Story 1248: Alley of Screams

In Blackout City, every alley had a story.

But this one had a voice.

Juno and Shade emerged from the bunker at dawn, alive—but only barely. The Feeders hadn’t followed. Not physically. But something clung to them now. An echo, a presence that made the shadows feel thicker. Hungrier.

They made their way toward the edge of Sector Nine, where rumors said an old Resistance drop point still remained. But between them and safety lay a narrow corridor of collapsed buildings known only as the Alley of Screams.

It wasn’t marked on maps. No one remembered when it appeared. But every survivor had heard it—an alley where voices cried out long after their owners had gone quiet.

As they approached, the air grew colder.

“Turn back,” Shade muttered. “We can circle around Sector Twelve—”

“We don’t have time,” Juno said, clutching the VIREX black box tighter. “It’s broadcasting again. Sector Twelve’s awake.”

They stepped into the alley.