章節 15: †NORTH†

"Are we ever getting safe?" Aria asked as she cling to Ryan's neck, her slender arms wrapped tightly around him while her voice was laced with desperation.

Ryan's breathing was labored as his chest heaves up with exertion.

He continued to sprint through the streets. The sun had risen since from its resting place, casting a golden glow over the ravaged landscape.

"If you want to stay safe or alive, it's by running," Ryan replied from experience.

Aria's grip on his body tightened.

"But for how long?" she pressed, Can't they just have a resting place or Would they always have to run?

Ryan's eyes scanned their surroundings.

"As long as it takes," he said with a tone that was resolute.

He had been running all his life since the apocalypse.

There wasn't any resting place.

No sanctuary.

No haven.

Only the constant threat of death.

Aria buried her face in Ryan's shoulder.

"Fuck" She whispers tried, she was a trained soldier even though she had seen many wars this was a totally different case.

Ryan's jaw clenched.

He knew the pain of perpetual flight.

The weight of constant fear and no rest.

But for their survival, he pushed on running.

Every step Ryan took sent a jolt of pain through Aria's injured leg, but she gritted her teeth not to slow down Ryan.

"Ryan, look!" Aria exclaimed, pointing ahead with urgency.

She pointed to where a dusty sedan was parked by a curb, its faded brown paint blending into the destroyed landscape.

Ryan slowed down to a walk, his eyes taking in the vehicle, searching for any signs of it being damage or any potential hazards.

"Could be our ticket out of here," Ryan said hopeful, at least his leg would rest a little.

Aria nodded with her warm breath fanning his skin on his neck.

Ryan slowly approached the car, he inspected the tires, checking it there was still air and intact.

He kicked the tyres and it was confirmed that they were all good. He tried the door handle, but it refused to budge.

The car was put on a lock. Ryan clenches his jaw , his mind racing for new options.

"Hold tight," Ryan said as he positioned himself beside the window, scanning the surrounding area for potential threats.

With one swift motion, Ryan used his elbow to break the glass. The sound shattered the silence, echoing off the nearby buildings.

Aria winced, her leg throbbing in protest from Ryan sudden move.

"Sorry," Ryan said as he carefully cleared the shards, his hands moving with precision.

He moved one hand into the car and opened the car from inside, the car door open and ryan gently lifted Aria off his back and placed her in the passenger seat, careful not to jostle her injured leg more.

Aria grimaced as she stretched out her leg, her foot resting against the dashboard.

Ryan slid into the driver's seat, his eyes scanning the dashboard for the keys.

"Keys?" Aria asked.

Ryan nodded and searched the glove compartment, his fingers rummaging through the contents.

"None," he replied, not seeing it.

Ryan moved down and began hotwiring the car, his hands moving quickly as if he had practiced it for situations like this.

Aria watched, fascinated, she had never done this before although she knows how to and Watching Ryan do all this starts to make her think who he really was.

"All done" Ryan said and the engine roared to life, the rumble vibrated through the air.

Ryan pressed the gas and they sped away from the abandoned streets, merging into the highway.

The tires hummed against the worn pavement, a steady rhythm that filled the tense silence.

Aria removed her backpack from her shoulders, wincing as she shifted her injured leg. She placed the bag beside her, its contents shaking slightly.

"Where are we headed?" She asked.

Ryan's eyes moved to the rearview mirror, his eyes looking behind for any signs of the creatures. His expression was guarded.

"North," Ryan replied.

"What's in the North?" Aria asked, she hope there was a shelter were they could finally rest.

Ryan's focus remained on the road.

"Hopefully, safety," He replied, he hasn't been to the north but he had met people who had said they were moving towards the north area.

Aria's expression turned skeptical.

"You really think it's safe?" she asked.

Ryan's jaw clenched, he doesn't know but he hopes it will be for the best.

"It's our best chance," Ryan replied.

The sedan moves through the miles, the speedometer needle quivering.

The landscape transformed from barren buildings and gave way to rolling hills.

Aria's gaze drifted out the window, her eyes watching the damaged buildings as they blurred by.

She wondered what lurked within them, her imagination conjuring different scenarios of unseen terrors.

Aria's mind wandered to Ryan, the steady beat of his breathing was a comforting presence in the midst of uncertainty

She turned her head towards his frame, her eyes moving over his profile, She doesn't even know who he fully is and he had helped her so much.

"Ryan?" Aria called out softly, breaking the silence that had settled in the car.

"Yes?" Ryan replied, his eyes still focused on the road ahead, his gaze on high alert , scanning the area for any signs of danger.

Aria's eyes drifted to Ryan's profile. The soft sun highlighted the sharp angles of his face.

"Do you have any family?" Aria asked curious.

Ryan's expression remained neutral, but a hint of pain flickered in his eyes.

"What's left of it," Ryan replied measured, he doesn't like talking about his family.

Aria sensed a depth of pain beneath his words and didn't ask what happened, she doesn't want to add salt to closed wounds.

She can see that Ryan was someone with so many scars but still mysterious. She turned her head back to the window and watched as they passed through the city