Chapter 5: The Shadows of Astraea
The city of Astraea was once a symbol of hope, its towering buildings reflecting the brilliance of a new era. Now, it was nothing more than a graveyard. The hollow streets echoed with the sound of wind rustling through broken windows and debris. The skyline that had once been a testament to humanity's resilience had darkened under a blood-red sky.
Jiro stood at the edge of the rooftop, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. From his vantage point, he could see the full extent of the chaos below. The undead roamed freely, their erratic movements a constant reminder of how fragile the line between life and death had become. In the distance, pillars of smoke twisted into the sky like serpents.
"We need supplies," Rika said, walking up beside him. Her voice was steady, but Jiro could hear the undercurrent of worry. They were running low on food, medicine, and ammunition. Every day was a gamble, and luck wasn't on their side.
"I know," Jiro replied, still not turning away from the grim view. "But where? The last few supply runs were a disaster. We barely made it back alive."
Rika sighed. "There's talk of a military safe zone near the river. If it's true, we might find more than just supplies."
Jiro finally turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers. "And if it's not true? We'd be walking into a trap. The city isn't what it used to be. There are other dangers out there besides the dead."
A long silence stretched between them. They both knew the risks, but doing nothing wasn't an option. The weight of their dwindling resources hung over them like a guillotine. The group was depending on them.
"We have to try," Rika said quietly. "I'll go with you."
"No," Jiro said firmly. "You stay here with the others. I can move faster alone."
Rika's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue. She knew Jiro was right—splitting up had its advantages. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The red sky, the unnatural stillness—it felt like the world was holding its breath.
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The next day, Jiro made his way through the city's abandoned streets. Every shadow seemed to hide danger, every sound heightened his senses. He kept his knife ready, his eyes darting in every direction. The undead were unpredictable, but at least they could be heard coming. The living, however, were far more dangerous.
As he rounded a corner near a once-bustling marketplace, Jiro froze. There, in the middle of the street, was a figure. At first, he thought it was another infected, but then he noticed the fluidity of its movements. The figure was crouched low, scavenging through a pile of rubble.
Not one of the dead.
Jiro tightened his grip on his knife, keeping his distance. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with a stranger in the middle of the city. But something about the figure was familiar.
Before he could react, the person looked up. Their eyes locked.
It was Kana, one of their own. But something was different. Her usually kind and lively eyes were vacant, her expression cold. She wasn't the same.
"Kana…" Jiro called out cautiously, stepping forward.
She tilted her head, her gaze narrowing. For a brief moment, she seemed to recognize him, but then she shook her head, as if brushing away the memory.
"What are you doing out here?" Jiro asked, his voice tight with concern. "You were supposed to be back at the safehouse."
Kana didn't respond. Instead, she turned and started walking away, her movements unnervingly calm.
Jiro's heart pounded in his chest as he hesitated. Something was very wrong. Should he follow her or head back to the others?
The choice would change everything.
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End of Chapter 5