CHAPTER SEVEN: SHADOWS IN THE STREETS

Into the Wild City

The moment Jace and Kunle stepped past the barricades, Lagos felt alive but not in the way a city should.

Buildings loomed like corpses, their broken windows and hollow eyes staring at them. The streets were filled with rusty papers, shattered glass, and skeletal remains of cars.

Wind howled through the ruins, carrying whispers of distant screams and guttural moans.

Kunle searched the area, shotgun ready. "Yeah... this place feels cursed."

Jace kept walking, his grip tightening on his pistol. He wasn't here to admire the apocalypse. His family was out there.

Then, a sound.

Metal scraping. A quiet shuffle.

They froze.

A figure darted between the wreckage of an old store.

Jace and Kunle exchanged a look.

Not a Zombie. Someone's alive.

They moved toward the abandoned store, silent and careful.

Inside, was a young man. No older than 18. He was stuffing cans into a backpack.

He was quick, his clothes were torn but practical. A knife rested at his hip.

Jace stepped forward. "Not many people risk scavenging alone."

The young man whirled around, raising a loaded pistol.

"Stay back!"

Kunle sighed. "Man, put that down before you hurt yourself."

"Try me!" He says ready to fire a shot.

"Who are you?" He says asking.

Jace kept his voice calm. "Just passing through. Looking for someone."

He studied them. Then, hesitantly, he lowered the gun.

"Kayode."

Jace nodded. "Jace. That's Kunle."

Kunle gave a two-finger salute. "Sup."

Kayode hesitated, then went back to shoving cans into his bag.

Kunle raised an eyebrow. "You always shop alone, or... ?"

Kayode muttered "I'm scouting. My people need food."

Jace glanced at the shelves- mostly empty, but a few cans were still wedged in tight spots.

Jace grabbed a crowbar, pried some loose, and tossed them to Kayode.

The young man caught them, blinking in surprise. "Why help me?"

Jace shrugged. "We could use a friend."

Kayode smirked. " Good luck with that."

Kayode led them through back alleys and collapsed buildings until they reached an old government building, reinforced with barricades.

Inside, a group of survivors. Mostly young adults and a few older figures sat around a dim fire, eating and cleaning weapons.

A woman with short braids, holding a hunting rifle, stepped forward. "Kayode, Who the hell-"

"They helped," Kayode interrupted. "Found me in a store, and didn't try to rob me."

She studied Jace and Kunle, then gave a short nod. "Zainab"

Jace got to the point. "We're looking for a woman and a child. They might've passed through here,"

Zainab hesitated.

Kayode spoke up. "I saw something."

Jace turned to him, eyes sharp. "Tell me."

Kayode frowned. "A group left the city last night. A few adults. A kid. Headed into the woods."

Jace's heart pounded. "What did they look like?" 

Kayode shook his head. "Didn't get a close look. Just saw them moving fast. Like they were running from something."

Jace exhaled. It had to be them.

Reed crossed his arms. "If they ran, there's a reason. What's out there?"

Zainab and Kayode exchanged a look.

Finally, Zainab said, "The Egun-Egun."

Silence.

Then Kayode added, "And worse things."

Jace's jaw tightened. He didn't care.

His family was out there.

And he was going after them.

TO BE CONTINUED...