Breathing Space

Hiro woke up slowly in an empty apartment with a dimly morning light. He couldn't remember clearly what had happened before, but it was a mix of running away, urgently leaving, and dealing with a lot of danger. As his eyes got used to the faint light, he realized he was on a bed made from blankets and old furniture.

The room felt stuffy, and Hiro felt a bit confused as he tried to figure out where he was. Casi, the tough survivor with a strong look, was close by, keeping an eye on him. Her face brightened as she noticed Hiro waking up. 

"Hiro, you're awake" Casi said in a hushed yet relieved tone.

Hiro sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes and realizing the harsh reality of their situation. The apartment, despite being empty and run-down, provided a short-term refuge from the imminent danger outside.

"Casi? Where are we?" Hiro asked, his voice betraying a mix of confusion and concern.

"We're in a safe spot for now, you're unconscious for 3 days. The others went to gather supplies, and Maya wanted to check the surroundings. We thought you might need some more rest," Casi explained, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of disturbance.

When Hiro attempted to get up, a dizzy feeling hit him, but with Casi's assistance, he managed to steady himself. The room was strangely silent, and only faint sounds from the outside world reached them through the damaged windows.

Casi grabbed a makeshift radio device from a nearby table and pressed a button. "Maya, Hiro's awake. We're in the apartment. Everything seems clear for now."

A crackling voice responded on the other end, "Good to know. Keep an eye out, and we'll be back soon."

Casi released the button and turned back to Hiro. "Seems like you took a hard hit back there. How are you feeling?"

Hiro nodded, still trying to shake off the grogginess. "I'll be alright. Just need a moment."

Casi gestured towards a small water bottle on a nearby table. "Take it easy. We're all in this together."

As Hiro sipped the water, he couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude for the makeshift family that had formed among the survivors. The challenges ahead were daunting, but the unity of the group offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of the chaos.

Not long after, the apartment door creaked open, and the others returned, relief evident on their faces as they saw Hiro conscious and sitting up. Maya, in her usual determined demeanor, approached Hiro with a nod.

"Good to see you awake, Hiro" Maya said, her eyes reflecting both concern and determination.

"Hey, Maya good to see you guys safe" Hiro said, with a face of little bit pain because of the aches in his body.

As Hiro exchanged greetings with Maya, the other survivors trickled into the dimly lit apartment, each carrying a small cache of supplies. Rafael, entered with a couple of scavenged tools and a bag of canned goods. His eyes lit up as he saw Hiro sitting up.

"Hiro, my man! You had us worried there for a moment," Rafael exclaimed, offering a lopsided grin as he placed the supplies on a nearby table.

Hiro managed a weak smile. "I'm tougher than I look, Rafael. What did you guys manage to find out there?"

Rafael began unpacking the bag, revealing a mix of canned food, water bottles, and a few medical supplies. "Not a bad haul. We've got enough to keep us going for a while. Found a first aid kit too, which might come in handy."

While the group checked the supplies they had just gotten, Hiro looked around the apartment. His thoughts dwelled on what had caused him to unexpectedly lose consciousness during their escape from the camp. He then turned to Rafael and asked.

"Rafael," Hiro began, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern, "what happened out there? How did I end up unconscious?"

Rafael sighed, his gaze momentarily distant as he recalled the chaotic escape. "Hiro, during our escape, things got out of hand. We managed to ride the armored car and maneuvered through a horde of infectors. It was tough, but we thought we had made a clean break."

He paused, the weight of the memory evident in his eyes. "Just when we thought we were in the clear, a new type of infector showed up. Massive, with these terrifying arms. It ambushed us right in front of an armored car. The soldiers tried their best, firing at it, but this thing was unstoppable."

Casi added, her voice filled with the gravity of the situation, "It trampled one of the armored cars. The soldiers did all they could to save their comrades, but it was a losing battle. In the end, the remaining soldiers had to make a gut-wrenching decision."

Maya continued, "They pressed the gas at full speed to escape the monster, even if it meant leaving some behind. It was against everything they trained for, Hiro. The shock of witnessing that, the danger, and the chaos, it must have been overwhelming for you."

Hiro absorbed the information, a mix of emotions playing across his face. The brutality of their escape, the sacrifice made, and the emergence of a new, formidable threat had taken its toll. As he processed the harsh reality, Hiro found himself grappling with a sense of gratitude for their survival and a deep sorrow for the losses incurred.

Rafael concluded, "We found this apartment as a temporary refuge. And when we were settling in, that's when you collapsed. It's been a hell of a journey, but we're still standing, and we're in this together."

As Hiro and the others talking of what happened, The door slowly creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Major Rodriguez. His stern expression softened briefly as he surveyed the weary faces of the survivors. Maya stepped forward, a mixture of caution and recognition in her eyes.

"Major Rodriguez" Maya acknowledged, her tone guarded yet respectful. "What brings you here?"

The major's gaze shifted from one survivor to another before settling on Maya. "We can't stay here any longer. The area is becoming increasingly unstable, and we're expecting a surge of infectors soon. We need to move, find a more defensible position."

Maya exchanged a glance with the rest of the group, a silent acknowledgment passing among them. The temporary refuge of the abandoned apartment, it seemed, was no longer safe.