Chapter 12: Answering the Call
278 Words
That night, I stood alone on the observation deck of the ruined bank tower.
Ash rained down from the beige sky, dusting the collar of my heavy coat. Below, the dark, shattered city stretched into infinity—a tomb of metal and concrete filled with desperate souls killing each other for expired cans of food and dirty water.
I looked down at my hands. They were clean, but they felt heavy.
In the abyss, I fought because I wanted to wake up. I fought because I thought the real world was waiting for me—a world with blue skies, warm food, and peace.
Instead, I had woken up into an endless nightmare.
"Boss," Captain Jax walked up behind me, holding a warm tin cup of purified water. He offered it to me. "The squad leaders are waiting for your orders for tomorrow’s patrol."
I took the cup, staring at my own reflection in the murky water.
I couldn't run from this world. I couldn't go back to the coma. My uncle had bled to give me this second chance, and these people needed someone who could see through the dark without losing his soul to it.
"Jax," I said quietly, taking a drink.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Tell the squad leaders we aren't just defending our eight blocks anymore," I declared, my voice firm, carrying the absolute weight of command for the very first time. "We build far barricades. We organize the rationing. We take the surrounding sectors."
I turned back to face the vast, ruined city.
"I've accepted this nightmare. And I'm going to rule it."
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD