Salvage Station 23

Chapter 1, Part 7

~~~

As darkness fell over Salvage Station 23, an unusual calm settled in. The group gathered around a small fire in the center of their makeshift fortress, the flickering flames casting long shadows across their tired faces.

"Well," Eli broke the silence, a wry grin on his face, "I guess the Jacks decided to take a night off. Maybe they're at a spa getting those creepy smiles polished."

A few chuckles rippled through the group. The newly coined term for the black figures - "Jacks" - had caught on quickly.

"Don't jinx it," Zoe muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on her face.

Olivia looked around at her companions, relief evident in her eyes. "Alright, gang. We've got a breather, but let's stay alert. Aiden, Liam, you're on first watch. The rest of us should try to get some rest."

As the others started to disperse, Max piped up, "Hey, before we all turn in, who's up for a round of 'Worst Apocalypse Food'?"

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

"Oh, it's great," Max grinned. "You just share the worst thing you've had to eat since the world went to hell. I'll start - three-year-old canned spinach that tasted more like swamp than vegetable."

"Ugh, amateur hour," David chimed in, surprising everyone with his participation. "Try half-cooked rattlesnake. Turns out, I'm not the survivalist I thought I was."

The game continued, each story more outrageous than the last, punctuated by groans and laughter. For a moment, they could almost forget the constant danger that lurked beyond their walls.

As the night wore on, most of the group retreated to their sleeping quarters. Aiden and Liam took up their watch positions, scanning the darkness for any sign of the Jacks.

"Hey," Liam said softly, breaking the silence between them. "Thanks for not treating me like I'm made of glass. After... you know."

Aiden glanced at his younger brother, a mix of pride and concern in his eyes. "You're tougher than you look, kid. Just don't push it, okay?"

Liam nodded, then suddenly stiffened. "Aiden, did you hear that?"

A faint sound drifted through the night air - not the usual screech of the Jacks, but something different. Almost like... music?

"Wake the others," Aiden whispered, his hand tightening on his weapon. "Something's not right."

As Liam hurried to rouse the group, the distant melody grew clearer. It was hauntingly beautiful, yet filled with an undercurrent of wrongness that set their teeth on edge.

Olivia emerged from her quarters, instantly alert. "What's going on?"

Before Aiden could answer, a new sound cut through the night - a human voice, calling out from beyond their walls.

"Hello? Is anyone there? Please... I need help!"

The group exchanged wary glances. A survivor? Or something worse?

As Olivia stepped forward to respond, the music swelled, and with it came a bone-chilling realization. The voice calling out for help was laughing - the same terrifying laugh they'd come to associate with the Jacks.

The night, it seemed, was far from over.

~~~