Rise of The Unseen

The Safe Haven

Once the checks were complete, Ramirez gestured for them to follow him inside the central tent. Inside, a large table was set up with maps, radios, and various documents scattered about. It was clearly the command center of the operation.

"Alright," Ramirez began, leaning against the table. "Now that we know you're clean, let's get down to business. You had some questions?"

Marta stepped forward, her gaze steady. "Who exactly are you? You said you're part of a larger military operation, but your setup doesn't look entirely official."

Ramirez nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're observant. We're not part of any official military anymore. The chain of command fell apart months ago. We're a splinter group, former military and a few civilians, banded together to fight the Hollows and protect whoever we can."

"What's your endgame?" Benny asked, his tone suspicious. "Are you just surviving, or do you have a plan?"

Ramirez's expression grew serious. "We aim to retake key locations, set up safe zones, and find a long-term solution to the Hollow problem. We have contacts in other camps, and we're working on a coordinated effort to push back."

Jessica, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Why help us? What do you get out of it?"

Ramirez sighed. "Because we need people. Good people who can fight, who can contribute. It's a dangerous world out there, and the more of us there are, the better our chances of survival."

Marta exchanged glances with the rest of her group. They were tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a safe place to rest. But trust was a hard commodity to come by in these times."We'll stay," Marta finally said, her voice firm. "But we keep our weapons, and we keep an eye on our supplies. And if we find out you're lying to us, we're out."

Ramirez nodded, respecting her resolve. "Fair enough. I'll have someone show you to a tent where you can rest. We'll talk more in the morning."

As they were led to their assigned tent, the group couldn't help but feel a mixture of hope and apprehension. The camp offered a semblance of safety, but the scars of betrayal and loss were still fresh. Inside their tent, they settled down, grateful for the chance to rest but wary of the unknown and as the night deepened, the camp grew quieter and the sounds of distant Hollows cying echoed faintly in the background. 

Marta layed awake, staring at the canvas ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Despite the uncertainty, there was a small flicker of hope, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, they had found a place where they could start to rebuild and maybe they can find their families. But trust would have to be earned, and tomorrow would bring new challenges and questions. For now, though, they had a roof over their heads and a momentary reprieve from the relentless fight for survival. And in this world, that was more than they could have hoped for.

The following morning, the group gathered around a makeshift fire pit, where Daniel was cooking breakfast. Benny and Lucas, their usual banter muted by the previous night's events, sat close, exchanging quiet words. Jessica brought a plate of food over to Marta, who was sitting a bit apart from the rest, her eyes scanning the camp.

"Morning, Ace," Jessica said, handing Marta the plate with a small smile.

Marta took the plate, her gaze softening. "Morning, Moonlight. Thanks."

Jessica chuckled, sitting down beside her. "So, ready to see what the day brings?"

Marta sighed, taking a bite of her food. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's just hope it's something good for a change."

Just as the words left her mouth, a soldier approached their tent. "Captain Ramirez wants to see you," he said, looking at Marta.

She exchanged glances with her group before standing up, brushing off her pants. "Guess it's time to find out what our next move is."