Alright kid, that's enough," the tall man had said, handing me a stale piece of bread in exchange for the clothes I gave him. It was barely enough for one person, but somehow it had to be enough for me and my little sister. She hadn't been eating it lately keeps saying she wants milk and biscuits instead. Like that's even possible now. Just like every day, I'll convince her to eat this dry, moldy bread again. I always do.
I took a small bite and immediately made a face. "It's sour," I muttered. Trading clothes for bread was clearly a bad decision. Obviously, that fat man got the better deal he'd be enjoying a proper meal tonight while I chewed on this stale scrap. "You tricked me," I said coldly. He was already walking away but stopped, turned slightly, and glanced at me.
Then he threw the bundle of clothes over his shoulder and said, "Kid, be thankful you're getting anything. There's a food shortage no supplies are coming down anymore." I stared at him, my throat tightening. "You said you'd bring proper food this time… vegetables and rice," I whispered, my voice cracking. "You lied." Tears stung my eyes, but I bit them back.
He walked away without looking back.
But just before disappearing around the corner, he called out,
"Same time tomorrow. I want 300 matchsticks."
I bent down, picked up a small stone lying near my foot, and hurled it in his direction.
It missed.He smiled. Just a little.
But that smile
It stung my ears like a whisper dipped in poison.
The sound of old vehicle horns echoed loudly through the dead land. These were military trucks, moving in long convoys across the wasteland. Every soldier held a heavy rifle in their hands, alert and ready to attack back. They were all heading toward one of the last cities still standing.
A place where only government officials were allowed to enter scientists, military officers, and a few of the so-called important people. Especially the scientists. Rumor says they've been working there for the last three years, trying to mutate Virus-X. No one really knows what's happening behind those high walls.
They say it's about control, or a cure, or something much worse. Whatever it is, people like me aren't welcome there. We're just the ones left behind for suffering.
It's been three years since Virus-X fell on Earth. Earth isn't what it used to be anymore. Tall buildings are now covered in thick branches, as if nature is slowly swallowing the city whole. Humanity has been reduced to just 5% of what it once was. Some people have learned how to live with it.
They've survived somehow. Hiding, adapting, clinging to what little safety they can find. But the real question is how much longer can they last?
The boy stood inside a dark tunnel. Around him were blood-soaked corpses, lifeless bodies torn apart in ways that didn't look human. Some had their eyes ripped out, lying on the ground like marbles. A few arms were tossed far across the tunnel, broken and twisted like discarded branches. But he didn't flinch. He just kept walking straight like he was used to it now. Like death had become part of his routine.
I pulled the knife out from my bag…
My hand trembled slightly, but my eyes stayed locked on him.
He walked right past me—our eyes met.
For a second…
Something shifted.
He stopped. I froze.
"You shouldn't do this," he said, His voice was calm too calm, the gentleness of his voice startled me a bit. I stood there. My eyes were fixed on his bag, where I saw some milk packets.
The packets sticking out of his bag were clearly visible now…
They looked like hands.
Or maybe… my mind was playing tricks on me.
I moved toward his bag, maybe to snatch it but he noticed and looked straight at me. "Are you hungry?" he asked, his tone calm. There was something wise in him, something beyond his years. I noticed a tattoo on his hand something that looked like a Greek god symbol. He pulled out a few packets and offered them to me. "Take it," he said, and without waiting for a reply, began walking ahead. I hesitated for a second, then took the packets. At least Eda would eat something proper today.
He was heading out of the tunnel now, toward a road where a dim light shone. I followed him. Deep inside, I knew I couldn't do this alone anymore. I couldn't keep Eda safe forever not without help. I needed someone. I needed support. But I also knew… trusting someone in a world like this could be the biggest mistake.
I was only 14, and my little sister Eda was barely 6. How we survived only I know. That day is burned into my memory. Mom and Dad were fighting again, like they always did. Screaming. Throwing things. Then suddenly, an emergency alert blared across every device: "Emergency alert: Head west immediately, wherever you are." Dad tried to take us with him, but Mom drunk and angry blocked his way. The argument turned violent. She picked up a big glass flower vase and smashed it against Dad's head. He collapsed right there. I didn't wait to see if he was unconscious or dead. I had no time. I just lifted Eda in my arms and ran.
We didn't go west like everyone else. The roads were completely jammed people crawling over each other like wild animals. Children, elders no one was spared. I saw people getting crushed, some even killing others just to move forward. The fear, the screams, the madness… I saw it all with my own eyes. It wasn't escape it was slaughter. It was hell. And I walked through it, clutching Eda tightly, praying we'd make it out alive.
The virus had taken over the entire city. We were trying to make our way toward Nepal, but Mumbai every corner of it was already lost. The virus had spread like wildfire, consuming people faster than anyone could react. Those infected weren't just sick—they were changing. Transforming into monsters.
Their eyes burned red, filled with a terrifying hunger. They didn't just kill… they drank blood. I saw it. They would rip people apart, tear into flesh with bare hands, and drink the blood like it was the only thing keeping them alive. Human screams echoed through the alleys Mumbai wasn't a city anymore. It was a hunting ground.
Getting out of here was nearly impossible. I had heard rumors about a plan, a rescue mission that was taking people to a safe place. I tried calling the helpline number several times. The phone would ring… but no one ever answered. Each time, I returned to Eda with nothing but disappointment. She was scared to stay here, and I didn't blame her.
At night, the monsters took over. Going outside after dark was almost like signing your death warrant. Sometimes, it got so late while I was out looking for help or food, that I'd end up coming back in the middle of the night and even that short walk back to Eda felt like a nightmare.
The city's power was gone. No streetlights. No electricity. The silence was terrifying, only broken by distant growls or the occasional scream. The world we knew had vanished and all that was left behind… was survival.
I was following him. He kept walking ahead, fearless. There was a knife in my hand, and my legs were shaking. Darkness had already taken over it was the time when monsters came out. They were afraid of sunlight. No matter how large their bodies were, it wasn't that the sunlight made them weak. They just didn't like being in the light. Maybe the light reminded them of something they hated, something that tore them apart from the inside.
"Don't follow me," the boy warned, his voice calm but firm. I flinched and stopped where I was.
He walked a few steps forward, then suddenly turned around.
I lowered my head. Tears had started falling from my eyes without me even noticing. Warm, salty, and soft. I couldn't even count how many times I had cried in these three years. Every time I broke, every time I fell, I told myself to stop, to give up. But then I would look at Eda her face, her eyes. They gave me a reason to keep living.
Today, I had broken again. Crying in front of this stranger, letting my tears fall, showing my weakness it felt shameful. But deep down, I knew I wasn't weak. I was just tired.