The utility truck races along the outer campus road, carrying Rosa, Daniel, and Miguel toward Belmont. Virals and Biters spread behind them through the residential streets, drawn by the engine and earlier gunfire.
Evan Cole
Disabled ambulance ahead, angled across the road! There’s room on the left, but the shoulder drops toward the drainage ditch.
Thomas Roberts
I see it. Maya, watch the passenger side. Evan, tell me if that gap closes before we reach it.
The ambulance blocks most of the lane, its rear doors hanging open. A Biter crawls beneath the chassis while two Virals move between abandoned cars near the campus boundary.
Priya Shah
Franklin team, the dorm entrance is ready, but I cannot keep it open indefinitely. Report your approach now, or I have to secure the barricade.
Maya Rodriguez
We’re nearly there. Thomas, do not force the truck through blind. The left gap may be our only route, but the ditch could trap us.
Thomas brakes just enough to steady the truck. Behind them, the pursuing infected spill into the road, while the ambulance, ditch, and narrowing campus entrance demand an immediate choice.
“Charlie says they have to risk it, otherwise they won't make it. He tells everyone to hold on.”
FAILURE (Great Willpower, rolled -3)
Charlie Moore
We have to risk it, or we won’t make it. Everyone hold on!
Thomas turns hard toward the ambulance’s left side. The utility truck squeezes past the open rear doors, its passenger tires slipping onto the crumbling shoulder above the drainage ditch.
Thomas Roberts
I’m committed! The ditch is giving way, but we’re almost through!
The front clears the ambulance, but the rear wheel drops into soft mud. The truck lurches sideways, wedged at an angle with its nose on the campus road and cargo side sinking toward the ditch.
Maya Rodriguez
We’re stuck! The ambulance blocks backing out, and the infected are closing behind us!
Evan Cole
The road ahead is open, but we cannot drive forward like this. The rear axle is buried and the ditch is taking more ground.
The attempt gets them beyond the ambulance’s widest obstruction, but leaves the truck immobilized and tilted. Biters reach the road behind them while Virals dart between the abandoned cars.
“Charlie tells everyone but Thomas to move to the right side of the truck and balance them out.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled +1)
Charlie Moore
Everyone except Thomas, move to the truck’s right side and brace against it. We need to balance the weight.
Thomas Roberts
Got it, babe. I’ll keep both hands on the wheel and hold the truck steady while they move.
Maya, Evan, Rosa, Daniel, and Miguel shift carefully across the cab and cargo area, pressing toward the truck’s right side without opening the doors toward the infected.
Maya Rodriguez
Everyone’s in position. Keep low, hold the interior rails, and do not lean toward the ditch.
Their combined weight settles the tilted utility truck. The passenger side rises slightly from the mud, reducing the strain on the buried rear wheel while Thomas keeps the engine idling.
Evan Cole
That helped. The truck is more stable now, and the rear axle is not sinking any farther.
Thomas Roberts
Good call, babe. Hold there while I test the wheel gently. No sudden movements.
“Charlie nods and says that they've got this so don't give up.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Charlie Moore
We’ve got this. Don’t give up.
Charlie’s steady voice cuts through the strained engine noise. The group answers with renewed focus, keeping their weight braced while the infected close behind the ambulance.
Thomas Roberts
I’m not giving up, babe. On my signal, I’ll ease forward and let the tires find the road.
Maya Rodriguez
Everyone hold steady. We keep the truck balanced, and nobody opens a door until Thomas says we’re clear.
Thomas feathers the accelerator. The buried tire spins, catches against firmer ground, and shoves mud backward as the utility truck climbs out of the ditch.
Evan Cole
The rear axle is coming free! Keep it straight, Thomas. The road ahead is open.
With a final lurch, the truck reaches level pavement. Thomas centers it beyond the ambulance, and Maya signals the dorm entrance as Priya holds the barricade open.
“Charlie tells Priya they are coming in hot and be ready to close it behind them.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +3)
Charlie Moore
Priya, we’re coming in hot. Be ready to close the entrance behind us.
Priya Shah
Understood. I’ll hold it open until the truck clears, then seal the barricade immediately.
Priya braces the entrance wide as Thomas drives across the pavement. The utility truck clears the threshold, and she pulls the barricade shut behind it before the pursuing infected reach campus.
Thomas Roberts
We’re inside, babe! Keep everyone down while Priya locks us in.
The barricade slams into place and settles against its supports. Biters strike the outer barrier, while Virals recoil from Maya’s UV lamp and lose the approach.
Priya Shah
Entrance secured. Nobody followed us through, and the inner corridor is clear. You bought us enough time to get Rosa and the boys inside safely.
The truck reaches its unloading position without further damage. Priya’s fast closure also preserves the dorm’s fallback route, leaving the team a protected path from the vehicle to medical care.
The exposed Volatile or Viral burns and recoils from the UV light.
“Charlie cheers and starts helping to unload the truck. Welcoming the 3 new survivors to their new refuge.”
Charlie cheers and jumps into the unloading effort. The team opens the truck carefully, moving medical supplies, water, food, documents, and personal bags into the dorm’s protected corridor.
Thomas Roberts
We made it home, babe. Let’s get Rosa and Miguel settled first, then we can sort everything else.
Thomas helps Rosa from the passenger area while Maya and Evan guide Miguel and Daniel inside. Priya keeps the entrance secured as the outer Biters strike and the Virals recoil from Maya’s UV lamp.
Aunt Rosa
Thank you. I never thought we would find somewhere protected. The boys and I will follow your rules and help however we can.
Daniel Roberts
We can carry things and keep watch once we know the layout. We do not want to be dead weight.
Charlie directs the recovered supplies toward the medical area and stacks the family documents beside Rosa’s belongings. The glucose tablets go directly to Miguel, while fresh water is distributed to all three.
Priya Shah
Welcome to the refuge. Stay inside the marked areas, keep the barricades clear, and tell us immediately if anyone is bitten or injured.
✓ Quest Accepted
Organize the rescued family’s supplies and sleeping area
The exposed Volatile or Viral burns and recoils from the UV light.
“Charlie helps clear two empty dorm rooms on the 3rd floor. One for Rosa and one for the boys.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled -2)
Charlie leads the way up to the third floor, checking both vacant dorm rooms before opening them. Dust, abandoned bedding, and scattered notebooks cover the floors.
Charlie Moore
The rooms are empty, and the doors still lock.
He clears the first room for Rosa, dragging a broken chair into the hall and stacking loose debris beside it. The chair leg cracks loudly against the floor.
Aunt Rosa
That room is more than enough. I can keep my things together and stay out of everyone’s way.
Charlie clears the second room for Daniel and Miguel, sweeping glass and paper into a dustpan. A sharp fragment cuts his thumb through the worn glove, drawing a small bead of blood.
Daniel Roberts
We can share it. Miguel can take the bed, and I’ll keep watch from the door.
Both rooms are now usable, with locks checked, walkways open, and bedding carried upstairs. Maya wraps Charlie’s thumb while Priya records the third-floor rooms as occupied.
Quest Complete
Organize the rescued family’s supplies and sleeping area