safe zone. "This was one of the original safe zones set up at the start of the outbreak. As far as we know, it's the only one still standing. We've got about 200 people here, and everyone has a job to keep things running. If you want to be part of it, you’ll have to work for it."

  Her expression turned serious for a moment—then just as quickly, she was all smiles again.

  "You two have been out there a while, huh?"

  Tucker and I nodded.

  "Perfect!" Beth beamed. "You'll probably be sent on scavenging missions, then. Oh, and are you okay with living together? Because I have the cutest little house for you!"

  She didn’t even wait for an answer before practically skipping toward a small house. "Here it is!" She swung her arms dramatically like a game show host.

  I could already tell she was the hyper type.

  Tucker walked straight in and flopped onto the couch. "It’s perfect," he said with a sigh.

  "Okay, so—working showers! But showers are limited to three minutes per person, so be quick. After you freshen up, head to the center of town. We’ll get you settled in properly."

  With that, Beth disappeared, leaving Tucker and me alone in what was now our house.

  We exchanged smiles.

  A real house. A real shower.

  I didn’t care how the plumbing worked—I just wanted the months of grime off of me.

  Tucker and I took turns showering, and I’ll admit, we both took longer than three minutes. I even gave Leo a bath, scrubbing the dried blood from his fur. He looked even cuter clean and had thoroughly enjoyed the warm water.

  By the time we were dressed in fresh clothes—mine a little too baggy, Tucker’s shirt a little too tight—we were ready to see what this place was really about.

  The center of Wimberly was bustling.

  People gathered around tables piled high with food, while others stood in front of an infirmary stocked with medical supplies. Behind the food stations, people with clipboards rationed out supplies, checking names off a list.

  It was so strange, seeing civilization again.

  Tucker and I spotted Beth near the food tables and made our way over.

  "So," I asked, "who's in charge here?"

  "Oh, that’d be David," Beth said, pointing toward a small house nearby. "He's super great!"

  I nodded. "We’ll be right back."

  Tucker and I crossed the street and knocked gently on the door.

  "Anyone home?" Tucker called, peering through a side window.

  A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing an older man with white hair and thin, wire-rimmed glasses. He adjusted them as he studied us.

  "What do you kids need?" he asked, his voice steady but kind.

  Tucker glanced at me, then back at David. "We need to tell you something. It's important."

  David must have sensed the urgency because he stepped aside, motioning for us to enter.

  "Come in."

  We sat on the couch as he took a seat across from us, eyes sharp behind his glasses.

  "Alright," he said. "Tell me what’s going on."

  So, we did.

  We told him everything. About Harley, the cure, the chance—however slim—that it still existed.

  David listened without interrupting, and when we finished, his eyes were wide.

  Then, to my surprise, they filled with tears.

  "We need to start searching immediately," he said, voice shaking with emotion. "Do you know where he lived?"

  I shook my head. "No idea. We thought we could send out search teams, go house by house until we find it. I know it’s a long shot."

  David nodded firmly. "No, it’s a good idea. It’s our only idea. I’m going to make an announcement tonight. We’ll start first thing tomorrow."

  Tomorrow.

  So close, yet so far away.

  For the first time in a long time, hope didn’t feel impossible.