The night is still. The rain has softened, but the silence is worse than the screams. Aran walks through the ruined street, the little girl following closely behind. She clutches a small teddy bear, its face torn just like everything else in this world.
Narration (Aran's inner voice):"I didn't save her because I'm a hero. I did it because I still remember what it felt like to lose someone. And I promised myself… never again."
Scene: Inside an abandoned convenience store.
Aran barricades the door with a shelf while the girl sits behind the counter. He moves silently, checking corners, scanning shadows.
Girl (softly):"...Thank you. You didn't have to."
Aran (flatly):"You talk too much. That gets people killed."
She looks down, holding back tears.
Girl:"...I'm Kira."
Aran (cold):"Names don't matter anymore. Not out here."
He kneels and checks his weapon, wiping blood off the blade with a cloth. His hands shake for just a moment — but he hides it.
Suddenly—A loud BANG comes from the back room.
Aran immediately pulls the girl down behind the counter. He draws his sidearm — silenced, modified, black. He moves like a ghost, soundless, deadly.
He opens the door—
Inside, a half-mutated zombie is chained to the wall, twitching violently. Its skin is rotting, but parts of its body are covered in metallic plating — experiments. Someone had been using it for testing.
Aran freezes.
Flashback:Lab coat. Needles. Screams.A door marked "Project Helix."
His breathing slows. His voice drops to a whisper:
Aran:"...They're still trying to control the virus."
Girl (behind him):"What is that thing?"
Aran:"A mistake... one of many."
Outside, unseen… a drone hovers silently above the building. Red light blinking. Watching.
A voice from a hidden speaker:"Target located. He's alive. Prepare the recovery team. Bring Aran in... dead or alive."