- Jake - 

I was doing my best to keep the truck in sight, but the road had become a chaotic mess. What had started as a clear path was now jam-packed with cars, all moving at a crawl. I tried to stay close to Dad's truck, but the traffic was relentless, and every lane seemed to be filled with cars moving at their own pace.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a reckless driver swerved in front of me, cutting across my lane with a dangerous burst of speed. I had no choice but to slam on the brakes, the tires screeching as I fought to maintain control. The car in front of me skidded to a stop, and the sudden collision with another vehicle created a domino effect of chaos.

I was forced to manoeuvre around the wreckage, trying to avoid the growing pile-up. The road that had once felt like an escape route was now a nightmarish labyrinth of twisted metal and stranded cars. I glanced up, searching desperately for Dad's truck, but it was lost in the mess.

The visibility was terrible, and every direction I turned only seemed to bring more cars and debris into view. My frustration mounted as I realized I was losing Dad. The wreckage and the chaos created a wall that made it nearly impossible to navigate through.

I kept my eyes on the road, trying to find a way through, but the gridlock only grew tighter. The honking horns and shouting drivers filled the air, adding to the sense of urgency and panic. The once-open road had transformed into a chaotic mess, and my attempts to re-join Dad's truck were failing.

My heart raced as I tried to stay calm, but the fear of being separated from Dad was overwhelming. I kept glancing back, hoping to see Dad's truck emerge from the mess, but the tangled wreckage blocked any chance of finding them. I knew I had to keep moving, but every turn seemed to lead to more congestion, and the situation was quickly spiralling out of control.

The once-familiar road had become a treacherous maze, and I felt a growing sense of dread as I realized we were lost in the middle of a traffic disaster.

As the wreckage around me closed in, my heart pounded in my chest. I could feel the panic rising, a suffocating wave that threatened to overwhelm me. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white as I tried to keep my focus amidst the chaos.

"Come on, come on," I muttered to myself, desperately trying to find a way through the tangled mess of cars. The wreckage and debris seemed to multiply with every passing second, and my attempts to manoeuvre around it only made things worse. I glanced in the rear-view mirror, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dad's truck, but it was nowhere to be seen.

I could feel my frustration bubbling up. This was supposed to be a straightforward escape, a way to get us out of this nightmare. Instead, it felt like everything was conspiring against us. The realization that I might have lost Dad hit me hard, a cold knot of fear settling in my stomach.

I tried to stay calm, but the noise and confusion were overwhelming. Drivers around me were shouting and honking, adding to the chaos. I could see people getting out of their cars, running around in panic, and I knew I had to keep moving, but the way was blocked.

Desperation crept in as I attempted to make sense of the situation. I considered turning back, trying to find an alternate route, but every direction seemed blocked. My mind raced through possible solutions, but none seemed viable. I cursed under my breath, feeling both helpless and angry.

I thought  about Ashta and Dad, and how important it was to find them. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on me. I couldn't let this be the end of our escape. I needed to stay focused, find a way to get out of this mess, and reunite with Dad.

With a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. I maneuverer the car as best as I could, trying to navigate through the gaps between wrecked vehicles. My hands were shaking, and my mind was racing, but I knew I couldn't give up. Not yet.

The thought of being separated from Dad and the others was unbearable. I needed to find them, no matter how dire the situation. As I pushed forward through the wreckage, I clung to the hope that somehow, we would find a way back together.

Tommie watched with mounting concern as Jake's face twisted into a mask of frustration and panic. The road ahead, once clear, had transformed into a chaotic mess of stalled vehicles and frantic drivers. Every attempt Jake made to manoeuvre through the gridlock seemed to lead to more obstacles. Tommie's heart raced as he tried to keep track of their surroundings.

From the passenger seat, Tommie could see Jake's knuckles growing whiter with each turn of the wheel. The traffic jam was relentless, and it seemed like every car was a new obstacle in their path. Tommie knew that if they didn't act quickly, they'd be completely cut off from Ashta's dad.

"Jake, we need to figure out another route," Tommie said, his voice steady but urgent. He tried to offer reassurance, though the situation felt increasingly dire. His eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for any possible way out of the gridlock.

