Steps Among Shadows

After parting ways with Ed and Lena, Ricky, Sophie, Kieran, and Keeper proceeded cautiously. The night was eerily quiet, but they remained vigilant. The distant sounds of nocturnal creatures occasionally echoed, adding to the mysterious atmosphere of their journey. Their goal was clear: reach the hidden time portal in the ruins of the old city before the guards could find it.

"According to this map, the portal is located near the old government building," Keeper said, checking a small scanner in his hand. "We're almost there, but the path ahead looks dangerous."

Ricky scanned the surroundings carefully. "We have no choice. If we stop now, they'll catch up with us."

After a brief pause, they agreed to keep moving. The road became narrower and was filled with debris from old buildings. The dim moonlight helped them navigate, but the surrounding shadows added an unsettling tension.

As they neared their destination, Sophie suddenly stopped. "Something feels off... It's like we're being watched."

Kieran nodded in agreement. "I feel it too. We're not alone."

Keeper raised his hand, signaling them to stay silent. He activated the scanner, trying to detect movement around them. "I'm picking up signals… someone or something is approaching from the east."

Before they could react, the sound of heavy footsteps drew closer rapidly. From behind the rubble, a group of armed men in dark uniforms appeared. These men weren't ordinary guards they were well-trained and equipped with advanced weapons.

"Get ready!" Ricky shouted, raising his rifle.

Gunfire erupted instantly. Ricky and Kieran worked in tandem, firing back while taking cover behind debris. Sophie guarded Keeper, who was focused on protecting the scanner from damage.

"We can't hold out for long at this rate!" Kieran shouted as he shot down another attacker.

"Keeper, hurry up!"

"Just a few more minutes…" Keeper muttered, concentrating on finding the quickest route to the portal.

As the battle intensified, Sophie noticed something a narrow gap between two buildings that seemed like an alternate route. "There's a path over there! We can use it to evade them."

Without wasting time, they dashed toward the gap. Bullets continued to fly around them, but they managed to reach the passage unscathed. Their relief was short-lived, though, as they found themselves in a long, dark corridor filled with rubble that slowed their progress.

"We're almost theere,, The portal is at the end of this corridor," Keeper said, breathing heavily. But before they could proceed, the sound of heavy footsteps returned behind them.

"Hurry!" Sophie urged. "They won't stop chasing us."

With the last bit of energy they had, they sprinted toward the end of the corridor. However, when they arrived, they were confronted by a large, rusty door that appeared locked and immovable.

"The door's stuck!" Kieran tried pushing it with all his strength, but it wouldn't budge.

"Let me handle it!" Ricky pulled out a small explosive device from his bag and attached it to the door. "Step back! I'm blowing it open."

Seconds later, a small explosion sounded, and the door finally gave way, revealing a large room filled with ancient machinery. At the center of the room, a glowing blue circle slowly rotated the time portal they had been searching for.

"We made it!" Sophie exclaimed with relief. But before they could enter the portal, the sound of footsteps grew louder.

"Quick, into the portal!" Ricky ordered.

One by one, they leaped into the glowing circle. Ricky, being the last, jumped in just as a large explosion echoed behind him, signaling that the enemy had reached the room. But it was too late they had vanished, leaving nothing but an empty room behind.

***

As they emerged from the portal in the future, the sight before them was shocking not just ruins, but something far stranger and more dangerous awaited them in this new world.