Ethan sat in the dim light of his makeshift shelter, staring at the dwindling rations laid out before him. One week's worth of food left. That was all.
Two months had passed since he'd locked himself inside this underground storage facility. Two months of waiting, watching, and listening to the horrors outside. His wounds had healed, his body had recovered, but now a new problem loomed over him.
If he didn't find more supplies soon, he'd starve.
His stomach growled in agreement.
Ethan exhaled sharply and stood up, cracking his stiff joints. It was time to move.
First, he checked his weapons. His rifle was in good condition, his shotgun was loaded, and his hunting knives were sharpened. He had ammunition, but not enough to waste.
His truck was another concern. The gas tank was still half full, but he hadn't turned the engine on in weeks. If something had messed with the fuel or battery, he'd be stranded.
He threw on his gear—a sturdy jacket, a backpack for supplies, and a reinforced belt to carry extra ammo.
Then, he stepped to the door.
Through a small crack, he listened.
Silence.
That didn't mean the city was safe. It just meant the monsters were waiting.
Ethan unbolted the door, shotgun raised, and stepped outside.
The air smelled of rot and decay. The streets were eerily quiet, the remains of civilization still scattered across the ruined landscape. Cars sat abandoned, buildings crumbled, and the shadows stretched unnaturally under the broken skyline.
He moved cautiously, sticking close to the walls, avoiding open areas.
His first target was a small grocery store a few blocks away. It wasn't far, but even a short trip could mean death if he wasn't careful.
The first block was clear.
The second… not so much.
A single mutant stood in the distance.
It was hunched over a corpse, tearing into it with slow, deliberate movements. Its body was twisted—a mess of muscle and exposed bone.
Ethan gripped his shotgun.
He didn't need a fight. He just needed supplies.
Moving quietly, he slipped into a nearby alley, avoiding the creature's guarding
When he reached the store, he found the doors shattered. Glass littered the entrance, and inside was darkness.
He stepped in cautiously, knife in hand.
The shelves were mostly empty—looted long ago. But he wasn't looking for obvious supplies. He checked behind the counters, in storage rooms, under shelves.
He found a few canned goods. A couple of water bottles.
Then—footsteps.
He froze.
Something was inside with him.
Slowly, he backed away, pressing himself behind a shelf. A shadow moved in the aisles.
Then, a low, wet growl.
Not human.
His grip on the knife tightened as he prepared for a fight.