**Chapter 2: Unlikely Allies**

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Joel spotted a cluster of buildings in the distance. He quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on the structures. It was a small gas station, surrounded by a few rundown houses, but it was better than nothing. The trio hastened their pace, their footsteps echoing through the stillness. Mila's eyes lit up with hope as she caught sight of the buildings. "Maybe we can find some supplies," she said, her voice laced with desperation. Joel nodded, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. As they approached the gas station, he noticed that the pumps were shattered, and the windows were boarded up. But the building itself seemed intact. Ellie pushed open the creaky door, and Joel followed close behind, his gun at the ready. The interior was dimly lit, but they could make out shelves stocked with canned goods, bottles of water, and medical supplies. Mila let out a soft cry of relief as she spotted the first aid kit. As they began to gather supplies, Joel noticed that Mila seemed to be searching for something specific. She moved with a purpose, her eyes scanning the shelves until she found a small toolbox. "What are you looking for?" Joel asked, his curiosity piqued. Mila's eyes flicked up, and she hesitated before answering. "I need to fix my radio," she said, holding up a small device. "I was trying to contact my group before I got separated." Joel's interest was piqued. "You think your group is still out there?" Mila nodded, her face set in determination. "I have to try. We were heading to a supposed safe zone. If I can just get in touch with them, maybe we can meet up." Ellie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "A safe zone? Where is it?" Mila's eyes locked onto Ellie's, and for a moment, Joel thought he saw a glimmer of hope. "It's a place called Fort Independence," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I've heard it's one of the few places left where you can still find safety." Joel's gut told him to be cautious. They didn't know anything about this Fort Independence, or Mila's group. But as he looked at Ellie's eager face, he knew they couldn't ignore the possibility of finding safety. As they continued to gather supplies, Joel couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Was Fort Independence a haven, or a trap? And what secrets was Mila hiding? The night air seemed to vibrate with tension as they prepared to face the unknown. Joel's instincts told him that their journey was about to take a drastic turn, one that would test their survival skills and their trust in each other. And as they settled in for the night, Joel couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the darkness outside was waiting for its moment to strike.