The bunker was unusually busy that evening. For the first time in three months, someone from inside was preparing to go out. Boxes of medical supplies were spread across the long table in the bunker's storage room.
Luis carefully checked the labels one by one.
"Amoxicillin… azithromycin… fever medicine…"
Mia stood beside him, packing them neatly into a waterproof medical bag.
"If Pablo's daughter has bacterial pneumonia," she said, "these should help."
Luis nodded. "Let's bring more than just antibiotics." He reached for another container. "Children's fever reducers."
Mia added several bottles.
"And cough medicine."
They both knew Pablo had only asked for antibiotics. But if they were already going out into a dangerous world, they might as well bring anything that could help the little girl recover. Soon the bag was filled with more than just medicine.
Bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers.
Michael entered the room carrying another small box. "You should take these too." Luis opened it. More medical supplies.
"Emergency kits."
"Just in case," Michael said quietly.
No one liked saying those words out loud.
Just in case.
---
Across the room, Frederick inspected the weapons laid out on the table. Several firearms rested beside knives and tools.
"This isn't a hunting trip," he said. "You need to be prepared."
Mia walked over and picked up a compact handgun with a suppressor. "I'll take this."
Luis glanced at it. "Silent?"
She nodded. "If we shoot something, we don't want the entire forest hearing it."
Noise attracted infected and possibly worse things. Mia then reached for a long blade resting beside the guns. It was curved slightly, the metal thick and strong.
"What's that called?" Luis asked.
Frederick answered. "A field machete."
The blade was longer and heavier than a normal knife, but lighter than an axe. Perfect for clearing brush—or defending yourself. Mia tested the weight in her hand.
"I'll take this too."
Luis picked up a pistol for himself then he grabbed a fire axe from the side rack. "Close combat."
Frederick nodded approvingly. "Good choice."
On the far end of the table sat something more dangerous, grenades. Luis glanced at them.
"We're bringing these?"
Michael nodded.
"You probably won't need them."
He paused.
"But if something goes wrong… you'll be glad you have them."
Luis slipped two into a secure pouch.
They also packed food not just for themselves but for Pablo's family as well.
Canned meat, dried fruit, protein bars and even a few packs of noodles.
"It's only a one-hour drive," Luis said.
"But who knows what we'll find out there."
Mia nodded quietly.
The roads might be blocked.
Cars abandoned or worse.
---
The last decision was the vehicle. Frederick led them into the bunker's underground garage. Some vehicles waited there, both carefully maintained since the outbreak.
Luis walked around the larger one. "Armored tires?"
Frederick nodded.
"Run-flat tires."
The vehicle was a reinforced four-wheel-drive armored SUV, originally purchased for construction site security transport.
Heavy steel body, reinforced windows and high suspension for rough terrain. If anything could survive a dangerous trip outside, it was this machine.
Luis opened the driver's door. "This will work."
They loaded the supplies into the back.
Food crates, medical bag, weapons and emergency tools. By the time they finished, the vehicle looked ready for a military patrol.
---
As they returned to the bunker's main room, Frederick spoke again.
"There's one more thing."
Everyone turned.
"The infected man outside."
Luis understood immediately. The one that had wandered near the bunker for months.
"You'll need to deal with him."
Mia frowned slightly.
"Now?"
Frederick nodded.
"Yes."
He explained calmly.
"If you kill him right outside the bunker, someone passing by might notice the body."
That could lead to questions.
Questions could lead to discovery.
Instead, Frederick said,
"Drive past him."
"Let him chase the vehicle."
"Then kill him far away from here."
Luis nodded.
"That makes sense."
---
Later, Mia and Luis stood near the vehicle, checking their gear again. Mia handed him a long jacket. "Wear this."
Luis looked down at his clothes.
"And jeans."
She folded her arms.
"Less exposed skin."
Luis chuckled softly. "Yes, ma'am."
Mia stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Be aware of your surroundings."
"I always am."
She shook her head.
"Not like this."
Her expression grew serious.
"Never trust anyone out there."
Luis looked into her eyes.
"Except you?"
Mia nodded.
"Except me."
He smiled slightly.
"I'll protect you."
Mia rolled her eyes.
"Try not to die first."
But the faint smile on her face betrayed her concern.
---
Across the room, Olivia and Helen watched quietly. They exchanged glances then both women secretly smiled. Olivia whispered softly,
"They look good together."
Helen nodded. "Yes…"
Then her smile faded slightly.
"But I'm still terrified."
Olivia squeezed her hand. "Me too."
---
Michael suddenly cleared his throat. "I have an idea." Everyone looked at him.
"We should make a code."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"A code?"
Michael nodded.
"When you come back… we need to be sure it's really you."
Frederick leaned forward.
"You mean a verification phrase."
"Yes."
Mia crossed her arms.
"What kind?"
Michael thought for a moment.
Then grinned mischievously.
"When you return, you knock and we ask a question."
Luis waited.
Michael smiled wider.
"The question will be: 'Who ate the last strawberry?'"
Everyone blinked.
Luis stared at him.
"That's the code?"
Michael nodded proudly.
"And the answer is one word."
"What word?"
Michael pointed at Luis.
"Luis."
The room burst into laughter.
Luis looked offended.
"Hey!"
Helen wiped tears from her eyes.
"That's actually perfect."
Olivia laughed too.
"No infected would ever guess that."
Frederick chuckled.
"It's ridiculous."
"Exactly," Michael said proudly.
"Which makes it memorable."
Luis sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
"If it gets us back inside, I'll accept the blame for the missing strawberry."
---
Eventually the laughter faded. The mood became quiet again.
Luis checked his watch.
"We leave early."
Mia nodded.
"Before sunrise."
Less infected movement.
Better visibility.
Luis looked at everyone.
"Tomorrow morning."
No one argued.
The plan was set.
As the group slowly returned to their rooms for the night, Mia stood for a moment beside the armored SUV.
Tomorrow would be the first time she stepped back into the outside world since the outbreak began.
The silence of the bunker suddenly felt heavier.
Behind her, Luis said quietly,
"Try to sleep."
Mia looked at the vehicle.
Then at the heavy bunker doors.
"Tomorrow," she said softly.
The door to the outside world would finally open again and none of them truly knew what was waiting beyond it.