Setting the Traps

The air outside was heavy, thick with the scent of decay and an eerie silence that blanketed the streets. Alexia and Quinn moved swiftly, their boots crunching against debris as they approached the narrow choke point. The towering buildings on either side loomed like silent sentinels, their shattered windows darkened as if mourning the fall of humanity.

"Doesn't this place give you the creeps?" Quinn asked, his voice cutting through the quiet. 

Alexia glanced at him, her grip tightening on the bat she carried. "Everything about this world gives me the creeps. But we don't really have the luxury to be scared." She said while twisting her wrist along with the bat, she wasn't used to carry something that didn't have a blade, but she felt her katana needed to rest for the upcoming horde attack.

Quinn smirked, shadows curling at his feet like restless animals. "Still, this alley looks like it came straight out of a horror movie. Perfect for an ambush, though.

She scanned the area, her system overlay providing tactical insights. The alley was ideal-----a natural bottleneck where the horde could be funneled into a confined space. Her system highlighted structural weaknesses in the buildings, potential hiding spots, and areas to place traps. 

"We'll start here," Alexia said, pointing to the alley's entrance. "We'll block the sides with debris to keep them from spilling out. Your shadows can help with that."

Quinn nodded, already directing his abilities. Tendrils of darkness slithered towards piles of rubble, wrapping around broken furniture and chunks of concrete. The shadows moved with purpose, stacking debris into a crude barricade.

"Handy," Alexia muttered, impressed despite herself. 

Quinn grinned. "You've only seen the basics. Wait until I really cut loose."

Alexia rolled her eyes, crouching to inspect a cracked pavement. She pulled a small device from her pocket----an explosive trap the system had supplied earlier. Placing it carefully, she connected it to a makeshift tripwire that had stretched across the alley's width.

"First line of defense," she murmured.

They worked in silence for a while, setting up traps and securing the area. Alexia's system provided constant updates, suggesting optimal placements and warning of weak points. Despite the tension, she couldn't ignore the strange comfort of having Quinn nearby. His presence, while infuriating at times, was oddly steadying.

As they finished blocking the last escape route, Quinn straightened, brushing dust off his hands. "That should slow them down. What's next, boss?"

Alexia ignored the teasing lilt in his voice, focusing on the map projected by her system. "Next, we lure them here. But we need a clear escape route in case things go south."

Quinn's expression turned serious. "You think they'll be evolved infected?"

"Probably," Alexia admitted. "The last horde had a few, and I doubt they'll stop evolving now. That's why we need to be ready for anything."

Quinn's shadows rippled as if in response to her words. "You're always ready for anything, aren't you?"

She hesitated, meeting his gaze. "I have to be, I don't have much of a choice."

His smirk softened into something gentler. "Well, you're not alone in this. Remember that."

Before Alexia could respond, her system sent a warning: 

[Movement detected. Approaching entities: 14. Distance: 200 meters.]

"They're here," Alexia said sharply, rising to her feet.

Quinn's shadow coiled tighter around him, his stance shifting into one of readiness. "How do you want to play this?"

"Take out the stragglers quietly," Alexia instructed. "We can't risk drawing the whole horde yet."

Quinn nodded, slipping into the shadows like a ghost. Alexia followed, keeping low and quiet as they advanced towards the approaching infected.

The first one came into view---a shambling figure with torn clothes and a twisted, decayed face. Quinn struck before it even noticed them, his shadows forming a blade that slashed clean through its neck. The body crumpled silently to the ground.

Alexia moved to the next, her bat swinging in a precise arc that crushed the infected's skull. They worked in tandem, clearing the small group with brutal efficiency. 

As the last infected fell, Alexia glanced at Quinn. "We need to get back to the sanctuary and prepare for the main attack. This was probably a scout group."

Quinn wiped his shadow blade against his pants, his expression grim. "Yeah, no kidding. Let's move."

They retreated quickly, the weight of the impending battle pressing down on them."

Alexia held Quinn's hand and flashed them both into the system sanctuary.

Back at the sanctuary, Damien and Alex were waiting. The room was filled with an assortment of makeshift traps and weapons. Alex looked up as they entered, his face lighting with relief.

"You're back," he said, his tone a mix of surprise and concern. "How bad was it?"

"Manageable," Alexia replied. "But the horde's not far behind. We need to finalize everything now."

Damien stepped forward; his usual calm demeanor edged with tension. "The traps are ready, and we can leave, we can't stay here forever."

Alexia nodded, "We won't need to. If the traps and choke point work, we'll thin their numbers enough to push through."

"And if they don't work?" Alex asked quietly.

Alexia's gaze hardened. "Then we fight until they do."

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy blanket. Each of them knew what was at stake."

"Get some rest while you can," Alexia said finally. "We'll need every ounce of strength for what's to come."

As they dispersed to prepare, Alexia allowed herself a brief moment of doubt. The plan was solid, the team capable----but the apocalypse had a way of throwing unexpected curveballs.

"Don't overthink it," Quinn said, brushing past her on his way out.

She looked after him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. For once, she decided to take his advice.