As they continued their journey, the tension in the car gradually subsided. The road ahead was shrouded in darkness, with the car's headlights cutting through the night like a beacon. Ethan kept a steady pace, his thoughts flickering between the incident they had just escaped from and the destination they were approaching — his sister Jane's house.

After some more time passed, the familiar outline of Jane's house finally came into view, its silhouette standing solemnly in the moonlit night. Ethan slowed the car to a stop, and they all peered at the house, their hearts pounding with a mixture of relief and trepidation.

There was an eerie quietness surrounding the house, a stillness that felt unnatural. Ethan's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he scanned the area for any signs of danger. "Stay in the car," he instructed Milana and Lily, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan cautiously stepped out of the car, his senses heightened. He slowly made his way to the front door, noticing it was slightly ajar. A sense of unease crept over him as he pushed the door open and stepped inside, the creak of the hinges breaking the silence.

The interior was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the windows. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Ethan noticed signs of a struggle. A chair was overturned, and there were scattered belongings on the floor. His heart raced as he called out softly, "Jane? Are you here?"

There was no response, just the sound of his own voice echoing through the empty rooms. Ethan went back outside and motioned for Milana and Lily to come in, his eyes continuously scanning the surroundings.

Milana entered, holding Lily's hand tightly. Her eyes were wide as she took in the scene, her other hand clutching a small flashlight. She shone the light around, illuminating the disarray in the living room. "Ethan, what happened here?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Ethan shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know. But we need to find Jane."

They moved cautiously through the house, checking each room. The silence was oppressive, weighing heavily on their nerves. As they reached the end of the hallway, they heard a faint noise coming from the closet. Ethan paused, signaling for Milana and Lily to stay back.

Slowly, he approached the closet, his hand reaching for the doorknob. The faint sound of sobbing became clearer as he gently opened the door. There, huddled in the corner, was Jane. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her body was trembling.

"Jane!" Ethan exclaimed, relief flooding his voice. He knelt beside her, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Jane's surprise at seeing Ethan was palpable. Her eyes, still brimming with fear, widened further as she took in the sight of her brother. She seemed momentarily lost for words, her mind grappling with the reality of Ethan's presence.

"How did you... how did you get here?" Jane stammered, her voice a mix of disbelief and awe. "With how far away you were from me and all those... things out there."

Ethan helped Jane to her feet, steadying her as she struggled to regain her composure. He looked into her eyes, his own reflecting a similar mixture of emotions. "It wasn't easy," he began, his voice steady. "The roads were mostly empty, but we had a few close calls."

Milana stepped forward, offering Jane a reassuring smile. "We've been careful, taking back roads and staying out of sight as much as possible," she added. "I'm Milana, by the way."

Lily, still clinging to Milana's side, peered curiously at Jane. The sight of another person, safe and uninfected, seemed to bring a glimmer of curiosity to her young eyes.

Ethan continued, "I've had to make some tough choices along the way, but my priority was getting here, to you." His voice held a note of determination, reflecting the resolve that had kept him going despite the overwhelming odds.

Jane listened, her expression slowly shifting from shock to relief. The reality of her brother standing before her, having braved the dangerous streets overrun by the undead, seemed to gradually sink in. "I can't believe you made it," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

The moment of relief at their reunion gave way to a pressing concern as Ethan focused on Jane's condition. He noticed the weariness in her eyes along with the subtle signs of prolonged stress and fear. The disarray in the house hinted at a story yet untold, one that he needed to hear. "Jane... what happened here?"

"Ethan... I..." Jane started, her voice faltering as if the memories were too painful to articulate. She took a deep breath, steadying herself against the tide of emotions. "It's been hell here," she began, her eyes reflecting the trauma of her experiences. "After the outbreak, things just... fell apart so quickly. People were fleeing, but I wasn't even aware that something was wrong."

Her gaze drifted to the overturned furniture and the scattered belongings. "Then they came," she continued, her voice a tremor of fear and recollection. "Not the undead, but people, desperate people. They broke in, looking for supplies, food... anything. I hid, I managed to escape their notice, but they... they ransacked the place."

Ethan listened intently, his expression a mix of anger and worry.

"Did they hurt you?" Ethan asked, his voice tinged with protective concern. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Jane shook her head, a silent affirmation of her physical safety. "No, I wasn't hurt. Just scared. After they left, I've been hiding, trying to stay quiet, hoping that help would be coming."

Ethan's anger at the violation of his sister's home was visible, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "It's unforgivable," he growled, his voice thick with fury. "How dare they?! It's despicable!" His words echoed in the room, carrying the full intensity of his outrage.

He looked around at the furniture strewed around in the house. His heart ached at the thought of his sister, alone and frightened, facing intruders in her own home.

Ethan turned back to Jane, his expression softening. "I'm so sorry, Jane," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "I should have been here. Not just now, but for all those years I wasn't there... I should have been a better brother."

***

Author's Note:

Hi, there, my reader! While you're waiting for the next chapter, if you're interested in checking out another one of the stories I've written titled “A Peasant’s Fury: A Wrathful Road to Vengeance”, feel free to take a look here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMCVX9G5

Here’s a synopsis: Darian's tranquil life as a farmer in Valehart was brutally disrupted when the ruthless Blackveil Kingdom’s soldiers suddenly raided his village, killing his family and the love of his life. He managed to narrowly escape with his life. Fueled by fury, he joined the ranks of Valehart Kingdom’s army, his eyes set on vengeance. Will he rise as a warrior or fall as a forgotten foot soldier? Embark on a medieval saga of revenge and courage in “A Peasant’s Fury: A Wrathful Road to Vengeance.”