Their plan was simple: find anything of value. Food, clothes, or even toys and books for the children. Clark was a good leader, he was more self-sacrificing than many would believe with his heavily tattooed appearance and “I don’t take no shit” attitude. He was also incredibly stubborn about “leaving people behind”. Clark didn’t see why one injured man was thought of as a burden to others. Yes there was no way medicines from three years ago could help as many had been stolen from shops and stores. Some burned them, others overdosed or quickly grew a habit of pill-popping. Brushing blond strands from his eyes he surveyed the area as they walked down a narrowly constructed bridge to keep them from the water that separated their tiny island home from what remained of Brooklyn. The water wasn’t deep but with this unusually cold weather they couldn’t take any chances. 

One by one they stepped across the bridge, Clark went first to aid Harriet when it was her time to cross. Vanessa followed soon after as she was followed by Jack. Matt stayed behind to make sure that the others would make it across safely, and no one would argue that the man was able to spot danger before they could. There once was a major road that linked their home to the rest of the city, in fact there had been several, but they were either underwater now or had been destroyed. They had crossed over what used to be the bay of the island before it had come closer inland and narrowed. Once on the other side they were able to follow the rest of the road that had been built on the island. The road was cracked in many places as nature had reclaimed the open pockets within the cracks. 

As they walked Clark conversed with Harriet about the weather, “It’s getting warmer,” he commented quietly to the woman. She nodded silently as they continued on, stopping so she could take a break and so they could go over their plan once more. It would take them a few hours to walk to the boarder of their tiny and safe home but they had plenty of the day to waist away. Vanessa hummed lightly as Jack and Matt talked about football—a sport that they both loved. “What are you humming about?” Matt asked as he glanced at the girl. 

“Just thinking about the weather is all, it’s getting better.” Vanessa said before falling back to talk with Katie and Wyatt. “How are you two today?” she asked curiously.

Clark smiled as Harriet began telling him of the dream that she had last night. The way that she talked about it was enough to make anyone smile. Glancing over his shoulder at the rest of the group the man found himself enjoying all of them. They were grouped together the most, Clark and the others. They all seemed to get along rather well too, and it was often on these little adventures that they all grew closer.

About a half an hour later they arrived at the very edge of their home. It was marked by a small stack of rocks that had been found along the shorelines. It was here that another bridge had been built. Most of it was really just pieces of wood tied together as it floated onto of the water. They would get wet and it would be horrible as they would have to keep moving with heavy clothes on but they would stop to dry when they would get the chance. Clark went first, he was careful about picking his way across the wood and other items like car tires and even small sheets of metal. His up to his knees was wet but he shrugged off his worries as he watched Harriet pick her way through the maze of objects of the crude bridge. This time Matt went before Vanessa since his eyes were more of a use here than anywhere else. Vanessa quietly clutched her knife as she picked her way through everything. On their side of the tiny bridge the ropes had been secured into the ground with metal scraps or it had been simply tied around rocks that they had buried into the ground at shallow angles. In a way she guessed that the bridge would make it hard for them to be attacked. It almost seemed like an art to get across without sinking entirely…or falling off and into the water.

Once everyone else was across, Clark sighed. “Alright. Augustus wants us to go in farther than we had before. This gives us the possibility of more danger. Matt you be our scout, Harriet you stay with Van and Katie, Jack and Wyatt I want you two to guard them. I’ll take the back.” Clark said. 

They never kept the same positions in the group, it was a constant changing among them to best use all of their skills. Clark by no means was a weak man. His well-muscled body had been accustomed to lifting heavy objects and well he prided himself at one time on his strength. Back in the village they never had a day of doing nothing. Fishing and picking up rocks to use for building had kept him toned but not like before the outbreak. There were times that he had been the scout, although he was not as fast as he wished himself to be. Other times he had scavenged but today he would be the sentry. His job was simple: Guard everyone from the dangers presented by other humans and animals.

Jack and Wyatt would guard the scavengers from other dangers where Clark could not.

Vanessa glanced over at Clark, noticing that his knuckles were white as he clutched the heavy club that he carried. Everyone was nervous about moving further than they had before. Twenty minutes later they were closer to what used to hold civilization. The buildings were crumbling. Windows were a rarity now and few buildings had them. One in particular was to be their rest stop. It had been an old warehouse or something, no one was for sure. It was large and square in structure. They sat outside, warming themselves in the sun but once Harriet began to shiver they moved into the building. Part of the roof had collapsed, making the space inside much smaller than it appeared to be but this was the safest place they could find. Clark had a few things for a fire—a tiny bundle of matches that were sealed inside of an old camera roll canister. They had found the small black tube on their last journey into the ruins of the large city. The matches had been a blessing and admittedly they had a celebration in honor of finding them. Something once regarded as insignificant now held so much importance to them.

Vanessa and Jack found scraps that they could use to create a fire for the woman as Matt hugged her close. She was the oldest in their scavenging group and there was always a fear that she would die on such a trip because of her age. The fire was small, if it could be held then it would fit into one of the men’s hands. Harriet was the first to be warmed by its red and orange flames. Her shivering hadn’t stopped but it was getting better. Matt and Clark went outside to look around for anything of use as the others warmed themselves up. Vanessa followed soon after.

“Cj,” she called to the blond man. Rarely did anyone aside from Augustus and Harriet call the man by his first name. “I’m worried about Harriet.” She stated, “Maybe one of us should stay here with her—“

Clark sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder, “Van…you know that can’t happen. We need all of the help we can get.”

“But she’s still shivering. I just worry, you know…that one of us won’t make it back. I’ll stay with her. We can look around in the buildings that we haven’t here and I’m sure we can find something.”

Clark nodded, “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise that it’ll happen.” 

Matt was quietly listening to them talk. Clark was right, they needed everyone but Vanessa rose a valid point. Harriet was too cold to go . “Matt come back inside.” Clark asked. Vanessa and Matt followed him back inside where he approached the fire and warmed his hands. Although the sun was out there was a slight breeze that brought coldness. His fingers had begun to grow stiff. 

“It has been brought to my attention that Harriet is in no condition to continue and Vanessa wishes to stay with her. Was their anyone else who wanted to stay or do any of you have a different idea?” Clark asked.

Harriet smiled at Vanessa and gently gripped one of her hands. “Thank you,” she mouthed as she looked around the group, waiting to hear their thoughts.