Echoes of Desolation [ TGC ; APOCALYPSE AU ]

2. Run for Your Life

The harsh green sky cast an eerie glow over the city as Isaac, Nick, Larry, Yumi and Tanner made their way through the desolate streets. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and a sense of foreboding hung over them like a shroud.

Isaac led the way, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the dim light. His mind raced with questions and concerns, but he kept his focus on finding shelter. "We need to find a place to regroup," he said, his voice steady. "We can figure out our next move once we're safe."

They passed by crumbling buildings and overgrown ruins, their eyes scanning for anything that might provide them with cover. Nick, ever the strategist, was already thinking ahead. "We need to find supplies too. Food, water, anything we can use."

Larry, the youngest and shortest of the group, stayed close to Isaac, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. "What do you think happened here?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Isaac shook his head. "I don't know, Larry. But we need to stay focused. We can't afford to get distracted."

Yumi, his tech-savvy mind always working, pointed to a partially collapsed building in the distance. "That place looks promising. We might find something useful there."

Isaac nodded, already moving ahead to scout the area. "I'll check it out. Stay close."

As they approached the building, Tanner's eyes were drawn to the strange markings on the walls. "Look at these symbols. They look... ancient."

Isaac frowned as he examined the markings. "I've never seen anything like them before. But right now, our priority is survival."

Inside the building, they found a small, relatively intact room that would serve as their shelter for the night. The room was dusty and smelled of mildew, but it was better than being out in the open. They set up makeshift beds using whatever materials they could find, their exhaustion evident.

"We should take turns keeping watch," Nick suggested. "We don't know what kind of dangers are out there."

Isaac agreed. "Good idea. I'll take the first watch. The rest of you, get some rest."

As the others settled in, Isaac sat by the entrance, his eyes scanning the darkness outside. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that something—or someone—was out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Hours passed in tense silence. Isaac's thoughts drifted to the green gun that had brought them here. It lay in pieces in the corner of the room, a reminder of their predicament. He wondered if they would ever figure out how to fix it, if they would ever find a way back home.

His thoughts were interrupted by a noise outside. He tensed, his hand moving to the makeshift weapon he had fashioned from a broken pipe. The noise grew louder, and Isaac's heart pounded in his chest.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a young woman, her clothes tattered and her eyes wide with fear. She stumbled towards the building, clearly in distress.

"Help... please," she gasped, collapsing at the entrance.

Isaac quickly moved to help her, his mind racing. "Who are you? What happened?"

The woman looked up at him, her eyes filled with terror. "My name is Ellie. There are... creatures... out there. They attacked my group. I managed to escape, but... they're coming."

Isaac's blood ran cold. " Creatures? What kind of creatures?"

Ellie shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know. They were... monstrous. We need to leave. Now."

Isaac helped Ellie inside and quickly woke the others. "We need to move. Now. Ellie says there are creatures nearby."

Nick, Larry, Yumi and Tanner quickly gathered their things, their exhaustion replaced by adrenaline. As they prepared to leave, Isaac took one last look at the green gun. They couldn't take it with them in its broken state, but he knew they couldn't afford to lose it either.

"Hide it," he instructed Yumi. "We can come back for it later."

Yumi nodded and quickly hid the pieces of the gun under a pile of rubble. With that done, they followed Ellie out into the night, their hearts pounding with fear and anticipation.

As they ran through the darkened streets, Isaac couldn't shake the feeling that their journey had only just begun. The challenges they faced were unlike anything they had ever encountered, but he knew they had to stay strong. Their survival depended on it.

They had been running for several minutes when Ellie suddenly stumbled, collapsing to the ground. Isaac rushed to her side, his eyes widening in horror as he noticed the dark veins creeping up her neck.

"Ellie, what's happening to you?" Isaac asked, panic rising in his voice.

Ellie looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "I was bitten," she whispered. "I didn't want to tell you... I thought I could make it... but I can't. I'm sorry."

Isaac's heart sank as he realized the gravity of their situation. "We have to keep moving," he said, his voice shaking. "We can't stay here."

Nick, seeing the state Ellie was in, nodded grimly. "He's right. We need to go. Now."

With heavy hearts, they left Ellie behind, her fate a grim reminder of the dangers they faced. As they ventured further into the unknown, they couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows of the night were closing in around them.