The Road Ahead

The station hummed with quiet movement.

People whispered in low voices, checking weapons and counting supplies. The faint glow of flashlights bounced off the concrete walls, casting long, shifting shadows as survivors quietly prepared for whatever came next.

The group stood near the entrance, finishing up the last of their packing.

Jin adjusted the strap of his pack, testing the weight. It sat heavy against his back, but the ache in his body had faded to something distant. Manageable.

Joon flexed his fingers, stretching them out before clenching them into fists.

"Man," he muttered. "I forgot what my hands feel like without electricity buzzing through them."

Echo snorted, tugging his hoodie tighter.

"Yeah, and I forgot what it feels like to not have to listen to you whine."

Joon shot him a look.

"I'm just saying. I feel like I lost a limb."

"Your brain's the limb you lost," Echo muttered.