Epilogue
EPILOGUE
O ne Year Later
Eliza stood at the edge of the communal garden. She watched as the others went about their daily tasks—Peter tending to the crops, Lily gathering herbs for the medical supplies, and Marcus and Jared working on the newest cabin.
Wow…those guys are nuts. How do they get those things up so fast?
The once-abandoned forest had become their sanctuary, a place where they’d built something new, something they could actually call home.
A year ago, this had seemed impossible. They’d been a ragtag group of survivors, just barely scraping by, with no idea if they’d even make it through the winter. But now, they had not only survived—they’d thrived. The cabins, though simple, were sturdy and warm, built from the very trees that surrounded them. The garden was flourishing, providing them with a steady supply of vegetables and herbs. And most importantly, they had each other.
The infected sometimes tried to approach, but they’d been able to hold them off. Makeshift traps, trenches, and hand-carved spears lined the fencing of their sanctuary.
Eliza’s mind wandered back to the early days of their settlement, when everything had felt so precarious and every day had been a struggle to find food, keep warm, and protect themselves from the dangers that lurked beyond the trees. But now they’d found a rhythm, a way of life that made sense. Each person had their role, whether it was hunting (game or the infected, depending on the day), building, teaching the children, or tending to the weak and sick. Together, they’d built something to be proud of.
“Eliza! Hey! There you are!”
Eliza turned to see Lily hurrying toward her, a basket of freshly picked herbs in her arms. The younger woman’s face was flushed from the morning’s work, her auburn hair pulled back into a tight, smooth bun. She was one of the brightest souls in their community, always eager to help and full of energy.
“I swear I’ve been looking for you all morning,” Lily said, setting the basket down on the ground. “Were you napping?”
“Yes, I’ve been exhausted lately. I think it’s too many late nights on the watch.”
“It’s just that we’ve got a couple patients in the medical cabin. It’s nothing too serious, just some cuts and bruises from chopping wood, but I was thinking you’d want to take a look. What do you reckon?”
Eliza smiled. “What do I reckon? Let’s go, Lily.”
They walked together toward the medical cabin, passing by the others as they worked. Eliza waved to Marcus and Jared, who were sweating buckets as they hammered away at the frame of the new cabin. They’d become the de facto builders of the community, always eager to lend a hand when new arrivals needed shelter.
“Keep at it, boys!” Eliza shouted as she walked past.
“We’re burning up too many calories here!” cried Marcus, winking at Eliza and flashing her a toothy grin. “Where’s River? We need some real muscle here!”
They passed by the central firepit, where several people were preparing for lunch. Clara, the schoolteacher, was kneeling next to a group of children, showing them how to properly clean and gut a fish—a skill they’d need as they grew older. Clara’s face lit up when she saw Eliza approaching.
“Eliza! Good morning, sweetie! Are you coming by the school later? The kids are dying to learn more about your medical skills. They really enjoyed your talk last week,” Clara called out with a grin.
Eliza laughed. “I’ll stop by after I’m done in the medical cabin. Okay?”
The children giggled, crowding around Clara, who was already moving on to the next thing, her teaching as much a part of their daily life as any other task. The small school they’d set up in one of the older cabins had become the heart of the settlement. It wasn’t much, just a few benches and a chalkboard salvaged from the ruins of a nearby town, but it was enough. The children learned reading, math, geography, history, and art. Clara had made it her mission to ensure they had knowledge that went beyond mere survival skills.
Lily elbowed Eliza gently. “They’re really learning, you know? It brings them purpose.”
Eliza smiled, but there was a flicker of nervousness behind her eyes. She loved the idea of the children being excited and learning, but the reality of raising children in this world weighed on her constantly.
Do those kids know how dangerous the outside world is yet?
The medical cabin came into view—a reasonably sturdy structure they’d built together, its roof thatched from reeds gathered at a nearby stream. Inside, the air was cool, faintly smelling of the dried herbs and flowers hanging from the ceiling. The shelves were lined with jars of medicinal plants, tinctures, and whatever supplies they’d managed to scavenge over the past year. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to treat most of the minor injuries, infections, and viruses that tended to crop up, apart from the big one. There was still no cure for walkers.
