heavenward | n.scatorccio

They could see the station now, just ahead, the towering structure rising in the distance like a beacon. They were so close.

All of them fell into step beside each other, their movements synchronized, as if instinctively falling into a rhythm. They walked in silence, but the unspoken understanding between them was enough. It had taken them less than an hour to get there, despite the detours and the mishaps along the way, Julianna couldn't help but see it as a win. She had expected the journey to take longer, to be harder, but by some miracle, they had made it.

They approached the main door with a sense of urgency, but the cold steel of the entrance held firm against their attempts. Taissa, who usually exuded confidence in moments of tension, tugged on the handle with force, her muscles straining with frustration. She yanked again, harder this time, but it didn't budge. A wave of irritation washed over her, but she didn't voice it. Instead, she stepped back, giving Natalie space to try.

Natalie stepped forward, eyes narrowing, her brow furrowing as she gripped the handle. She pulled, but the door was as stubborn as ever. The faint clink of metal echoed in the silence of the hallway. The door was locked. A soft curse escaped her lips.

"Well, that's just perfect," Natalie muttered, her voice low, clearly frustrated. "Guess we have to find another way in."

Julianna looked around the small area, already scanning for any other possible entrances. We don't have time for this, she thought, the familiar tension in her chest growing. They couldn't afford to waste precious moments on an obstacle like this. Not when the infected were out there. Not when they had no idea if there were others in the building. They needed to move.

"I can check around back," she offered quietly, trying to keep her voice steady, even though she felt the fear creeping up her spine. "There might be a way in from the side."

Natalie glanced at her, clearly not thrilled with the idea of splitting up, but she didn't object. Instead, she nodded sharply. "Be careful. If you find another way in, shout. We'll be right behind you."

Julianna nodded, her heart already pounding in her chest. She gave a brief, reassuring glance to the others before slipping away from the group, moving swiftly along the side of the building. Her senses were on high alert. She could hear the distant sounds of infected, and the occasional crash of debris, but nothing close enough to make her pause.

She rounded the corner, and there it was, a smashed window, large enough for her to fit through. That'll do, she thought, even though her heart sank at the thought of crawling through the jagged edges. But there was no other option. The door was locked, and they had no idea how much time they had before the infected made their way to their location.

She hesitated for just a second, steeling herself. The glass was still sharp, fragments scattered at her feet, but she knew she had to push forward. She knelt down, reaching her hand out and using her sleeve to carefully clear a few shards from the edge, and then crawled through, her heart hammering in her chest.

She wasn't sure why she felt so calm. Maybe it was the quiet stillness inside the station, or maybe it was just the numbness that had taken over since the world had collapsed. Either way, she didn't have time to question it. She had a mission, and she needed to keep her head clear.

The weight of the police station's silence was almost suffocating. It was an eerie stillness, the kind that clung to the walls and the air itself, like the place had been abandoned for a long time.

Once she was inside, the adrenaline coursed through her, pushing away any hesitation.

She moved quickly, pausing every now and then to listen for sounds, to make sure she wasn't being followed. She stayed low to the ground, her eyes scanning the hallways.

She took a deep breath and quickly surveyed her surroundings. The dim light filtering through the dust and grime on the windows cast everything in a sepia haze. The station was typical—faded walls, outdated furniture, a few bulletin boards pinned with discoloured paper. She scanned the area for anything that might help them get inside. A door with a keycard reader, maybe a map, a set of keys, anything. She saw a small bulletin board along the wall, cluttered with old notices. Her eyes zeroed in on a small key rack, each set tagged with a label—cell block, evidence locker, back door

Julianna's fingers drummed quietly on her thighs. Not what we need. She cursed under her breath, starting to move through the station. Her eyes darted from hallway to hallway, trying to keep her cool.

But then, she heard it. The unmistakable shuffle of feet, ragged breathing, the quiet moan of a runner. Her pulse shot up. She froze, not daring to breathe too loudly. Her heart raced in her ears, the thumping almost drowning out the low growl of the infected ahead.

It was just down the hallway, a police officer—or at least, someone who had been once. Now, he was just another body, a casualty of the infection, still wearing his uniform like it mattered. He was dragging his foot, his body jerking with every uneven step, a twisted mockery of human movement. The most terrifying thing was that he was armed. The officer had a gun strapped to his belt, glinting in the daylight, a baton dangling from the other side, and a bulletproof vest that looked both official and pointless now.

Julianna crouched low, slipping behind a desk as quietly as she could. She could feel the cold metal of the desk legs pressing into her palms as she steadied herself. Every breath felt too loud. She watched, tense and unmoving, as the runner shuffled closer. His back was to her, but any sound at all would alert him.

She waited. Time stretched. Every muscle in her body screamed for her to act, but she couldn't risk it.

