Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 75: The World Was Like A Raging River

Chapter 75: 75: The World Was Like A Raging River

The days stretched on as Zara, Winter, and Leo continued their journey along the highway. The rainwater had drained out the sides and into the greenery below, leaving the asphalt easier for them to travel through. Now the problem was the sun, which seemed hell-bent on melting them.

"We’ve passed the last two landmarks," Winter noted, his eyes scanning the horizon as he held the map up for Zara to see.

She leaned in closer to peer at the map, her shoulder brushing against his. "Not much farther, then," she murmured, her gaze shifting to the distant skyline. "City H should be just over that ridge."

Winter nodded, folding the map back. "We’ll be there before we know it."

Leo stirred, his small voice piping up. "mommy, is City H a big place?"

Zara smiled down at him, smoothing a hand over his soft curls. "It’s supposed to be a safe place, sweetie. A big city where we can rest and be safe."

Leo nodded, his eyes bright with curiosity. "I want to see it."

"And we will," Zara smiled, "just a day or two left."

She looked at winter who nodded in confirmation.

"Are you always this bossy?" Winter teased, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Zara shot him a sidelong glance. "Only when someone needs direction," she retorted, her tone light but edged with exasperation.

"What is it with men and taking directions from others?" She added with a shake of her head.

"It’s not the directions, it’s you," Winter chuckled, the sound low.

Before Zara could respond, Leo squirmed in her arms. "Mommy, I wanna walk!" he declared, his little hands pushing against her chest lightly.

"But I wanna see!" Leo whined, his big eyes filled with innocent determination.

Zara tightened her grip on him, her arms holding him close against her chest. "Leo, you need to stay in my arms. It’s safer this way."

Leo pouted, his little hands pushing against her with increasing frustration. "I’m big now, mommy! I wanna walk like you and uncle!"

Zara felt a twinge in her chest, guilt twisting her insides. She hated being an overprotective mother, but the world was a dangerous place now.

"I know you want to, sweetheart," she said, trying to keep her voice calm, "but it’s not safe for you to walk by yourself. You don’t know what’s out there."

Leo’s face scrunched up, his bottom lip trembling. "Please, mommy?" he asked, his voice small and pleading. "I want to see everything!"

Zara bit her lip, her resolve faltering under that cute gaze.

Winter slowed his pace, turning to look at the two of them. "Come on, Zara. Let him stretch his legs. We’ve been walking for hours."

She shook her head, trying to push down the unease gnawing at her. "Leo, it’s too dangerous. I can’t let you—"

"Zara," Winter interrupted, his voice gentler now, coaxing. "Come on, let him stretch his legs. We’ve been walking for hours. He’s not going to learn to be careful if we never give him the chance to walk on his own."

Zara’s brows furrowed, her protective instincts flaring. "It’s not safe, Winter. Anything could happen."

Winter gave her a knowing look, his tone softening. "We’re in the middle of nowhere, Zara. He needs to feel like a kid sometimes."

Zara glanced at Leo, still looking up at her with hopeful eyes, his small body wiggling slightly in her arms as if trying to squirm free.

"Plus, we’re right here." He gave her a knowing look. "Nothing is going to happen to him under our watch."

She chewed on her bottom lip, giving Winter a narrowed look. But the logic in his words was hard to ignore.

Winter raised an eyebrow,

With a reluctant sigh, she set Leo down, her hand lingering on his shoulder. "Stay close, okay?"

Leo beamed, the joy lighting up his face as he toddled ahead, his little feet kicking up dust.

Her hand instinctively reached out for him, but she quickly pulled it back, knowing she couldn’t smother him this time.

Winter fell into step beside her, his eyes tracking Leo’s every movement. "See? He’s fine."

Zara huffed, folding her arms. "You better be right about this."

"When am I never?" He asked.

Zara shook her head, watching Leo toddle ahead. He kept his word and didn’t go too far, probably because his little legs couldn’t. Would city H have a place he could roam around with other children his age? Were they sure this was a good idea?

"You’ve got that look again," Winter murmured as they walked.

"What look?" Zara asked, her eyes darting to him briefly before returning to the path ahead.

"The one that says you’re thinking too much," he replied, his tone teasing but laced with concern.

Zara sighed, her thoughts heavy. "It’s hard not to, in a place like this."

Winter’s expression softened. "We’re almost at the city, just a few more miles. We’ll get through this. One step at a time."

But as the city’s distant skyline came into view, Zara’s mind shifted to more pressing concerns.

"What’s the plan when we get to City H?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Winter shrugged, his gaze thoughtful. "We’ll find a place to stay, see if any part of the city is safe. If not, we’ll hunker down somewhere close and scout for supplies."

