Story 370: The Whispers in the Dark

The voices grew louder as Zara and Rowan pressed deeper into the dimly lit passage. Zara motioned for Rowan to halt, crouching low to steady her breathing. The faint glow of lanterns flickered ahead, casting dancing shadows on the crumbling walls. She gestured for Rowan to cover her as she crept forward, each step calculated to avoid drawing attention.

The passage opened into a chamber, larger than Zara had anticipated. A group of survivors, their faces gaunt and wary, huddled around a makeshift fire. They looked ragged—likely scavengers who had been trapped underground for weeks, judging by their hollow eyes and soot-stained clothes.