Rise of The Unseen

Feeling Rudderless

「 ACT TWO - MONTHS LATER 」

Months had passed since the devastating events at the stadium. The Unseens had traversed through desolate landscapes, surviving on scarce supplies and each other's strength. A lot has happened in this time, we saw growth but also a lot of withdrawal within the group.  

Daniel had withdrawn into himself, grappling with guilt and despair over Emily's death. Now, he strived to find a new purpose, taking on a major role as the group's older brother. His determination to keep everyone safe was both inspiring and consuming. You could see the exaustion in his eyes.

Benny and Lucas' relationship had grown deeper, and they formed an inseparable duo within the group. Benny's pragmatism and Lucas's optimism complemented each other, helping them navigate the challenges while maintaining their spirits. They leaned onto each other, they were each other's safety net.

The trauma from Rourke still haunted Jessica, she still felt like she had a lot to prove, like she wasn't as useless as Rourke made her out to be but what she didn't know was that she rose as a beacon of hope and guidance to Marta, not that she would ever tell you that. Jessica emerged as a coleader, organizing their resources, nurturing bonds among the group, and offering a supportive presence to everyone.

Now, Marta... She carried the loss of her family, battling inner demons while striving to earn redemption. After coming to the realization that her family was gone, she was now often distant, she silently assumed the responsibilities of scouting and security, keeping an ever-watchful eye on their surroundings, she never spoke as much as she did before. She was feeling rudderless.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm hue across their makeshift camp, the air was filled with a sense of familiarity. Daniel was crouched near the fire, diligently tending to a pot of simmering stew, the aroma of which wafted through the air. Nearby, Benny and Lucas were engaged in playful banter, exchanging lighthearted remarks, laughter, and subtle flirtations while setting up their sleeping arrangements.

Jessica, with a gentle smile, carried a plate of food toward Marta, who was seated a little further away, lost in her thoughts. The bond among the group had strengthened over the months, but Marta still found solace in occasional solitude. Jessica approached her quietly, her steps soft against the ground softened by the encroaching evening shadows.

"Marta," Jessica said softly, holding out the plate of food. "I brought you something to eat. You've been sitting here for a while."

Marta glanced up, a flicker of gratitude crossing her eyes as she accepted the plate. "Thanks, Jess," she murmured, her voice carrying a note of fatigue and vulnerability.

Jessica settled beside her, offering a sympathetic look. "You know, I'm pretty sure there's this shooting range close to here that we haven't checked yet," she said, her voice gentle yet filled with concern. She was worried about Marta, she could even say she missed their banter.

Marta nodded while eating. "I know. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of hollows there, but we could check it out." she said, her gaze drifting back to the horizon, where the last light of the day was slowly fading away.

Jessica knew that Marta needed a small nudge to break out of her solemn demeanor. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she leaned in closer to Marta.

"Hey, Marta, let's go there tomorrow..." Jessica began playfully, "I bet I can bag more hollows than you. What do you say?"