Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 90: A World Opening

Chapter 90: 90: A World Opening

Winter’s eyes fluttered open, his breath slow and steady as he adjusted to the dimness around him. The world outside was still hushed, the sky just starting to lighten with the faintest glow of dawn.

Beside him, Zara shifted slightly, her warm presence a comforting contrast to the cool morning air.

In the space between them, Leo lay nestled against her side, his tiny hands curled into soft fists as his face pressed into Zara’s shirt. His messy hair stuck up at odd angles, and Winter’s lips twitched into a faint smile at the sight.

"You’re awake," Zara whispered, her voice low and soft, careful not to disturb Leo.

Winter turned his head toward her, catching the faint gleam of her half-lidded eyes. "So are you," he murmured, his voice rough from sleep.

She gave a sleepy smirk, her tone teasing. "I have a baby kicking me in the ribs. What’s your excuse?"

Winter raised an eyebrow, shifting slightly to prop himself up on one elbow. "Maybe it’s the snoring."

Her smile widened as she rolled her eyes. "I don’t snore."

"Sure you don’t," he murmured, the faint smirk playing at his lips.

Zara nudged his leg lightly under the blanket. "If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were looking for a fight this early in the morning."

Winter chuckled, the low sound rumbling in his chest. "Not a fight. Just saying the truth."

Before Zara could retort, Leo stirred between them, letting out a small, muffled sound as he clung tighter to her shirt. They both froze, their teasing giving way to quiet affection as they watched him settle back into sleep.

"Lucky he sleeps through your nonsense," Zara murmured, brushing a gentle hand over Leo’s hair.

"Lucky for you," Winter shot back with a faint smirk, leaning closer to lightly flick her shoulder.

Zara shook her head, her gaze soft as it flitted between Winter and Leo. "You know he only likes you because you let him do what he wants to."

Winter let out a low chuckle, his breath warm in the chilly morning air. "Yeah? Maybe he just knows I’m more fun than you."

"Fun isn’t parenting," Zara retorted, though her voice lacked any real bite.

"Sounds like something the bad guy would say," Winter said, his grin widening.

Her gasp of mock offense earned a deeper laugh from him, and for a fleeting moment, the truth of their reality slipped away, leaving only the quiet warmth of their little family.

But the sound of movement outside their little sleep pile reminded them both that normal was a luxury they didn’t have.

Richard’s voice cut through the early morning air as he passed by them, his tone brisk but not unkind. "Time to get moving. The convoy’s already packing up."

Zara sighed, brushing a hand over Leo’s hair. "Guess that’s our cue."

Winter nodded, his expression shifting back to the sharp alertness that seemed permanently etched into his features. "I’ll check the perimeter."

As he stepped out of the sleeping bag into the cool morning, Zara worked on gently waking Leo.

By now, the camp stirred with activity. Richard nudged Mike awake with the blunt end of his boot. "Come on, kid. Up and at ’em."

Mike groaned, rubbing his red, puffy eyes. "Do I have to?"

"Unless you want to stay here and get eaten by something, yeah, you have to," Richard said with a smirk.

Meanwhile, Sam was already awake, sitting cross-legged near the firepit as he carefully folded his blanket. He gave Richard a small nod of acknowledgment but didn’t speak.

Zara smiled softly at Mike’s words as she lifted a groggy Leo into her arms. The boy yawned, blinking sleepily at the bustling camp around him. "Mommy..." he mumbled, burying his face against her shoulder.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple.

The boy groaned softly, his face scrunching in protest as she whispered soothingly, "Come on, love, it’s time to get up."

Leo whined, his small hands clutching at her shirt as he buried his face deeper in her neck. "Sleepy..."

Her smile widened as she rocked him gently. "I know, baby, but we have to get moving. You’ll feel better once you’re up."

"Don’t wanna.."

From across the space, Mike muttered groggily, his voice thick with sleep—and maybe a hint of lingering sadness. "Join the club, kid."

Richard raised an eyebrow at Mike, who was still moving at a snail’s pace. "What’s your excuse?"

Mike grumbled, pulling on his boots. "Crying myself to sleep’s exhausting, in case you didn’t know."

Zara glanced over, catching the faint puffiness around Mike’s eyes. "You’re not going to make me carry you too, are you?" she teased, her tone deliberately light.

Mike gave her a weak glare but didn’t bother responding, earning a snort from Winter as he returned, his rifle slung across his shoulder. "I mean, I could carry him if you want," he offered with a grin, earning a half-hearted groan from Mike.

"Don’t tease," Zara said lightly as she adjusted Leo’s blanket. "Mike’s had a rough night, and Leo’s allowed to be grumpy. He’s still a baby."

"Sure," Winter replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "And what’s your excuse?"

Zara shot him a playful glare but didn’t respond. Instead, she focused on getting Leo settled while Mike shuffled over to help pack up their things.

