Malcolm held still and listened, but nothing came back. There was no scrape, no screech, nor the telltale sign of clicks, yet the silence made his jaw tighten as he pulled the strap of his backpack closer to his shoulder.
"We're leaving."
Archie and Harry hesitated, both shaking their heads as Arnulf stepped in.
"Wouldn't we be safer inside if there's a hunter?"
Malcolm didn't answer right away and moved to the entrance, scanning the street. Walkers littered the road, some walking aimlessly while others, whose bodies were already deteriorating, stood frozen in place.
"If we fire inside, the walkers trap us," he said while watching the street.
"What if we hide here?" Harry asked. "Just until it's gone."
Malcolm shook his head.
"If it's in the area, then we're already the target. We need to go now."
A screech cut through the air, sharp and close, making everyone flinch.
"Move."