One step at a time, Julianna reminded herself.

The runner took another step forward, and that's when Julianna made her move. With the quietest of breaths, she surged forward, pulling her knife from her belt with a fluid motion.

The moment her hands gripped his back, he let out a garbled sound, but she was faster.

Her knife, Misty's knife, was already in her hand, and with one swift motion, her arm locked around his throat as she pressed the knife into the back of his skull.

There was a wet, sickening sound as the blade sank into his flesh, and the runner's body gave a final, violent jerk before going limp. Julianna held on for a moment longer, making sure he was fully dead before she lowered him gently to the ground.

Julianna let out a quiet breath, her pulse pounding in her ears, she hadn't been sure she had the strength to do it, but the adrenaline from the moment carried her. She checked his pockets quickly, her fingers trembling slightly, but the keychain she needed wasn't there. Frustration bubbled up in her chest.

And then—there. Inside a lower pocket on his jacket. She grabbed the keychain with shaking hands, relief flooding her as she saw the tag reading Main Entrance.

Julianna hurried to the door, listening for any sign of movement behind her. The others were waiting outside. She could hear Shauna yelling about breaking the window, ready to make a scene. Julianna's hand was almost shaking as she inserted the key into the lock, turning it quickly. There was a satisfying click as the door unlocked, and just as she opened it, Shauna's hand stopped mid-swing, the rock she had grabbed hovering in the air.

Julianna stepped back, allowing the door to swing open fully. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the others filtered in.

"About time," Shauna muttered, her brow furrowed in a mixture of impatience and relief.

Julianna offered a small, tight smile, glancing back at the dead officer on the floor for a second. "Had to take care of something," she said, her voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

Natalie was the first to step inside, her gaze scanning the room quickly, taking in the dark, empty hallways. "Any sign of others?" she asked, her voice low but controlled.

"No," Julianna replied, her eyes already moving toward the hallway she had just come from. "But we shouldn't waste time. Let's get what we need and go."

They moved quickly through the station, the air growing colder as they passed by empty desks, discarded uniforms, and signs of what had once been an active, busy environment. It was all just... gone now.

But they didn't have time to reflect on that. They needed weapons, supplies, and whatever else might help them survive. Their mission was simple: get in, get what they could, and get out before they attracted more of the infected.

Julianna could feel the weight of their silence as they combed the station. It was like everything was holding its breath, waiting for the next thing to go wrong. But right now, she felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. Maybe it was the key to the door. Maybe it was the knife still clenched tightly in her hand. Maybe it was just the quiet realization that they could still make it.

But whatever it was, it felt good.

The small group moved through the police station's dimly lit corridors, their steps light but purposeful. It was quiet, almost eerily so, but the adrenaline of their recent encounter was still fresh, keeping them on edge.

They rounded a corner and saw it: a small armory tucked in a back room, hidden behind a narrow door. It looked like something out of a movie, the kind of place you never thought you'd actually need to find, and yet here they were. It was stocked with everything they could have hoped for—guns, knives, ammunition, and even a few batons and tasers. The sight of it made Julianna's stomach tighten with an odd mix of relief and apprehension. They were incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon this stash.

"There's so much left," Natalie muttered, her voice low but filled with awe as she scanned the shelves. Her hands reached for a rifle, checking it over quickly before setting it aside. "This is insane. How did we get so lucky?"

"Luck's about the only thing we've got left," Shauna replied with a half-laugh, tossing a handgun into her backpack. Her eyes darted over the room, but she seemed more relaxed now that they'd found the armory. They were all starting to breathe a little easier.

Julianna stepped forward cautiously, eyeing the weapons. Her fingers brushed over the cold metal of the rifles, the handles of the knives, and the weight of the ammunition. Her first instinct was to pick up a few things, but she hesitated. She had no real experience with most of these, except for the knife she'd already used. She grabbed a handgun, feeling its weight in her palm before sliding it into the bag. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing.

"Let's just make sure we grab enough," Taissa said, her voice calm but firm as she moved past Julianna to stock up on more ammo. "We don't know what's waiting for us when we get back out there."

There was a quiet agreement as everyone started filling their bags, making sure to grab as much as they could carry. The sound of metal clinking together and the occasional rustle of bags filled the room, but there was no urgency in their movements, just a calm efficiency that spoke volumes about their growing experience in this new world.

Despite the chaos and fear that had dominated the last several days, there was something grounding about this moment.

She caught Shauna's eye for a second, and Shauna gave her a small nod. It was a quiet moment of solidarity, a reminder that they were all in this together. They weren't just random people thrown together by fate. They were a team now.

"I think that's enough," Natalie said, stuffing a few more magazines of ammo into her bag. "We're going to need all of this if we're going to get out of here."

"Yeah," Taissa agreed, zipping up her bag and turning to face the others. "We've got everything we need. Let's get moving."

