CHAPTER 38: 38: A WORLD WITH MORE

The dim twilight deepened as the jagged skyline of City B’s middle districts cast long shadows over the snow trails. Zara leaned against the rusted frame of a burned-out car, keeping Leo perched on her hip. Her back throbbed from where she’d hit the shelves earlier, and the strain from holding Leo added to her discomfort. Despite the ache, she didn’t set him down. Her grip on him felt like a tether to sanity in this crazy world.

Zara stared at the two kids with wide eyes, confused and worried. They had saved her from those scavengers

The girl stood nearby, her slingshot dangling loosely from her hand, the elastic band snapping softly against her fingers in a rhythm that matched her quiet energy. She glanced at Zara, then to Kit, who had edged closer to Leo, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"You’ve got some guts bringing a toddler through this district," She said, her voice dry. Her sharp eyes flickered to Leo before settling on Zara, unflinching. "It’s not exactly stroller-friendly."

Zara gave a faint, humourless chuckle. "Didn’t exactly have a choice." She adjusted Leo’s position and winced as a twinge shot up her spine.

"We’re just trying to survive," she added softly, lowering her weapon but not letting it go. "Like you."

Mia nodded slowly, her expression softening. "Yeah? I dont know about that one."

The boy stepped forward, smiling shyly at Leo. "Hi. I’m Kit."

Leo blinked at Kit, his wide eyes still processing the interaction. Without saying a word, he nestled closer to Zara, pressing his small face against her arm, seeking the comfort of her embrace. He had no doubt been spooked by their earlier encounter. Hell, Zara was still feeling a little out of sorts.

The girl, Mia, as he had called her, glared at him. "What did I tell you about mentioning your name to strangers?"

"Sorry," the boy mumbled, digging his toes into the snow guiltily.

Zara felt a lump rise in her throat. She looked from Mia to Kit, her mind racing. Two kids—just kids—alone in this hellish world. It was a sight that hit too close to home.

Mia’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You’re lucky I was around," she said, though her tone had no arrogance. "Those guys don’t mess around."

"I guessed as much," Zara nodded in agreement, thinking back to the men in the store.

Kit tilted his head. "Is he your brother?" he asked, pointing at Leo.

"No," Zara said gently, softening her tone as she met Kit’s gaze. "He’s my son."

"Oh." Kit’s face lit up. "He’s so small! Does he talk? Can I say hi?"

"Kit." Mia’s voice was sharp, cutting through his excitement. She straightened and took a step closer to her brother.

"It’s fine," Zara said, despite the pang of empathy Mia’s protectiveness stirred in her. "He’s shy and a little spooked, but you can say hi."

Kit stepped closer, meeting Leo’s wide-eyed stare with a grin. "Hi, Leo! I’m Kit." He waved enthusiastically, his jacket sleeve flapping over his hand.

Leo shrank against Zara’s chest but peeked out enough to give a small wave back. It was such a simple and cute interaction yet out of place in this crazy world, and for a second, Zara’s guard wavered.

It had been a while since Leo saw a human that wasn’t an adult.

"You’re lucky you ran into us instead of someone else," Mia said, breaking the fragile calm. Her voice was matter-of-fact, edged with a hint of warning. "This district’s crawling with people now—more than zombies. And believe me, they’re worse than the dead."

Zara stiffened, her grip on Leo tightening. "More people?"

Mia nodded, her expression darkening. "The middle districts used to be a buffer zone between the safe zones and the outer chaos, but now it’s a free-for-all. Small-time gangs, scavenger crews, anyone looking for supplies or a quick kill. And if you’re not allied with one of the big names here, you’re fair game."

Zara’s pulse quickened. She thought of the scavengers earlier, their leering faces and greedy eyes. If this area was teeming with more like them... She glanced at Mia. "How do you know so much?"

Mia shrugged, but there was a glint in her eye that seemed evasive. "Been around long enough to see how things work. People here are either predators or prey. If you’re smart, you make sure you’re not the second."

Kit frowned, his small voice cutting into the conversation as he tugged at his sister’s shirt. "Mia, we’re not with a big name. Does that mean we’re prey?"

"Not while I’m around," Mia said firmly, ruffling his hair. The brief softness in her voice vanished as she turned back to Zara. "So, how’d you end up here? Doesn’t look like you’ve got a crew."

