It never got the chance.

A silvery-green blur shot out from the brush in front of it, resolving into the head of a serpent as it clamped down on the squealing bunny.  Almost as fast as it had come, the head withdrew and disappeared into the foliage.

Chloe skidded to a halt, falling on her butt and crying as her mom scooped her up and retreated.   “I hate this place, Momma!” she sobbed.

“I know, baby. I know.”  Nancy stroked her head and rocked her from side to side as she walked.   Allistor, keeping one eye on the shrubbery, couldn’t agree more.

The trio continued down the path, keeping as close to the center as possible.  When Chloe had calmed a bit, Allistor hoisted her back onto his shoulders to give Nancy a break.  With his strength, the child’s weight was nothing to him.

Ten minutes later, Allistor began to salivate as he detected the scent of smoke and roasting meat.  They picked up the pace a bit, hoping they’d found the group of survivors they sought.  The flicker of flames could be seen through the trees just around a bend in the path.  Allistor thought he saw a cabin of some kind.  A vague childhood memory hinted at the possibility of a picnic area along the path here.

As they rounded the bend, Allistor’s growling stomach heaved and his mouth went dry.  The roasting smell that had seemed so attractive was, in fact, the odor from a funeral pyre.  Half a dozen bodies burned atop a makeshift stack of lumber and firewood.   Five people stood nearby, talking quietly.   When they saw Allistor and company, they went silent.

“Nancy?  Is that you?” A woman stepped forward.  Chloe began to wiggle atop Allistor’s shoulders, demanding to be let down.  “Auntie Meg!”   The moment she touched the ground she sprinted toward the woman, who took a knee and opened her arms for a hug as Chloe launched herself at her, squeezing tight.

Now that he heard the name, Allistor recognized Meg – she ran a diner near the highway exit.  The man behind her was her husband, Sam, an ex-Marine and line cook at the diner.  He made the best chocolate chip pancakes, which were featured in some of Allistor’s favorite childhood memories.

Allistor held up a hand in greeting.  “Meg, Sam.  Good to see you made it!” He slowed as the others gathered around.  He recognized a kid he’d gone to high school with.  Robert Edward Dudley.  He mainly remembered the guy because he’d detested being called “Bob” and insisted people use his full name.  The guy had been an athlete and one of the smarter kids in school.  Allistor gave him a ‘bro nod’ and received one in return.

The others were strangers to Allistor and didn’t introduce themselves.

Meg stood, holding Chloe in her arms.  “Nancy, I’m so glad to see you.  We’ve… lost so many.  And Chloe is the only little one I’ve seen since that thing hit town.  How did you manage?”