~~~

Stepping outside, Ava and Flinn were greeted by the now hot and dusty air. Lately, the weather had been unbearably hot so this was no surprise to them. Ava looked around, hoping to see some sort of sign of other people.

"Here, let's walk up this hill and see what's over it," Flinn suggested.

When they got to the top, they saw far in the distance, some people sitting at a campsite. There were tents and a fire. It seemed the people's ages ranged from the youngest being maybe 5 or so and the oldest maybe in their mid-40s. It looked like a family.

Ava smiled seeing a boy and a girl running around, chasing each other. She missed her own family dearly...her mom, her cousins, friends...all of them were gone.

Just then she was snapped out of her reminiscing by Flinn saying something

"...and maybe they will be friendly" he finished.

"w-what? sorry I was lost in thought..." Ava replied.

"oh I was just saying, should we go over there? see if...I don't know, we could join them?

"uh, sure I guess"  Ava was cautious, not wanting things to fall apart like they did the last time she found other people. She cringed at the memory.

Slowly they headed towards the family. 

"look ma! there are people here" a young girl shouted.

  Ava and Flinn stopped walking as five heads all turned towards them.

"umm, hi" Flinn said quickly "do you think...er I mean, c-could we mayb-" 

"Hi, we are friendly and was just wondering if we could join you. We are all alone out here" Ava said cutting Flinn off. 

A tall man stepped forward, eyeing them suspiciously.

"We don't need any more people"

"Oh shush John, the more the merrier!" A woman spoke out, smiling softly at the two teenagers. 

As the day went on, Ava and Flinn got to know the new faces more and more. They were a family of 5 and ever since the breakout, they had been travelling in hopes to find a safe place to stay.

It was getting darker now as the sun faded away below the horizon. The family had just started a fire for the night and everyone gathered around it. Sharing stories, laughter, drinks. Ava felt a sense of joy wash over her, that was until she felt a pair of eyes staring at her...

Ava carefully looked over to her right to see the same man, John, from earlier.

~~~

hii! I know it's been a while but I'm back! I really do want to finish this story it's just taking longer than I thought it would...anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)