Forgotten Traces

As they ventured further through the ruins of the city, the atmosphere began to change. The cold night wind seeped through the cracks of the old buildings, carrying the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Ricky glanced back several times, ensuring they weren't being followed by the Remnants that they had been encountering more frequently since entering this timeline.

"Are we far enough from the portal?" Sophie whispered anxiously, her eyes scanning their surroundings.

Keeper nodded slowly. "Yes, but something still feels off. It seems like there's more than just Remnants lurking around here."

Kieran paused briefly, gazing at the sky that was now shrouded in a thin mist. "Do you feel something strange?" he asked cautiously.

Before anyone could respond, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching rapidly. Ricky immediately pulled Sophie aside, seeking shelter behind a pile of rubble. Kieran raised his weapon, ready for the worst. However, it wasn't Remnants or any other enemies that appeared it was a group of locals dressed in simple clothing, carrying torches and makeshift gear.

One of them, an elderly man with a face lined with wrinkles, raised his hand in a gesture of peace. "We're not enemies. We just want to help," he said in a calm voice.

Ricky lowered his weapon slightly but remained on guard. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously.

"We're survivors of the great plague from years ago," the man replied. "We know you don't belong here. But if you need shelter, we can help."

Sophie glanced at Ricky with a questioning look. "Can we trust them?" she whispered.

Keeper, who had been observing silently, took a step forward. "I can sense their sincerity. They know something about this time that could help us."

Ricky finally nodded. "Alright, we'll come. But if this is a trap…"

"It's not a trap," the old man interrupted firmly : "We just want to survive, like you."

They were led to a hidden underground shelter filled with old equipment and enough supplies to last for months. As they gathered around a simple table, a woman arrived with a plate of food that looked unfamiliar to them fresh fruit and fragrant bread.

Sophie stared at the food in amazement. "I don't remember the last time I saw fresh food like this."

Ricky picked up a piece of bread and tasted it slowly. It was soft, sweet, and brought back memories of the world before its downfall. He fell silent for a moment, letting the wave of nostalgia wash over him. "This… is incredible," he muttered.

Kieran, who was usually more reserved, also tried the food and nodded in agreement. "They're living much better than we thought. How have you managed to survive in such conditions?"

The old man smiled faintly. "We learned from past mistakes. The plague that wiped out most of the population taught us that only by working together could we survive."

"The plague… what was it like?" Keeper asked with curiosity.

The woman who had brought the food sat beside the old man. "The plague wasn't just an ordinary disease. It was the result of a failed experiment. Scientists tried to create stronger humans, but instead, they caused a catastrophe. The plague spread rapidly, killing millions in a short time."

A tense silence fell over them. The explanation revealed a bitter truth about the cause of their world's destruction. Sophie clenched her fists tightly, trying to suppress her emotions. "So all of this… was humanity's own fault?"

"Yes," the old man replied with a tone of regret. "And that's why we live in hiding. We don't want to repeat the same mistakes."

After the simple dinner, Ricky, Sophie, Kieran, and Keeper went outside with a few of the locals. They were given a tour of the city, showing them how life had been in the past before the collapse. Although the city seemed quiet and isolated, there was a warm aura ofcatastrophe. The plague spread rapidly, killing millions in a short time."

A tense silence fell over them. The explanation revealed a bitter truth about the cause of their world's destruction. Sophie clenched her fists tightly, trying to suppress her emotions. "So all of this… was humanity's own fault?"

"Yes," the old man replied with a tone of regret. "And that's why we live in hiding. We don't want to repeat the same mistakes."

After the simple dinner, Ricky, Sophie, Kieran, and Keeper went outside with a few of the locals. They were given a tour of the city, showing them how life had been in the past before the collapse. Although the city seemed quiet and isolated, there was a warm aura of life in every corner.

Ricky observed a group of children playing in a small park, laughing without a care. The sight made him feel strange, as if he was witnessing a shadow of the world that should still exist in their time. "This… feels like a dream," he whispered.

"And this dream can become reality again if we succeed," Keeper said confidently.

But the peaceful moment didn't last long. In the distance, a loud rumbling sound echoed through the buildings. The old man quickly instructed them to return to the shelter. "Quick! They're coming again!"

Ricky and Kieran immediately prepared for whatever was approaching. Sophie clung tightly to Keeper's hand, feeling the tension rising once more. "What's happening?" she asked in panic.

"They're bigger Remnants," the old man answered. "Every night, they come looking for anything they can destroy."

"Alright, we'll help," Ricky said firmly. "You get the civilians to safety. We'll deal with them."

Kieran raised his weapon, loading special bullets they had brought along. "We can't run forever. Let's end this."

And with that, a new battle began.

The rumbling sound grew closer, and large shadows started to emerge through the mist. But something felt different this time. Was it just ordinary Remnants, or was there a new, more dangerous force waiting for them in the darkness of the night?