Home; I Found With You // Ryeji FF

rex.

The apocalypse had wrought chaos upon the world and in its wake, the very essence of humanity had been tested and twisted. Authority, once a guiding hand that kept society in check, had crumbled to dust. Rules, norms and morals that held criminals and lawbreakers accountable have evaporated into the void. Now, survivors stood on a precipice, a world where survival was the only rule left.

A soft groan reverberated from the dark-haired woman's lips, her consciousness fading in and out with the throbbing in her head intensified as she tried to take in her surroundings. She used her five senses to assess her situation.

Sight: The interior of the train car was dimly illuminated; long abandoned and filled with a layer of dust and debris. The doors on the far end were slightly ajar, offering a small glimpse of the desolate train station outside. Beside her, Yeji's head slumped downwards, still unconscious.

Sound: The only sound she could hear was the soft creaking of the train car, occasionally punctuated by the distant howling of the wind. She strained her ears for any other sounds that might give her a clue about their captors. Yet, all that met her ears were the persistent ringing within and the muffled murmurs of individuals outside, their words indiscernible.

Touch: Her wrists ached from the tightly secured zip-ties attached to the railing she was leaning on. She could feel the dried blood on her temple. The cold, hard floor beneath her provided an uncomfortable resting place.

Smell: The air in the train had a musty, stale odour, the result of years of abandonment. Amidst the stagnant atmosphere, a faint scent of something burning lingered, she assumed it was a nearby fire ignited by her captors.

Taste: Each swallow accentuated the dryness and parched sensation in her mouth, accompanied by the unmistakable metallic tang of blood.

"...Ryu?" A voice softly called out into the air.

"I'm here, Yej," Ryujin tugged harshly against the cable ties, feeling her skin tear slightly, "Are you okay?"

Yeji's eyes shot open as the realization hit her like a thunderbolt when she noticed the unforgiving restraints that bound her. Panis surged through her, making her heart race and her breathing erratic.

"Where the fuck are we?!" She yelled, trembling as she made eye contact with the younger. "What's happening?"

Ryujin tugged against her restraints, "I don't know. All I remember was getting knocked out and now we're here."

"We need to find a way out of this–"

An ear-piercing clash of metal on metal interrupted their desperate conversation. The deafening bangs of a sledgehammer on the railing grew closer and closer, a medium-built young adult man tightened the weapon in his hand, resting it on his muscular shoulder.

The man stopped in front of them, his face partially obscured by shadows. His green eyes darted between the two women he held captive, a mix of curiosity and something else in his gaze.

"Ahh... fresh meat," He said in a low and gravelly tone, ensuing panic in the captives' bones.

"Who are you, and why are we here?" Ryujin demanded, her voice laced with defiance as she locked eyes on the man.

Before the man could speak, a teenage boy, no older than 16 years old came running into the train car. "Rex, they're awake?"

"Yup," Rex nodded, gesturing towards the women with his head, "Care to explain why they're here, Eli?"

Eli gave a menacing smirk as he turned to face the captive women, "I wanted your car."

Ryujin's expression grew more puzzled as she tried to make sense of the situation. "My car? You tied us up just for my car?"