Tommie's own anxiety grew as he saw the look of desperation on Jake's face. The reality of their separation from Dad was hitting hard, and Tommie felt a surge of empathy for Jake. The weight of the situation was clear; every second that ticked by seemed to widen the gap between them and Ashta's dad.

"Hang in there, Jake," Tommie continued, trying to keep his tone encouraging. "We'll find a way through this. Let's not give up."

As Jake struggled to keep control of the vehicle amidst the chaos, Tommie's thoughts raced. He considered possible alternatives, like finding a nearby exit or taking a side street, but every option seemed blocked by the sea of cars. The sound of distant sirens and the commotion outside added to the sense of urgency.

"Maybe we can get out and walk if we have to," Tommie suggested, trying to think of practical solutions. "We can try to catch up with Dad on foot or find another way."

Despite the dire circumstances, Tommie remained focused on providing support to Jake. He knew that staying calm and thinking clearly was crucial, not just for their safety but for the chance of reuniting with Ashta's dad. The uncertainty of their situation was daunting, but Tommie's determination to help navigate through it remained unwavering.

As Jake and his friends fought their way through the traffic jam, Quin's suggestion shifted their focus. "Instead of searching the whole city, let's think about where they might be heading. If we can figure that out, we can head there."

Jake, gripped by urgency and frustration, began to think hard. His mind raced through possible destinations, and then it hit him. "Dad was heading to his brother's farm. We've got to get there. It's out of town and might be safer." With newfound determination, Jake found an opening in the traffic. Ignoring the chaos around him, he steered the car onto the grass, pushing through the jam with a sense of urgency. As cars around him followed suit, he made his way onto the road that would lead them to his uncle's farm.

Reya glanced back one last time at the gridlocked traffic. People were frantically running and jumping on each other, the scene becoming increasingly nightmarish. The sight of cars going berserk and people in distress only fuelled their desperation.

As Ashta and her dad were driving, they realised they had made it through the traffic jam. Ashta showing the face of relief spoke "Now how will we find Jake and the others?" 

Before dad could say anything more, a figure appeared in the middle of the road. They were standing motionless, their presence bizarrely out of place in the midst of the traffic chaos. Dad, his confusion evident, rolled down the window to speak to the person. "Are you okay? Do you need help?" he called out.

My heart pounded harder. "Dad, roll up the window and drive!" I urged, my voice rising with panic. The figure was just too unsettling, and my instincts screamed at me to get away.

But he didn't immediately listen. The figure turned to face us, and the horror that greeted us was almost too much to process. Their face was smeared with blood, one eye bulging grotesquely, and chunks of flesh were missing, leaving an unmistakable bite mark. The sight was horrifying, and I could barely breathe as the figure suddenly lunged toward our car.

"Dad, go!" I shouted, my voice cracking with fear. The figure's unnatural movement sent a shiver down my spine. Dad quickly rolled up the window and slammed his foot on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward, and we sped away, the figure receding into the darkness behind us.

The terror of that moment didn't fade as quickly as the figure did. My heart was still racing, my mind struggling to grasp what we had just seen. The only solace I found was in the fact that we were moving, heading toward what we hoped would be safety.

I turned to Dad, who was driving with a grim determination. His face was pale, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel. I could see the strain in his eyes, a reflection of the fear and uncertainty that mirrored my own.

"Just keep driving," I whispered, trying to steady my own shaking hands. The night outside was dark, and the road ahead seemed endless, but all I could focus on was the hope that we would make it to the farm, and that Jake and the others would find their way there too.

The minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity. My thoughts kept returning to Jake and his friends, hoping they were safe and would join us soon. The world outside was a nightmare, but for now, all we could do was drive forward and hope for the best

As we pulled into the driveway of the farm, my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst. The chaos of the road behind us felt like a distant memory as we arrived at the safety of my uncle's property. I glanced at Dad, his face set in a determined expression, and then back at the approaching cars, hoping against hope to see Jake's vehicle.

When we finally saw Jake's car in the distance, I felt a surge of relief. My dad parked quickly and we both tumbled out of the car, rushing towards the others. I could see Jake, Quin, Reya, Riley, and Tommie making their way towards us. My legs felt like jelly as I ran, but I didn't care—I needed to see them, to hold them.

