Thus it begins

Fully immersed in their game of Valorant, the café's cozy atmosphere punctuated by their occasional laughter and playful banter. The gentle rain outside provided a soothing backdrop, adding to the sense of normalcy and calm.

Just as Naira lined up a perfect shot, a sudden, piercing scream shattered the tranquility. The sound was followed by a chorus of panicked voices, the unmistakable clamor of chaos unfolding just outside the café.

Kiran glanced up, a confused smile on her face. "Are they filming a movie or something?"

Naira's eyes narrowed as he listened closely, his gaming instincts kicking in. Years of playing survival games had honed his ability to process information quickly. He realized immediately that this was not a film set but a genuine state of panic.

Without a word, he reached over and grabbed Kiran's hand. "We need to get out of here," he said urgently, pulling her towards the back of the café. "Come on, we need to hide."

Kiran, still processing what was happening, allowed herself to be led, her trust in Naira overriding her confusion. The sounds of fear and confusion outside grew louder, the reality of the situation starting to sink in.

Naira quickly scanned the room, spotting the door to the bathroom. He guided Kiran inside, shutting and locking the door behind them. The small, dimly lit space offered a momentary refuge from the chaos outside.

Kiran looked at Naira, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Naira, what's going on?"

Naira took a deep breath, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the fragments of information. "I don't know for sure, but it's not safe out there. We need to stay here until we figure out what's happening."

They listened in tense silence, the muffled sounds of panic seeping through the walls. Naira's heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained focused. Whatever was happening outside, they would face it together. For now, the bathroom was their sanctuary, a brief respite from the storm that was brewing just beyond the café's doors.

In the cramped bathroom, the seconds stretched into hours. Kiran buried her head into Naira's chest, covering her ears with her hands to block out the terrifying sounds outside. Her body trembled with anxiety, and Naira held her close, trying to provide what little comfort he could.

Time seemed to crawl by. They didn't speak, letting the sounds of panic gradually fade until there was an eerie silence. The once distant sounds of chaos were replaced by a deafening stillness, interrupted only by Kiran's soft sobs. She finally broke the silence, her voice shaking. "I'm so scared, Naira. I just want to go home."

Naira gently stroked her back, his own fear masked by the need to stay strong for her. "It's going to be alright, Kiran. We'll figure this out. We just need to stay calm and stick together."

Her breathing steadied a bit, and Naira took the moment to scan their surroundings. His eyes fell on a heavy crowbar leaning against the sink. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. He picked it up, feeling the reassuring weight in his hands.

"We need to be prepared," he said, his voice low but firm. "This should help us if we run into trouble."

Kiran nodded, wiping her tears and taking a deep breath. She managed a small, shaky smile, her trust in Naira giving her some strength.

Slowly, Naira cracked open the bathroom door, peeking outside. The café was eerily quiet, but through the windows, he could see dark silhouettes moving slowly, wandering aimlessly. They moved with an unnatural, shambling gait, and Naira's stomach dropped as the reality of the situation hit him.

"Kiran," he whispered, "stay close to me. We're going to move quietly and carefully. Don't let go of my hand."

With Kiran clutching his hand tightly, they edged their way out of the bathroom. Naira gripped the crowbar tightly, his senses on high alert. The café, once a cozy refuge, now felt like a labyrinth of unknown dangers. They moved slowly, making their way toward the exit, the shadowy figures outside a constant reminder of the peril they faced.

As they approached the door, the true gravity of their situation became clearer. The world outside had changed in an instant, and they were stepping into an uncertain future. But as long as they had each other, they would find a way to survive.

Realizing that being indoors was potentially safer than venturing outside, Naira and Kiran decided to return to the gaming café. The familiarity of the place gave them a slight advantage, knowing its ins and outs, exits, and potential hiding spots. Naira's extensive knowledge from movies and games told him that heading to common gathering spots like malls or using a car would be risky. Crowded roads could become death traps, and in the chaos, they could easily lose each other.

They cautiously re-entered the dimly lit café, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. As they moved deeper into the room, they noticed a man standing in the corner, facing the wall.

Naira held up the crowbar, ready for any sudden movements. "Hello?" he called out calmly, trying to assess the situation from a safe distance. The man remained unresponsive.

"Kiran, can you use your phone to shine a light on him?" Naira asked, his voice steady despite the tension.

Kiran fumbled with her phone, the screen illuminating the darkness as she directed the beam toward the man. As the light revealed the figure they were horrified to see his face ripped off leaving a bloody mess. The man emitted a guttural grunts, his movements slow and limo

Naira's grip tightened on the crowbar. "If you take another step, I'll have to defend us," he warned firmly, but the man continued to stumble toward them, oblivious to the threat.

With no other choice, Naira swung the crowbar with all his strength, splitting the man's head open leaving a bloody mess and all that's left was a lifeless body.

Naira stood over the body, breathing heavily, the reality of their situation sinking in. He turned to Kiran, who was pale and trembling, but trying to stay strong.

"We need to stay here and figure out our next move," Naira said, his voice steady but filled with determination. "This place is familiar, and we have a better chance of surviving if we use what we know."

Kiran nodded, her fear mingling with resolve. Together, they began to secure the café, preparing for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.