Days passed, and Zombieland's once quiet halls were now filled with whispers and preparations. Alina, still confined to bed, was getting stronger physically, but emotionally, it was a different battle. The trauma she'd endured weighed heavily on her, but she refused to let it consume her. Her focus now was her baby girl, the life inside her that she would protect with everything she had left.
Elena and Ethan had become her rock, standing by her side every moment they could. Ethan's usual calm demeanor hid the worry he felt, but Elena's eyes betrayed her—she was still angry, still holding the rage from the moment they'd rescued her.
Alina felt it too. The baby kicked, a reminder that there was still life to fight for, still hope. But even as the small life grew within her, so did the danger. The people who had taken her were still out there, and they weren't going to stop. They wanted power, control, and they wouldn't hesitate to use any means necessary to get it.
The sound of boots clicking on the concrete floor echoed through the halls. Kai entered, his face hard, a stark contrast to the nervousness he used to carry.
"How's she doing?" he asked quietly, looking at Alina from the doorway.
"She's stronger today," Elena replied, her voice soft but with an edge of firmness. "But the doctors said she's still at risk. We can't let our guard down."
Alina sat up, grimacing slightly as she moved. She could feel the weight of the baby in her belly, a constant reminder of what was at stake. "We're not hiding anymore," she said with determination. "I won't hide in here and wait for them to come. I won't let them take my daughter."
Ethan nodded, stepping forward. "We'll protect you. We'll protect both of you."
Alina's gaze shifted between her parents and Kai. She knew it wasn't going to be easy. There was no going back now. The people who had taken her were not just hunters or raiders. They were something darker. They were organized, and their ambition reached far beyond survival.
"We need a plan," Kai said, his voice low. "We need to hit them before they can do anything else. If we wait, it'll be too late."
Elena and Ethan exchanged a glance. They both knew the risks involved in going after the group who had kidnapped Alina. They had already been through so much. But Elena, despite her fear, stood firm.
"They won't take my daughter's life. Not without a fight," she declared.
"I'm in," Kai said, his eyes meeting Alina's. "I won't let anyone hurt her, or her baby."
Alina nodded, her face hardening with resolve. "Then let's get ready. We're not running anymore."