Threats and Threads.

Together. Cast adrift. On a tide of hope, they constantly tried, to survive. It, took some doing for sure. Considering the state of the " wasteland, " but, they had each other. That, meant everything. Especially when the " barricades " went up, against enemy intrusion, into their " camp " ! Against all probabilities, they gave to each other what was needed. What, was the difference. To maintain credibility. And, sanity.
The " zombie-like " misanthropes were their bug-bear. Ever present, threatening to leave one alone. In personal hell. How would they cope, then ? Without the love and the amusement in their life ? Only facing the same threats day after day, without compassion or companionship. They did not wish to contemplate the " horror " scenario. At all. In their minds they just did their best, to see more. They felt, before the inevitable bitter end.
" Death, where was thy sting ? " reared its ugly face. As from around every corner came dark images born from nightmares. But, together, there was the constant driving force of building upon their feats of survival, eventually with others. Found, also wanting for more. Wanting, for a community. A place to call " homeland " ! The journey and travel experiences gave signs of other survivors having been. Also, given the chance to build upon relics of the past. In, the best way possible. With, the promise of progress, over time, to leave a legacy to be proud of.
The hope inside, of them both, therefore, meant appraisals of environment, and deed, to search for the undeniable truth. Of, what matters most, here. A future.
This, created, basically from nothing, would instill in any " newborns " the wish to grow as well as learn. Then, through the course of natural instincts the " world " would be. Once again, as it was.   As, it is most enjoyed. Even, if the " zombies " had to be kept at bay. With extreme prejudice. Continually trying to destabilize, and destroy anything of worth. As, history deemed. From previous effort and achievement, against the " odds " !
You, had to appreciate their understanding of the important symbolism, for all. When, " fighting " the worst. Two, is " the meeting " of minds. A " coming together " of resolutions, and, resources, to bring everything into view. As well as consideration, for the rest.
The " sweat, " and, the tears defying " blood-lust " bore testimony to what was required to enhance chances of success in any instance. The road was strewn with rotting remains of forelorn attempts to get by with the wrong incentivization. Or, capabilities. Or, " weaponry " ! The defences thwarting irreversible declines in fortune had to be honed. To the absolute extreme. The " power " to ride out a storm was a defiant necessity, to enforce everything appropriate to demands. On heart, and soul.
They, knew how much " work " it took, to realize the dream !