Lily opened the door for Eliza, and they stepped inside to find Peter sitting on one of the wooden benches, holding a rag to his arm.
Eliza spotted the blood immediately. Her heart lurched.
“Peter, is that a bite?” Eliza asked as she tentatively crossed the room. “Speak!”
Peter chuckled, shaking his head. “No. I went and did it again. What can I say? Jared and I got a little too enthusiastic with the hammering. He missed a nail, and my arm was…let’s say…in the way. I’d ring the bell if I got bitten. I know the rules as much as anyone else.”
Eliza sighed with relief as she inspected the wound. It wasn’t deep, but it needed cleaning and maybe a couple stitches. She nodded at Lily, who quickly fetched a bowl of boiled water and some clean bandages from the shelf.
“You got lucky, kiddo,” Eliza said, dipping a cloth in the water and gently cleaning the cut. “You guys really need to be more careful. We can’t afford to lose anyone, especially not someone who’s so good with a hammer.”
Peter winced but kept his smile. “You won’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve still got a cabin to finish, and winter’s coming fast.”
Eliza chuckled as she threaded the needle to stitch him up. Moments like this gave her a sense of purpose and stability. She’d always been a healer, even before everything fell apart, but now her role in the community felt more important than ever. Each wound she treated and each illness she cured was a small victory in a world filled with so much loss.
“River’s back, by the way,” Peter said. “I saw her coming in from the woods just before I came over here.”
A rush of relief flooded Eliza. She hadn’t even realized how tense she’d been as she waited for River to return. Every time River left on a supply run, Eliza couldn’t ease the sense of panic within her chest. The woods were dangerous, filled with wild animals, zombies, and the ever-present threat of other survivors—those who weren’t so friendly. But River was strong and capable and always came back with something to show for her efforts.
“Thanks, Peter. I’ll go find her,” Eliza said as she knotted the last stitch.
Peter stood and, with caution, flexed his arm. “Thanks, doc. I think you saved my life.”
“Slight exaggeration there, Peter, but you’re welcome.”
He left the cabin with a wave, and Eliza turned to Lily, who was preparing a poultice.
“Can you handle things here for a while?” Eliza asked.
The young woman nodded, her face severe but confident. “I’ve totally got it covered. Go get your River.”
Eliza left, her steps quickening as she made her way toward the outskirts of the settlement, where she knew River would be unpacking whatever she’d managed to scavenge on her horse.
The settlement had grown over the year, from just a few scattered survivors to a thriving community. There were twelve cabins now, each one home to a family or group of individuals who’d found their way here, seeking safety and stability. A communal garden provided most of their food—potatoes, carrots, beans, and a variety of herbs—while the hunters brought back wild game from the surrounding forest. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep them fed and healthy.
As Eliza approached the clearing where River was working, she spotted her partner kneeling by a pile of supplies, sorting through them with methodical precision. River’s hair was tied back, loose strands sticking to her neck from the sweat of the long journey.
“Look what I found, babe,” River said, holding up a bundle of clothes. “Can you use these for bandages? They look new—still got the tags on them. Well, they’re not new now, but they were new. There’s nothing new anymore. How weird. I guess I never really thought about that.”
“Don’t worry, sweetie. I get you.” Eliza smiled reassuringly. She knew that River was on a natural high after her trip, and wanted to help calm her frayed nerves. “You did a great job, darling. I could really use those. New or not new, I don’t care.”
“And this…” River pulled out a small tin, grinning triumphantly. “…is coffee.”
Eliza’s eyes widened in delight. “Coffee? No way! You’re kidding.”
River stood, stretching her back. “I went to the Johnsons’ old place a few miles out. I knew that most of it was picked clean ages ago, but I decided to take another look, and I found this in the garage behind a load of paint tins. It’s still sealed! I thought I’d bring you something nice for a change.”
