Page 109 of What Remains

She hugged Seth tightly, startling them both with the sudden steadiness of it, with a gratitude that couldn't wait for the right words.

"I owe you more than I can ever repay," Liz said into his shoulder.

"You don't owe me anything," he answered, his voice rough around the edges.

Liz's smile turned sad, but she stepped back without arguing again. Pride and relief sat side by side on her face.

Josie remained on the porch, motionless, watching. Taking one step closer felt like it would make the goodbye more real than it already threatened to be.

Cara crossed the yard quietly, careful not to disturb the fragile moment. Reaching Josie, she slipped something into her hand without ceremony: a folded map.

Josie looked from the map to Cara. “Like the one Seth drew yesterday?"

Cara nodded, a warm smile touching her lips even as worry shadowed her eyes. "He wants to explain it."

Seth walked over, unfolded the map across the porch railing,. Josie immediately noticed its clarity. It was nothing like the vague sketch Seth had given Cade weeks ago, a collection of missing landmarks and estimated distances.

This map held details.

Roads and creeks were traced carefully, old logging trails marked, and bridges to avoid were noted. Paths that offered less risk were highlighted, routes designed to keep people from stepping straight into danger. Places to hide if the dead gathered too close were indicated. Notes filled the margins—small, deliberate reminders: where water ran clean, where it was safe to stop overnight, which paths might hold after the weather changed, where a collapsed bridge could never be trusted again.

Near the center, a circle—dark ink, gone over multiple times, checked and rechecked until it stopped being uncertain.

Cabin.

Not an area. Not a guess. The exact location.

Josie lifted her gaze. "You trust us that much?"

Seth met her eyes without flinching. "I do."

Jay leaned closer, curiosity finally drawing his attention to the map. "You didn't even give Cade that."

Seth folded his arms, his posture tightening with something like pain and restraint. "No."

"Why?" Jay asked.

"Because if somebody took Cade," Seth explained, "they could've forced it out of him."

He looked back at Josie, his voice lower, steadier. "I'm giving this to you because I know you'll protect it."

Josie took the map with both hands and folded it carefully, as if its creases were fragile seams.

"If things ever go bad here..." Seth said, his eyes on Josie's face, "...don't stay because you're stubborn."

Josie's smile trembled at the edges. "I am stubborn."

"I've noticed."

His expression softened in spite of everything. "If food runs out, if too many dead reach this place, if people become the bigger threat,"

He nodded toward the folded map. "Come find us."

Her eyes filled again, and she made no attempt to hide it. "You'd take us in?"

Cara answered before Seth could second-guess himself. "In a heartbeat."

Jay added, simple and absolute, "No questions asked."