Zara raised an eyebrow. "We? Planning on sticking around, are you?"

Winter glanced at her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Why? Thinking of ditching me?"

She fought the warmth creeping up her neck. "I’m just surprised you’re including us in your grand survival plan."

His smirk widened. "What can I say? Leo’s growing on me, you’re manageable, I guess."

Zara scoffed, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. "Don’t flatter yourself."

Winter leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Admit it. You’d miss me if I were gone."

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. "In your dreams."

He chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. "Been trying to get into my dreams?"

She opened her mouth to retort, but the world around her suddenly tilted. Her vision blurred, and a deafening roar filled her ears. She saw a river overflowing, the ground crumbling beneath their feet, and Leo’s terrified cries piercing the chaos.

When Zara came to, she was in Winter’s arms, his face etched with worry. "Zara, what happened?" he asked, his voice urgent.

She struggled to gather her thoughts, her eyes darting frantically. "Leo!" she cried, spotting him just ahead.

Leo jumped at her tone and ran back. "Mommy?"

Zara pulled him into a tight embrace, her heart pounding. "We need to move," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Now."

Winter didn’t question her. His expression hardened as he scooped them both up, his powerful strides eating up the distance as he ran. The wind whipped past Zara’s face, her heart racing in time with his footsteps. She clung to him, the world a blur of motion and adrenaline.

They reached a small bridge, and Winter came to an abrupt halt. Zara’s heart dropped as she recognized it—the bridge from her vision.

"Why are we stopping?" she asked, her voice tight with fear.

Winter’s eyes scanned the horizon, his jaw set. "There’s something up ahead."

Zara’s instincts screamed at her to keep moving, but she knew better than to ignore Winter’s instincts. "Let me down," she urged. "You need your hands free."

He shook his head, his grip tightening. "I’m not fighting. Just running if I have to. I need to know what’s out there."

Zara’s breath caught as her gaze fell on the river beneath the bridge. The water was dark and murky, churning with a dangerous current. The concrete bridge showed clear signs of decay—cracks spider-webbed across its surface, and chunks of concrete had crumbled away, exposing rusted rebar beneath.

"Let me down winter, now," she hissed.

Winter’s eyes remained fixed on the far end of the bridge, his body taut, as he finally relented. "Stay close," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rushing water.

Zara tightened her grip on Leo, her heart thundering in her chest as she quickly strapped him close.

She would need her hands free for whatever this was. "Do you see anything?"

Before Winter could respond, a guttural growl echoed from the shadows on the other side. From the darkness emerged grotesque creatures—twisted, mutated animals, their bodies malformed and their eyes glowing a sickly yellow. Their jagged teeth gleamed as they snarled, their movements erratic and unsettling.

"Mutants," Winter spat, shouldering his rifle.

The creatures didn’t wait. They charged, their distorted limbs propelling them forward with terrifying speed. Winter opened fire, the rifle’s sharp crack splitting the air.

The first creature dropped, dark, oily blood spraying from its wound. But the others pressed on, unafraid.

Zara instinctively hid Leo’s face in her neck before she unsheathed a small knife from her belt, her hands shaking.

Winter easily switched between hsi rifle and machete, trying to keep the creatures at bay but one creature broke away from the pack, heading straight for Zara and Leo. Zara stepped forward, her heart pounding as she raised her knife. She struck out, the blade sinking into the creature’s neck. It let out a choked gurgle before collapsing at her feet.

"Mommy, what’s happening?" Leo shifted against her, trying to look behind him.

"Leo, don’t look!" she pleaded, her voice strained. She tried to shield him from the sight, but he already turned. Zara’s heart broke at the fear in his eyes.

"It’s okay, baby," she said, forcing a calm she didn’t feel. "We’re just playing a game. Stay still and close your eyes ok?"

Leo nodded, hiding his face in her neck.

Winter shot a glance back at them, his jaw tight. "Zara, let’s try to keep moving!"

The bridge beneath them groaned ominously, the concrete cracking and shifting under their weight.

Zara’s breath quickened as she felt the ground tremble beneath her feet.

Another creature lunged, and Winter met it with a powerful swing of his machete. The force sent the creature sprawling, but the bridge shuddered violently from the impact.

Suddenly, a deep crack echoed through the air. The bridge began to collapse, the concrete giving way in chunks.

Just like the premonition!

Zara’s eyes widened in horror as the ground beneath them tilted.

"Winter!" she screamed, reaching out instinctively. But it was too late—the bridge crumbled, and they were plunged into the murky, swirling river below.