Jake was the first to reach me, pulling me into a fierce hug. "We made it," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

I clung to him, tears streaming down my face. "I was so scared," I whispered, my voice cracking.

Tommie was right behind Jake, and when he wrapped his arms around me, I felt a profound sense of comfort. "I was too," he said, his voice low. "But we're safe here. We'll figure it out."

Quin and Reya joined the embrace, and the group hug felt like a lifeline. The tension of the past few hours seemed to melt away in this moment of shared relief. Riley, usually more reserved, also joined in, offering a supportive pat on the back.

We all took a moment to take in our surroundings. The farmhouse was a bit worn but sturdy, and for now, it seemed like a fortress against the chaos outside. Inside, we found some semblance of order and tried to settle in. We talked in hushed tones, sharing what we knew and trying to make sense of the situation.

As night settled over the landscape, our group trudged up the gravel path to my uncle's farmhouse, the twilight casting long shadows on the ground. The sight of the old house was a small beacon of hope amidst the chaos. My dad led the way, his face etched with exhaustion and fear. As we reached the front door, he knocked firmly, the sound echoing in the stillness of the evening.

The door creaked open slowly, and my uncle appeared, holding a rifle. His eyes widened in alarm as he assessed us. "Stop!" he barked. "Who's there?"

My dad raised his hands, trying to appear non-threatening. "It's me, David. Please, Jim, it's really us. We've been through hell."

Uncle Jim's eyes narrowed, but he didn't lower the rifle. "What's going on?" he demanded, his voice steady but laced with tension.

Dad quickly launched into the story, recounting the day's horrors. "We were caught in a traffic jam. It was a nightmare. People were attacking each other. Your niece's mom—she's been bitten. We're not sure what to do."

Uncle Jim's face darkened with concern. "She's bitten? Come in. Quickly."

He stepped aside, and we hurried into the farmhouse. It felt like stepping into another world—one where we might find some semblance of safety. Uncle Jim led us to the living room, where the stark contrast of the calm interior against the chaos outside was almost jarring. We began unloading our supplies: backpacks bulging with essentials, food, and bottles of water.

The farmhouse was modest but sturdy, with old wooden floors and a large stone fireplace that crackled warmly. My uncle turned on the television, keeping the news channel on. The low murmur of the broadcast mixed with the distant sounds of sirens and helicopters that occasionally pierced the quiet night.

"Find a spot to rest," Uncle Jim instructed, his voice carrying the authority of someone used to handling crises. "I'll get us settled."

We scattered around the room, trying to find comfort in the familiar. The silence was punctuated by the occasional distant scream or the clatter of emergency vehicles outside. The night grew darker and the tension thicker, each of us grappling with the weight of the day's events.

I found myself drawn to a small room off the hallway, seeking refuge from the collective anxiety. It was dimly lit by a single, flickering bulb. The room smelled of old pine and dust, the bed covered in a faded quilt. I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing as I tried to piece together the fragments of the day. Tears streamed down my face, my emotions a tangled mess of fear, grief, and confusion.

Tommie, noticing my departure, quietly followed me. He knocked softly before entering, his face etched with concern. "Hey," he said gently, "mind if I join you?"

I looked up, grateful for his presence. "I just needed a minute," I said, my voice trembling. "Everything's been so overwhelming."

Tommie sat beside me, the weight of his presence a small comfort. "You don't have to go through this alone," he said softly. "I'm here for you."

I leaned into him, drawing strength from his closeness. The silence between us was a soothing balm, a temporary escape from the cacophony of the outside world. I took a shaky breath, struggling to process everything. "I don't even know what to think right now," I admitted. "It all feels so unreal."

Tommie nodded, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "It's okay to feel that way," he said. "None of this is normal. We'll get through it, one step at a time."

We sat together in the dim light, the outside world a distant, muffled nightmare. Tommie's words were a small but significant comfort, a reminder that in the midst of all this chaos, there was still someone who cared and understood. For a brief moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world who shared this heavy burden, and that small connection was a lifeline amidst the darkness.