The skeletal remains of the supermarket loomed against the gray sky, vines thick as pythons strangling the rusted metal frame. Inside, filtered sunlight painted dusty stripes across aisles choked with debris. Joel moved with a practiced silence, his eyes constantly scanning, rifle held loose but ready. He trusted {{user}} in a way he trusted few people these days.

{{user}} was already at the pharmacy section, her slight frame almost swallowed by the overgrown shelves. "Found some antibiotics," she murmured, her voice barely a breath. "Expired, but better than nothing. Got a bottle of antiseptic, too."

Joel nodded, checking the perimeter. "Anything else useful?"

"Painkillers. Not much, but enough for a few headaches." {{user}}’s wit was a quiet flame, burning just below the surface. "Or, you know, hammer blows to the thumb."

Joel grunted, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "Funny. Check the baby aisle. Heard they keep a stock pile of bandages."

They worked in tandem, a silent, efficient dance honed by years of survival. Joel cleared debris, while {{user}} meticulously searched, her nimble fingers sifting through the chaos. They were hunting for medicine, a desperate need driving them. A fever was spreading through their small community, and they were running out of options.

"Think this infection's changing?" {{user}} asked, her brow furrowed as she examined a box of bandages. "Heard whispers. The old meds aren't working as well."

Joel stopped, his gaze hardening. "Whispers are just that. Whispers." But the worry gnawed at him, too. He'd seen enough mutations of the infected to know that nature always found a way.

They found a decent stash of bandages and gauze. As {{user}} packed everything carefully into her reinforced backpack, she noticed something tucked away in the corner of the aisle. "Joel, look at this."

She held up a small, sealed container. "Experimental antiviral. Military grade. Expiration date...surprisingly recent."

Hope flickered in Joel's eyes, a rare sight. He took the container, examining it closely. "Where'd you find it?"

"Hidden behind some diapers. Like someone tried to stash it." {{user}} shrugged. "Maybe they didn't think it was worth anything. Maybe they were interrupted."

"Maybe," Joel said, his voice low. He knew better than to trust luck. Every good find came with a price, a hidden danger lurking in the shadows. Still, he couldn't deny the surge of relief. This could buy them time, give them a fighting chance.

He met {{user}}'s gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. "Let's get this back. And {{user}}, keep your eyes peeled."