Sam watched them all with an amused expression as he rolled up his sleeping bag.

With the camp coming to life, the group moved quickly to gather themselves.

Zara focused on Leo, ensuring he was fed and dressed, while Winter took stock of their surroundings. The convoy soldiers were professional but not overly warm, their movements brisk as they loaded supplies onto their vehicles.

One of the soldiers—a middle-aged man with graying hair—approached the group, his rifle slung casually over his shoulder. "Morning," he said, his tone gruff but not unkind. "We’ll be leaving in fifteen. Make sure you’re ready."

Richard nodded in acknowledgment. "We’re just about packed."

The soldier glanced at the group, his gaze lingering on Zara and Leo. "Kid holding up okay?" he asked, his voice softening.

"He’s doing fine," Zara replied, adjusting Leo’s blanket. "Thanks for asking."

The soldier grunted and gave a small nod before turning back toward his comrades. As he walked away, Mike muttered, "Let’s hope they stay this friendly."

Zara shot him a look. "They’ve been nothing but decent so far. Give them a break."

"They’re still strangers," Winter replied, his tone cautious. "Decency doesn’t mean trust."

Zara glared at him, mouthing a quick "not helping." To which winter simply shrugged and turned to pick up something.

The group quickly packed their belongings, though Mike remained sluggish, his movements slow and groggy. Winter smirked as he passed by. "You and Leo competing for who’s the bigger baby this morning?"

Mike shot him a bleary glare. "At least I don’t drool."

Winter opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by Zara’s laughter. "Alright, enough of that," she said as she settled Leo on her hip. "Let’s focus."

The convoy leader’s voice rang out, calling his soldiers to form up. The group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

As they prepared to join the convoy, Zara glanced at Sam, who was still folding his blanket. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped toward him. "How’s your injury?" she asked softly, concern lacing her voice as she took the blanket and folded it.

Sam looked up, offering her a small but genuine smile. "I’m fine," he said, "It’s healing. Thanks for asking."

Zara nodded, a slight relief passing over her. She trusted his judgement as a doctor himself.

"Good," she murmured, handing him his backpack. "Here you go," she added before turning back to the rest of the group.

Richard approached, his expression serious. "Everyone ready?"

"As we’ll ever be," Zara replied, glancing at Leo, who was now clutching his stuffed toy and leaning sleepily against her leg.

"Do you think this base will actually be what they say?" Mike asked, his voice laced with a mix of hope and doubt.

Winter’s gaze flicked to the horizon, his jaw tightening. "It’s a gamble. But it’s one we have to take."

Richard nodded in agreement. "At the very least, it’s shelter. We can figure out the rest once we’re there."

As the sun finally broke over the horizon, the convoy rumbled to life. The group settled into their assigned vehicle, the hum of the engines drowning out the lingering morning quiet. Somehow thier sedan was still functioning after its encounter with the zombies.

"Just needs a polish," Mike had joked.

"Or a dozen," Richard grunted as he climbed in.

Zara held Leo close, his small frame finally succumbing to the gentle sway of the truck.

Winter sat beside her, his rifle balanced across his lap, his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead.

The road stretched out before them, winding through the remnants of what had once been a bustling civilization. As always, the ruins of abandoned buildings and overgrown streets were reminders of the life they had all lost, but the promise of safety that the base offered felt almost unreal. Could it really be the sanctuary they all hoped for, or was it another illusion to shatter?

Mike yawned loudly, stretching in the back seat. "Let’s just hope the place has actual food, not just cans of beans," he muttered.

Zara snorted softly, adjusting Leo in her arms as he finally drifted off to sleep. "You really think they’re going to have a five-star restaurant there?"

"Wouldn’t mind it," Mike grinned, trying to hide the exhaustion in his eyes.

Winter cast a glance toward the horizon, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the dangers they had all faced over the last few months. The constant fear, the loss, the survival. Everything had been a fight, and they were still standing.

The eerie quiet of the apocalypse was broken only by the sound of their convoy moving forward. Despite the haunting scene, there was a sense of nervous anticipation. It wasn’t just the long journey that had taken its toll on them—it was the hope that, maybe this time, they weren’t being led into another trap. Maybe, just maybe, they could find something like peace again.

After hours on the road, as the day grew warmer and the sun climbed higher, the convoy rounded a bend. And then, ahead of them, they saw it: the massive, towering walls of the base. They loomed in the distance, imposing yet oddly reassuring. The walls were tall, reinforced with metal and concrete, and the gates, though closed, were clearly built to withstand any threat.

It was no illusion. The base was real. And they were about to cross its threshold.

The convoy’s pace quickened as the walls grew larger, and the air seemed to buzz with anticipation.

Zara tightened her grip on Leo, her heart racing. It was a new beginning—or it could be the end of everything they had fought for. But for now, the only thing they could do was keep moving forward.

And so, as the walls of the base drew nearer, the group held their collective breath, driving into the unknown.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.