Chapter 34 – A Shot in the Dark

The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the frozen wasteland, sending a ripple of tension through the bunker. I barely had time to register the sound before Ray and I were already moving.

Daniel emerged from the half-built greenhouse, rifle raised, eyes scanning the darkness. The others inside the bunker stirred, murmurs of fear spreading.

Another shot.

I hit the emergency lockdown switch, sealing the bunker doors before anyone could react. We couldn't risk a direct assault—not in this weather.

Ray was already at my side, his breath fogging in the cold. "That came from the west ridge."

I nodded. "Could be scavengers."

"Could be worse." His voice was grim.

I glanced at him, and for once, there was no argument—only agreement. We needed to find out what we were dealing with.

Tracking the Source

We moved through the snow-covered ruins, keeping low, weapons ready. The wind howled, carrying the scent of gunpowder.

Then I saw them.

Three figures crouched behind a collapsed structure, their silhouettes barely visible against the pale snow. One was wounded, gripping their side. The other two were scanning their surroundings, their rifles trembling in their hands.

Not raiders.

Not soldiers.

Survivors.

I motioned for Ray to hold. He hesitated, then nodded. We had to approach carefully.

I called out, "Lower your weapons. We're not here to fight."

The taller of the two spun, gun aimed at my chest. "Who the hell are you?"

I took a slow step forward, hands up. "Just like you. Trying to survive."

The wounded one groaned, blood darkening the snow beneath them. The second figure glanced between us and their injured friend.

"We… we thought you were someone else," she admitted.

Ray muttered under his breath, "That's not reassuring."

I ignored him. "Who are you running from?"

She hesitated. Then—"A group. They tried to take our supplies."

My stomach tightened. A hostile group.

Ray met my gaze. This wasn't over.

A Tense Decision

I could see the calculation in Ray's eyes. Taking in more people meant stretching our resources even thinner. It meant risk.

But leaving them out here meant death.

I made my decision. "We have shelter. Come with us."

The man holding the gun didn't lower it. "And if we say no?"

Ray shrugged. "Then you freeze out here and die."

Silence.

Then, slowly, the gun lowered.

I exhaled. "Let's move."

As we guided them back toward the bunker, I knew this was just the beginning.

The storm was ending.

But the real conflict was just beginning.

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Looks like James just made a big choice. Was it the right one? Would you have let them in, or left them out in the cold? Let me know in the comments!