The trip to the hospital had been a bust, for the most part. They couldn’t find much of what they were looking for. The vehicle stopped near a car wreck on the side of the road. Ryan sighed, slumping in the backseat. Yuna rested her hand on her cheek and stared out the window, saying nothing. Everyone else had left to go siphon gas from the other broken-down cars for their truck.

  The trip wasn’t a total waste of time, however. Despite the odds, they hadn’t encountered a single active zombie. Most of them were either immobile or trapped in the rooms, with no way out. Heck, the group even managed to find an extra medical kit. It wasn’t much, but every bit helped in a big way. Ryan smiled to himself at that.

  However, his heart sank again when thinking about the other main reason he wanted to go there. Yuna probably knew the answer, too, since she was with him when that happened and chose not to bother him out of courtesy.

  “I was looking for someone, an acquaintance of mine,” Ryan replied, breaking the silence. “I hoped I found him there. It was the last time I ever saw him, before...” His voice trailed off, and he sighed.

  Yuna turned to look at him, her face softened. “Sounds like he was really important to you.”

  “Yeah, he and one other person were.”

  “I’m so sorry...”

  “It’s alright...”

  The two lowered their heads and stayed silent. Ryan didn’t want to talk about that uncomfortable past any longer than he wanted to. But he didn’t like the awkward silence that lingered either, even though Yuna did it out of courtesy. There had to be something else to talk about, lightening up the tension in the air, right?

  “So, your dad’s a doctor, huh?” Ryan asked. He bit the inside of his cheek after that. “Must’ve taught you a lot of stuff.”

  It didn’t seem fair to talk about hers when he didn’t want to discuss his past himself. Was it really the best time to bring up something so personal? Especially when it seemed like she wasn’t in the mood for conversation? Should he retract it? Follow up on what he said? What was he even supposed to add to that? He couldn’t just stay silent after that.

  “I mean, I guess,” Yuna replied with a light shrug. “He’s given me some advice and taught me some basics in the medical department. It might not seem like much, but it’s helped me quite a lot.”

  “Yeah, I can imagine.” He paused and took a deep breath. “So, what’s he like?” Come on, is that really the best I can come up with?

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “As a person?” Yuna made a side glance at him. “Well, it’s hard to say. He’s a bit eccentric, but intelligent, and has a good heart. He can be a bit overprotective of me and be cautious about his work. But he gets the job done and pays the bills, even though he drives me crazy sometimes...” She rested her hand on her cheek, her eyes welling up with tears. “But I wouldn’t have made it on my own if not for my dad. I can’t imagine life without him. He’s all I have; I miss him.”

  Ryan didn’t know what to say or how to react. He reached over to her shoulder with his hand, but pulled back. He just lowered his gaze as she wiped her eyes.

  “Hey, are you alright?” He asked, softly. Yuna wiped her eyes again and nodded. “Do you know if he’s still out there? I hope it’s no trouble to ask, but do you remember the last time you guys spoke to each other?”

  “Well, I know he left on a business trip to help the sick. I’m not sure which hospital he went to, though. And believe me, I’ve checked every single one here. I would’ve known by his distinguishable features.”

  Then that would mean there’s a possibility. Ryan crossed his arms. “Well, this might seem like an odd thing to bring up, and I don’t want to get your hopes up, but...” he started, bracing himself. “Do you think it’s possible your dad traveled and worked out of town?”

  “Honestly, yes, it’s possible. But I’m a little scared to go outside the town I grew up in. Although if that were true, I’d hope he’d know where I’m at and come back for me.”

  “I’m sure he will.” If possible. I just hope it wasn’t…

  “Hey, if you don’t mind me asking, do you have anyone else who was important to you? Besides the two that you mentioned earlier?”

  “To be honest, not really. I don’t get along well with most of my co-workers, or talk to many people. I wouldn’t consider myself social. Not to mention, my parents... we’re not close.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Nah, it’s all good. Got to say, I’m almost a little jealous that you’re close with your dad.”

  “Come on.”

  “What? It’s true, I meant it.”

  Ryan wanted to instill hope in their future, somehow. They all had loved ones out there, not knowing if things were worse for them or not. Surely, there was a reason for them to be separated. After all, other people in worse conditions and situations needed to be saved. The other adults were probably doing all they could to help and provide the best they could. Yuna and Ryan hoped their loved ones hadn’t forgotten about or abandoned them. No, they’d never do that. It wouldn’t be like them at all, even in a crisis like this.

  It was unclear what their future would be like from now on, but they’d see it through together until the end. Someday, they’ll find and reunite with their loved ones, find a way to escape the apocalypse, and return to their every day, happy lives. If only it were easy, but that won’t stop them from trying, regardless.

  The two chuckled lightly to themselves. Ryan leaned back and closed his eyes, relaxing the tension in his muscles. He didn’t know if Yuna did the same thing or not, as she kept quiet after that talk. Before he knew it, the doors opened and closed, the engine purred, and the truck drove along on its way back to base.