LOST CHASING THE SUN

escape tunnel

Crystal and I have been living in the old man's mansion for a day. I was currently taking a bath, while Crystal sat in the living room, nervously watching the news on a small TV.

**News Anchor:** (on TV) ...authorities have issued a search for two refugees, seen walking the streets in restricted areas. They are considered potentially dangerous due to their knowledge about the hunter tacs. Citizens are urged to report any sightings immediately.

Crystal's eyes widen as she recognizes the description. She quickly turns off the TV and storms into the kitchen, where the old man is preparing a meal.

Crystal: (urgent) Did you hear that? They're looking for us. For Zeir!

Old Man: (frowning) I did. And you two have brought nothing but trouble since you arrived.

Crystal: (stepping closer, lowering her voice threateningly) Listen, old man, Zeir has saved my life more times than I can count. We can't afford to be turned in. So, you're going to pretend you don't know anything about her. Understood?

Old Man:(glaring) And why should I risk my own neck for you?

Crystal: (coldly) Because if you don't, I’ll make sure the hunter tacs know exactly where to find you. Believe me, they won’t care about your fancy walls.

Old Man: (taken aback) You'd really do that?

Crystal: (fierce) Try me. Now, just keep your mouth shut and let us lay low until we figure out our next move. Got it?

The old man looked at Crystal, realizing she's serious. He reluctantly nodded.

grumbling) Fine. But this better not come back to bite me," the skeptical old man said.

Crystal: (firmly) It won't, as long as you keep your end of the deal.

just then, I walked into the room, drying my hair with a towel, oblivious to the tension that just transpired.

(smiling) What's going on? Something smells good," I said.

Crystal:(forcing a smile) Just making sure we stay safe, Zeir. Come on, let’s eat.

The old man watched us , a mix of fear and grudging respect in his eyes, as he served us the meal.

---

The old man's mansion is abruptly surrounded by military vehicles and soldiers.Crystal and I heard the commotion from inside and panicked.

Crystal:(whispering urgently) Zeir, they’re here! We need to go, now!

(grabbing her bag) Follow me. We’ll take the back exit," I said

We made a dash for the back door, but the soldiers quickly swarmed the property. but I managed to slip past a few, but Crystal got caught.**

Soldier:(shouting) Stop! Don't move!

(desperate) Crystal!," I cried

Crystal:struggling) Go, Zeir! Find a way out!

I hesitated and started running , dodging through the trees at the edge of the property. I could hear the soldiers gaining on me, my heart pounding. Suddenly, I tripped and fell and before I could get up,I was surrounded.

Soldier:(pointing his weapon) Don’t move. You’re coming with us.

(defeated) Fine, just don’t hurt Crystal," I pleaded.

They cuffed me and led me to a military vehicle. I was transported to the military base, where I was brought before the commander.

Commander: (standing up as she enters) Zeir, isn't it? Sit down.

(defiant) What do you want from me?," I asked

Commander: (calmly) We need your help. You have knowledge about the hunter tacs. We want you to join us on a run to capture more specimens.

(angry) No way. Those things are monsters. You’re insane if you think I’ll help you with that," I said

Commander: (leaning forward) We’re not asking, Zeir. This is for the greater good.

(firmly) I said no. I’m not risking my life for your experiments," I stated.

Commander: (sighing, then leaning closer and whispering) I understand your hesitation. But what if I told you we can help you find your brother?

Zeir’s eyes widen, a mix of hope and suspicion crossing her face.

(hesitant) You can find him?," I asked in desperation

**Commander:** (nodding) We have resources, information. Join us, and I’ll make it a priority to locate him. But we need your help first.

(conflicted) And if I refuse?," I asked

Commander: (leaning back) Then you’ll be on your own, and we both know how dangerous that is. Think about it, Zeir. Your brother needs you.

(after a long pause) Alright. I’ll do it. But you better keep your promise," I said

Commander:(smiling) Good. Welcome aboard. We leave at dawn.

I nodded reluctantly, knowing I had no choice but to trust the commander, hoping it will lead her to her brother.

In the commander's briefing room, the atmosphere was tense. The commander, surrounded by his top team, looked at me with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

Commander: (clearing his throat) Alright, listen up. We've got a new mission. We need to capture more hunter tacs and gather food supplies. Zeir here is joining us. She has some... insights about these creatures.

(taking a deep breath) You need to understand something. The hunter tacs are evolving. Some of them don’t die easily, no matter how much you shoot them. Some are just mutated humans, and they’re the most dangerous because they still think like us," I said.

(snickering) Mutated humans? Sounds like a bad horror movie," one team member said.

(ignoring the comment) Some of them hate sounds and attack based on it. If you make noise, they'll come for you. And some... some feed on fear. The more scared you are, the stronger they become," I said

(laughing) Oh, come on! Feeding on fear? What are they, ghosts?," one team member said

Commander: (smirking) Alright, smarty pants. We get it. The monsters are scary. But we’ve dealt with them before, and we’ll deal with them again. Now, our mission is to head back to the first wall that was destroyed. That’s where we’ll find what we need.

(firmly) I'm telling you, this isn't a joke. If we’re not prepared, we’ll lose more people," I warned them.

(dismissively) We appreciate the warnings, Zeir. But we have a job to do. Let’s move out," the commander said.

The team set off towards the first wall that was destroyed. As they approached, the scene was heartbreaking.

The once first wall now laid in ruins, twisted metal and crumbled concrete scattered everywhere. The ground is stained with blood, and the bodies of the fallen lay where they were struck down, a grim reminder of the battle that took place.

( I whispering) This is worse than I imagined...

(solemnly) We lost a lot of good people here," one of the team members said

(gritting his teeth) Stay focused. We need to find supplies and capture any tacs we can," commander said.

(looking around cautiously) Keep an eye out for the mutated ones. They’re the most dangerous," I warned

(sarcastically) Oh great, more nightmare fuel," one of them said

As we moved through the rubble, the air is thick with the stench of death. Pools of blood flow through the broken streets, painting a tragic picture of the recent c*****e.

(to herself) We have to be ready. They’ll come back," I said to myself

Commander:(steeling himself) Alright, everyone. Stay sharp. We’re not here to mourn. We’re here to survive.

The team nods, the weight of their task heavy on their shoulders as they venture deeper into the ruins, haunted by the memories of those who fell before them.