15

The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting a blood-orange hue over the world as we prepared to leave for the city. We were low on food, and the medical supplies we had were quickly running out. The villa had been fortified and secured, but our limited stock meant we had to venture out into the dangerous, infected world outside. 

I kept my thoughts to myself as I stood by the entrance, watching as the group gathered their gear. Jian Ren was checking his weapons—metal spikes formed from his powers, the electric sparking as he tested their effectiveness. Mu Zu, her shadows flickering with energy, was silent, deep in concentration as she prepared for the trip. Her father had taken a few moments to rest after the battle, but now he was gearing up, his superhuman strength adding weight to the group's already formidable power. 

"Everyone ready?" Jian Ren asked, his voice low. He looked to me, his golden eyes serious, though I could see the concern hidden beneath. The city was dangerous now, crawling with zombies and worse—mutated animals. 

"I'm good," I said, my voice steady despite the knot in my stomach. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Not because I was scared, but because I knew I could be going alone. 

I'd already planned to rob a warehouse, one stocked with medical supplies and food. No one knew about my plant-space powers and the massive stockpile of goods I had tucked away. With the apocalypse taking its toll, I couldn't risk giving away my advantage. 

It had been a week since we settled at the villa, and though the others had their own abilities—some strong, some unique—there were still gaps we needed to fill, especially in food. While I had everything I needed tucked away in my space-world, I was reluctant to share that secret. 

"You're quiet," Jian Ren commented, his gaze sharp as he looked at me. "You okay?"

"Just thinking," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm ready."

Mu Zu and her family were in charge of reconnaissance and providing support, as usual. The group had been working together well, but I knew they'd be worried when they realized the warehouse I intended to hit was far from the main supply routes. It was about thirty minutes from the city center—deep into the urban wasteland where danger lurked around every corner.

Mu Zu's father gave me a brief nod, signaling his readiness to go. "Let's make this quick," he said, his voice calm but tinged with urgency. He knew the stakes as well as I did.

Jian Ren motioned to the group, and we set off into the city. The old streets were eerily quiet, the buildings looming like giants, their windows shattered and walls cracked. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the gnawing emptiness around us—the remnants of a once-bustling city now silenced by chaos. We'd need to act fast to avoid the infected, or worse.

When we reached the edge of the city, Jian Ren turned to me. "You sure you want to go this deep into the city? It's not safe."

I smiled at him, though there was no humor in it. "I've got a feeling about this place. I'll be fine." 

Jian Ren seemed to hesitate, but then he nodded. "Stay close. We'll be in and out in no time."

As the group moved forward, I quietly distanced myself, taking a route through the alleys and side streets that kept me out of sight. My mind was already on the warehouse ahead, thinking of how I could get in, get what we needed, and get out without anyone realizing what I had done. 

When we arrived near the warehouse, I felt a jolt of anticipation. The building was rundown, its steel door covered in rust and grime. From the outside, it looked like it hadn't been used in years. But I knew better. 

I could sense the abundance of supplies inside—food, medical goods, tools, and more. It was just sitting there, waiting to be claimed. I felt the space-world within me hum, responding to my desire for the resources stored within the warehouse. 

I turned to the group and motioned for them to hang back. "Wait here," I said, my voice calm but firm. "I'll be right back."

Jian Ren raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It doesn't look safe."

"I've got this," I replied, offering a reassuring smile. "Just stay ready."

I walked toward the warehouse door, my pulse steady, and placed a hand on the rusted metal. The door creaked in protest, but with a little push, it slid open just enough for me to slip through. I made sure the others were out of sight, then entered, feeling the weight of the space-world inside me stir as I made my way deeper into the building.

The air inside was stale, the floor covered in dust. But the smell of canned goods, packaged medical supplies, and other stored resources filled the air. This warehouse had been untouched for a long time, and I was going to take full advantage of it. 

Using my powers, I pulled in supplies from the shelves and stored them within my space. Every item—boxes of food, medical kits, even some extra blankets—disappeared into the void of my space-world, neatly tucked away. I couldn't afford to leave anything behind.

The whole process took only minutes, but as I moved to the last shelf, I heard a noise from outside. I froze, listening. The sound of footsteps, slow and heavy, was coming closer. Someone or something was approaching the warehouse.

I cursed under my breath, but I couldn't risk being caught. Quickly, I focused on the space within me, locking down the stored goods and sealing off the doorway. Then, I slipped back to the group, who had been waiting patiently.

As I approached Jian Ren, he looked at me with concern. "Everything okay?"

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "All set. Let's go."

We moved quickly, making our way back toward the villa. I knew the others had no idea what I had done, and I intended to keep it that way for now. The supplies would be enough to get us through the next few weeks, and that was all that mattered.

The apocalypse had thrown us into chaos, but with every decision I made, I was ensuring we had the tools to survive. No one needed to know about the space-world I carried within me—not yet, at least. We had enough to worry about without adding another secret to the pile. 

As the group made its way back to the villa, the weight of our success settled on my shoulders. We were surviving, and I would do everything I could to ensure we kept doing so—even if it meant facing the darkness alone.