Zara hesitated, her instincts screaming to deflect. "We stumbled into the area. Didn’t realize where we were until now."

Mia’s brow lifted slightly, scepticism flickering across her face. "Didn’t realize? You mean you walked into the middle districts blind?"

"Like I said," Zara replied evenly, "we didn’t have a choice."

Mia held her gaze for a moment before letting out a soft snort. "Fair enough. Guess we all do what we have to."

Zara shifted Leo on her hip again, biting back a grimace as her back flared in protest. She forced herself to stay upright.

Mia’s sharp eyes didn’t miss it. "You’re hurt," she said, her tone matter-of-fact.

"I’m fine."

"Sure you are." Mia crossed her arms, the slingshot resting against her elbow. "Night’s coming fast. It won’t be safe out here once it’s dark, not with the kind of people roaming this district."

Zara tensed, her mind racing with the implications. She had no idea where she was, no safe haven to retreat to. Wandering aimlessly with Leo wasn’t an option, not with the information he had just gotten from this girl.

"You don’t know the area, do you?" Mia pressed, her expression unreadable. "Look, I know a place where you and the kid can crash for the night. It’s not much, but it’s safe."

The offer hung in the air, tempting yet dangerous. Zara’s survival instincts screamed at her to refuse, to stay on guard, to trust no one. But the thought of running into another scavenger crew—or worse—with Leo made her stomach churn.

"What’s the catch?" she asked warily.

"No catch," Mia said, shrugging. "It’s just a place we use sometimes. You can leave in the morning if you want."

Zara studied her, searching for any hint of deceit. Mia’s face was young but hardened, her sharp edges honed by the same world that had chewed Zara up and spit her out. It was clear she had had to rely on herself suddenly and quickly.

Her gaze flicked to Kit, who was now trying to make Leo laugh by pulling exaggerated faces. The sight was disarming, a brief glimpse of what childhood should have been.

Zara’s chest tightened. These two kids were surviving alone in a world that had no mercy for anyone, let alone children. It didn’t sit right with her. The mother in her couldn’t ignore it, even as her survival instincts urged caution.

"Why help us?" Zara asked, her voice quieter now.

Mia’s eyes flickered to Kit, who was now standing in front of them, showing Leo a small wooden toy he’d pulled from his pocket. "Because no one helped us when we needed it. And I know what it’s like to look after someone in all this," She gestured vaguely at the ruins around them.

"And because I don’t want to see your kid end up like one of the bodies in the gutters around here." She gestured to Kit. "I’ve got him to think about, too."

The bluntness of her words left Zara momentarily speechless. She glanced at Leo, who was watching Kit with growing interest as the boy stood on his tiptoes to hand over the toy. Leo hesitated before taking it with wide eyes.

"Thank you," Leo mumbled shyly, his small hands turning the toy over with fascination.

Kit grinned. "It’s cool, right? I found it in a junk pile last week. You can keep it if you want."

"No, he can’t," Zara said quickly, her voice sharper than she intended. She shifted Leoá weight again and smiled apologetically at Kit. "We don’t take things from others, remember?"

Leo pouted, but he nodded obediently, handing the car back to Kit. "Sorry."

Kit blinked, confused. "But I wanted him to have it—"

"Kit," Mia interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. "Leave it."

He pouted but stepped back. The tension in the air was intense, but Zara caught the flicker of understanding in Mia’s eyes.

"So? Are going to stand here all night?" Mia asked again.

The answer hung in the air, heavy. Zara swallowed hard, her hand finally releasing the block of wood.

She exhaled slowly, her decision made. "Alright," she said. "We’ll go with you. Just for the night."

Mia nodded, her expression unreadable. "Good choice. Follow me."

As they started moving, Zara couldn’t help but glance at Leo, and then at Kit, who walked close to Mia. A thought struck her—a dark, unwelcome thought.

What would happen to Leo if she wasn’t there to protect him? He wasn’t like Kit who relied on a sibling barely old enough to care for herself. She had lost contact with her family during the start of the apocalypse and Damon had been an orphan.

She shuddered at the thought of her child being truly alone.

Zara shook the thought away, focusing instead on the present. Whatever this place Mia was leading them to, it was better than being out here in the open.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mia gave a slight nod. "You’re welcome."