Chapter 40 : The Ruffian

The tension inside the office building was palpable as Marcus and his group ascended the stairwell, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on their shoulders. Each creak of the steps echoed through the narrow space, adding to the unease. Victor and Amelia remained on the second floor, guarding Morrison, whose silence was unnerving. Every sound outside the building seemed amplified, each one threatening to be the arrival of danger.

As Marcus led the group upward, Carl suddenly appeared, nearly colliding with them as he sprinted down the stairs. His face was pale, his breaths coming in shallow gasps.

"Marcus!" Carl exclaimed, gripping the railing for support. "I saw it—black smoke. It's coming from the station's direction!"

Everyone froze for a moment, the words hitting them like a punch to the gut. Marcus exchanged a quick glance with Kate before motioning for everyone to move faster.

"Let's get to the top floor," Marcus ordered. "We need to see this for ourselves." 

The group burst onto the top floor, the shattered glass windows providing a panoramic view of the city. The late afternoon sunlight bathed the ruins in a harsh orange glow, making the rising column of smoke starkly visible against the sky. Carl handed the binoculars to Chris, who was the first to look.

"It's close," Chris muttered, adjusting the focus. "Definitely not the station itself… but it's near. Just a few blocks away."

He passed the binoculars to Kate, who quickly raised them to her eyes. She scanned the smoke, her jaw tightening. The column was thick and dark, rising steadily into the sky. After a few moments, she handed the binoculars to Henry, who was next in line.

"Looks like a fire," Henry remarked grimly as he observed the smoke. "Could be someone trying to draw attention. Could be worse."

When it was Marcus's turn, he hesitated. The others noticed his pause, the rare moment of doubt breaking through his usually composed demeanor. Finally, he took the binoculars, studying the smoke intently.

"Well?" Kate asked, her voice sharp with urgency. "Is it the station or not?"

Marcus lowered the binoculars slowly, his expression unreadable. "No," he said after a long pause. "It's not the station. It's close, but the source is a few blocks away."

"Are you sure?" Chris pressed, his tone laced with doubt.

Marcus nodded, but his voice remained measured. "Yes. I'm sure."

The group let out a collective breath, though the tension lingered. Henry spoke up, his voice heavy. "So, what's the plan now? We can't stay here for long. This place is a death trap. Too many windows, not enough cover."

Kate glanced at the rising smoke again, her mind racing. "Marcus," she began, "we need to figure out what's going on over there. It might be nothing—or it might be a threat heading straight for us. We can't just sit here and wait."

Marcus turned to her, his brow furrowed. "What are you suggesting?"

"Let me, Chris, and Daniels check it out," Kate said firmly. "We'll move fast, scout the area, and report back. If it's a threat, we'll figure out how to deal with it. If it's not, we'll know for sure."

Marcus hesitated, glancing at the others. "It's risky. The area near the smoke could be crawling with ruffians—or worse."

"That's why we'll go in light and quick," Kate countered. "No heavy gear to slow us down, just the essentials. We'll avoid direct confrontation and only engage if it's absolutely necessary."

Chris nodded, his voice steady. "She's right. We can't make a plan without knowing what's going on. We'll be careful."

Henry chimed in, "She's got a point, Marcus. If we wait too long, we lose the element of surprise—and that smoke might lead whoever caused it straight to us."

Marcus ran a hand over his face, clearly weighing the options. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. You three will go, but you take extra ammo and radios. Check in at regular intervals. And for God's sake, be careful."

Kate nodded sharply. "We will."

The group descended the stairs to gather supplies. Kate, Chris, and Daniels moved quickly, checking their weapons and loading their packs with extra ammunition and water. Victor joined them briefly, offering a few words of advice.

"Stick to the shadows," he said. "The streets around here are open, and sound carries far. Don't risk it if you don't have to."

Kate nodded. "We'll keep it quiet. Thanks, Victor."

As they readied themselves, Marcus pulled Kate aside. "I trust you, Kate," he said quietly. "You've got good instincts. But don't let curiosity get the better of you. If things go south, you get out of there. Understand?"

"Got it," Kate replied, her voice steady. "We'll be back before you know it."

Chris and Daniels joined them at the door, their weapons slung over their shoulders. Marcus gave them a final nod. "Good luck. We'll be ready for anything when you get back."

The atmosphere was tense as Kate, Chris, and Daniels moved deeper into the city, the column of smoke growing more ominous with every step. The trio stuck close to the shadows, their footsteps silent against the cracked pavement. The faint glow of the fire ahead painted the surrounding ruins in a dim orange hue, like a warning signal flickering in the distance.

Chris, walking in the middle, glanced up at the sky. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the empty streets. He tightened his grip on his rifle and leaned closer to Kate.

"Still think this is just some random fire?" he murmured, his voice low but tinged with unease.

Kate didn't break her focus, her eyes scanning the alley ahead. "I don't know," she admitted. "But we need to find out. If it's something—or someone—that could be a threat to us, we can't just sit back and wait for it to come to us."

Daniels, taking up the rear, shifted uneasily. "You think it's the ruffians?" she asked.

Kate shook her head. "Maybe. Or it could be another group. Either way, we need intel."

Chris sighed, keeping his rifle raised. "I just hope this doesn't turn into another firefight.

The group continued forward, ducking through alleyways and slipping behind rubble to avoid being seen. As they approached the source of the smoke, the crackling of flames grew louder, mingling with distant, indistinct voices.

Kate raised her hand, signaling them to stop. She crouched low behind a rusted car, peeking through the broken windows toward the flickering glow. Chris and Daniels quickly followed suit, their movements synchronized after the rescue mission .

"There," Kate whispered, nodding toward the source of the fire.

The trio could now make out the outline of a partially collapsed post office . Its roof had caved in, and flames licked at the remnants of its walls. Shadows moved near the fire—figures silhouetted against the blaze. At least five people were visible, but there could be more out of sight.

Chris raised his rifle and peered through the scope. "Looks like a camp," he said quietly. "They've got a fire going, some makeshift tents… and I think I see a couple of vehicles parked near the side."

Daniels adjusted her position to get a better view. "They don't look like they're packing up. This might be their base—or at least a temporary one."

Chris frowned. "Do they look like ruffians to you?"

Kate's jaw tightened. "Only one way to find out." She gestured for them to stay put before creeping forward, her movements slow and deliberate. She stopped behind a stack of broken crates, close enough to hear fragments of conversation.

The trio moved carefully, creeping along the edge of the Post office until they found a partially collapsed wall that provided some cover. The firelight flickered against the debris, casting shifting shadows that danced across the ground.

Kate motioned for Chris and Daniels to stay put as she moved forward, crawling on her belly to get closer. She stopped just behind a stack of broken crates, close enough to hear the voices near the fire.

"I told you it was a mistake to hit that station," one man was saying, his voice sharp with irritation. "We lost too many people."

A second voice, gruffer and deeper, replied, "It wasn't a mistake. We just underestimated them. But they're weakened now. We hit them again, and they'll fall."

Kate's stomach clenched. The ruffians. She turned her head slightly, catching Chris's eye. She signaled with her hand: confirmed hostiles. Chris's jaw tightened, and he passed the signal to Daniels.

The conversation near the fire continued, the men's voices growing louder as their frustration bubbled over.

"And how do you plan to do that?" another man chimed in. "They killed half of our guys."

"That's why we regroup," the leader said. "we just have to wait for the signal. We'll hit them again before they have time to recover. This time, we bring the whole crew."

Kate's stomach churned as she listened, her mind racing. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her—this wasn't just a random fire. This was a threat, deliberate and calculated.