As they gathered their supplies and prepared to leave the armory, Julianna couldn't help but smile to herself. They were heading into the unknown, yes—but they were heading out with a fighting chance. They wouldn't be going back empty-handed.

The group moved toward the exit, their backpacks heavier now with the added weight of weapons and ammo. As they walked, there was an odd sense of normalcy in the idle chatter that filled the air, laughing at small jokes, checking each other's bags. It was strange to feel even a momentary sense of ease in a world so full of danger.

It wouldn't last long, but for now, they had what they needed.

The crackling static was faint at first, barely noticeable, but then it grew louder, buzzing in the background like a persistent fly. Julianna's head snapped up at the sound, her attention immediately caught by the low, crackling hum that filled the air. For a second, she thought it was just the static from the broken radio equipment they'd found earlier, but this was different. Something was coming through, something she couldn't quite make out yet.

"Wait—hold on," Julianna muttered, almost to herself, as she adjusted the dials on the radio. She twisted the knobs with a practiced hand, trying to find a frequency, but the crackling was relentless. Then, suddenly, the static began to break apart, the sounds sharpening, the voices becoming clearer as they slid through the airwaves.

"—taining security—stay clear—helping rebuild the—university—safe zone—"

Julianna froze. She leaned closer to the radio, squinting at the dials like they held the key to something larger. Shauna, Natalie, and Taissa stopped talking, noticing the sudden change in Julianna's demeanor. The buzz was still there, but the voice on the other end was beginning to emerge, clear enough to hear now.

"—This is Kaitlyn," the voice came through, sounding strained but clear. It was a woman's voice, late thirties perhaps, filled with the edge of exhaustion. "We've established a safe zone in Kansas City, Missouri. We're in the process of rebuilding a university into a lab. We have military bases secured, and we're starting to get our systems back up..."

Julianna's heart pounded, her fingers tightening around the radio's dial as the voice continued. She glanced at the others, who were slowly inching closer, curiosity piqued.

"—If you're hearing this, you're not alone. We've got supplies, a working water system, food, shelter, and medical. We're doing thorough checks to ensure no infected are brought in. The zone is secure. Safe. Sanctuary for all, kids and adults alike. We've been up and running for about ten days now, and—"

Julianna's mind raced, her thoughts flashing through a million possibilities. The words "safe zone" echoed in her ears.

"I can't believe it," Natalie muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with disbelief. "A safe zone?"

"No way," Taissa breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the gravity of it. "Kansas City... That's, like, months of travel. You're telling me we'd have to walk all that way?"

Shauna shook her head, disbelief written across her face, but even she couldn't hide the flicker of hope that sparked in her eyes. "I mean, it's better than nothing, right? If they've got food, people, water... a working system. That sounds like the best shot we've got."

The voice on the radio continued, the words repeating and becoming clearer.

"—If you can hear this, head west. We're building something. We're trying to save everyone we can. This is Kaitlyn, and we're here, trying to rebuild—"

The signal cut out abruptly, plunging the station back into a buzzing silence.

Julianna stared at the radio, her mind swirling. A part of her couldn't believe it. Couldn't allow herself to. But it felt real. It sounded real. They had a place to go, a destination—something to move toward.

"Holy shit," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "People are building communities. They're out there."

Shauna exhaled, and for the first time in a while, Julianna saw a glimmer of something other than exhaustion in her eyes. "We have to go. We have to get there."

"Yeah," Natalie added, her tone sharp. "We need to tell the others."

Taissa frowned, looking around at the group. "Kansas City's not just a hop, skip, and jump away, though. It's a huge risk. We don't even know what's between here and there."

Julianna nodded slowly, turning back toward the others. The weight of what they had just heard sank in. The thought of a place where people were safe, where they could get food, water, supplies—it was everything. But the journey would be long. And dangerous. And it might not even be real.

"I know," Julianna said quietly, trying to steady her racing heart. "But... if it's true, it's the best chance we've got. We don't have to stay here forever. We can—"

Shauna cut her off, stepping forward with a decisive look on her face. "We'll go. We'll get there, no matter what it takes."

There was a brief moment of silence as everyone processed the weight of their words. Julianna couldn't help but feel a strange sense of solidarity building between them. The road ahead was uncertain, but they weren't alone. They had a goal. They had a purpose.

"And we're telling everyone when we get back," Taissa said, her tone a little firmer now. "We need to be ready. We'll need to plan this out."

Julianna met Shauna's gaze, then Natalie's and Taissa's, and nodded. They weren't ready yet. But they would be. They had to be.

They had a destination. Kansas City. The thought was strange but comforting. It wasn't just a place—it was hope. It was something to hold on to. And in a world that felt more uncertain with each passing day, hope was all they had left.