[h1][b][i][color=CornflowerBlue][center]Jack Landry[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XvlJ2Vm.jpeg[/img]

[i]Location: West Caldwell Streets
Skills: N/A[/i][hr][hr][/center]

His escape from the city had been spontaneous and haphazard… but not ill-advised. In the end, it was the only prudent option Jack had at his disposal, particularly when the infected had breached the make-shift shelter they had erected inside a public works office and scattered the handful of survivors who had taken refuge there. There had been five of them in all, including himself. Initially, it seemed feasible to keep everyone together without too many setbacks. He was accustomed to managing a small group, but such thoughts were naive. He should've known better; things were [i]always[/i] different in a crisis situation. He soon discovered this terrible truth when the infected had stormed the area and penetrated the barricades, allowing them to enter the office without restraint…

The teacher—was her name Sue?—had become the first victim. She quickly succumbed to the mob after freezing under duress, followed by the two janitors, brothers who had worked for the city for decades. Their efforts were valiant under the circumstances, an earnest attempt to avenge their fallen comrade despite their lack of poise. Nevertheless, Jack admired their courage. Their sacrifice had been the perfect distraction, affording him and the young intern, Ben, enough time to flee from the premises.

That’s how he found himself behind the wheel of the battered Chevy Impala. It had belonged to Ben, the stereotypical ‘beater’ often utilized by the poor college student. As long as it got him from point A to point B, Jack wasn’t going to judge—especially when the young man was no longer around to defend himself or his property. The infected had ambushed him while attempting to reach the vehicle. It took all of Jack’s willpower to push on in the aftermath of that terrible moment, gritting his teeth to drown out the frantic screams, his knuckles white against the steering wheel, as he sped away from the scene and abandoned Ben to his fate.

One bite; one scratch.

That’s all it took.

Ben had suffered both.

Jack had to keep reminding himself that there had been no other choice. The boy was already dead at that point. If he had tried to save him, he would’ve eventually turned, and then—

[color=CornflowerBlue]"Goddammit,"[/color] he suddenly uttered, his foot pumping the brake pedal as a group of pedestrians suddenly came into view from a nearby storefront. He hadn’t registered their presence due to his turbulent thoughts, though he couldn’t dismiss his initial fear—what if they were among the infected? It was the source of his trepidation, prompting him to approach with caution. 

However, upon closer inspection, they weren’t exhibiting any telltale signs of disease. That raised his spirits, if only marginally. After facing so much adversity over the past 48 hours, perhaps he had finally hit a stroke of luck. If these survivors were cordial and open to collaboration, maybe there was a chance. Maybe there was a shred of [i]hope[/i] that things could work out.

[i]Maybe Claire was still alive.[/i]

That idea lingered, nagging at the back of his mind and causing him to inhale sharply through his nose. Despite everything, that’s why Jack had resolved to drive north; he wanted to reach his daughter before it was too late.

Jack latched onto that thought for inspiration as he stopped the car and lowered the window. [color=CornflowerBlue]"Hey,"[/color] he called with a lazy wave. [color=CornflowerBlue]"I hope I’m not intruding. I was passing through on my way out of the city, and… well, let’s just say I’m glad to see someone [i]alive[/i] and well out here."[/color] 

A rueful smile touched his lips. [color=CornflowerBlue]"It’s been a tense couple of days."[/color]