Morning arrived quietly.
For once...
No alarms.
No gunfire.
No screaming.
Only birds singing through the trees.
Breddy slowly stepped out of the cabin, stretching carefully before immediately grabbing his ribs.
"...Still hurts."
From behind him came a familiar voice.
"Good."
He turned.
Raven leaned against the porch railing with two mugs of coffee.
"Maybe now you'll actually rest."
Breddy accepted one of the mugs.
"I make no promises."
"I know."
"That's the problem."
They both laughed.
---
Near the campfire...
Tyler, Mason, Shijiki, and the manager were whispering together.
Tyler looked over his shoulder.
"They're awake."
Mason rubbed his hands together.
"Perfect."
"What are you four doing?" Breddy asked.
"Nothing."
They answered far too quickly.
Raven folded her arms.
"You're terrible liars."
The manager walked over carrying an old picnic basket.
He handed it to Breddy.
"Take it."
Breddy looked inside.
Canned peaches.
Beef jerky.
Crackers.
Chocolate bars.
Two bottles of soda.
Even a small blanket.
"...What's all this?"
Tyler grinned.
"A date."
Breddy nearly dropped the basket.
"A what?"
"A date."
Shijiki pointed toward the lake.
"You two haven't had a real break since all this started."
"So..."
"We're making you take one."
Raven laughed.
"They actually planned this."
Mason nodded proudly.
"We're relationship experts."
Everyone stared at him.
"You've been divorced twice," Tyler said.
"...We're learning."
The entire camp burst into laughter.
---
A few minutes later...
Breddy and Raven reached the quiet lake.
The water reflected the blue sky like glass.
They spread the blanket beneath a large oak tree.
Breddy opened a can of peaches.
Before he could take a bite...
Raven reached over with her fork.
"...Hey."
She smiled innocently.
"What?"
"You stole my peach."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You literally have it in your mouth."
She shrugged.
"Finders keepers."
Breddy sighed dramatically.
"I survived a secret underground laboratory..."
"...just to lose my peaches."
Raven laughed so hard she almost spilled her soda.
"I can't believe you're mourning canned fruit."
"They were good peaches."
---
After lunch...
Raven stood and brushed the grass from her clothes.
"Okay."
Breddy looked up.
"Okay... what?"
"We're training."
He blinked.
"The doctor said I need rest."
"The doctor said no fighting."
She picked up two fallen tree branches.
"This isn't fighting."
She tossed one to him.
"It's practice."
He caught it with one hand.
"If I win..."
"...I get my peaches back."
She smirked.
"You can try."
---
The match began.
Breddy swung carefully.
Raven stepped aside with ease.
"Too slow."
He attacked again.
She blocked.
Spun.
Tapped his shoulder with the stick.
"Dead."
"I wasn't ready."
"You attacked first."
"I was warming up."
She laughed.
"You always have an excuse."
Breddy charged again.
This time Raven swept his legs with one quick movement.
He landed flat on his back.
"Oof..."
She stood over him, trying not to laugh.
"So..."
"Still warming up?"
He groaned.
"I blame my ribs."
"I knew you were going to say that."
She offered him her hand.
As she helped him up...
He gently tugged her closer.
She stumbled into him.
Their faces ended up only inches apart.
Raven smiled.
"Smooth."
"I planned that."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Liar."
"Maybe a little."
---
The afternoon slowly turned into evening.
The two sat together on the old dock.
Their feet dangled above the water.
The wind gently moved Raven's hair.
She looked at Breddy.
"You know..."
"I haven't laughed this much in years."
"I'm glad."
"You needed it."
"So did you."
He nodded.
"...Yeah."
After a long silence, Raven rested her head against his shoulder.
"What happens after this?"
"What do you mean?"
"If we survive."
Breddy looked across the lake.
"I'd rebuild."
"My house."
"My life."
"...Maybe even another Walmart."
Raven laughed.
"You really are loyal."
"I told you."
"It was home."
She smiled softly.
"Maybe..."
"...I'll help you."
He looked at her.
"You'd really stay?"
She intertwined her fingers with his.
"If you'll have me."
Breddy smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The two sat quietly, watching the sun disappear behind the mountains.
Back at camp, Tyler looked through a pair of binoculars.
Mason elbowed him.
"Stop spying."
"I'm making sure they're safe."
"You mean you're being nosy."
"...Maybe."
The two quietly laughed and walked away, leaving Breddy and Raven alone.
For one peaceful evening...
There were no monsters.
No missions.
No fear.
Just two survivors...
...finding a reason to keep living.