“Well, I have news too. Aron came back earlier from his outing to the city camp, and guess what? My parents and brother are there, and they’re alive.” Eliza smiled as a single tear fell down her cheek.
“No fucking way! That’s incredible news. I told you we’d find them. I told you we would never give up hope,” River said as she grabbed Eliza and pulled her into a tight hug.
Eliza laughed, her disbelief still adjusting to reality. “I’m gonna see them again. They’re going to come here and join us. I…I can’t believe it.”
“I’m so happy, baby. They’re gonna love it here. I can’t wait to meet them.” River smiled as she grabbed her bag of goods and slung them over her shoulder.
“I can’t wait, but for now, come on,” Eliza said, pulling River toward the cabins. “You can show me the rest of your spoils later. The kids are waiting for me. I’m pretty sure they’ll want you to come along too. You’re famous around here, you know? Like a superhero.”
“Cool. That’s so my thing,” River replied with a wink. “Do you think they’re ready for some survival training?”
Eliza nodded. “Clara’s been teaching them some of the basics, but I think they’re ready for a little extra tuition. Just don’t scare them, got it?”
“Me? Scare them?” River asked in surprise, raising her eyebrows.
“Yes, you! Please don’t give them all the gory details about walkers and how you like stabbing them through the brain or decapitating them. You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Eliza said, her tone almost chastising.
“Yes, you’re right. I don’t mind a little decapitation now and again.” River laughed. “But I’ll keep it PG-13.”
As they walked through the settlement, they passed by the communal kitchen, where a few of the older residents were washing pots. The smell of stew filled the air, making Eliza’s stomach rumble. Meals were always a communal affair, with everyone pitching in. It was one of the ways they’d built a sense of togetherness, a reminder that they were all in this together.
When they reached the school cabin, Clara was waiting at the door, her hands on her hips. The children were already gathered inside, their eager faces pressed against the windows as they waited for Eliza and River.
“There you two are,” Clara said. “The kids have been driving me crazy asking when you’d get here.”
Eliza smiled, stepping inside with River. The cabin was filled with makeshift desks and chairs, all hand-built from scavenged materials. The walls were covered with drawings the children had made—pictures of the forest, animals, and scenes from their lives here. It was a simple space, but it was filled with life and energy.
The children immediately crowded around Eliza, their questions tumbling out in a rush.
“So, what can we learn today? How do we fix a wound, miss?”
Eliza smiled and sat down with them, ready to teach.
As they left the school cabin, River and Eliza made their way back toward their tiny home, passing through the heart of the settlement. Not far off, they could hear the sound of someone chopping firewood. The whole community buzzed with life, something that had seemed impossible not so long ago.
Their cabin stood on the edge of the settlement, slightly apart from the others, nestled beneath a large oak tree. It was modest, built with their own hands like all the others. Outside, they had a small vegetable patch where Eliza grew herbs and some vegetables—a source of fresh ingredients for her medicines and their meals.
Inside, the cabin was simple but cozy. It had a single room with a bed, a small table, and a few shelves that held their belongings. A fire crackled in the hearth. River dropped her pack by the door and stretched.
“Home sweet home,” she said, her voice low and content. “Did you see my dad this morning? Is he okay?”
Eliza walked over to the hearth and knelt to stoke the fire. “He’s fine. He was stretching his legs when I saw him. In fact, I think he stopped to lecture Marcus on where he was going wrong with the thatching.”
“Sounds about right.” River chuckled.
“Every time you go out, I worry, you know? But then you come back, and I realize that there’s just no need for me to be this stressed.”
“It’s just because you love me, right?” River grinned, charming as ever.
“I don’t just love you, I really love you!” Eliza laughed.
“Like, how much out of one hundred?”
“I’d say at least ninety,” Eliza teased as she pulled River in toward her, biting her lip.
“You know what, I’ll take that.” River smiled.
As their bodies tangled in their cozy wooden home, they couldn’t wish for anything more. No matter what happened in the outside world, they’d found each other. They’d made a home. And now they had a life to live…together.