[15] Plans

As I proposed the plans, each option seemed to carry its own weight of uncertainty. The idea of each journey was daunting, to say the least. Still, we knew we had to make a decision, and that led to a lengthy discussion.

"One: the docks," I started, tracing a line on the map with my finger. "There's a good chance we could find a boat there. We could sail to a remote island and stay there till things get better. The cons, though, are pretty glaring. None of us know how to navigate a boat, let alone survive on an uninhabited island."

Ms. Yan nodded, her brow furrowed as she considered the idea. "It also assumes that the coast is clear and the boats are in working condition," she added. "Plus, we'll need to ensure we have enough supplies and knowledge to survive on our own. That's a significant risk."

"Agreed," I said, moving my finger to the next option. "Two: the airport. Again, assuming it's not overrun and we can find a plane that's functional. This also assumes that one of us can fly a plane, which we can't."

Ms. Yan laughed at that, a small, humorless sound. "That's certainly out of the question then," she said. "Unless you have some hidden piloting skills you haven't told me about?"

"Sadly, no," I admitted with a smile. "Moving on, three: heading north to Canada. The journey would be long and dangerous. We would need to pack in as much food and gas as we can. We also have no idea about the situation there. It could be worse."

"True," Ms. Yan conceded. "But if it's better, we could find safety there. Canada has vast stretches of uninhabited land. We could avoid populated areas."

"And the cold could potentially slow down or stop the zombies," I added. "There's a chance."

"Then there's the fourth option," Ms. Yan picked up, pointing to the South and Midwest on the map. "Similar to Canada in terms of travel and preparation. It's less cold, but also less predictable."

"The South and Midwest have their own challenges," I said. "There are areas that are just as densely populated as here, and then there are miles and miles of open land. It would be a gamble, to say the least."

We sat there in silence for a while, each of us lost in our thoughts. None of the options were perfect, but we had to choose one.

"I think we should head north," Ms. Yan finally broke the silence. "It seems like the least risky of all the options. We need to start preparing for a long trip."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at having a plan. "North it is," I agreed. "Let's start packing and look for a vehicle that can handle a long journey."

Q: Which plan would you go with? Or none of the above?