I drove for hours, the desolate landscape rolling by like a barren sea. The sun beat down on us, casting long shadows across the road. Brian and Emily followed close behind in their GMC Envoy, their faces set with determination. Danielle sat beside me in the passenger seat, her eyes scanning the horizon, and I held her hand tightly.
Nick rode in the backseat, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror, keeping watch for any signs of danger.
As I drove, the scenery shifted from open fields to dense forests, and finally, to the outskirts of Albany. The Capitol building loomed in the distance, its dome gleaming in the sunlight. I passed through the empty streets, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the occasional creak of metal.
As I approached the Capitol building, I noticed that the streets were eerily quiet. No signs of life, no movement. The building's facade was scarred, with broken windows and barricaded doors. I pulled up to a fenced-in perimeter. I got out to open the gate, the metal creaking as I swung it open. I got back in the truck and drove through, then got out again to close the gate behind us.
"Welcome to our home," I said, as we pulled up to the building. "The New York State Capitol building is a sturdy structure. We've done the best we can to make it secure."
Brian and Emily nodded, their eyes scanning the surroundings. We got our gear and entered the buildings, the silence enveloping us like a shroud.
As the evening wore on, Brian and Emily looked around, taking in the makeshift living arrangements. I had set up a few rooms, with beds and basic supplies. The building was quiet, except for the occasional creak of the old structure.
"Let's get some rest," I said. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
Danielle and I settled into our usual routine, lying down on the bed together. I wrapped my arms around her, feeling a sense of comfort and security with her by my side. Brian and Emily took another room, while Nick kept watch from a nearby room.
Just as we were drifting off to sleep, there was a knock at the door. "Dylan?" Emily's voice was urgent. "Dylan, I need to ask you something."
I groggily got out of bed and opened the door. Emily was standing there, looking frazzled. "What's up?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"I have to pee," she said, her voice rising in desperation. "I've had to pee since Lake George, but I was too nervous to ask. Where's the bathroom?"
I chuckled. "Down the hall, second door on the left," I said, trying to stifle a grin.
Emily let out a sigh of relief and hurried off to the bathroom. I shook my head, smiling and got back into bed with Danielle. "Guess some things don't change, even in a zombie apocalypse," I said, chuckling.
Danielle smiled and leaned in close. "Guess not," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
As I settled back into bed with Danielle, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. She snuggled in, her body warm against mine. I held her tight, feeling a sense of comfort and security with her by my side. My hand slowly slid down her back, coming to a rest on the curve of her hip. She didn't pull away, instead she leaned in closer, her eyes still sparkling with amusement still evident in the dim light.
We lay there in comfortable silence, listening to the creaks and groans of the old building. After a moment, Emily returned from the bathroom, her footsteps quiet as she slipped back into her room. I smiled, thinking about her desperate plea to use the bathroom. Some things, indeed, didn't change, even in a zombie apocalypse.
As the night wore on, we drifted off to sleep, the silence and darkness enveloping us like a shroud. The Capitol building was quiet, except for the occasional creak of the old structure, but I knew we were safe.