Page 164 of My Undead Love Life

“That’s the bar?”

“Yes.”

I studied the marks carefully, memorizing them before folding the map and tucking it away.

We said our goodbyes.

By the time the outer hatch opened and we stepped back into the cold, it didn’t hit as hard. It was still brutal. The air still clawed at every inch of exposed skin, and snow still covered the ground in a thick, blinding layer. But the wind had eased. It no longer screamed in our ears or tried to shove us sideways with every step. Compared to yesterday, it was manageable. Compared to Sofia’s bunker, it was still bullshit.

Luck paused at the top of the stairs and looked back as the grass-covered hatch lowered behind us, sealing away the light. “I already miss the bin.”

Oxi looked at him. “The sterilization bin?”

“It understood me.”

“It sterilized your socks.”

“Exactly.”

Keith adjusted his rifle strap and scanned the tree line. “Stay sharp.”

I pulled Sofia’s scent spray from my backpack. “Everyone.”

No one argued as we sprayed ourselves again, though Luck gagged dramatically.

“This smells awful.”

“It smells like not being eaten,” I said before pausing. “Infected.”

“Love that for us.” He gagged again.

Once we were coated and moving, I took point.

Keith stayed near Spencer.

Oxi drifted between Spencer and Luck, keeping an eye on Luck’s foot without making it too obvious.

Luck noticed anyway.

“If everyone keeps staring at my toe, I’m going to be offended.”

“Your toe almost got itself killed,” Oxi said.

“My toe has been through trauma.”

“So have we all.”

“Then stop judging its coping mechanisms.”

Spencer was quieter than usual. She kept glancing back at where we came from, like maybe Sofia would change her mind and follow. But the hatch was sealed. The snow had already begun dusting over the fake grass again, but it started melting just as fast from the warmth below.

Sofia wasn’t coming. Honestly, I didn’t blame her. She had everything she needed there. Power. Food. Water. Heat. Locks. Cameras. Work that mattered. It was much safer than anything I’d seen since the apocalypse started. But Spencer didn’t think safety was enough. Maybe she was right.

“She’ll be okay,” I said, walking beside her.

She looked up at me, brown eyes soft and sad above her scarf. “I know. It’s just sad that she’s alone.”

“She said she had a radio buddy,” Oxi reminded her from her other side. “Besides, I’m sure she’ll meet someone else or help someone like us who needs sanctuary.”