Chapter 12: The Broken Bridge

The trio moved steadily onward, the safe zone receding behind them like a bitter memory. The infection’s reach had spread farther than any of them had imagined, and the reality of the world they faced settled heavily on their shoulders. But they kept moving, determined to find a new path to survival, together.

Nate led the way, his gaze fixed on the horizon, each step confident but cautious. Bella stayed close, her silent presence a comfort, while Finn followed, his expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. Their supplies were running low, and with no clear destination, every step felt like a leap into the unknown.

As they came over a small rise, Nate stopped, his gaze narrowing. Before them lay a wide river, its waters churning violently, swollen from recent rains. Stretching across it was a broken bridge, the metal supports rusted and sections of the walkway missing, leaving dangerous gaps.

Bella peered over his shoulder, her face clouding with worry. “Do you think it’s safe?”

“Safe?” Finn scoffed, crossing his arms. “It doesn’t look safe, but we don’t exactly have options.”

Nate studied the bridge, gauging the gaps and the crumbling structure. “We can make it, but we’ll need to be careful. One slip, and we’re gone.”

Bella swallowed, her gaze fixed on the rushing water below. But she nodded, determination hardening her expression. “Let’s do it. Just… one step at a time.”

Nate led the way onto the bridge, testing each step to ensure it held before moving forward. The metal creaked underfoot, every sound echoing over the river. Bella followed closely, her breaths measured, her eyes focused on Nate’s back, her hands reaching for each railing with care. Finn came last, muttering under his breath, his gaze darting nervously between the gaps.

Halfway across, they reached the first large break in the walkway. Nate gauged the distance, his eyes scanning for a safe path. The gap was wide, but with a running start, they could clear it.

“Bella, you go first,” Nate said, positioning himself behind her. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Bella took a steadying breath, then ran forward, leaping across the gap. Her feet landed on the opposite side, but she wobbled, her arms flailing as she tried to regain her balance. Nate lunged, grabbing her hand and pulling her back to safety.

She looked up at him, her face pale but grateful. “Thanks, Nate.”

He nodded, a faint smile breaking through his tense expression. “No problem. Just keep going.”

Finn crossed next, barely clearing the gap, his landing shaky but stable. They continued, each gap presenting a fresh challenge, every step a test of courage and strength.

As they reached the final section of the bridge, another gap lay before them, wider than the others. Nate studied it, his mind racing. “This one’s tougher. We’ll need more speed to clear it.”

Finn hesitated, eyeing the gap with dread. “There’s no way I can make that.”

Nate looked at him, his voice firm. “Yes, you can. You just have to trust yourself.”

Finn glanced at the gap, then back at Nate, swallowing hard. With a nod, he took a few steps back, building up the courage to jump.

Just as Finn was about to jump, a low groan echoed from the direction they’d come. They all froze, turning to see several Pale Ones emerging from the forest on the opposite bank, their hollow eyes fixed on the bridge.

Finn’s face turned pale. “Are you kidding me? They’re here, too?”

Nate clenched his fists, adrenaline surging. “No time. Go, now!”

Finn ran forward, leaping across the gap. He stumbled on landing, but Nate grabbed his arm, steadying him before he could fall. Bella was already ahead, beckoning them to move faster, her gaze flicking nervously between Nate and the approaching Pale Ones.

They dashed to the end of the bridge, their footsteps pounding against the rusted metal. The Pale Ones shuffled forward, their movements slow but relentless, filling the bridge behind them as they closed in.

Nate and Bella made it to the end, with Finn just behind them. He looked back, his face filled with horror as he realized the Pale Ones were nearly upon them. “We have to get off this thing!”

Nate nodded, guiding them down the steep slope on the opposite bank, his knife at the ready. But as they reached the bottom, a single Pale One, faster and more desperate, lunged forward, its decayed hand reaching out to grab Bella’s arm.

Without hesitation, Nate drove his knife into its skull, the creature collapsing in a heap at their feet. Bella stared at him, her breathing rapid, gratitude and fear mingling in her eyes.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “That was close.”

“Let’s keep moving,” Nate replied, his voice firm. “They won’t stop.”

They moved quickly along the riverbank, putting distance between themselves and the Pale Ones. As the sun began to set, they found a cluster of rocks forming a natural alcove, sheltered from the wind and hidden from sight.

They settled into the alcove, each of them catching their breath, the events of the day weighing heavily on them. Finn leaned back against the rock, his face pale. “I thought that was it. If you hadn’t helped me back there…”

Nate glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “We’re all in this together. We survive as a team, or we don’t survive at all.”

Finn nodded, the weight of the day’s events settling on his shoulders. He seemed quieter now, more introspective, as if realizing the cost of every close call.

Bella looked at Nate, her eyes filled with quiet gratitude. “You’ve saved us more times than I can count.”

Nate gave a slight shrug, a hint of humility in his expression. “We’ve saved each other.”

They shared a silent moment, a mutual understanding passing between them. For Nate, survival had always been about staying alert, moving forward, and trusting no one. But now, he felt a shift — a sense of purpose that went beyond his own survival, a resolve that grew stronger with every glance at Bella’s determined face.

As night fell, they shared a meager meal from their dwindling supplies, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The journey had taken them farther than any of them had expected, and the hardships they’d faced were etched in their faces.

Finn looked up, breaking the silence. “Do you think there’s really a place out there that’s safe? Or are we just running from one danger to the next?”

Bella looked at him, her expression firm. “I believe there’s something better than this. Maybe we have to build it ourselves, but it’s possible. And that’s what keeps me going.”

Nate nodded, her words echoing his own thoughts. “We’re stronger together. As long as we have each other, we have a chance.”

The words hung in the air, simple but true. They were a reminder that survival wasn’t just about escaping the Pale Ones or finding shelter; it was about the people beside them, the trust and loyalty they’d built.

After a quiet pause, Bella smiled softly, her gaze resting on Nate. “You know, for someone who’s all about staying tough, you’re pretty good at giving hope.”

Nate chuckled, a rare smile breaking through his usual seriousness. “Guess I’m learning.”

As they settled in to rest, the darkness of the night felt a little less daunting. They had each other, and in a world that seemed determined to break them, that was something worth fighting for.

At dawn, they rose, weary but determined. The bridge, the Pale Ones, the endless journey — each challenge had only made them stronger, more united. With every step, they were closer to finding whatever safety lay out there, beyond the ruins and shadows.

As they packed up, Nate looked out over the horizon, his jaw set with quiet determination. The journey wasn’t over, but with Bella and Finn beside him, he felt a sense of purpose that went beyond simple survival.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice filled with resolve. “We’ve got a new path to find.”