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But there were none. The entire area seemed like it had been abandoned during the outbreak and gone almost untouched since then.
“Are you sure they said Oakridge?” Saff asked as they neared the end of the main street.
“Yes. Positive.”
Saff slowed as they rounded the corner of the last building. An overgrown square park sat in the middle, with a line of tall buildings behind it. And now she could clearly see the town hall building with the library beside it.
And still, no sign of people.
“I see the library,” Saff muttered, coming to a stop as they approached the edge of the park.
Maddie’s grip tightened around her arm. “Why are you stopping?”
Saff’s eyes trailed over the buildings, searching for any signs of danger. “Just making sure we know what we’re walking in to.”
Surprisingly, Maddie didn’t argue. She waited there silently until Saff was satisfied and pulled them forward once again.
“Steps,” she muttered as they made it to the bottom of the row leading up to the large wooden doors of the library.
They walked up and then it was Maddie that slowed them as they reached the top.
“Maybe I—“ She paused, her hand holding Saff in place. “Maybe I should go in first.”
Saff turned, taking in the timid look on her face.
“I mean,” she continued, “not that I think they would do anything if they saw you first, but..“
Saff understood what she meant, and a small hint of appreciation bubbled in her chest at the gesture. But still, from how everything looked, she would be surprised if they opened the doors and found her group inside. It seemed more likely that a zombie or two could be lurking behind the doors instead.
“Its fine,” she answered, stepping forward in front of Maddie.
She took the worn brass handle and slowly pulled the door open, keeping the other planted firmly on her rifle. The door opened with a loud creak that echoed into the darkness inside.
She waited, listening.
Still, nothing. No light. No sound.
No zombies, but also no people.
Saff reached down into her pocket and pulled out the small flashlight. She clicked it on and shined it in, taking a step past the threshold. Particles of dust floated in the air through the light beam.
“Anything?” Maddie asked, a painfully hopeful lilt in her voice.
Saff frowned. “No.”
Maddie took her arm as Saff led them farther into the library, which turned out to be much smaller once they got inside.
A wide dust-filled desk sat in the center, tailed by aisles of book shelves cascading in neat rows to the back.
They ambled past the end of each row, with Saff scanning for any sign of people.
But as they continued, it became more and more obvious that not a single living thing had entered the building in a very long time.
“There’s no one here,” Saff finally said, leading them back to the entrance.And although Maddie said nothing, disappointment rolled off of her silence.
They stepped back out into the daylight, and Saff let out a cough, her lungs craving the clean, dustless air.
Maddie’s hand slowly dropped from her arm, and Saff glanced over to find her face unreadable.
